It's been a long time, I shouldn't have left you
   Without a strong rhyme to step to
   Think of how many weak shows you slept through
   Time's up, I'm sorry I kept you
   Thinking of this, you keep repeating you miss
   The rhymes from the microphone soloist
   And you sit by the radio, hand on the dial, soon
   As you hear it, pump up the volume
   Dance wit the speaker 'till you hear it blow,
   Then plug in the headphone 'cause here it go
   It's a 4 letter word when it's heard, it control
   your body to dance (You got it) soul,
   Ditects the tempo like a red alert
   Reaches your reflex, so let it work
   When this is playing, you can't get stuck wit
   The steps, so get set and I'm a still come up wit
   A gift to be swift, follow the leader, the rhyme will go
   Def wit the record that was mixed a long time ago
   It can be done but only I can do it
   For those that can dance and clap your hands to it
   I start to think and then I sink
   Into the paper like I was ink
   When I'm writing, I'm trapped in between the lines,
   I escape when I finish the rhyme...
   I got soul
  
   You got it (4x)
   I know you got soul
  
   Picture a mic, the stage is empty
   A beat like this might tempt me
   To pose, show my rings and my fat gold chain
   Grab the mic like I'm on Soul Train
   But I'll wait 'cause I mastered this
   Let the others go first so the brothers don't miss
   Eric B. break the sticks (you got it)
   Rakim will begin when you make the mix
   I'll experiment like a scientist
   You wanna rhyme, you gotta sign my list
   'Cause I'm a manifest and bless the mic I hold
   You want it next? then you gotta have soul
   'Cause if you ain't got it, I'm a make an encore
   Take the mic, make the people respond for
   The R, 'cause that's the way it'll have to be
   If you wanna get on after me
   Think about it, wait, erase your rhyme
   Forget it and don't waste your time
   'Cause I'll be in the crowd if you ain't controlling it
   Drop the mic, you shouldn't be holding it
   This is how it should be done
   This style is identical to none
   Some try to make it sound like this but you're getting me
   So upset that I'm wet 'cause you're sweating me
   I drip steam like a microphone fiend
   Eager to MC is my theme
   I get hype when I hear a drum roll
   Rakim is on the mic and you know I got soul
  
   You got it (5x)
  
   I got soul (you got it) that's why I came
   To teach those who can't say my name
   First of all, I'm the soloist, the soul controller
   Rakim gets stronger as I get older
   Constant elevation causes expansion
   I write my rhyme while I cool in my mansion
   Then put it on tape and in the city I test it
   Then on the radio the R's requested
   You listen to it, the concept might break you
   'Cause almost anyone can relate to...
   Whoever's out of hand, I'm give him handles
   Light 'em up, blow 'em out like candles
   Or should I just let him melt?
   Then give him a hand so they can see how it felt
   I'm not bold just cuz I rock gold
   Rakim is on the mic and you know I got soul
  
   You got it (4x)
  
   Now I'm a stop to see what you got
   Get off the mic before I get too hot
   I want to see which posse can dance the best
   It should be easy 'cause the beat is fresh
   Now if your from Uptown, Brooklyn- bound,
   The Bronx, Queens, or Long Island Sound,
   Even other states come right and exact,
   It ain't where you're from, it's where you're at
   Since you came here, you have to show and prove
   And do that dance until it don't move
   'Cause all you need is soul self-esteem will release,
   The rest is up to you, Rakim 'll say peace
  
   You got it (10x)