What Is Hip?

(Album: Tower Of Power - 1973)

So you want to jump out your trick bag
And ease on into a hip bag
But you ain't just exactly sure what's hip
So you start to let your hair grow
Spend big bucks to top your wardrobe
But somehow you know there's much more to the trip

(What is hip) tell me, tell me if you think you know
(What is hip) if you're really hip, the passing years will show
You in a hip trip, maybe hipper than hip
But what is hip

You became part of the new breed
Been smoking only the best weed
Hanging out on the so-called hippest set
Been seen in all the right places
Seen with just the right faces
You should be satisfied, but still it ain't quite right

(What is hip) tell me, tell me if you think you know
(What is hip) if you're really hip, the passing years will show
You in a hip trip, maybe hipper than hip
But what is hip

Hipness is (well) what it is
Hipness is (yeah) what it is
Hipness is (uh huh) what it is
And sometimes hipness is what it ain't
Hey, hey

You done went and found you a guru
In an effort to find you a new you
And maybe even managed to raise your conscious level
While you're striving to find the right road
There's one thing you should know
What's hip today might become passé

(What is hip) tell me, tell me if you think you know
(What is hip) if you're really hip, the passing years will show
You in a hip trip, maybe hipper than hip
But what is hip

Think about it, y'all

(What is hip) tell me, tell me if you think you know
(What is hip) if you're really hip, the passing years will show
(What is hip) tell me, tell me if you think you know
(What is hip) if you're really hip, the passing years will show

(What is hip) ah
(What is hip) ha, I'd like to know
(What is hip) is it in the style of your hair
(What is hip) is it in the clothes that you wear

(What is hip) ha, I'd like to know
(What is hip) I'd like to know
(What is hip) what is hip, y'all, hey
(What is hip) hey, ho, oh

(What is hip) what is hip, y'all
(What is hip) I wanna know
(What is hip) I
(What is hip) hey, I wanna know what hip it is