Macklemore - This Unruly Mess I've Made Album Lyrics

[Hook - Mike Slap:]
Last night the sky's turned purple and
Past lives in light tunnels
Light tunnels

[Verse 1 - Macklemore:]
In the back of a town car, staring at myself in a tux
Maneuvering through the people out front
Police barricade, orange cones and we're stuck
Twenty minutes late and my manager blowing me up
Security guard in the garage at the entrance
Rolled down the window and showed him our credentials
[?] flash the pass and he let's us continue
Metal detectors, phone booths and reception
I should be grateful this my nine to five
I walk into the green room, alright, alright
I get on Youtube tryna learn how to tie on my tie
F*ck it, I'll wear the bolo tonight, night, night
I probably shouldn't have done the drugs I've done
A couple of days ago, detox son
I forgot my belt at the hotel
F*ck, now my team all scared my [?] sucks
I need something to cope, ain't nothing to cope
I eat a banana and I drink a cup of throat coat
I wish I had the homies with me here but nope
Most of the artists that I know don't get invited to this show
Because success to them determines our value
The make-up, the power, hairspray, perfume, make-up and powder
The ratings come down to who's popular now in the song in the hour
Knock at the door, I let them in, hair and make up now, red carpet in ten
She covers up my freckles, concealer on my chin
I look orange but she swears it looks natural with my skin
The show is starting, they take me to my seat
Walk in the arena building, ego of elites
Like the whole industry is staring at me
A row away from Taylor, two away from Jay and B

[Hook - Mike Slap:]
Last night the sky's turned purple and
Past lives in light tunnels
Light tunnels
So that's who we are
Just like the stars
Shine your light on
Shine your light on

[Verse 2 - Macklemore:]
Curtain opens up, host walks out
We stand in unison and applaud real loud
I watch the other people that have been around for a while
Just excited I got invited, feeling cool in the crowd
Thinking such and such is bold, look at such and such's gold
Damn, such and such in real life, looks really f*ckin' old
Such and such is fine, she's with such and such, oh
I'm here but I'm barely even watching the show
Cause tonight we toast to our accomplishments
Insecurity dressed up as confidence
I said tonight we toast to our accomplishments
Insecurity dressed up as confidence
An award is given out, commercial, re-set the scene
They keep saying "coming soon is the Biebs"
Watch celebrities take selfies with celebrities
It feels so make believe
They want the gossip, they want the drama
They want Britney Spears to make out with Madonna
They want Kanye to rant and to go on longer, cause that equates to more dollars
They want talking topics, they want trending topics
They want outfits to be outlandish, they want sideways glances
Beef and problems, they want nipple slips
Cause they live for clips, this is economics
So we Botox our skin and we smile for the camera
Might as well get a new nose while we're at it
This is America and insecurity's our fabric
And we wear it and we renamed it fashion
I look to my right, there's a cameraman snapping
Picture after picture after sister after sister
Of the line of Kardashians, mind so distracted
Realized there's an ovation and everyone's clapping

[Hook - Mike Slap:]
Last night the sky's turned purple and
Past lives in light tunnels
Light tunnels
So that's who we are
Just like the stars
Shine your light on
Shine your light on

[Verse 3 - Macklemore:]
It's just weird when the camera's on you
Gotta remember to still clap if I lose
I see myself up on the screen
Split into five different artists on TV
And just look normal, don't get turned into a meme
Relax, breathe
(And the award goes to: Macklemore and Ryan Lewis)
Me
There's a stranger holding my award
I give her an awkward hug she says "It's yours"
Think I'm supposed to kiss her on the cheek
Man, I should have prepared an acceptance speech
Do I talk first? Is it Ryan? Is it me?
F*ck it, I'll take the lead, grab the mic, say my piece
Do I look at camera one? Do I look at camera three?
I promise, I'm honored, I'd like to thank God, my momma and father
I'd like to thank Trisha, the mother of my daughter
I couldn't have done it without you all in my corner
Especially the fans, been here since the beginning
Supported the music, allowed us to be independent
And I know, I shouldn't be long-winded
Wait, hold up, don't play the music, let me finish
This feels so narcissistic, dressed as a celebration to conceal it's a business
Me, me, me, my, my image, my, my songs, my self interest
One big reality show that is scripted
And I can keep trying or get off the competition
I'd rather run out of my fifteen minutes
Than have life past me by and I forget to live it
But that doesn't mean retirement
But I don't like who I am in this environment
I forgot what this art's for
I didn't get through Freshman year to drop out as a Sophomore
Here I am in this arena, yeah, I'm scared
I got the people's attention, don't wanna lose it here
Thinking about my career, miserable here
But wanna make sure I'm invited next year
To the same damn party, celebrities and isle
Same blank stares, same fake smiles
Same big budget production
I know now who I am when the lights go out and it falls down
And the curtain closes, nobody notices
Wanted to throw up the Roc, wanted to be Hova
Wanted to be Wayne with the accent from the NOLA
Thought I'd feel better when the award show was over

[Macklemore:]
But I guess I showed up late
Almost got cut off when they closed the gate
Just in time, what will I say?
Time to explain this unruly mess I've made
But I guess I showed up late
Almost got cut off when they closed the gate
Just in time, what will I say?
Time to explain this unruly mess I've made

I went to the Moped store, said f*ck it
Salesman's like what up, what's your budget?
And I'm like honestly, I don't know nothing about Mopeds
He said I got the one for you, follow me
Ooh, it's too real
Chromed out mirror, I don't need a windshield
Banana seat, a canopy on two wheels
Eight hundred cash, that's a hell of a deal

I'm headed downtown, cruising through the alley
Tip-toeing in the street like Dally
Pulled up, moped to the valley
Whitewalls on the wheels like mayonnaise
Dope, my crew is ill, and all we need is two good wheels
Got gas in the tank, cash in the bank
And a bad little mama with her ass in my face
I'mma lick that, stick that, break her off, Kit-Kat
Snuck her in backstage, you don't need a wristband
Dope

Killing the game, 'bout to catch a body
Passed the Harley, Dukie on the Ducati
Timbaland, Khaled, Scott Storch, Birdman
God damn, man, everybody got Bugattis
But I'ma keep it hella nineteen eighty seven
Head into the dealership and drop a stack and cop a Kawasaki
I'm stunting on everybody, hella raw, pass the Wasabi
I'm so low that my scrotum's almost dragging up on the concrete
My seat is leather, alright, I'm lying, it's pleather
But girl, we could still ride together
You don't need a Uber, you don't need a cab
F*ck a bus pass, you got a Moped man
She got nineteen eighty eight Mariah Carey hair
Very rare, mom jeans on her derriere
Throwing up the West Side as we tear in the air
Stop by Pike Place, throwing fish to a player

Downtown, downtown (downtown)
Downtown, downtown (downtown)
She has her arms around your waist
With a balance that will keep her safe
(Downtown)
Have you ever felt the warm embrace
(Downtown)
Of the leather seat between your legs
(Hey-ey-ey-ey, hey-ey-ey-ey)
(Hey-ey-ey-ey, hey-ey-ey-ey)
Downtown
You don't want no beef, boy
Know I run the streets, boy
Better follow me towards
Downtown
What you see is what you get girl
Don't ever forget girl
Ain't seen nothing yet until you're
Downtown

Dope
Cut the bullshit
Get off my mullet
Stone washed, so raw
Moped like a bullet
You can't catch me
A po-po can't reprimand me
I'm in a B-Boy stance, I'm not dancing
I got your girl on the back going tandem
'Cause I'm too damn quick, I'm too damn slick
Whole downtown yelling out who that is?

It's me, the M, the A-C, the K
Sounding like a French pimp from back in the day
I take her to Pend Oreille and I watch her skate
I mean, water ski, ollie ollie oxen free
I'm perusing down fourth and they watching me
I do a handstand, the eagle lands on my seat
Well hello, but baby, the kickstand ain't free
Now do you or do you not wanna ride with me
I got one girl, I got two wheels
She a big girl, that ain't a big deal
I like a big girl, I like 'em sassy
Going down the backstreet listening to Blackstreet
Running around the whole town
Neighbors yelling at me like, you need to slow down
Going thirty-eight, Dan, chill the f*ck out
Mow your damn lawn and sit the hell down
If I only had one helmet I would give it to you, give it to you
Cruising down Broadway, girl, what a wonderful view, wonderful view
There's layers to this shit player, tiramisu, tiramisu
Let my coat-tail drag but I ain't tearing my suit, tearing my suit

Downtown, downtown (downtown)
Downtown, downtown
She has her arms around your waist
With a balance that will keep her safe
Have you ever felt the warm embrace
Of the leather seat between your legs
Downtown
You don't want no beef, boy
Know I run the streets, boy
Better follow me towards
Downtown
What you see is what you get girl
Don't ever forget girl
Ain't seen nothing yet until you're
Downtown

You don't want no beef, boy
Know I run the streets, boy
Better follow me towards
Downtown
What you see is what you get girl
Don't ever forget girl
Ain't seen nothing yet until you're
Downtown

[Verse 1 - Macklemore:]
Slick shit man that's all we do hoe
That little homie let me talk my truth
Made an Instagram for my cat
And my cat doesn't even rap
And got more followers than you
Hold up, let me get my cat a bar
She's filthy, hey Cairo come here baby
(Meow) now my cat's more famous than you ever will be
I been hustling, you can't tell me nothing
I'm Brad Pitt's Ugly Cousin
When you're drunk at the wedding, still gon' f*ck him

[Hook - Xperience:]
When you see me in the club
Brad Pitt, that's my cousin
Angelina show me love
Brad Pitt, that's my cousin
You got me f*cked up
Brad Pitt, that's my cousin
Like you don't know what's up
Bradley, he's cuzo

[Post-Hook - Xperience:]
All my Angelinas if you got it let me see it
All my Angelinas if you got it let me see it
All my Angelinas if you got it let me see it
All my Angelinas if you got it let me see it

[Verse 2 - Macklemore:]
You're embarrassed huh?
I'm in Paris bruh
You brought your whole crew
I brought my parents bruh
Every white dude in America went to the barber shop
"Give me the Macklemore haircut"
Australia they heard of me
Germany they heard of me
Japan they heard of me
It's a murder scene, you gon' learn some things
My dick named Ron Burgundy
I'm bad news with a pan flute
In a plaid suit, no can do
Uh, uh, I don't work for free
I used to smoke that purple weed
Sip a bunch of purple drink
That shit did not work for me
And now I just sip herbal tea
I'm posted at the swapmeet in a robe eating Church's wings
So cold, so cold, no emergen-C

[Hook - Xperience:]
When you see me in the club
Brad Pitt, that's my cousin
Angelina show me love
Brad Pitt, that's my cousin
You got me f*cked up
Brad Pitt, that's my cousin
Like you don't know what's up
Brad Pitt, Brad, Pitt

[Post-Hook - Xperience:]
All my Angelinas if you got it let me see it
All my Angelinas if you got it let me see it
All my Angelinas if you got it let me see it
All my Angelinas if you got it let me see it

[Verse 3 - Macklemore:]
Did it by myself, not a little bit of help
Nobody, nobody did nothing, I knelt
On my knees, said "God please give me a deal"
And God texted me back
"Don't be dumb young man, gotta do it yourself"
It's up to you to turn the pen into a machete
And make sure that every beat that you meet gets killed
I kill the beat just like it's a pussy
And I eat it up and beat it up and leave it
You cannot compete with us
I'm weaving in and out of traffic
In the Cadillac, oh wait, is that us on the radio?
Wait, is that us on the radio?
It's what I always dreamed of
Back when I had peach fuzz
Shoutout to the homie D
Who's D? Deez nuts
I'm eating chicken wings and onions rings
If you're wondering, yes I does my thing
And another thing, no puppet strings
On the company, we sucker free
I ain't trippin' on what the public think
Ten thousand, we hustling
This shit didn't happen overnight
This shit didn't happen suddenly

[Hook - Xperience:]
When you see me in the club
Brad Pitt, that's my cousin
Angelina show me love
Brad Pitt, that's my cousin
You got me f*cked up
Brad Pitt, that's my cousin
Like you don't know what's up
Brad Pitt, Brad, Pitt

[Verse 1: Macklemore]
I used to work at Subway
Seven bucks an hour wasn't much money
But I be rapping and kicking it on my lunch break
Like "I'mma make it out this motherf*cker one day"
I was in the back, back seat of the bus before a bluetooth
Got the boombox and a blunt, bootlegger deuce-deuce
H on my crew, we get drunk, a little coo-coo
Type of dudes who square up and knock a tooth loose
Quick to the basement, the, the, the basement
That is the window I'm planning to vacate with
Pops put on bars just in case somebody breaks in
That's not gonna stop me from getting to the pavement
Shh, meeting Jerome at the bus stop
I got the bigger roll, paranoid buck cops
And all my city's known for grunge, flannel, puck rock
And a bunch of Sub Pop, I was on that Buckshot

[Hook: (Macklemore)]
Window to window and wall to wall
Can of Krylon, we out to bomb
(Buckshot)
Four in the morning I'm with the squad
There we go, there we go, there we go, there we go
Window to window and wall to wall
Can of Krylon, we out to bomb
Four in the morning I'm with the squad
There we go, there we go, there we go, there we go

[Verse 2: Macklemore]
Just copped that new Boot Camp tape
The neighbors keep complaining 'bout too much bass
Bang, bang, let me do my thing
Give me two cans and you gon' know my name
You don't want to get involved
You know I be on these overpasses burning bridges, dog
You know I be dippin' through these alleys tryna diss the law
Sixteen with Adidas on
I'm too speedy for police I'm chiefin' through these streets, I'm gone
I got game, don't need to talk anymore
Boppity-bo, tippity-toppity, I pop me some more
I was underground where he came from and he pop out a hole
Cracked the top back on the flat black aerosol
I woke up in the morning and I had a vision
These suit and ties got the nerve to call it vandalism
They hella mad, say my art is really bad for business
But I'mma paint a better world until the cans are empty
Now let it drip, let it drip
If they catch me doing dirt I'll plead the fifth
I pop a top, I brought my Glock
Speakers bumpin', I was on that Buckshot

[Hook: (Macklemore)]
Window to window and wall to wall
Can of Krylon, we out to bomb
(Buckshot)
Four in the morning I'm with the squad
There we go, there we go, there we go, there we go

[Refrain: Samples (KRS-One)]
Chill-chill-chilin' with the crew
Just writing my name in graffiti on the wall
Who-who-who is he?
(Yeah, knowledge reigns supreme)
Got the world following the...

[Verse 3: KRS-ONE]
Turn up the CD or turn up the TV
Turn up your T-A-P-E, turn your phone up, crank up the PC
See, my boys are really PC if you're talking graffiti
See, we call it aerosol art when we splatter the city
I got twenty five cans in my napsack
Crossing out the whick-whack
TIOS's ain't even get that
Fat tips and black books, yo, we rep that
149th street bench is where we slept at
Clep-clap, clep-clap, clep-clap, clep-clap
Those are not my words, the spray can said that
Where them reds at, or them green turquoise?
Where my real graf writers? Make some noise

[Outro: Samples (KRS-One)]
Chill-chill-chilin' with the crew
Just writing my name in graffiti on the wall
Who-who-who is he?
(Macklemore)
Got the world following the...
(Buckshot, shot, shot, shot)

They say boys don't cry
But your dad has shed a lot of tears
They say I should be a strong man
But baby, I'm still filled with fear
Sometimes I don't know who I am
Sometimes I question why I'm here
I just wanna be a good dad
Will I be I have no idea
They say girls shouldn't be tough
And moms should raise their kids at home
But baby, I know that that isn't true
'Cause your momma's the toughest person I know
I wanna raise you to be like her
And watch you show the world how to do it on your own
I'm still tryna figure out who I am
I don't wanna mess this up or do this wrong
I'm gonna be there for your first breath
I don't know if I'll be there for your first step
I can promise you that I'll try to work less
But the tour's routed, and I got this album
Put in so many hours, and I just want the outcome
To be something that I can look back and I can be proud of
Don't wanna be a dad that's living in FaceTime
But I've got a world to sing to and you at the same time
I won't spoil you, you can trust that
For your sweet sixteen, you get a bus pass
Had your heart broken, been there, done that
I love you and I can't give you enough of that
Get back to community that raised you up
Read Langston Hughes, I suggest A Raisin in the Sun
Listen to Sam Cooke, a change gon' come
You put the work in, don't worry about the praise, my love
Don't try to change the world, find something that you love
And do it every day
Do that for the rest of your life
And eventually, the world will change

I'll be patient, one more month
You'll wrap your fingers round my thumb
Times are changing, I know, but who am I if
I'm the person you become
If I'm still growing up, up, up, up
I'm still growing up, up, up, up
I'm still growing up

I recommend that you read The Alchemist
Listen to your teachers, but cheat in calculus
Tell the truth, regardless of the consequence
And every day, give your momma a compliment
Take your girl to the prom
But don't get too drunk hanging out the limo
Slow dance with your woman in your arms
Sneak her in after but boy, you better tiptoe
Don't wake your mom up,do yoga, learn 'bout karma
Find God, but leave the dogma
The quickest way to happiness learning to be selfless
Ask more questions, talk about yourself less
Study David Bowie, James Baldwin and 2Pac
Watch the sun set with best friends from a rooftop
Wear a helmet, don't be stupid,jaywalk, but look before you do it
If it snows, go outside, build a jump, get some help
Get a sled, thrash the hill with your friends, 'til it melts
Go to festivals, camp, fall in love and dance
You're only young once, my loved one, this is your chance
Take risks, 'cause life moves so fast
You're only young once, my loved one, this is your chance

I'll be patient, one more month
You'll wrap your fingers round my thumb
Times are changing, I know, but who am I
If I'm the person you become
If I'm still growing up, up, up, up
I'm still growing up, up, up, up

I'll be patient, one more month
You'll wrap your fingers round my thumb
Times are changing, I know, but who am I
If I'm the person you become
If I'm still growing up, still growing up, still growing up
If I'm still growing up, still growing up, still growing up

If I'm still growing up
I'm still growing up, ooh
I'm still growing up
I'm still growing up

Okay, okay
Yeah
And we live tonight
Check it, now

I seen pain, I felt the losses
Attended funerals and seen coffins
21 years old, an angel was lost here
Wings clipped by the grip of 80 milligram sniffs of Oxycontin
Everyday through the nostrils
Never went away, never does it stop there
Death a line or two away and a couple tall cans
'Cause you never know when God is gonna call, man
Precious, what we all share
I said peace at five thirt, the next time that I saw him was in the hands of the pallbearer
What if I would've never gone and dropped him off there?
Blaming myself, in hysterics, screaming "It's not fair!"
21 years old with a book of rhymes he was gonna recite to the globe
Only thing to numb the pain besides that shit in his nose
He was gonna quit tomorrow, we're all gonna quit tomorrow
Just get us through the weekend, and then Monday follows
Then it's Wednesday, then it's f*ck it, I'm already feeling hollow
Might as well go crack a seal and might as well go chug a bottle
Might as well go pop a pill and go and band-aid that problem
And escape this world, vacate this world
'Cause I hate myself
No praying's gonna cure this pain

Doctor, please, give me a dose of the American Dream
Put down the pen and look in my eyes
We're in the waiting room and something ain't right
All this is on you, we're over prescribed

For me and Kev
You end up in jail, institutions are dead
And with our lives, we play Russian Roulette
And try to find a life where we could be content
'Cause for us, we're just trying to minimize the fear of being alive
And now my little brother is in the sky
From a pill that a doctor prescribed
That a drug deal a million dollar industry supplied
And the cops never go and profile at night
Yeah, the, the, the orange plastic with the white top they sell to you
Has us looking for the answers and not instead of you
Quick fix, whatever do
We just gonna neglect the truth
Because a doctor with a license played God and said it's cool
Played God and said it's cool
But me? I don't blame Kev or his mom freebasing while pregnant with him
I blame the pharmacy companies
And country that spends trillions fighting the war they supplying themselves
Politicians and business and jail
Public defenders and judges who fail
Look at Kevin, look at Kevin
Now he's wrapped in plastic
First dealer was his mom's medicine cabinet
Got anxiety, better go and give him a Xanax
Focus, give him Adderall, sleep, give him Ambien
'Til he's walking 'round the city looking like a mannequin
Ups and downs, shooting up prescriptions you're handing him
So America, is it really worth it? I'm asking you

Doctor, please, give me a dose of the American Dream
Put down the pen and look in my eyes
We're in the waiting room and something ain't right
All this is on you, we're over prescribed

Doctor, your medicine, and your methods
Can't cure my disease without killing me
You're killing me, you're killing me
You're killing me, you're killing me
Doctor, your medicine, and your methods
Can't cure my disease without killing me
You're killing me, you're killing me
You're killing me, you're killing me

I think happiness went the other way
Sometimes you just have to wait
I never believed in God
But things got so f*cked up
That I had to pray
I used to steal my Daddy's cabernet
Never thought it would turn into a rattlesnake
Thinkin', everything will be all right
If we could get thru the week
Maybe see another Saturday
All the while where we know where to go
Argue with the homies bout who's gonna row
Throw on Goodie Mob
Some food for the soul
Till it's two in the morning
When rain hits the windshield
And everything is still
Nothing really is a big deal
One hand on the steering wheel
And we gonna be all right

I had a brown paper bag
St. Ides in that motherf*cker
Around the city we smash
5-0 comin' then you know I'm running
Crawling the broken fences, when shit gets hard
You know who your friend is
And when I lose perspective
Need to go to a place where I lose reception
Looking at the satellites pass by
Reflect there on my past life
I can barely remember last night
Another morning, swearing it's the last time
Where would I be?
Can't start over you don't get a new ID
I know the devil fancy me
But that don't mean that motherf*cker get to dance with me!

I bought a house, second guess of what I own now (What?)
Traffic movement kinda slow now (What?)
I watch a population grow wild (What?)
A bunch of people I don't know now (What?)
My city's changed and I'm zoned out
I thought about New York, maybe SoCal
Put up condos people can't afford now
Landmarks bulldozed been tore down
Overpopulated but can seem like a ghost town
Keep a couple real ones with me
When it goes down
Lack of diversity, I think about Sloane now
Only reason I would ever leave my hometown
If I still drink, I would crack a 40 ounce
Parents finally left, moved away, and they sold the house
It's really hard to ignore it now
Wish that we could sort it out
Last couple sips pour it out
St. Ides

[Verse 1 - Macklemore:]
Washing out cigarettes in the bathroom
Should probably only give my opinion when I'm asked to
I'm really good at telling the half truth but usually only when I have to
The money doesn't work, the chain doesn't work
Something broken in my brain, got me praying in the dirt
Got me stranded in my bed like I'm laying in the hearse
And the grass is always greener when you play on astroturf
Wonder why my generation poppin' pills and poppin' percs
And got some weed and got some purp
And got some bars and got some syurp
And got some Jordan's on my feet, I went and matched them with my shirt
And I just instagrammed them both to show you that I got them first
Got a Louis duffel bag, I got my girl a purse
I'm tryna find God through a purchase, I'm not tryna go to church
Amen, satan told me not to serve, I only think about myself, I only think about my work
I only think about my come-up, capitalism
Look at where we come from, we are what we run from
We are why we smoke some, so numb, so numb, so numb

[Hook - Macklemore & Chance The Rapper:]
I'm a tell you what you need to know
I'm a tell you what you need to hear
Cause the truth would be too much
Yeah the truth would be, yeah the truth would be
I'm a tell you what you need to know
I'm a tell you what you need to hear
Cause the truth would be too much
Yeah the truth would be, yeah the truth would be

[Verse 2 - Chance The Rapper & Macklemore:]
I cry when she smile with her eyes closed
I'm already afraid to tight clothes
I want all her best friends to be white folks
I scratched out this line so many times, I can't forget it
It's f*cked up, I almost say it every time that I edit
I swear rapping make it easy to lie
But secrets don't make it easy to write
I met the devil in Manhattan, quickly ended discussion
I don't need a thing, he warned of repercussions
But I know he come in all forms, that won't be his last visit
Time is moving fast and I'm running with a pair of scissors
Looking in the mirror like, "Damn that ain't my dad, is it?"
He handed the torch but he ain't hold my hand did it?
I spent a plenty penny on microphones, many midis
Any of those cities, I put the indie in Windy City
Indian giver, Black father, White liar
Right next to Yeezy like Mike Myers
Stare at the cue cards, take out the juke parts
Take out the God references, just leave the cool parts
I remember opening for Ben, wasn't no liquor at the show
And now the white girls call me nigga at my show
I wish that I could open twice, sit down at the open mic
Go back to the day before I became famous over night
I wish that I could open twice, sit down at the open mic
Go back to the day before I became famous over night

[Hook - Macklemore & Chance The Rapper:]
I'm a tell you what you need to know
I'm a tell you what you need to hear
Cause the truth would be too much
Yeah the truth would be, yeah the truth would be
I'm a tell you what you need to know
I'm a tell you what you need to hear
Cause the truth would be too much
Yeah the truth would be, yeah the truth would be

[Instrumental break]

[Outro - Macklemore:]
I'm a tell you what you need to know
I'm a tell you what you need to hear
Cause the truth would be too much
Yeah the truth would be, yeah the truth would be... okay

[Hook - Idris Elba:]
I challenge you to a dance off
Hands off, no trash talk, no back walk
On the black top, just me, you, that's all
No cat calls, no tag teams, no mascots
Right now, dance off
Get down the floor
Get down the, get down the floor, go
Get down the floor, do it
Come on and get down the floor, go

[Verse 1 - Macklemore:]
I grab my ankle and pull it up
And do that thing where I move my butt
I got the juice, mother...okay don't use it up
I say woo there it is, then loosen my tux
Then I shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, to the left
Shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, to the right
Gimme, gimme, gimme, everything that you got
Dance off motherf*cker, do the damn thing right

[Interlude 1 - Macklemore:]
She got loose elbows and a big ol' neck
I like a big boned girl who could work up a sweat
I rock shelltoes and a turtleneck
She just wanna talk, I said, "I ain't TED"
Dance off

[Verse 2 - Macklemore:]
Your grandma, that's a bad mama jama
She doing the banana, grabbing my trunk like a hammock
Mmm, she like the funk, god dammit, she can handle it
She tugging my dick, I'm feeling a little bit inadequate
(Dance off)
Your grandpa got a cock like a ham hock
Hella old, hella long, looking like Matlock
Damn dog, I don't even wanna have a standoff
He drunk talkin' 'bout he 'bout to take his pants off
(Dance off)
The hater with the macarena
I can roger ride but in my office space
If you watch my pace looks like I'm concentrated
Or constipated when I walk this way

[Hook - Idris Elba:]
I challenge you to a dance off
Hands off, no trash talk, no back walk
On the black top, just me, you, that's all
No cat calls, no tag teams, no mascots
Right now, dance off (dance off)
Get down the floor
Get down the, get down the floor, go
Get down the floor, do it
Come on and get down the floor, go

[Post-Hook - Instrumental Breakdown:]
Rewind
Go, go, go, go
Go, go, go, go
(Dance off)
Go, go, go, go
Go, go, go, go

[Verse 3 - Macklemore:]
I sneak up behind you like a panther
Who ordered the private dancer?
Can I get an amen from the pastor?
[?] want a back rub
You must heard like Grey Poupon
Swag on tap like Sabian
Jump on the tablecloth, fake a fall
Pretend to break my arm then I'm breaking you off
Blat! Please don't tell my baby he's mine
I wanna dance all night 'til the break of dawn
I wanna sweat, sweat, sweat, sweat 'til your make-up's gone
Baby girl, you looking like a champion

[Interlude 2 - Macklemore:]
Hey you, you bad, get up out of your chair
Paid twenty bucks to get in this club, put your cellphone down you square
I be going in, I can't help it, I got bruises on my pelvis
Ladies, fellas, don't drunk dial your ex's
Hello bouncer, I have a job for you
While I'm dancing, watch my shoes
Tonight is he night that we rendezvous
Sweat a fountain of youth, bust a move
Fringe jacket, pants of leather
Tanktop, spandex and pleather
Been a stressful week, I got a lot of pressure
You have a lot of great moves but mine are better

[Hook - Idris Elba:]
I challenge you to a dance off
Hands off, no trash talk, no back walk
On the black top, just me, you, that's all
No cat calls, no tag teams, no mascots
Right now, dance off (dance off)
Get down the floor
Get down the, get down the floor, go
Get down the floor, do it
Come on and get down the floor, go

[Post-Hook - Instrumental Breakdown:]
Rewind
Go, go, go, go
Go, go, go, go
(Dance off)
Go, go, go, go
Go, go, go, go

[Bridge - Anderson.Paak:]
Oh Lord, I can't sit down
Better hold my phone, I'm going for the crown, good God
But I'm confident this is my town
Better hope my feet don't fail me now, good God

[Idris Elba:]
I challenge you to a dance off
Go, go, go, go
Go, go, go, go
(Dance off)
Go, go, go, go
Go, go, go, go
Rewind
Get down the floor
Get down the, get down the floor, go
(Dance off)
Get down the floor, do it
Come on and get down the floor, go
Rewind

[Verse 1 - Macklemore:]
I woke up, threw some sweat pants on
Then I fed my cat and I walked to the mini mart
And I really want a donut, shouldn't get a donut
Bought a donut, f*ck it man it's really hard
Supposed to be on a diet, I wanna be like Ryan
He lost thirty pounds on that paleo
But f*ck it man I love fried shit
I was gonna get skinny for the summer
I was gonna start doing my crunches
But looking down at my stomach
I'm a go to the beach, but I'm not taking my shirt off in public
My girl shaped like a bottle of Coke
Me? I'm shaped like a bottle of nope
I'd like to order a hot dog, some bon bons
A large soda, and some tacos to go

[Interlude - Macklemore:]
I never knew what a carbohydrate was
Turns out that it's all the snacks I love

[Verse 2 - Macklemore:]
I wanna be like Hugh Jackman, you know jacked man
With a really huge package
I wanna be the 2015 Batman
And send Ben Affleck packing
If you ain't gonna treat Jennifer Garner right
You don't deserve to have that
You better pass that to the homie Matt Damon
He eat the booty like Pac Man

[Hook - Xperience:]
You know I feel good about this place
You know I feel good about this steak
You know I feel good about this shake
You know I feel good about these plates
You know I feel good about these crepes
You know I feel good about this cake
You know I just love how it tastes
I'm not gonna wait, I'm not tripping about my weight, no

[Verse 3 - Macklemore:]
Happy New Years
Everybody got a resolution
But the next day, we forget about it never do 'em
I went to the gym and got a membership
Five minutes on the treadmill and I never lift
That was four years ago I should probably cancel this
But they tell me I gotta do it in person, ain't that a bitch?
But tomorrow though, I'm a get fit
Get me a fuel band and a fit-bit
Get me some workout shoes, and a bench press
Some mulu lemons and a french press
I'm a finally focus do some private yoga
Exercise my shoulders, I'm a hide the donuts
Realign my posture, no time for sofas
I'm finally sober no lime Coronas
But again, that's tomorrow
And today man I gotta go big cause it's my last day
Before I lose that weight, I gotta get one last plate and go big
I ate all night, Kool-Aid on ice
I woke up and I felt like shit
And I said, "you know what, man f*ck it
I should probably start on Monday instead"
Motherf*cker let's eat

[Hook - Xperience:]
You know I feel good about this place
You know I feel good about this steak
You know I feel good about this shake
You know I feel good about these plates
You know I feel good about these crepes
You know I feel good about this cake
You know I just love how it tastes
I'm not gonna wait, I'm not tripping about my weight, no

[Verse 1 - Macklemore:]
I never won the spelling bee
I could read people's energy
Listen to what have been said to me
Heard the voices in elementary
That I wouldn't amount to anything
Oh girl, she used to beg to me
Like, if we just had a nice house and a mortgage
And a front lawn, and a f*cking wedding ring
I danced in Paris, [?]
I swam in oceans, felt the scales
Put my CD in Starbucks, it did not sell
Get the CD out the car, turned it into myself
These piano keys hold some weight
In a bolo tie I escort my date
She ordered shrimp scampi on a porcelain plate
The accordion played, I put my fork in a steak
Afternoons need a coffee boost
Attitude needs a confidence boost
Yeah, I'm sort of the dude
But where's the self-esteem when the costumes removed?
Thanks for the invite, can't make it
I could blame it on a flight to Vegas
But, truth be told, rather not socialize
And go and waste my time with an acquaintance
These relationships need maintenance
Everybody got expectations
Text back, so impatient
Where were you when I was in in-patient?

[Hook - Macklemore:]
Motherf*cker, you ain't my accountant
You don't know what I'm doing
Focusing on what I'm giving back
Man, make better music
F*ck preaching on top of the mountain
People can see through it
Keeping my name in your mouth, just don't bite
Your tongue while you chew it

[Verse 2 - Macklemore:]
Exactly, I got the man of the year
Source magazine was like our Vanity Fair
In a mansion, picking out a chandelier
But got a bone to pick with the man in the mirror
Questioning the purchase while I'm standing there
Questioning the purpose of my rap career
Thinking "Man, what the hell happened here?"
Feels like yesterday in a van packing gear
What am I gonna go and give back this year?
There's a whole lot of struggling rappers here
Want a co-sign and a whole track this year
If you know motherf*ckers start acting weird
Lot of backstabbers and some actors here
Lot of has-beens and over-reactors here
I remember laughing and cracking beers
Now I climbed the ladder and you're mad I'm here

[Hook - Macklemore (YG):]
Motherf*cker, you ain't my accountant
You don't know what I'm doing
Focusing on what I'm giving back
Man, make better music
F*ck preaching on top of the mountain
People can see through it
Keeping my name in your mouth, just don't bite
Your tongue while you chew it
(400)
Motherf*cker, I'm gone

[Verse 3 - YG:]
Judging me off of my past
You don't see what I'm doing
When I got shot that was headline news
You used me for views, I ain't stupid
Cause what about all the good?
The non-profit for the kids in the hood
That ain't got no option in them shelter homes plotting
Shit, I'm just doing what I should
They must want no one to know
Cause they don't put that on the news bro
They entertained by the culture, they vultures
They suck us like leaches 'til we broke
But I know the game so I play it like chess
Act like a square but really be the threat
The next time my name in the press
Talk about how YG gave them kids Christmas

[Hook - YG:]
Motherf*cker, you ain't my accountant
You don't know what I'm doing
Focused on what I'm giving back
Man, make good music
Preaching on top of the mountain
People can see through it
Keeping my name in your mouth, just don't bite
Your tongue while you chew it, motherf*cker, I'm gone

[Macklemore (YG):]
F*ck, hey, woo
Motherf*cker, I'm gone
(Four, four, four...)
Hey where'd he go though?
(400)
Motherf*cker, I'm gone
(I am the victim not the motherf*ckin' suspect)
And he's gone, gone

Ahhhh

[Verse 1 - Macklemore:]
Pretty face tryna chase the train
And I could look the other way but it still won't erase the pain
And I pray that she stay the same, amazing grace
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Just another reflection in the window
Watchin' the trees pass by the tempo
Got a round trip ticket out to limbo
And I'm getting close to my kinfolk
I'm sorry that you didn't get the memo
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Water run and burn bridges
Always on the road tryna earn a livin'
I remember when I bought my first ticket
I've been going, haven't turned back since then
This return day must be a misprint
Made a wrong turn now I'm long distance
And I miss them

[Hook - Carla Morrison:]
Otra cuidad, otra vida, otra, otra cuidad, ah, oh, oh, oh

[Verse 2 - Macklemore:]
I try to write but every sentence is a run on
I try to text you but I don't get reception in this tunnel
Vision, visit only for a minute
I'm gettin' off track but the world's still spinnin'
You can see the smoke in the distance, it billows
Roll up my sweatshirt, turn it into a pillow, aye
I got a polaroid camera so I don't forget where I travel
I got a couple rolls of film I'll get developed when I get back to Seattle
I told momma that I'd call her, talked for a couple minutes
But I didn't
I miss my brother, feel disconnected
Wanted to stay, wanted to catch the next one
I wanted to talk just me and him
Because I had some things I felt I had to tell him
When you're always runnin', tryna make a connection
It's almost impossible to stay connected
When you get on this train after standin' in the rain
You'd be crazy to ask her
And give your seat to the next one, nah
I'ma ride this shit till the wheels fall off
The conductor screams out all aboard last call
The city as you pass on, the city as you pass on

[Hook - Carla Morrison:]
Otra cuidad, otra vida, otra, otra cuidad, ah, oh, oh, oh

Pulled into the parking lot, parked it
Zipped up my parka, joined the procession of marchers
In my head like, "Is this awkward, should I even be here marching?"
Thinking if they can't, how can I breathe?
Thinking that they chant, what do I sing?
I want to take a stance cause we are not free
And then I thought about it, we are not we
Am I in the outside looking in, or am I in the inside looking out?
Is it my place to give my two cents
Or should I stand on the side and shut my mouth for justice? No peace
Okay, I'm saying that they're chanting out, "Black lives matter", but I don't say it back
Is it okay for me to say? I don't know, so I watch and stand
In front of a line of police that look the same as me
Only separated by a badge, a baton, a can of Mace, a mask
A shield, a gun with gloves and hands that gives an alibi
In case somebody dies behind a bullet that flies out of the 9
Takes another child's life on sight

Blood in the streets, no justice, no peace
No racist beliefs, no rest 'til we're free
There's blood in the streets, no justice, no peace
No racist beliefs, no rest 'til we're free

Blood in the streets, no justice, no peace
No racist beliefs, no rest 'til we're free
There's blood in the streets, no justice, no peace
No racist beliefs, no rest 'til we're free
(Ben, think about it)

You've exploited and stolen the music, the moment
The magic, the passion, the fashion, you toy with
The culture was never yours to make better
You're Miley, you're Elvis, you're Iggy Azalea
Fake and so plastic, you've heisted the magic
You've taken the drums and the accent you rapped in
You're branded "hip-hop", it's so fascist and backwards
That Grandmaster Flash'd go slap it, you bastard
All the money that you made
All the watered down pop bullshit version of the culture, pal
Go buy a big-ass lawn, go with your big-ass house
Get a big-ass fence, keep people out
It's all stubborn, anyway, can't you see that now?
There's no way for you to even that out
You can join the march, protest, scream and shout
Get on Twitter, hashtag and seem like you're down
But they see through it all, people believe you now
You said publicly, "Rest in peace, Mike Brown"
You speak about equality, but do you really mean it?
Are you marching for freedom, or when it's convenient?
Want people to like you, want to be accepted
That's probably why you are out here protesting
Don't think for a second you don't have incentive
Is this about you, well, then what's your intention?
What's the intention? What's the intention?

Psst, I totally get it, you're by yourself
And the last thing you want to do is take a picture
But seriously, my little girl loves you
She's always singing, "I'm gonna pop some tags"
I'm not kidding, my oldest, you even got him to go thrifting
And "One Love", oh, my God, that song - brilliant
Their aunt is gay, when that song came out
My son told his whole class he was actually proud
That's so cool, look what you're accomplishing
Even an old mom like me likes it cause it's positive
You're the only hip-hop that I let my kids listen to
Cause you get it, all that negative stuff isn't cool
Yeah, like all the guns and the drugs
The bitches and the hoes and the gangs and the thugs
Even the protest outside - so sad and so dumb
If a cop pulls you over, it's your fault if you run
Huh?

So, they feel that the police are discriminating against the, the black people?
I have an advantage? Why? Cause I'm white? What? Haha. No. People nowadays are just pussies.
Like, this is the generation to be offended by everything.
Black Lives Matter thing is a reason to take arms up over perceived slights.
I'm not prejudiced, I just-. 99% of the time across this country, the police are doing their job properly

Damn, a lot of opinions, a lot of confusion, a lot of resentment
Some of us scared, some of us defensive
And most of us aren't even paying attention
It seems like we're more concerned with being called racist
Than we actually are with racism
I've heard that silences are action and God knows that I've been passive
What if I actually read a article, actually had a dialogue
Actually looked at myself, actually got involved?
If I'm aware of my privilege and do nothing at all, I don't know
Hip-hop has always been political, yes
It's the reason why this music connects
So what the f*ck has happened to my voice if I stay silent when black people are dying
Then I'm trying to be politically correct?
I can book a whole tour, sell out the tickets
Rap entrepreneur, built his own business
If I'm only in this for my own self-interest, not the culture that gave me a voice to begin with
Then this isn't authentic, it is just a gimmick
The DIY underdog, so independent
But the one thing the American dream fails to mention
Is I was many steps ahead to begin with
My skin matches the hero, likeness, the image
America feels safe with my music in their systems
And it's suited me perfect, the role, I've fulfilled it
And if I'm the hero, you know who gets cast as the villain
White supremacy isn't just a white dude in Idaho
White supremacy protects the privilege I hold
White supremacy is the soil, the foundation, the cement and the flag that flies outside of my home
White supremacy is our country's lineage, designed for us to be indifferent
My success is the product of the same system that let off Darren Wilson guilty
We want to dress like, walk like, talk like, dance like, yet we just stand by
We take all we want from black culture, but will we show up for black lives?
We want to dress like, walk like, talk like, dance like, yet we just stand by
We take all we want from black culture, but will we show up for black lives?

Black Lives Matter, to use an analogy, is like if there was a subdivision and a house was on fire.
The fire department wouldn't show up and start putting water on all the houses because all houses matter.
They would show up and they would turn their water on the house that is burning
because that's the house that needs it the most.
My generation's taken on the torch of a very age-old fight for black liberation,
but also liberation for everyone, and injustice anywhere is still injustice everywhere.
The best thing white people can do is talk to each other.
And having those very difficult, very painful conversations with your parents, with your family members.
I think one of the critical questions for white people in this society is what are you willing to risk,
what are you willing to sacrifice to create a more just society?

[Jamila Woods:]
Your silence is a luxury, hip-hop is not a luxury
Your silence is a luxury, hip-hop is not a luxury
Your silence is a luxury, hip-hop is not a luxury
Your silence is a luxury, hip-hop is not a luxury
What I got for me, it is for me
Why we may, we may to set us free
What I got for me, it is for me
Why we may, we may to set us free
What I got for me, it is for me
Why we may, we may to set us free

[Macklemore:]
And she's like, "Can you undo my bra strap?"
I try to play it cool, in my head I'm like, "Aw yeah!"
Then she's like "I'm tired" and I'm like "Aw, man"
I was 'bout to crush the coochie like a tall can (Yeah)
Cause my girl's thick (thick!), she got a booty mane
And a big old belly looking like Gucci Mane
I keep my jewelry on, she love my dookie chain
Cause guess what! (what?) That's my boo boo thang. (who?)
My boo boo thang. (who?) My boo boo thang
She get too comfortable, bathroom door open when she boo boo-ing
I whisper in her ear, "Are you awake?"
Kissed her on her neck, said "Good night. You my babe."

[Ryan Bedard:]
Every time I go to sleep
I wish that you were next to me
Two people that were meant to be
Under the sheets
I'm spooning you, you're spooning
Every time I go to sleep
I wish that you were next to me
Two people that were meant to be
Under the sheets
I'm spooning you, you're spooning me

[Macklemore:]
Me and you, let's get lost in these bed sheets
At the very least press my D against your left cheek
She said Fifty Shades of Grey was the best read
I'm more of a Giving Tree type of guy, Shel Silverstein (He's awesome)
She keeps talking, might as well be in a seminar
I'm stuck, completely numb in my left arm
Her knees are bony, I need my homies
And that sounds weird, but I need my homies. (YUP)
You watched ahead on the fourth season of Game of Thrones? (Aw hell nah!)
I hold that against you (hmm mm!)
I want to forgive you, but inside I'm resentful
With your lame claims that we had different schedules! (we didn't!)
I've seen your Netflix queues, you're busted!
Can I even trust you, do you even know what love is?!
She put her hand on my D and started to rub it
All a sudden I succumb, say "F*ck it" and then busted (sleep tight)

[Ryan Bedard:]
Every time I go to sleep
I wish that you were next to me
Two people that were meant to be
Under the sheets
I'm spooning you, you're spooning
Every time I go to sleep
I wish that you were next to me
Two people that were meant to be
Under the sheets
I'm spooning you, you're spooning me

[Macklemore:]
Don't trip girl, you know I got you
Let's take it all off, no costumes
See I'm a man, but every now and then in bed I know when to say: "Alright, it's my turn to be the small spoon."
But tonight, I put my hands around your waist
Feel those little prickly hairs that you missed shaving your legs and say, "Good night my love, it's been one hell of a day."
And you reply, "I'm sleeping."

Every time I go to sleep
I wish that you were next to me
Two people that were meant to be
Under the sheets
I'm spooning you, you're spooning me
Spoon me
2015