Heard 'Em Say

[DISCLAIMER]

I make no secret of or apology for the fact that I’m a fan of lyricist and hip hop producer Kanye “Ye” West’s music up through his 808s & Heartbreak (2008) album. After that anthology, I’ve intermittently enjoyed some songs here or there while remaining curious about his behavior.

In any event, on Ye’s album Late Registration (2005) was the track “Heard ‘Em Say” which featured Adam Levine of Maroon 5. As well, it contained a sample of “Someone That I Used to Love” that was written by Michael Masser and Gerry Goffin, and performed by Natalie Cole.

Through the lens of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I recognize the theme of impermanence and uncertainty which relates to the REBT tool of unconditional life-acceptance (ULA) within the chorus of “Heard ‘Em Say”. Specifically, the chorus states:

Uh, and I heard ‘em say (Ooh)

Nothing’s ever promised tomorrow, today

And I heard ‘em say

Nothing’s ever promised tomorrow, today

(Nothing’s ever promised tomorrow, today)

But we’ll a find a way

And nothing lasts forever, but be honest, babe

It hurts, but it may be the only way

Imagine that tomorrow someone makes a promise intended for today. To simplify this thought exercise, I’m posting this blog entry on a Saturday (10/11/2025). Imagine that on Sunday (10/12/2025) I make a promise intended for October 11, 2025. My promise cannot be realized.

This is because the past is passed, and cannot be undone, redone, or altered in any way. This ULA lesson coincides with “Heard ‘Em Say”, as “nothing’s ever promised tomorrow, today.” Even if “we’ll find a way” to conduct time travel in the future, that isn’t the case today.

Therefore, “nothing lasts forever.” This moment fades into the next, as the here-and-now becomes nonexistent. That’s the case, except within one’s memory—which doesn’t constitute the present. It’s merely a shadow of what once was. Naturally, we can only live in this moment.

Also contained in “Heard ‘Em Say” is the REBT technique of the ABC model. Explicitly, Levine states that “it hurts, but it may be the only way” that “nothing lasts forever.” Here, it may be useful to describe how the process of self-disturbance occurs by illustrating the ABC model.

The ABC model demonstrates that when an undesirable Action occurs and one Believes an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s one’s unfavorable assumption, not the occurrence itself, that causes an unpleasant Consequence. This is how one upsets (disturbs) oneself.

For example, I tell you that the past is impermanent and that life is uncertain (Action). You then Believe, “Things must last forever, and it’s disastrous if this isn’t the case! In fact, I can’t stand this insignificantly short-termed existence!” At that, you then experience despair (Consequence).

Addressing how people upset themselves with unhelpful attitudes, the ABC model incorporates Disputation of unproductive philosophies of life in order to explore Effective new beliefs. Whereas rigid beliefs cause self-disturbance, flexible beliefs result in an un-disturbed condition.

Rather than your exemplified self-disturbing Belief, an Effective new belief would be something along the lines of, “While I’d prefer for life to last longer than it does, it hurts, but it may be the only way to tolerate and accept what relatively little time I have left in life.”

Using italicized lyrics from “Heard ‘Em Say”, your Effective new belief incorporates an element of ULA. Given this helpful perspective, you’d likely un-disturb yourself and instead opt for the Stoic practice of eudaimonia (a well-lived life). This is how I get by from day to day!

As a reported “ode to Kanye West with ‘Heard Em Say”, lyricist and hip hop producer Logic dropped the album No Pressure (2020) which contained the song “Heard Em Say” that featured vocals by Anna Elyse. Personally, I find Elyse’s voice mesmerizing!

As well, the track contained a sample of “Lies (Through the 80s)”, featuring Denny Newman, from the Manfred Mann’s Earth Band album Chance (1980). The sampled line says, “I saw a kid with no smile on his face today. ‘Where is my place in this bright future?’ I heard him say.”

Whereas Ye’s song “Heard ‘Em Say” addresses the past, Logic’s track “Heard Em Say” begins by focusing on the future. Then, in his first verse, Logic admits, “I’d rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I’m not.” This matter relates to the presentence.

As well, it regards the REBT tool of unconditional self-acceptance (USA). Let’s face it, it’s rather easy to self-disturb with neurotic focus on who may or may not like us in the future. “Will they like me?” we may ask ourselves, “Will they hate me?”

Rather than helpfully practicing ULA, as the future is yet to come – and therefore cannot be controlled in the present – people disturb themselves about imaginary problems. Rather than doing so, they could admit that – before anything else – they’re merely fallible human beings.

Additionally, while there’s doubtlessly room for improvement, people may be good enough as is. Here, I’m not discussing thoughts, beliefs, emotions, sensations, or behavior. Rather, I said that “people” (as human beings) may be appraised as worthwhile simply for existing.

If you begin practicing this form of USA, then anything you do to improve your condition is simply a bonus. Anything you do that doesn’t progress your level of functioning and quality of life is humbly considered along with your baseline level of USA.

Still, quite often, people instead self-disturb by refusing to accept themselves as the imperfect beings they are. In so doing, they create their own problems. Regarding this matter, in the third verse of Logic’s “Heard Em Say”, the lyricist states:

Never mind who be bitchin’

This is for the person in the back who always gon’ listen

Fuck a punchline; this is food for thought, like the lunch line

We all got problems, the question is: Can you solve ‘em?

Had the courage to face all of ‘em and resolve ‘em

Shit, I know you can, ‘cause I did

I know you can, ‘cause I done it

No matter what the fuck you goin’ through, I’mma keep it a hunnid

I know you can overcome it

Baby mama trippin’? I know, I’ve been there

Boss caught you slippin’? I know, I’ve been there

Somebody beefin’ with you? Man, that shit ain’t rare

Just keep it pushin’

So you heard ‘em say that “nothing’s ever promised tomorrow, today,” and “nothing lasts forever,” per Ye’s song. “Never mind who be bitchin’,” per Logic’s track. It’s unlikely that you can change any of that! How about focusing on what you can control and influence in life?

In the interest of unconditional other-acceptance, are the people to whom you’re listening open to influence? If they aren’t, then how about taking control of the one thing you can—your reaction to what you’ve heard? This is the practice of REBT that leads to rational living!

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As the world’s foremost hip hop-influenced REBT psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

Photo credit, fair use

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