The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
We live in a world where a man is judged by the color of his skin
We can't win, not the content of his character, they scared of you
22 million black in America, you better stand your area
75 percent population of the prison system, niggas listen
Niggas listen, niggas listen, Outlawz on a mission
So more gun shots by some young niggas
And now the media consider y'all some dumb niggas
And where you at, I done came from that
So I know what's on your mind when you're cocking your nine back
Busting your bullets at them niggas on the corner
And you aim 7 5 till your victim is a goner
But it's more than life and I don't blame you
Matter of fact I blame your parents for the shit you gonna do
There's a lot of niggas under ten getting shot by the nine
8 of them died and left 7 of them crying for the 5th and 6th time
I'm trying to tell you dog, you done pulled through
Nigga I know that's where we are
And the third second and first is when the welfare kicks in
We joined by nothing 'cause you're (unverified) drinking
Buying crack, go for drugs again
And it make you want to go and bust your gat again
But if you got a problem grab a pen, write a letter
And send it to the Outlawz, we'll try to make it better
My young soldier, you ain't no dumb soldier
Keep your mind on your dream and you a pro soldier
Hey yo, I spit, rip for Pac and Yak, I love y'all both
That's why I rap with a grudge and keep my enemies close
Memories float, nothing else to do but smoke
Now I'm numb with a lump in my throat
I'm scoffed up, constipated with pain hating the rain
We all get wet and pretty much when you close to death
I think you live by the gun, you die by the judge
And if my girl have a son, I'ma raise him better than I was
A little time does justice to the heart
You should ask your little boy why he rushing to the park
Everyday after school, you wonder why he love there?
They got guns drugs and plenty of thugs there
No care, that's why I speak on shit to you parents out there
Don't sleep on shit, raise your kids, come on you made the kids
We got kids killing kids, doing major bids, damn
I never really got a chance to say good-bye
I hope you're thankful you lived your life
And nothing keeps that before your eyes
I never really got a chance to say good-bye
And even though you're gone, you're always on my mind
I never really got a chance to say goodbye
To all my youngsters out there, trying to burn something
Will you pay attention a minute, you might learn something
'Cause look all they want to do is lock you up
And make some dough off you and when your ass finally die
They'll find a hole for you, I know it ain't no love
It seem cold to you but yous a soldier
Got to keep your goals close to you
'Cause 25 with an L ain't closer junior
Now in society, you're labeled as a loser junior
2 times at that, so close to your 3rd
Only 22 now what the fuck you gonna do
Convicted felons, they don't get no work, we all know that
Now you forced to draw back, you seen the cycle
They don't call it the system for nothing
Systematic ways to get you to your grave
But you heard it before, you ain't gonna listen to Edi
You gonna have to go through it but please believe me
Ain't no glory in pain, a soldier story in vain
You niggas gobbled by the game
Ain't no glory in pain, a soldier story in vain
You niggas gobbled up by the muthafuckin' game
It's a long long dark road out of hell, I've been there
I can tell you the story well, most don't make it
10 out of 12 and the 2 left fighting themselves
We sit in desperate need, searching for a cure
Us youngsters indeed we deserve much more
It's war 'cause we don't get along with each other
God damn we need to get it together for real
I never really got a chance to say good-bye
I hope you're thankful you lived your life
And nothing keeps that before your eyes
I never really got a chance to say good-bye
And even though you're gone, you're always on my mind
I never really got a chance to say goodbye
I got 50 shots for every (unverified)
These pigs is more crooked than some snakes on my block
They gave him a choice, he had to ride or die
Since bullets don't die, oz can you tell me how he died
Stay ahead of your game, young star, grow eyes
Stay away from them haters, also 1 time
I respect the game, I'm real serious with mine
It's like they lost, playing on furious with mine
So serious, you know, it's all about will and how strong you are
If you can stand it, stand the pressure and stay strong youngsters
Move up
I never really got a chance to say good-bye
I hope you're thankful you lived your life
And nothing keeps that before your eyes
I never really got a chance to say good-bye
And even though you're gone, you're always on my mind
I never really got a chance to say goodbye
We can't win, not the content of his character, they scared of you
22 million black in America, you better stand your area
75 percent population of the prison system, niggas listen
Niggas listen, niggas listen, Outlawz on a mission
So more gun shots by some young niggas
And now the media consider y'all some dumb niggas
And where you at, I done came from that
So I know what's on your mind when you're cocking your nine back
Busting your bullets at them niggas on the corner
And you aim 7 5 till your victim is a goner
But it's more than life and I don't blame you
Matter of fact I blame your parents for the shit you gonna do
There's a lot of niggas under ten getting shot by the nine
8 of them died and left 7 of them crying for the 5th and 6th time
I'm trying to tell you dog, you done pulled through
Nigga I know that's where we are
And the third second and first is when the welfare kicks in
We joined by nothing 'cause you're (unverified) drinking
Buying crack, go for drugs again
And it make you want to go and bust your gat again
But if you got a problem grab a pen, write a letter
And send it to the Outlawz, we'll try to make it better
My young soldier, you ain't no dumb soldier
Keep your mind on your dream and you a pro soldier
Hey yo, I spit, rip for Pac and Yak, I love y'all both
That's why I rap with a grudge and keep my enemies close
Memories float, nothing else to do but smoke
Now I'm numb with a lump in my throat
I'm scoffed up, constipated with pain hating the rain
We all get wet and pretty much when you close to death
I think you live by the gun, you die by the judge
And if my girl have a son, I'ma raise him better than I was
A little time does justice to the heart
You should ask your little boy why he rushing to the park
Everyday after school, you wonder why he love there?
They got guns drugs and plenty of thugs there
No care, that's why I speak on shit to you parents out there
Don't sleep on shit, raise your kids, come on you made the kids
We got kids killing kids, doing major bids, damn
I never really got a chance to say good-bye
I hope you're thankful you lived your life
And nothing keeps that before your eyes
I never really got a chance to say good-bye
And even though you're gone, you're always on my mind
I never really got a chance to say goodbye
To all my youngsters out there, trying to burn something
Will you pay attention a minute, you might learn something
'Cause look all they want to do is lock you up
And make some dough off you and when your ass finally die
They'll find a hole for you, I know it ain't no love
It seem cold to you but yous a soldier
Got to keep your goals close to you
'Cause 25 with an L ain't closer junior
Now in society, you're labeled as a loser junior
2 times at that, so close to your 3rd
Only 22 now what the fuck you gonna do
Convicted felons, they don't get no work, we all know that
Now you forced to draw back, you seen the cycle
They don't call it the system for nothing
Systematic ways to get you to your grave
But you heard it before, you ain't gonna listen to Edi
You gonna have to go through it but please believe me
Ain't no glory in pain, a soldier story in vain
You niggas gobbled by the game
Ain't no glory in pain, a soldier story in vain
You niggas gobbled up by the muthafuckin' game
It's a long long dark road out of hell, I've been there
I can tell you the story well, most don't make it
10 out of 12 and the 2 left fighting themselves
We sit in desperate need, searching for a cure
Us youngsters indeed we deserve much more
It's war 'cause we don't get along with each other
God damn we need to get it together for real
I never really got a chance to say good-bye
I hope you're thankful you lived your life
And nothing keeps that before your eyes
I never really got a chance to say good-bye
And even though you're gone, you're always on my mind
I never really got a chance to say goodbye
I got 50 shots for every (unverified)
These pigs is more crooked than some snakes on my block
They gave him a choice, he had to ride or die
Since bullets don't die, oz can you tell me how he died
Stay ahead of your game, young star, grow eyes
Stay away from them haters, also 1 time
I respect the game, I'm real serious with mine
It's like they lost, playing on furious with mine
So serious, you know, it's all about will and how strong you are
If you can stand it, stand the pressure and stay strong youngsters
Move up
I never really got a chance to say good-bye
I hope you're thankful you lived your life
And nothing keeps that before your eyes
I never really got a chance to say good-bye
And even though you're gone, you're always on my mind
I never really got a chance to say goodbye
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Good Bye Lyrics as written by Katari Terrance Cox Malcolm Greenidge
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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