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.
Ay
Let me kick it to you right quick, man
Not on some gangsta shit man, on some real shit
Anybody done been through the same thing, I'm sure you feel the same way
Big Phil
This for you pimpin'
Ooh (hey) I've been travelin' on this road too long (too long)
Just trying to find my way back home (back home)
The old me is dead and gone, dead and gone
And ooh (hey) I've been travelin' on this road too long (too long)
Just trying to find my way back home (back home)
The old me is dead and gone, dead and gone
Ever had one of them days wish would've stayed home
Run into a group of niggas who gettin' they hate on
You walk by
They get wrong
You reply then shit get blown
Way outta proportion
Way past discussion
Just you against them, pick one then rush 'em
Figure you'll get jumped, hell that's nothing
They don't wanna stop there now they bussin'
Now you gushin', ambulance rushin'
You to the hospital with a bad concussion
Plus ya hit four times
But it hit yo spine
Paralyzed waist down now ya wheel chair bound
Nevermind that now you lucky to be alive
Just think it all started you fussin' with three guys
Now ya pride in the way, but ya pride is the way
You could fuck around, get shot, die any day
Niggas die everyday
All over bullshit, dope money, dice game, ordinary hood shit
Could this be 'cause of hip hop music?
Or did the ones with the good sense not use it?
Usually niggas don't know what to do
When their back against the wall so they just start shootin'
For red or for blue or for blow I guess
From Bankhead up to your projects
No more stress, now I'm straight, now I get it, now I take
Time to think, before I make mistakes just for my family's sake
That part of me left yesterday
The heart of me is strong today
No regrets I'm blessed to say
The old me dead and gone away
Ooh (hey) I've been travelin' on this road too long (too long)
Just trying to find my way back home (back home)
The old me is dead and gone, dead and gone
And ooh (hey) I've been travelin' on this road too long (too long)
Just trying to find my way back home (back home)
The old me is dead and gone, dead and gone
I ain't never been scared, I lived through tragic
Situation could've been dead lookin' back at it
Most of that shit didn't even have to happen
But you don't think about it when you out there trappin'
In apartments, hangin', smokin', and rappin'
Niggas start shit, next thing ya know we cappin'
Get locked up then didn't even get mad
Now think about damn what a life I had
Most of that shit, look back, just laugh
Some shit still look back get sad
Maybe my homeboy still be around
Had I not hit the nigga in the mouth that time
I won that fight
I lost that war
I can still see my nigga walkin' out that door
Who'da thought I'd never see Philant no more?
Got enough dead homies I don't want no more
Cost a nigga his job
Cost me more
I'da took that ass-whooping now for sure
Now think before I risk my life
Take them chances to get my stripe
A nigga put his hands on me alright
Otherwise stand there talk shit all night, so
'Cause I hit you, and you sue me
I shoot you, get locked up, who? Me?
No more stress, now I'm straight, now I get it, now I take
Time to think, before I make mistakes just for my family's sake
That part of me left yesterday
The heart of me is strong today
No regrets I'm blessed to say
The old me dead and gone away
Ooh (hey) I've been travelin' on this road too long (too long)
Just trying to find my way back home (back home)
The old me is dead and gone, dead and gone
And ooh (hey) I've been travelin' on this road too long (too long)
Just trying to find my way back home (back home)
The old me is dead and gone, dead and gone
(Hey, ayy)
I turn my head to the East
I don't see nobody by my side
I turn my head to the West
Still nobody in sight
So I turn my head to the North
Swallow that pill that they call pride
That old me is dead and gone
But that new me will be alright
I turn my head to the East
I don't see nobody by my side
I turn my head to the West
Still nobody in sight
So I turn my head to the North
Swallow that pill that they call pride
That old me is dead and gone
But that new me will be alright, 'cause
Ooh (hey) I've been travelin' on this road too long (too long)
Just trying to find my way back home (back home)
The old me is dead and gone, dead and gone
And ooh (hey) I've been travelin' on this road too long (too long)
Just trying to find my way back home (back home)
The old me is dead and gone, dead and gone, yeah
Let me kick it to you right quick, man
Not on some gangsta shit man, on some real shit
Anybody done been through the same thing, I'm sure you feel the same way
Big Phil
This for you pimpin'
Ooh (hey) I've been travelin' on this road too long (too long)
Just trying to find my way back home (back home)
The old me is dead and gone, dead and gone
And ooh (hey) I've been travelin' on this road too long (too long)
Just trying to find my way back home (back home)
The old me is dead and gone, dead and gone
Ever had one of them days wish would've stayed home
Run into a group of niggas who gettin' they hate on
You walk by
They get wrong
You reply then shit get blown
Way outta proportion
Way past discussion
Just you against them, pick one then rush 'em
Figure you'll get jumped, hell that's nothing
They don't wanna stop there now they bussin'
Now you gushin', ambulance rushin'
You to the hospital with a bad concussion
Plus ya hit four times
But it hit yo spine
Paralyzed waist down now ya wheel chair bound
Nevermind that now you lucky to be alive
Just think it all started you fussin' with three guys
Now ya pride in the way, but ya pride is the way
You could fuck around, get shot, die any day
Niggas die everyday
All over bullshit, dope money, dice game, ordinary hood shit
Could this be 'cause of hip hop music?
Or did the ones with the good sense not use it?
Usually niggas don't know what to do
When their back against the wall so they just start shootin'
For red or for blue or for blow I guess
From Bankhead up to your projects
No more stress, now I'm straight, now I get it, now I take
Time to think, before I make mistakes just for my family's sake
That part of me left yesterday
The heart of me is strong today
No regrets I'm blessed to say
The old me dead and gone away
Ooh (hey) I've been travelin' on this road too long (too long)
Just trying to find my way back home (back home)
The old me is dead and gone, dead and gone
And ooh (hey) I've been travelin' on this road too long (too long)
Just trying to find my way back home (back home)
The old me is dead and gone, dead and gone
I ain't never been scared, I lived through tragic
Situation could've been dead lookin' back at it
Most of that shit didn't even have to happen
But you don't think about it when you out there trappin'
In apartments, hangin', smokin', and rappin'
Niggas start shit, next thing ya know we cappin'
Get locked up then didn't even get mad
Now think about damn what a life I had
Most of that shit, look back, just laugh
Some shit still look back get sad
Maybe my homeboy still be around
Had I not hit the nigga in the mouth that time
I won that fight
I lost that war
I can still see my nigga walkin' out that door
Who'da thought I'd never see Philant no more?
Got enough dead homies I don't want no more
Cost a nigga his job
Cost me more
I'da took that ass-whooping now for sure
Now think before I risk my life
Take them chances to get my stripe
A nigga put his hands on me alright
Otherwise stand there talk shit all night, so
'Cause I hit you, and you sue me
I shoot you, get locked up, who? Me?
No more stress, now I'm straight, now I get it, now I take
Time to think, before I make mistakes just for my family's sake
That part of me left yesterday
The heart of me is strong today
No regrets I'm blessed to say
The old me dead and gone away
Ooh (hey) I've been travelin' on this road too long (too long)
Just trying to find my way back home (back home)
The old me is dead and gone, dead and gone
And ooh (hey) I've been travelin' on this road too long (too long)
Just trying to find my way back home (back home)
The old me is dead and gone, dead and gone
(Hey, ayy)
I turn my head to the East
I don't see nobody by my side
I turn my head to the West
Still nobody in sight
So I turn my head to the North
Swallow that pill that they call pride
That old me is dead and gone
But that new me will be alright
I turn my head to the East
I don't see nobody by my side
I turn my head to the West
Still nobody in sight
So I turn my head to the North
Swallow that pill that they call pride
That old me is dead and gone
But that new me will be alright, 'cause
Ooh (hey) I've been travelin' on this road too long (too long)
Just trying to find my way back home (back home)
The old me is dead and gone, dead and gone
And ooh (hey) I've been travelin' on this road too long (too long)
Just trying to find my way back home (back home)
The old me is dead and gone, dead and gone, yeah
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i just love t.i. & justin timberlake together, i was real excited to see they did another song together ..
this song is basically about t.i.
s life, and how hes trying to turn it around .i think you are right because it is about his life. But i also think it is about the family membersand his friends that pass away his life before he change his ways.
What a motive????
JT kills it in that third verse. Good to see T.I. growing up. He's always been one of my favorite rappers and his music has evolved very nicely over the years.
I think it a direct reflection on his life, particularly last year's gun charges. He's realizing how serious that was and that it nearly cost him a lot. Seems like he's maturing and reflecting on his life as of late.
I really like this song a lot. I like Justin Timberlakes part a lot too. I think it makes the song.
Cant stop listening! I like the meaning too. Its basically T.I. reflecting on his life and realizing that he needs to grow up and be a man to survive.
i was trying to figure out who the guy singing was with my aunt for hours. doesn't sound like justin, at all.
I always thought that this song was about T.I. giving up his "gangster" life and then I heard the lyric "who'da thought I'd never see Philant no more" and I was sure that I was right. Philant was his personal assistant who died in the I-75 shootings in Cincinnati, OH (gotta tell you--I am from Cincy and couldn't believe that this happened). I am so glad that he is opening up about all of it and this is my two cents.
With all these wrong ideas, i woulda thought i wouldnt see the right one-YOURS
In my opinion, this song is the logical sequel to Live Your Life. In Live Your Life he eludes to maturing. "Been thugging all my life cant say i dont deserve to take a break" and basically the rest of the entire song tells how he is tired of the hip-hop 'life'. Now this song comes out and sort of gives a defining reason why.
Its always had a meaning. Its dedicated to T.I.'s lifelong bestfriend and bodyguard Philant who was killed in a drivebye in Cincy a few ears back. Why do you think its titled, " Dead and Gone"?? <br /> <br /> You need to research before you post and make yourself look ignorant and lazy.
Hey it's just his opinion...<br /> <br /> "You need to research before you post and make yourself look ignorant and lazy. "<br /> <br /> That's uncalled for..
Justin's part is awesome!
I completely love this song, Even though his friend did die I don't think the song is really all about him. He is talking about his friend but this song is more about the changes he has made, he realizes the consequences of his actions, I think he is saying goodbye to the old him and accepting the new person he has become. Great song all around