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FIRST KEYS lyrics
Artist-supplied lyric sheet, matched by title. The sheet may differ from this released performance. Production notes and alternate promotional cuts are omitted.
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Intro
Remember when they handed you them keys for the first time Palm sweaty, heart racing, felt like crossing a finish line Granddad worked for his, saved every check he could find Now mama buy it for you, but that freedom still divine
Verse 1
Started with a hooptie held together by rust and faith Hand-me-down from grandma, dents tell stories you can't erase Drove that junk for years, didn't matter, it was mine Every mile added character, every scratch a battle sign Needed wheels for the late nights, linking with the crew Made you show up different, made you push and follow through Job applications stacking, now you chasing what you're owed That first whip wasn't metal, it's the start of your episode
Pre-chorus
From beaters to the dream whips, every mile writes the story Your people knew it, they people too,
Chorus
First keys unlock more than doors, they unlock your life Old friend in the driveway, we been riding, ride or die Every crib got at least one, that's the culture, that's the vibe First keys to the last trip, that's the American ride
Verse 2
Fast forward, you done leveled, money finally looking right Middle age, still chasing what you wanted since you could drive Muscle car in the garage, V8 rumbling through the block Decades of the grind paying off, they can't stop Whip cost damn near half of what the household bring home Second biggest flex after the crib, set in stone Pops out in the garage, grease underneath his nails Teaching shorty what his father taught, the cycle never fails
Bridge
Call my whip an old friend, that ain't even a stretch Feel sad when I think about the day we disconnect Men bond through the memories made under the hood Adventures on four wheels, brotherhood understood
Chorus
First keys unlock more than doors, they unlock your life Old friend in the driveway, we been riding, ride or die Every crib got at least one, that's the culture, that's the vibe First keys to the last trip, that's the American ride
Verse 3
Sedans for the young ones just tryna make it work Commute to the job site, link up after, put in work Can't tell me that I don't need my own, that's how I was raised Rideshare can't replace what sitting in your seat conveyed Three whips deep in the driveway, family built like that Every trunk hold the memories, every seat hold the tracks From mama's station wagon to your graduation gift These ain't just cars, they witnesses to every shift
Bridge
Weddings and new babies riding in the backseat Cross-country moves, chasing dreams through the concrete Comfort and dependability, that's why we stay attached Not just transportation, these the moments that we catch [Chorus] x2 First keys unlock more than doors, they unlock your life Old friend in the driveway, we been riding, ride or die Every crib got at least one, that's the culture, that's the vibe First keys to the last trip, that's the American ride
Outro
They hand you them keys young, you hold 'em for years tight Some still pushing that first whip, and it still feel right Every scratch tells a story, every mile marks the way First keys to the last drive, we all got something to say
Inside the recording
Remember when they handed you them keys for the first time Palm sweaty, heart racing, felt like crossing a finish line
From beaters to the dream whips, every mile writes the story Your people knew it, they people too,
They hand you them keys young, you hold 'em for years tight Some still pushing that first whip, and it still feel right
Excerpts from artist-supplied lyric files matched by title. Lyric sheets may differ from the released performance.