The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

Lost Ones

·      Theme: Nobody is perfect, and no matter what you can’t win every one of life’s battles.

·      What am I supposed to have lost in the course of this song?

Ex-Factor

·      Theme: Love is overpowering and unbearably painful, to the point that one experiencing love may hurt him or herself.

·      What does “why won’t you live for me?” mean?

To Zion

·      Theme: Listen to your heart and your own instincts over the advice of others.

·      What does Zion mean, and what does it have to do with pregnancy?

Doo Wop

·      Theme: Too many women get involved with improper gentleman.

·      Is the theme of this song specific to the black community?

Superstar

·      Theme: Musical artists need to remain humble and not forget their humanity.

·      Is this concept restricted to only musical artists?

Final Hour

·      Theme: Life is more than money and power; we will all die in the same way.

When it Hurts So Bad

·      Theme: Love hurts like a motherfucker.

·      I can confirm the aforementioned assertion.

I Used to Love Him

·      Theme: Time heals the initial pain that love causes.

Forgive Them Father

·      Theme: Criminals are ignorant of the monumental consequences of their actions.

·      Does ignorance really excuse atrocities?

Every Ghetto, Every City

·      Theme: You can never forget your roots.

·      What sets the city (any city) apart?

Everything Is Everything

·      Theme: Real change must be affected gradually, like the end of segregation.

·      Why is this song called “Everything is Everything?”

“Life ain’t nothing but bitches and money.” – Ice Cube

           

            The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill expresses this statement through multiple songs about the overwhelming and unbearable pain of love, as well as a few tracks about the music industry and the circumstance of poverty in Lauryn Hill’s hometown. The music industry is the lifeblood of Lauryn Hill’s career and therefore her primary income. The repeated discussion about love, and how hard it is to heal from when it is gone, is one of the most important philosophical concepts in life. Love is something that is not given proper attention in school, which is why Lauryn Hill included so many songs about it in an album about her “Miseducation,” and also why she included skits depicting students learning about love in class.