Lessons In What Not To Become

When I was a kid my daddy got mad

And slammed me against the wall

Sometimes I got shook

Sometimes I got hit for losin' my temper at all

Didn't dare say, look at you, man

Blowin' your stack like that

I hadn't been taught the word hypocrite yet

But I already knew what it meant

This is a lesson in what not to become

Lessons in what not to become

Sometimes that means me can't please everyone

Tryin' to live by a code I can stick to

I'm a fuck up just like you

But it's better than not trying at all

Early on I knew to learn from the mistakes

Of people I most admire

Crazy-ass times wish I was that wild

But the drugs snuffed out the fire

All that talent fried and blackened

Senile at twenty five

I'll never be as dope as you

But at least I'm still alive

Another lesson in what not to become

Lessons in what not to become

For some mouths that's me can't please everyone

Tryin' to live by a code I can stick to

Sometimes it's as easy as

Not lettin' things happen to you

Yeah, your mom and I

Had such a great time when we were your age

Makin' love, gettin' high

Wild in the streets almost every day

But now that you're that age just say nor

But take your Ritalin

If you still turn out wrong

It's all your music's fault

Breaks my heart to see

When someone born to lead

Gets so paranoid they're crazy

Agree with all I say

Or you're the enemy

And there ain't no in between

Drown like Captain Ahab

Trying to slay that great white whale

So tied up in their own rules

People jump ship and they fail

This is a lesson in what not to become

Another lesson in what not to become another lesson

Lessons in what not to become

For some mouths that's me can't please everyone

Tryin' to live by a code

I can stick to I ain't 100% pure