About the song
A story for this song hasn’t been added yet.
Words from the artist’s archive
Same Stain 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
Tap tap tap on the screen door, receipt chirp. Cafecito in the sink, asphalt breathing after four. Same stain on the mirror, everybody saw it but me.
Verse 1
Lauderhill window sweats, lizard still on the screen, Auntie Nita said, "jit, your eyes don't look clean." Carol City called, Twin got another reset date, I said I was straight, then broke the side gate. NW 79th smelled like hot tar and rain, whole block saw the fog before I named the stain.
Chorus
Fog on the mirror, who put that there? Who? Everybody saw it from across the room. My face tells first what my mouth won't name. I wipe the glass, still leave the same stain.
Verse 2
TGK hallway cold, cousin in slides too big, caseworker lost his folder, asked where he lived. School said absent, landlord said late, court said pay this, fridge said wait. On 441, oxtail smoke fought gas, I blamed the judge while my own truth passed.
Chorus
Fog on the mirror, who put that there? Who? Everybody saw it from across the room. My face tells first what my mouth won't name. I wipe the glass, still leave the same stain.
Verse 3
Bunche Park fan clicked over my bed, "Who you mad at?" I said, "Me, I guess." Tee folded my shirt, "you not mean, you scared," I raised the TV like truth wasn't there. Liberty City rain ran beads on the glass, I saw my reflection duck when sirens passed. I liked being hard till love moved away, missed my red flag swinging plain as day.
Verse 4
State Road 7, I named it before it named me, same stain, same strain, same brain tried to cage me. Palmetto pressure, pedal-metal, breath measured, turned every lecture into ledger and weather. Ducking reflection, misdirecting confession, intercepting every blessing with weaponized expression. Now I face the leak, make the weakness speak clear, cut static off my spirit, let the bassline steer. Even glass got receipts, windows know business, Sistrunk to the Bean, I made weakness bear witness. If love knock three times, I open that gate, I quit calling help hate before it got too late.
Chorus
Fog on the mirror, who put that there? Who? Everybody saw it from across the room. My face tells first what my mouth won't name. I name the stain, then I break the chain.
Verse 5
To my little cousin Malik, when your voice start to change, don't call every warning disrespect to your name. If Broward Blvd fam says you moving strange, buy him a soda, sit down, don't explain. Look in the mirror after the shower clears, write what you saw, not what you want them to hear. Tomorrow make your bed, call Twin by ten, ask someone straight, "what you see when I walk in?"
Outro
Tap tap tap, receipt chirp. Same glass, new hand.
Inside the recording
Tap tap tap on the screen door, receipt chirp. Cafecito in the sink, asphalt breathing after four.
Fog on the mirror, who put that there? Who? Everybody saw it from across the room.
Tap tap tap, receipt chirp. Same glass, new hand.
Excerpts from artist-supplied lyric files matched by title. Lyric sheets may differ from the released performance.