I don’t care what your man is sayin’, he don’t know what it’s all about
He says one thing when you’re lookin’ and another when you turn around
Don’t get caught up in emotion and how good it used to be
Just remember there’s a reason, that’s the way it has to be

Chorus:
Now don’t you believe him, just take this advice
And don’t look for rainbows in a fool’s paradise

High up on a distant mountain, he sits lookin’ down on you and me
Says it doesn’t really matter to him, he knows how it’s got to be
See it in his way or forget it, he don’t need to come around
Anytime he’s got the feelin’, he knows that he’s got the sound

(chorus)

(Solo)

I don’t care what the man is sayin’, he don’t know what it’s all about
He says one thing when you’re lookin’ and another when you turn around
Don’t get caught up in emotion and how good it used to be
Just remember there’s a reason, that’s the way it has to be

(chorus)

No you just can’t believe him, so take this advice
And don’t look for rainbows in a fool’s paradise

I was sittin’ in a truckstop
Watchin’ tumbleweeds roll by
Tryin’ to read the menu
When the waitress caught my eye
She pulled a pencil from her hair
And leaned across the bar
I did my best not to stare
But man, she made it hard

I asked that trucker next to me
Hey, what looks good today
He said I know what’s on your mind
And boy, there ain’t no way
Get yourself some apple pie
And something cool to drink
I know you want the special
And I like the way you think

But you can’t have the waitress
Boy, everybody’s tried
There’s a cowboy down in Abilene
Who keeps her satisfied
They got a hundred acre dream
That’s gettin’ closer every day
Just a few more plates of ham and eggs
And a few good rides away

Hard times hit West Texas
Damn near everything’s for sale
But there’s somethings we hold sacred
When everything else fails
When we’re down to nothing
Out here, everybody shares
Most of us have lost our dreams
So we bought into theirs

I’ve seen her walk a hundred miles
Up and down this floor
I’ve never seen her fail to smile
When he limps through that door
So when you’re done, you leave a tip
And make it nice and fat
And feel lucky you can own a piece
Of something like that

But you can’t have the waitress
Boy, everybody’s tried
There’s a cowboy down in Abilene
Who keeps her satisfied
They got a hundred acre dream
That’s gettin’ closer every day
Just a few more plates of ham and eggs
And a few good rides away

But you can’t have the waitress
Boy, everybody’s tried
There’s a cowboy down in Abilene
Who keeps her satisfied
They got a hundred acre dream
That’s gettin’ closer every day
Just a few more plates of ham and eggs
And a few good rides away

Just a few more plates of ham and eggs
And a few good rides away

(Hazel Dickens)

Just a few old memories
Slipped in through my door
Though I thought I had closed it
So tightly before
I can’t understand it
Why it should bother my mind
For it all belongs to another place and time

Just a few old keep-sakes
Way back on the shelf
No, they don’t mean nothin’
Well I’m surprised they’re still left
Just a few old love letters
With the edges all brown
And an old faded picture
I keep turned upside-down

Just a few old memories
Going way back in time
Well I can hardly remember
I don’t know why I’m cryin’
I can’t understand it
Well I’m surprised myself
First thing tomorrow morning
I’ll clean off that shelf

Just a few old keep-sakes
Way back on the shelf
No, they don’t mean nothin’
Well I’m surprised that they’re left
Just a few old love letters
With their edges all brown
And an old faded picture
I keep turned upside-down

[Common talking]
Yea,Yea,Yea
You know, they call me a pimp, and you know what that mean
I’m a Person that’s Making Profit. See I pimp internationally
I’m nationally recognized, locally accepted
I pimp with the truth, that’s the only method

[Common]
Seen her on Madison where Vice Lords be Travelin
And Chevy windows be rattlin
and badder than any other broads that I’ve seen in these parts
Her body language spoke like a smart remark, eyebrows arched
Thick lips, blond wig, nice tits, ass the size that I dig
Asked her the name, one way to approach her
See she had game, she needed me to coach her
Expose her to some paper, freedom and culture
The way a righteous pimp is supposed to

[MC Lyte]
As he came closer in his eyes I seen fortune
I ain’t having it like abortion
Walking with this stick holding his tip
Looked like a Black Panther that was trying to pimp
It was cold as shit, I’m waitin on my ride
Act like I didn’t see him I tried

[Common]
Motion denied (pause)
I felt the vibe like Roy Ayers
She was used to seeing pimps in furs and gators
Told her I’m an innovator, a gentlemen of leisure
That’s in tuned with nature, hold Common’s hand
I’m a take you to a pimps promise land
Where no man can break ya, break ya, break ya

Chorus: Bilal (singing)

Pimps, ho’s, hustlers, plans, dealers,
customers, and bodies stuck in it, Oh my god
Pimps, ho’s, hustlers, plans, dealers,
customers, and bodies stuck in it, Oh my god

[Common]
{hey girl, come on over here, check it out)
Make your next move your best move, choose me

[MC Lyte]
How I look working for a nigga in a cuffe’
If I was on a track you couldn’t produce me
With them shits on your wrist looking goofy

[Common]
(yea ok)
I pimp without a pause, for the cause, I’m a rebel
You been on the streets I’m trying to take you to another level
You used to the same game, cats saying the same thang
Nigga you gone ho underground or ho mainstream

[MC Lyte]
Nigga you must not know of me
I’m the mack here
Ought to have you ho for me (Common: get real now)
Pimp yo punk ass
Have you write me poetry
I’m from a land called cash
You too slow for me

[Common]
You know why?
I’m thinking bigger than Bagets
Birds in slick cars
Or have you on the corner trickin in strip bars
If you become mine the world would be ours
Respect the game, and universal laws

[MC Lyte]
What, I oughta pimp slap your ass and make you fall against the wall
(Common: try it)
Why you in the game if you ain’t even trying to ball
I know pimpin ain’t easy but damn you barely surviving
We can’t ride together cause you ain’t driving
(Common: oh it’s like that)

Chorus

[Common]
(this, this, this really how I look at it check it)
You and I together is like Ashford and Simpson
Picture us elbow to elbow at the hustler’s convention

[MC Lyte]
Think I’m gone risk my ass then give you the cash (Common: yep)
That shit is the past
I got my own stable (Common: where at)
I oughta pierce your navel and put you on the track
Matter of fact I been looking for a ho that’s abstract

[Common]
Girl you getting beside yourself
I’m trying to guide you
Help you see inside yourself
I pimp with vision, I’m a help you see the light
Have you covering your body and have you eating right

[MC Lyte]
(is that right)
I’m pimp ho’s, pimp pens, (Common: Say what)
Pimp rhythms, pimp flows,
Pimp men (Common: and pimp what)
Pimp systems
Got stores called big pimpin (Common: Where)
Down South
In Texas I ran the best ho house

[Common]
(So)
I pimp from Brazil to um, Tokyo
Have Japanese broads sayin ‘choushi wa dou’ (MC Lyte: Yea rig

(Darryl Staedtler)

I’m finding out how hot
An old flame can burn
You’re a feeling I haven’t forgot
The love I can’t unlearn
You’ve become a memory
I can’t live without
You’ll always be a fire I can’t put out

I don’t know how to handle
The dream you left behind
It’s like a lighted candle
Burning up my mind
At least I’m happy knowing
What love is all about
You’ll always be a fire I can’t put out

Embers to ashes
That’s how it should be
You’d think by know my heart would know
And it could set you free
The things I’ve tried
The tears I’ve cried
I guess there’s no doubt
You’ll always be a fire I can’t put out

I don’t know how to handle
The dream you left behind
It’s like a lighted candle
Burning up my mind
At least I’m happy knowing
What love is all about
You’ll always be a fire I can’t put out
You’ll always be a fire I can’t put out

Trust In me can?t trust I’m the whore I don’t believe it
All my life so scarred what for who you can’t conceive it
Everything you fear I?ll be here you couldn’t live it
I whisper in your ear so loud why can’t you hear it


I’m OK

All my faith is gone you think I couldn’t find it
Pieces falling down shattered now get behind it
In my mind alone Lost in here I’m separated
Crawl deeper in my hole safe in here from what I hated

All the demons in my head won’t leave me
I know I can hear them
All the sacrifices made for nothing
Don?t show can’t believe it
Want to show that I’m good for something
I can’t you won’t let me
Are you running cause your words won’t heal me
Because you can’t accept me

And I hate myself
And I hate my face
And I hate my world
And I hate my ways

And I
And I
And I

I’M NOT OK!

I’m OK

Trust In me can?t trust I’m the whore I don’t believe in
All my life so scarred what for who you can’t conceive it
Everything you fear I?ll be here you couldn’t live it
I whisper in your ear why can’t you feel it

All the demons in my head won’t leave me
I know I can hear them
All the sacrifices made for nothing
Don?t show can’t believe in
Want to show that I’m good for something
I can’t you won’t let me
Are you running cause your words won’t heal me
Because you can’t accept me

I don’t believe it (2x)

When they turn the pages of history
When these days have passed long ago
Will they read of us with sadness
For the seeds that we let grow
We turned our gaze
From the castles in the distance
Eyes cast down
On the path of least resistance

Cities full of hatred
Fear and lies
Withered hearts
And cruel tormented eyes
Scheming demons
Dressed in kingly guise
Beating down the multitude
And scoffing at the wise

The hypocrites are slandering
The sacred halls of Truth
Ancient nobles showering
Their bitterness on youth
Can’t we find
The minds that made us stong
Can’t we learn
To feel what’s right and wrong

Cities full of hatred
Fear and lies
Withered hearts
And cruel, tormented eyes
Scheming demons
Dressed in kingly guise
Beating down the multitude
And scoffing at the wise
Can’t we raise our eyes
And make a start
Can’t we find the minds
To lead us closer to the Heart

A fella needs a girl, to sit by his side
At the end of a weary day
To sit by his side and listen to him talk
And agree with the things he’ll say!

A fella needs a girl, to hold in his arms
When the rest of the world goes wrong
To hold in his arms and know that she believes
That her fellow is wise and strong!

When things go right and his job’s well done
He wants to share the prize he’s won
If no one shares and no one cares
Where’s the fun of a job well done, or a prize you’ve won?

A fella needs a home, his own kind of home
But to make this dream come true
A fella needs a girl, his own kind of girl
My kind of girl is you!

< instrumental break >

A fella needs a girl, his own kind of girl
My kind of girl is you.

Music by Richard Rodgers
with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, 1947

Looking for spare change
To put gas in my car
But what I’ve found
Won’t get me very far

Seems lately the low times
Have hit me pretty hard
‘Cause I’m a few cents short
From getting to where you are

I’m a few cents short
Of holding you in my arms
And a few cents short
Of keeping us from falling apart
Ain’t it funny how the money
Can change our lives
‘Cause I’m a few cents short
From losing you tonight

So I walked to a pay phone down the road
But a few dimes and a nickel is all I had
The operator wants more money
To place my call
But I’m a few cents short
If that don’t beat it all

I’m a few cents short
Of holding you in my arms
And a few cents short
Of keeping us from falling apart
Ain’t it funny how the money
Can change our lives
‘Cause I’m a few cents short
From losing you tonight

I’m a few cents short
Of holding you in my arms
And a few cents short
Of keeping us from falling apart
Sure is funny how the money
Can change our lives
‘Cause I’m a few cents short
From losing you tonight
Yes I’m a few cents short
And I’ll be losing you tonight

(Billy Dean/David Gates)

Tennessee, Oh Tennessee
Lord there’s nothing like a fall in Tennessee
It was a Smokey Mountain morning, October 25
You know she left here without warning
So I took a long, long drive
Tried to change the state my heart was in
Out of all the places I have been

Tennessee, Tennessee
There’s nothing’ like a fall in Tennessee
For a gold old fashioned heartbreak
There’s no place I’d rather be
‘Cause there’s nothin’ like a fall in Tennessee

She must of had her reasons
Was it the chill in the air
I guess lovers have their seasons
Where their souls are layin’ bare
It’s better now her true colors show
This time of year there’s only one place to go

Tennessee, Tennessee
There’s nothing’ like a fall in Tennessee
For a gold old fashioned heartbreak
There’s no place I’d rather be
‘Cause there’s nothin’ like a fall in Tennessee

For a good old fashioned heartbreak
Theres no place I’d rather be
‘Cause there’s nothing like a fall in Tennessee