Immortal

Album: 4 Your Eyez Only (2016)
Charted: 49 11
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • 4 Your Eyez Only follows the story of a childhood friend of Cole's who got caught up in the streets, started a family but died young. This song assumes the perspective of the youth at the age of 17, as he starts selling crack as a means to escape poverty, despite the risks. He knows what he is doing is wrong and doesn't want to end up in the penitentiary, but it's the only way the young man knows to make ends meet.

    Many African Americans have the mentality that there only three avenues whereby a black man can become a legend: drug dealing, music and sport. Cole demonstrates his resentment on "Immortal" at the way society enforces this idea.
  • In my mind I been cryin', know it's wrong but I'm sellin'
    Eyes wellin' up with tears
    Thinkin' 'bout my niggas dead in the dirt
    Immortalized on this shirt


    Cole's friend knows that his lifestyle will eventually get him killed. However his name will live on, as the custom to make a shirt in memory of the deceased means that he'll be immortalized on the garment.
  • Cole foretells the death of his friend during the hook.

    Forward with the plot
    One-Seven-Forty-Five


    At 17:45 minutes on the 4 Your Eyez Only CD, the listener arrives at the part of the song "Change" where Cole's friend dies.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillian

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillianSong Writing

A Soul Train dancer takes us through a day on the show, and explains what you had to do to get camera time.