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Words from the artist’s archive
CAN'T BREATHE 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
Bills on the counter stackin' like a monument Workin' double shifts but I still can't pay the rent
Verse 1
Wakin' up at five, I'm already runnin' late Gas tank on empty but I still gotta make the freight Groceries cost a fortune now, I'm skippin' every meal Mama askin' how I'm doin', I just say I'm fine for real Landlord raised it twenty, said the market set the rate Meanwhile I'm choosin' between lights and what's on my plate Credit cards maxed out, overdraft fees bleed me dry They say just work harder, man, I'm workin' 'til I die
Chorus
Can't breathe, can't breathe, the pressure crushin' me Every dollar stretched thin, nothin' left to bleed Still I keep on movin', they won't bury me Can't breathe, can't breathe, but I refuse to leave
Verse 2
Degree on the wall but it don't mean nothin' here Entry level want five years, man this system's engineered Inflation at thirty percent while my check stayed flat Politicians on the TV talkin' 'bout bring prices back My generation gettin' squeezed from every single side Parents bought a house at twenty-five, that dream has died Three jobs and a side hustle, still I barely scrape They call it opportunity, I call it a cage
Bridge
I remember when a dollar meant somethin' to hold Now I'm countin' every penny while the system runs cold They say pull yourself up, with what rope, with what hands? Built a ladder to the sky but they keep movin' where it lands
Chorus
Can't breathe, can't breathe, the pressure crushin' me Every dollar stretched thin, nothin' left to bleed Still I keep on movin', they won't bury me Can't breathe, can't breathe, but I refuse to leave
Verse 3
Nah I won't apologize for wantin' what they got Security and peace of mind, is that really askin' a lot? My grandma worked the factory forty years straight Pension and a home, now that future's at the gate But I ain't givin' up, nah, this fire won't die Every setback fuel me, every no just makes me fly We the ones who keep it movin' when the world falls through Can't afford to quit, that's the one thing I can't do
Bridge
Tell my little sister she can make it out these walls Tell my people keep the faith even when the empire falls We ain't just survivin', nah, we buildin' somethin' new When the dust settles down, they gon' know what we been through
Chorus
Can't breathe, can't breathe, the pressure crushin' me Every dollar stretched thin, nothin' left to bleed Still I keep on movin', they won't bury me Can't breathe, can't breathe, but I refuse to leave
Chorus
Can't breathe, can't breathe, the pressure crushin' me Every dollar stretched thin, nothin' left to bleed Still I keep on movin', they won't bury me Can't breathe, can't breathe, but I refuse to leave
Outro
Can't breathe... but I'm still breathin' Still here... still believin'
Inside the recording
Bills on the counter stackin' like a monument Workin' double shifts but I still can't pay the rent
Can't breathe, can't breathe, the pressure crushin' me Every dollar stretched thin, nothin' left to bleed
Can't breathe... but I'm still breathin' Still here... still believin'
Excerpts from artist-supplied lyric files matched by title. Lyric sheets may differ from the released performance.