We've all seen the man at the liquor store beggin' for your change
The hair on his face is dirty, dread-locked, 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
Then you really might know what it's like
Then you really might know what it's like
Then you really might know what it's like
Then you really might know what it's like
Verse 2
Mary got pregnant from a kid named Tom that said he was in love
He said, "Don't worry about a thing, baby doll
I'm the man you've been dreaming of."
But 3 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 then she heads for the clinic and
She gets some static walking through the door
They call her a killer, and they call her a sinner
And they call her a whore
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 [ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/e/everlast/what_its_like.html ]
Then you really might know what it's like
Then you really might know what it's like
Then you really might know what it's like
Then you really might know what it's like
Bridge
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 downside of up
And everything between
I licked the silver spoon
Drank from the golden cup
And smoked the finest green
I stroked the fattest dimes at least a couple of times
Before I broke their heart
You know where it ends, yo, it usually depends on where you start
Verse 3
I knew this kid named Max
Who 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 the pace with thugs
Until late one night there was a big gun fight and Max lost his head
He 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
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
Chorus
Then you really might know what it's like
Then you really might know what it's like
Yeah then you really might know what it's like
To have to lose
I think this song is amazing. I lived a long time and have been very judgemental in the past of the very things i find myself doing now. People really don't know until they' walk a mile in their shoes'. So deep, so insightful. These guys are wise beyond their years. Excellent song!
Yeah, chrisafish - i'm sure you're judging people that had abortions. Try imaging (which from you're obviously closed-mindedness will be hard) being totally alone, having no money, having only people around you abusing you, not having any food or a place to live and imagine bringing a child into that world. Not everywhere and everyplace has nice cushy environments for girls to be pregnant and then put the baby up for adoption. Sometimes you're on the street alone and no one wants to help you. Try that on for size when you judge abortions
I agree this is one of the best songs ever! And its all about how we need to not judge eachother because we all have our fair share of messed up situations. No one is perfect! :)
It's about how people judge others when they see they're disgraceful acts-being poor, abortion, shootouts, etc. - but you don't know why or how they're in that situation. Don't judge someone, because you're not them you don't know what's going on in their lives.
I don't 100% agree with the song... But that's what it means.