Lyrics of 'The Magic Number' by De La Soul

Three, that's the magic number (three)
Yes, it is, it's the magic number (three)
Somewhere in this hip-hop soul community
Was born three: Mase, Dove and me
And that's the magic number
(What does it all mean?)

Difficult preachin' is Posdnuos' pleasure
Pleasure and preachin' starts in the heart
Somethin' that stimulates the music in my measure
Measure in my music, raised in three parts

Casually see, but don't do like the soul
'Cause seein' and doin' are actions for monkeys
Doin' hip-hop hustle, no rock and roll
Unless your name's Brewster
'Cause Brewster's a punk (three)

Parents, let go, 'cause there's magic in the air
Criticisin' rap shows you're out of order
Stop, look and listen to the phrase Fred Astaires
And don't get offended while Mase do-si-do's your daughter

A tri-camera rolls since our music's now set
Fly rhymes are stored on a DAISY production
It stands for Da Inner Sound, Y'All and y'all can bet
That the action's, not a trick, but sho nuff a function

Everybody wants to be a DJ
Everybody wants to be an MC
But being speakers are the best
And you don't have to guess
De La Soul posse consists of three
And that's the magic number (three)

This here piece of the pie
Is not dessert, but the course that we dine
And three out of every darn time
The effect is hmm, when a DAISY grows in your mind
Showin' true position, this here piece is
Kissin' the part of the pie that's missin'
When that negative number fills up the cavity

Maybe you can subtract it
You can call it your lucky partner
Maybe you can call it your adjective
But odd as it may be
Without my one and two, where would there be my three?
Mase, Pos and me
And that's the magic number

Focus is formed by flaunts to the soul
Souls who flaunt styles gain praises by pounds
Common are speakers who honor the scroll
Scrolls written daily creates a new sound

Listeners, listen, 'cause this here is wisdom
Wisdom of a Speaker, a Dove and a Plug
Set aside a legal substance to feed 'em
For now, get 'em high off this dialect drug (three)

Time is a factor so it's time that counts
Count not the negative actions of one
Speakers of soul say it's time to shout
Three forms the soul to a positive sum'

Dance to this fix and flex every muscle
Space can be filled if you rise like my lumber
Advance to the tune, but don't do the hustle
Shake, rattle, roll to my magic number (three)

Now you may try to subtract it
But it just won't go away
Three times one? (What is it?)
(One, two, three) and that's a magic number

(Yo, what's up?)
(One, two, three)
(I say: Children, what does it all mean?)
(Woah, woah, oh, oh) (one, two, three)
(I wouldn't lie to you)

(No more, no less, that's a magic number) (three)
(No more, no less) (what it is?)
(No more, no less)
(No more, no less) (do the shang-a-lang)
(No more, no less)
(No more, no less)
(Anybody in the audience ever get hit by a car?)

(No more, no less) (how high's the water, mama?)
(No more, no less) (how high's the water, mama?)
(No more, no less) (three feet high and rising)
(No more, no less) (three)
(That's a magic number)