About the song
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Words from the artist’s archive
Stayed Down lyrics
Artist-supplied lyric sheet, matched by title. The sheet may differ from this released performance. Production notes and alternate promotional cuts are omitted.
Read the lyric sheet
Intro
“Yeah… stayed down.” Same block, same pain, same few still here First beat drop, this for the ones still near
Verse 1
Corner store knew my face before the fame Lights cut off, mama cryin’, still prayed Repo man knockin’, we hid the car Learned loyalty early, it left a scar Same shoes two winters, taped at the sole Dreams heavy on me, pockets on low Ain’t trust smiles, they switch when it’s gold That’s why my circle small, ten toes, tenfold
Chorus
Stayed down when the fridge was empty Stayed down, only God could get me Same ones here when the money came ‘round Stayed down, stayed real, stayed bound Stayed down, yeah, stayed down Say it loud, say it proud, stayed down
Verse 2
Collect calls late, talkin’ through glass Said “when I make it,” hope this time it last First check hit, mama seen relief Bought time back, couldn’t buy back peace Some switched up, couldn’t stomach my shine Asked for favors, but wasn’t in grind time Names I won’t say, still hear they voice Betrayal teach you, loyalty a choice
Bridge
808 drop out, heartbeat slow Success loud, but it get lonely though Still answer calls at four A.M. ‘Cause the ones who stayed down? That’s family, yeah
Verse 3
Now the checks clear, but the trauma stay Still flinch when the phone ring late Bought my mama peace, but I lost some sleep Success loud, but it don’t talk back to me Same scars, just a better view Same code, I don’t bend the rules If the lights go out, I know who I’m callin’ ‘Cause the ones who stayed down still all in
Chorus
Stayed down when the fridge was empty, yeah Stayed down, only God could get me, no cap Same ones here when the money came ‘round Stayed down, stayed real, stayed bound Stayed down, yeah, stayed down Turn pain to a crown, stayed down
Bridge
808 drop out, heartbeat slow Success loud, but it get lonely though Still answer calls at four A.M. ‘Cause the ones who stayed down? That’s family, yeah
Outro
Stayed down when they laughed out loud Stayed down, now we stand out proud Same block, same code, new sounds Stayed down, whole world know us now Stayed down… stayed down…
Inside the recording
“Yeah… stayed down.” Same block, same pain, same few still here
Stayed down when the fridge was empty Stayed down, only God could get me
Stayed down when they laughed out loud Stayed down, now we stand out proud
Excerpts from artist-supplied lyric files matched by title. Lyric sheets may differ from the released performance.