Analysis

The Choice Is Yours

Shaggy

16+
Verdict
Listen first

Cannabis and tobacco references, otherwise uplifting message

Detailed Analysis

The lyrics carry a generally positive message about personal empowerment, positivity, karma, and making good choices. However, there are notable drug references that warrant caution. Early in the song, there is a reference to cigarette smoking ('Light me up a cigarette'). More significantly, later verses contain multiple explicit references to marijuana use, including 'Smokin' up a chalice or a spliff of pacalo,' 'Rollin' up the best with nothin' less than hydro,' and 'When I'm smokin' on my spliff, don't burn it fast, I like it slow.' These references to cannabis are specific and casual in tone, normalizing drug use as part of everyday lifestyle. There is no explicit profanity, sexual content, or violent imagery present. The overall message about positivity, karma, and personal choice is constructive, but the casual glorification of marijuana and tobacco use makes this content unsuitable for younger audiences without parental guidance.

Themes

drug references

positivity

free will

tobacco

spirituality

cannabis

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Lyrics

Your mind long gone, and you're run down You're all out of smoke (all out of smoke) Light me up a cigarette, before I go (before I go) Your whole world fits inside of the palm of your hands (palm of your hands) I try to tell 'em, man, but they just don't understand The choice is yours, when you're ready The choice is yours, oh oh The choice is yours, taking it easy The choice is yours, the choice is yours Your arms wide open, the walls are caving in (caving in) Don't bury your secrets deep within your skin (within your skin) When you focus on the good things All things under the sun (under the sun) You free yourself from negativity And then the good shall come (good shall come) The choice is yours, when you're ready The choice is yours, oh oh The choice is yours, taking it easy The choice is yours, the choice is yours The choice is yours and the choice and mine You can't please everybody all of the time Can hope and pray things will be just fine But might not know 'til the end of the line Happiness is only a state of mind Open your eyes, and in time you will find Open up your heart, and let your love light shine And it don't cost a penny, nickel, or dime Give a little love and get a little, ain't the way that it goes? What goes around it comes around and everyone knows What you give is what you get So take a look 'cause it shows Pickin' up your brother any time he feelin' low Smokin' up a chalice or a spliff of pacalo Rollin' up the best with nothin' less than hydro When I'm smokin' on my spliff, don't burn it fast, I like it slow Movin' up in a style, up in a fashion I'm supposed Open a another door any time another door is closed Move into the light, then from in the dark now exposed When I'm reachin' into sky and spread it out and let it grow Never do a thing because somebody's sayin' so The choice is yours, way-o, yours The choice is yours The choice is yours The choice is yours The choice is yours, when you're ready The choice is yours, oh oh The choice is yours, take it easy The choice is yours, the choice is yours


Remember: You know your child best. Use LyricsRay as a tool to inform your decisions, but always trust your parental instincts and family values when determining what's right for your children.
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Analysis performed on June 28, 2026