Credits
PERFORMING ARTISTS
J. Cole
Vocals
Nuno Malo
Strings
Sonia Rosa
Sampled Artist
Yuji Ohno
Sampled Artist
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Johnny Burke
Songwriter
Jimmy Van Heusen
Songwriter
Jermaine Cole
Songwriter
William "Willie B." Brown
Songwriter
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Juro "Mez" Davis
Mixing Engineer
Brian Gardner
Mastering Engineer
Sean Kellett
Assistant Recording Engineer
Jack Mason
Assistant Recording Engineer
William "Willie B." Brown
Producer
Lyrics
[Intro]
La-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la (Yeah)
La-la-la-la-la-la (Yeah)
[Verse 1]
I grew up a **** screw up, tie my shoe up
Wish they was newer, damn, need something newer
In love with the baddest girl in the city, I wish I knew her
I wish I wasn't so shy, wish I was a bit more fly
I wish that I could tell her how I really feel inside
That I'm the perfect **** for her, but then, maybe that's a lie
She like a certain type of ****, and it's clear I'm not that guy
Ball player, star player, I'm just watchin' from the side
On the bench 'cause my lack of confidence won't let me fly
I ain't grow up with my father, I ain't thinkin' 'bout that now
Fast forward four years or so from now, I'll probably cry
When I realize what I missed, but as of now, my eyes are dry
'Cause I'm tryna stay alive in the city where too many **** die
Dreamin' quiet, tryna dodge a suit and tie
Who am I? (La-la-la)
Aye, who am I? (La-la-la-la-la-la)
[Chorus]
Things change, rearrange and so do I
It ain't always for the better, dawg, I can't lie
I get high 'cause the lows can be so cold
I might bend a little bit, but I don't fold
One time for my mind and two for yours
I got food for your thoughts to soothe your soul
If you see my tears fall, just let me be
Move along, nothing to see
[Verse 2]
I always did **** the hard way
My **** **** slangin' in the hallway
Burnt CD's and trees like this was Broadway
Times Square, kept the dimes there in the locker
Some Reggie Miller with more brown hairs than Chewbacca
Whispers that he got it for the low-low, sell a
Dime for a dub, them white boys ain't know no better
Besides, what's twenty dollars to a **** like that?
He tell his pops he need some lunch and he gon' get it right back
I peeped game, got home, snatched my mama keychain
Took her whip, the appeal too ill to refrain
I hit the boulevard, pull up to my **** front door
His mama at home, she still let 'em hit the ****, though
I told her, "Hello", and sat with my **** and laughed
And talked about how we gon' smash all the **** in class
I complimented how I see him out here getting his cash
[Verse 3]
And just asked, "What a **** gotta do to get that?
Put me on," he just laughed when he seen I was sure
Seventeen years breathing, his demeanor said more
He told me, "****, you know how you sound right now?
You wasn't my mans, I would think that you a clown right now
Listen, you everything I wanna be, that's why I **** with you
So how you looking up to me when I look up to you?
You 'bout to go get a degree, I'ma be stuck with two choices
Either graduate to weight or selling number two
For what? A hundred bucks or two a week?
Do you think that you would know what to do if you was me?
I got four brothers, one mother that don't love us
If they ain't want us, why the **** they never wore rubbers?"
I felt ashamed to have ever complained
About my lack of gear and thought about how far we done came
From trailer park to a front yard with trees in the sky
Thank you mama, dry your eyes, it ain't no reason to cry
You made a genius, and I ain't gon' take it for granted
I ain't gon' settle for lesser, I ain't gon' take what they handed
Nah, I'm gon' take what they owe me and show you that I can fly
And show old girl what she missing, the illest **** alive
Aye, who am I?
[Chorus]
Things change, rearrange and so do I (Aye, who am I?)
It ain't always for the better, dawg, I can't lie (Who am I?)
I get high 'cause the lows can be so cold
I might bend a little bit, but I don't fold
One time for my mind and two for yours
I got food for your thoughts to soothe your soul
If you see my tears fall, just let me be
Move along, nothing to see
[Outro]
I never felt better
Written by: J. Cole, Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke, William "Willie B." Brown