Page type: lyric reference
Artist: Michael Franti & Spearhead
Canonical path: /michael-franti-spearhead/the-payroll-stay-string
Related lyric paths: 6
Lyric guide
The payroll (Stay String)
Read The payroll (Stay String) lyrics by Michael Franti & Spearhead on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
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Curated by Ethan Walker
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Lyrics
The payroll (Stay String)
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(Chorus)
(He's strong!)
Mama Mama Mama Mama I couldn't say "No"
(So strong!)
Got sick and tired of seein' brothers being treated ill
(He's strong!)
They say to chill, they say my homey's not available
(Stay strong!)
I hear Mama they got him working on tha Payroll
(She's strong!)
Mama Mama Mama Mama I couldn't say "No"
(So strong!)
Got sick and tired of seein' sistas being treated ill
(She's strong!)
They say to chill, they say my homegirl's not available
(Stay strong!)
I hear Mama they got her working on tha Payroll
At 21 the brother "Smooth" he got a record deal
been working hard been writin' songs about the things he feels
he says it's real, 'cause I got bills, but I got skills
my deck is stacked, if I could only get my shit on wax
when it was ripe he took his tape up to the rec execs
they smoked cigars and rolled their eye's at him behind their specs
your shit is phat but I don't hear it in the format Jack
what's all this black crap check page twenty one of your contract
(Chorus)
A friend of mine Roberta she got a job at the post office
she was college edjamacated but got fired up at the law office
I'm all alone two kids at home, I need a job just any job
so I can get back on my feet like Tina "T"(urner)
the boss came up to her said, "why don't you come home with me"
I'd like to see you take off your clothes for me
she said "No way man!"
he said "You don't understand"
"You lose your life, you lose your job if you don't do this shift!"
(Chorus)
I met a black man who became a police officer
officer, officer, officer, officer, officer, overseer
he tried to tell me it was the only job available
either rob or join the mob 'cause I'm not salable
one night he went out on an undercover sting-ing
bought some smack tried to break the heroin ring-ring
Two cops white cops saw juggling goin' down
they spilled his brain like homey the fuckin' clown
(He's gone!)
Mama Mama Mama Mama I couldn't say no
got sick and tired of seein' people bein' treated ill
picked up my nines, walked up from behind
tapped two of them on the neck so I could meet their eyes direct
Pom! Pom!
I didn't do it for tha payroll
(Chorus)
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Who performs "The payroll (Stay String)"?
Michael Franti & Spearhead performs "The payroll (Stay String)", and this lyric page sits inside the Michael Franti & Spearhead catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "The payroll (Stay String)"?
Yes. The related section below points to A little rain and Anybody Seen My Mind with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by Michael Franti & Spearhead?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Michael Franti & Spearhead's lyric pages.
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