Analysis: The Roots - "Bread and Butter"

Artist: The Roots Song: Bread and Butter Released: August 29, 2006

Lyric:

The brain of an Orson Welles Stuck in a masterpiece, Citizen Kane’s personal hell

Context (via Genius):

A lot of things going on here. Orson Welles was best known for his broad cast of War of the Worlds, which sent most of America into a panic after a very realistic, fictional depiction of aliens taking over the planet was read over the radio, as well as Citizen Kane, largely considered one of the best movies of all time, wherein a young man goes into the newspaper industry with dreams of social service and winds up in a relentless pursuit of power.

TN is saying that life is so terrible that many (like himself) are incredibly talented, like Mr. Welles, but even though their dreams are noble, they are unable to escape the reality of their situation. The “personal hell” line is particularily resonate, as Orson Welles not only directed Citizen Kane but also played the leading role, making this hell his own.

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