OVERVIEW

LYRICS

Featured In

Listen to Mama's Gun by Erykah Badu
ALBUMMama's GunErykah Badu
Listen to Hip-Hop/R&B Throwback featuring Erykah Badu
PLAYLISTHip-Hop/R&B ThrowbackApple Music Hip-Hop
Listen to Hip-Hop/R&B Hits: 2000 featuring Erykah Badu
PLAYLISTHip-Hop/R&B Hits: 2000Apple Music Hip-Hop
Listen to Erykah Badu Essentials featuring Erykah Badu
PLAYLISTErykah Badu EssentialsApple Music R&B
Listen to 2000s Love Song Essentials featuring Erykah Badu
PLAYLIST2000s Love Song EssentialsApple Music 2000s
Listen to R&B Throwback featuring Erykah Badu
PLAYLISTR&B ThrowbackApple Music R&B
Listen to Neo-Soul Essentials featuring Erykah Badu
PLAYLISTNeo-Soul EssentialsApple Music R&B
Listen to Verzuz Cheat Sheet: Jill Scott x Erykah Badu featuring Erykah Badu
PLAYLISTVerzuz Cheat Sheet: Jill Scott x Erykah BaduApple Music
Listen to Ep. 7 OVO SOUND RADIO Playlist  featuring Erykah Badu
PLAYLISTEp. 7 OVO SOUND RADIO Playlist OVO SOUND RADIO
Listen to Lazy Day featuring Erykah Badu
PLAYLISTLazy DayApple Music Home
Listen to Summer Walker: Visionary Women featuring Erykah Badu
PLAYLISTSummer Walker: Visionary WomenApple Music R&B

Top Songs By Erykah Badu

Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
Erykah Badu
Erykah Badu
Vocals
CHARLES PARKER JR.
CHARLES PARKER JR.
Violin
Charles Kwas
Charles Kwas
Violin
Davis Barnett
Davis Barnett
Viola
Emma Kummrow
Emma Kummrow
Violin
Gregory Teperman
Gregory Teperman
Violin
Igor Szwec
Igor Szwec
Violin
James Poyser
James Poyser
Piano
Jay Dee
Jay Dee
Drum Programming
Olga Konopelsky
Olga Konopelsky
Violin
Peter Nocella
Peter Nocella
Viola
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Erykah Badu
Erykah Badu
Composer
James Poyser
James Poyser
Composer
Robert Bradford
Robert Bradford
Lyrics
Larry Gold
Larry Gold
String Arranger
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Erykah Badu
Erykah Badu
Producer
James Poyser
James Poyser
Producer
Leslie Brathwaite
Leslie Brathwaite
Mixing Engineer
Jon Smeltz
Jon Smeltz
Recording Engineer
Mark "Exit" Goodchild
Mark "Exit" Goodchild
Recording Engineer
Jon Adler
Jon Adler
Assistant Recording Engineer
Mike "Shaggy" Turner
Mike "Shaggy" Turner
Assistant Recording Engineer
Shinobu Mitsuoka
Shinobu Mitsuoka
Assistant Mixing Engineer
Krystof Zizka
Krystof Zizka
Assistant Recording Engineer
Chris Gehringer
Chris Gehringer
Mastering Engineer
Eric Steinert
Eric Steinert
Engineer
Jay Dee
Jay Dee
Co-Producer
Tom Coyne
Tom Coyne
Mastering Engineer
Tom Soares
Tom Soares
Recording Engineer

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
I was standing down, down, downtown
Staring at the puddles on the ground
Tryin' to figure out a way up out of this town
And I know, yeah, I'm not the only one
So many people out there chase the sun
[Verse 2]
If you're looking for a free ride
You better run child
'Cause you sure won't get too far, oh, oh
You'd better dance a dance
To make the rain come down
If you want to be a star, ooh my my my
[Verse 3]
My Life (Sister do you know?)
Sure ain't been too easy
My life (Brother do you know?)
The life I wanna live
My life (Mama do you know?)
You're gonna go through changes
My life, no turnin' back I'm tellin' you no
[Verse 4]
See every now and then I
Wanna to throw my hands up in the sky
'Cause one day I know I'll be flyin' high
And I know yeah
I got to get down on my knees and pray
'Cause in my heart I know I'll see that day
[Verse 5]
When my freedom comes along
I'm gonna run child
'Cause I know that I'll go far, (Ooh-oh)
Can't let nobody kill my soul and bring me down
And they know who they are, ooh, my, my, my
[Verse 6]
My Life (Sister do you know?)
Sure ain't been too easy
My life (Brother do you know?)
The life I wanna live
My life (Mama do you know?)
You're gonna go through changes
My life
(No turnin' back, I'm tellin' you no)
No turnin' back, yeah
[Verse 7]
My Life (Sister do you know?)
Sure ain't been too easy
My life (Brother do you know?)
The life I wanna live
My life (Mama do you know?)
Gonna go through changes
My life
(No turnin' back, I'm tellin' you no)
[Verse 8]
No turnin' back, (Yeah, ooh)
No turnin' back, (Yeah, ooh)
No turnin' back, (Yeah, hey)
No turnin' back, (Hey)
No turnin' back
No turnin' back
No turnin' back
No turnin' back
No turnin' back, (Yeah, ooh)
No turnin' back, (Yeah, ooh)
No turnin' back, (Yeah, ooh)
No turnin' back, (Yeah, ooh)
No turnin' back (Yeah)
Written by: Erykah Badu, James Poyser, Robert Bradford

Shazam Footer

Select language:

Company

Legal

Google Play Store
Apple App Store
Chrome Web Store
Galaxy Store

Follow Us

© Copyright 2025 Apple Inc. and its affiliates | Supplier Responsibility
instagramSharePathic_arrow_out