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.
Hey baby, how you doin'? What's goin' on?
I'm sittin' in my motherfuckin' cell, it's the same song
Tell my kids that I love 'em but don't tell 'em that I'm through
Keep cryin' and tell 'em I'll be home soon
Oh baby, I'm goin' crazy
'Cause I keep seein' shit that amaze me
Still I had to kill a motherfucker last week
He thought I was a punk and tried to creep up on me in my sleep
I just think that I could hold or squeeze or touch or buck ya
But I can't, so fuck it
I'ma behind these bars and it's burnin' like nitro
I might go psycho, the man on the tower got a rifle
Aw shit, there the lights go
Mama, I'm in love wit a gangsta (damn)
Mama, I'm in love wit a gangsta (you know)
Mama, I'm in love wit a gangsta and I know he's a killer
But I love dat nigga
Hey baby
What's happenin', honey?
How you doin'?
I miss you
The kids keep askin' where's their papa?
I had to tell 'em daddy got caught by the coppers
It's time for me to raise 'em up proper by myself
It's a goddamn struggle when a bitch ain't got no help
Now everybody tellin' me that you ain't shit black
And when you get out, you'll jack and probably go right the fuck back
Damn, the pressure's gettin' hot and heavy
And yeah, I'm gettin' sweated by your homey in the blue and white Chevy
But now he's got a condo and a brand new Lexus
Wants me to take a trip with him down to Texas
The ends don't justify the means
And in another life he might've been the man of my dreams
But you know I got your back to the motherfuckin' end
But a bitch can't even trip like she don't have a friend
Mama, I'm in love wit a gangsta (damn)
Mama, I'm in love wit a gangsta (you know)
Mama, I'm in love wit a gangsta and I know he's a killer
But I love dat nigga
(Hello, you have a collect call from)
Coolio
(If you choose to accept this call please press 5 now)
What the fuck you mean you need a friend?
I can't be havin' no niggas round my kids
Don't you make me break up outta this motherfucker
And start killin' motherfuckers, shit
I know it's rough, I know it's tough
But when you fumble in the game sometimes you get locked up
You better stay away punk ass bitch, he ain't shit
I don't want to have to kill him
'Cause think about the times that we used to have
Don't make me reach out and touch that ass
You put yourself in danger when you fuck with a buster
Like shootin' dice without a pistol in a circle of murderers
You got more class than the average-type hooker bitch
Don't switch, he gotta grip but he ain't rich
Now I gotta check but if you've got the check
Give a nigga a look and put somethin' on my books
Peace
Mama, I'm in love wit a gangsta (damn)
Mama, I'm in love wit a gangsta (you know)
Mama, I'm in love wit a gangsta and I know he's a killer
But I love dat nigga
Ayo, remember the homey with the Lexus, he took the trip to Texas
Now he's wearin' the fuckin' Lexus like a necklace
So tell me, what's the drill, baby pa? What's a bitch to do?
My nigga's stretched in the pen since '92
Them visits ain't doin' the trick, drop fucks make me sick
'Cause this po' puddy-tat needs a cat nip
And that motherfucker representin' you, I think he resents you
He got evidence he never presents to
The people in court, I heard witnesses abortin'
What's he doin' about gettin' you out to hold the fort?
I got some ends, I'ma send you a dime and two doves
Mama hates you but damn I got love for a gangsta
Mama, I'm in love wit a gangsta (damn)
Mama, I'm in love wit a gangsta (you know)
Mama, I'm in love wit a gangsta and I know he's a killer
But I love dat nigga
I'm sittin' in my motherfuckin' cell, it's the same song
Tell my kids that I love 'em but don't tell 'em that I'm through
Keep cryin' and tell 'em I'll be home soon
Oh baby, I'm goin' crazy
'Cause I keep seein' shit that amaze me
Still I had to kill a motherfucker last week
He thought I was a punk and tried to creep up on me in my sleep
I just think that I could hold or squeeze or touch or buck ya
But I can't, so fuck it
I'ma behind these bars and it's burnin' like nitro
I might go psycho, the man on the tower got a rifle
Aw shit, there the lights go
Mama, I'm in love wit a gangsta (damn)
Mama, I'm in love wit a gangsta (you know)
Mama, I'm in love wit a gangsta and I know he's a killer
But I love dat nigga
Hey baby
What's happenin', honey?
How you doin'?
I miss you
The kids keep askin' where's their papa?
I had to tell 'em daddy got caught by the coppers
It's time for me to raise 'em up proper by myself
It's a goddamn struggle when a bitch ain't got no help
Now everybody tellin' me that you ain't shit black
And when you get out, you'll jack and probably go right the fuck back
Damn, the pressure's gettin' hot and heavy
And yeah, I'm gettin' sweated by your homey in the blue and white Chevy
But now he's got a condo and a brand new Lexus
Wants me to take a trip with him down to Texas
The ends don't justify the means
And in another life he might've been the man of my dreams
But you know I got your back to the motherfuckin' end
But a bitch can't even trip like she don't have a friend
Mama, I'm in love wit a gangsta (damn)
Mama, I'm in love wit a gangsta (you know)
Mama, I'm in love wit a gangsta and I know he's a killer
But I love dat nigga
(Hello, you have a collect call from)
Coolio
(If you choose to accept this call please press 5 now)
What the fuck you mean you need a friend?
I can't be havin' no niggas round my kids
Don't you make me break up outta this motherfucker
And start killin' motherfuckers, shit
I know it's rough, I know it's tough
But when you fumble in the game sometimes you get locked up
You better stay away punk ass bitch, he ain't shit
I don't want to have to kill him
'Cause think about the times that we used to have
Don't make me reach out and touch that ass
You put yourself in danger when you fuck with a buster
Like shootin' dice without a pistol in a circle of murderers
You got more class than the average-type hooker bitch
Don't switch, he gotta grip but he ain't rich
Now I gotta check but if you've got the check
Give a nigga a look and put somethin' on my books
Peace
Mama, I'm in love wit a gangsta (damn)
Mama, I'm in love wit a gangsta (you know)
Mama, I'm in love wit a gangsta and I know he's a killer
But I love dat nigga
Ayo, remember the homey with the Lexus, he took the trip to Texas
Now he's wearin' the fuckin' Lexus like a necklace
So tell me, what's the drill, baby pa? What's a bitch to do?
My nigga's stretched in the pen since '92
Them visits ain't doin' the trick, drop fucks make me sick
'Cause this po' puddy-tat needs a cat nip
And that motherfucker representin' you, I think he resents you
He got evidence he never presents to
The people in court, I heard witnesses abortin'
What's he doin' about gettin' you out to hold the fort?
I got some ends, I'ma send you a dime and two doves
Mama hates you but damn I got love for a gangsta
Mama, I'm in love wit a gangsta (damn)
Mama, I'm in love wit a gangsta (you know)
Mama, I'm in love wit a gangsta and I know he's a killer
But I love dat nigga
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