What It's Like
Read What It's Like lyrics by House Of Pain on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
The page facts to cite before the commentary
Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.
What It's Like
The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.
We've all seen the man at the liquor store begging for your change
The hair on his face is dirty, dreadlocked and full of mange
He asks a man for what he could spare with shame in his eyes
"Get a job, you fucking slob" is all he replies
God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in his shoes
'Cause then you really might know what it's like to sing the blues.
CHORUS:
Yeah, then you really might know what it's like (4x)
Mary got pregnant from a kid named Tom who said he was in love
He said "Don't worry 'bout a thing, Baby Doll, I'm the
man you've been dreaming of"
But three months later he say he won't date her or return her calls
And she swear, "God damn, if I find that man, I'm cuttin' off his balls"
And she heads for the clinic and she gets some static walkin' through the door
They call her a killer and they call her a sinner and they call her a whore
But God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in her shoes
'Cause then you really might know what it's like to have to choose
CHORUS
I've seen a rich man beg
I've seen a good man sin
I've seen a tough man cry
I've seen a loser win
And a sad man grin
I heard an honest man lie
I've seen the good side of bad
And the down side of up
And everything between
I licked the silver spoon
drank from the golden cup
Smoked the finest green
I stroked the baddest dimes
'least a couple of times
'fore I broke they heart
You know where it ends, yo
It usually depends on where you start
I knew this kid named Max, he used to get fat stacks
out on the corner with drugs
He liked to hang out late, he liked to get shit faced
and keep pace with thugs
'Til late one night there was a big gun fight and Max lost his head
Pulled out his chrome .45, talked some shit, and wound up dead
Now his wife and his kids are caught in the midst of all of this pain
You know it crumbles that way, at least that's what they say when you play the game
But God forbid you ever had to wake up to hear the news
'Cause then you really might know what it's like to have to lose
Yeah, then you really might know what it's like (3x)
To have to lose...
What this page can answer fast
Who performs "What It's Like"?
House Of Pain performs "What It's Like", and this lyric page sits inside the House Of Pain catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "What It's Like"?
Yes. The related section below points to Back From The Dead and Black Jesus with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by House Of Pain?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through House Of Pain's lyric pages.
Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song
Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.
What people are saying
No listener comments on What It's Like yet.
A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.
Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.