About the song
A story for this song hasn’t been added yet.
Words from the artist’s archive
Concrete Breakfast 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
Stove click, one blue eye lit in the dark Linoleum cold like a nickel on my foot Fridge light blink, nothing but air and a cup Deadbolt heavy, whole building holdin they breath
Verse 1
Wake up, phone jumpin, everybody need a favor Rent past due, envelope thin, name on it shaky Water bill yellow, corners curled like old paper Cousin on a collect, talk fast, time costin Lil bro backpack ripped, zipper teeth missin List on the table, pencils, folders, two shirts I breathe once, then I move, no speech, just work
Pre-chorus
Concrete breakfast, cold plate, hot debts Mouth full of nothing, pockets full of “next”
Chorus
Concrete breakfast, I eat what I owe Shoes look new, but the soles got holes Concrete breakfast, lights might go I keep my name clean when the block say “go” Concrete breakfast, I eat what I owe Concrete breakfast, I eat what I owe
Verse 2
Step out, block already runnin like a motor OG on the corner say “I got a play” low Fast cash wave like it know my first name But that road take interest, plus a court date Job app laugh back, “we start you next week” Pay like a joke, hours cut, talk sweet Bus fare, diapers, gas, all fight for the same check Minimum wage do not stretch, it just bends
Pre-chorus
Concrete breakfast, cold hands, warm heat Street math easy, then it bury your sleep
Chorus
Concrete breakfast, I eat what I owe Shoes look new, but the soles got holes Concrete breakfast, lights might go I keep my name clean when the block say “go” Concrete breakfast, I eat what I owe Concrete breakfast, I eat what I owe
Verse 3
Flashback, mama hands raw, bleach on the knuckles Three jobs, still the house gone, lock changed, no shuffle Thanksgiving chair empty, cousin spot quiet Funeral suit too big, borrowed, tight in the collar Homie chose quick, now his voice in a phone box Same jokes, same pain, same minutes, same cost I was one step from it, hand near the fire Pulled back last second, heard my lil bro cough
Bridge
Just 808 and breath, hallway light buzzin Deadbolt talkin back, my stomach still drummin
Verse 4
No parade, just me and a pen at the counter Trade school flyer stuck to a fridge with tape Third shift warehouse, steel toes, back achin Or plates out the house, two for ten, hot gravy Or clippers in the kitchen, line sharp, mirror foggy Slow money, but it’s mine, I can sleep, I ain’t dodgin Dignity loud when it’s quiet and nobody clappin
Verse 5
Same block, same offers, same whispers in passing But this month heat on, fan hum, lights steady Lil bro got folders, clean shoes, hair cut ready Still days hurt, still nights long, still bills heavy I’m not rich, I’m intact, that’s the difference Concrete built me, I’m buildin back with it
Chorus
Concrete breakfast, I eat what I owe Shoes look new, but the soles got holes Concrete breakfast, lights might go I keep my name clean when the block say “go” Concrete breakfast, I eat what I owe Concrete breakfast, I eat what I owe
Outro
Stove click off, last heat die slow Deadbolt lock, one last metal note Footsteps fade, down them same old steps Concrete breakfast, tomorrow, same test
Inside the recording
Stove click, one blue eye lit in the dark Linoleum cold like a nickel on my foot
Concrete breakfast, cold plate, hot debts Mouth full of nothing, pockets full of “next”
Stove click off, last heat die slow Deadbolt lock, one last metal note
Excerpts from artist-supplied lyric files matched by title. Lyric sheets may differ from the released performance.