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.
You know it's hard out here for a pimp (you ain't know)
When he tryin' to get this money for the rent (you ain't know)
For the Cadillacs and gas money spent (you ain't know)
Will cause a whole lot of bitches jumpin' ship (you ain't know)
You know it's hard out here for a pimp (you ain't know)
When he tryin' to get this money for the rent (you ain't know)
For the Cadillacs and gas money spent (you ain't know)
Will have a whole lot of bitches jumpin' ship (you ain't know)
Through my eyes, I done seen some crazy thangs in the street
Gotta couple of girls workin' on the track just for me
But I gotta keep my game tight like Kobe on game night
Like takin' from a girl don't know no better
I know that ain't right
Done seen people killed, done seen people deal
Done seen people live in poverty with no meal
It's messed up where I live, but that's just how it is
It might be new to you, but it's been like this for years
It's blood, sweat and tears when it come down to a lick
I'm tryin' to get rich 'fore I leave up out of here
I'm tryin' to have thangs but it's hard for a pimp
So I'm prayin' and I'm hopin' to God I don't slip, yeah
You know it's hard out here for a pimp (you ain't know)
When he tryin' to get this money for the rent (you ain't know)
For the Cadillacs and gas money spent (you ain't know)
Will cause a whole lot of bitches jumpin' ship (you ain't know)
You know it's hard out here for a pimp (you ain't know)
When he tryin' to get this money for the rent (you ain't know)
For the Cadillacs and gas money spent (yeah, Academy Award winner)
Will have a whole lot of bitches jumpin' ship (Three 6 Mafia)
(You know what time it is)
Man, it seems like I'm duckin', dodgin' bullets everyday
Ghouls hatin' on me 'cause I got girls on the bay
But I gotta stay paid, gotta stay above water
Couldn't keep up with my girls, that's when thangs got harder
North Memphis where I'm from, I'm 7th street bound
Where people all the time end up lost and never found
Man, these girls take me through thangs, keep me with a headache
I'm hopin' every night, they don't end up bein' dead weight
I got a snow bunny and a Black girl too
You pay the right price and they'll both do you
That's the way the game goes, gotta keep it strictly pimpin'
Gotta keep my hustle tight, makin' change off these women, yeah
You know it's hard out here for a pimp (you ain't know)
When he tryin' to get this money for the rent (you ain't know)
For the Cadillacs and gas money spent (you ain't know)
Will cause a whole lot of bitches jumpin' ship (you ain't know)
You know it's hard out here for a pimp (you ain't know)
When he tryin' to get this money for the rent (you ain't know)
For the Cadillacs and gas money spent (you ain't know)
Will have a whole lot of bitches jumpin' ship (you ain't know)
When he tryin' to get this money for the rent (you ain't know)
For the Cadillacs and gas money spent (you ain't know)
Will cause a whole lot of bitches jumpin' ship (you ain't know)
You know it's hard out here for a pimp (you ain't know)
When he tryin' to get this money for the rent (you ain't know)
For the Cadillacs and gas money spent (you ain't know)
Will have a whole lot of bitches jumpin' ship (you ain't know)
Through my eyes, I done seen some crazy thangs in the street
Gotta couple of girls workin' on the track just for me
But I gotta keep my game tight like Kobe on game night
Like takin' from a girl don't know no better
I know that ain't right
Done seen people killed, done seen people deal
Done seen people live in poverty with no meal
It's messed up where I live, but that's just how it is
It might be new to you, but it's been like this for years
It's blood, sweat and tears when it come down to a lick
I'm tryin' to get rich 'fore I leave up out of here
I'm tryin' to have thangs but it's hard for a pimp
So I'm prayin' and I'm hopin' to God I don't slip, yeah
You know it's hard out here for a pimp (you ain't know)
When he tryin' to get this money for the rent (you ain't know)
For the Cadillacs and gas money spent (you ain't know)
Will cause a whole lot of bitches jumpin' ship (you ain't know)
You know it's hard out here for a pimp (you ain't know)
When he tryin' to get this money for the rent (you ain't know)
For the Cadillacs and gas money spent (yeah, Academy Award winner)
Will have a whole lot of bitches jumpin' ship (Three 6 Mafia)
(You know what time it is)
Man, it seems like I'm duckin', dodgin' bullets everyday
Ghouls hatin' on me 'cause I got girls on the bay
But I gotta stay paid, gotta stay above water
Couldn't keep up with my girls, that's when thangs got harder
North Memphis where I'm from, I'm 7th street bound
Where people all the time end up lost and never found
Man, these girls take me through thangs, keep me with a headache
I'm hopin' every night, they don't end up bein' dead weight
I got a snow bunny and a Black girl too
You pay the right price and they'll both do you
That's the way the game goes, gotta keep it strictly pimpin'
Gotta keep my hustle tight, makin' change off these women, yeah
You know it's hard out here for a pimp (you ain't know)
When he tryin' to get this money for the rent (you ain't know)
For the Cadillacs and gas money spent (you ain't know)
Will cause a whole lot of bitches jumpin' ship (you ain't know)
You know it's hard out here for a pimp (you ain't know)
When he tryin' to get this money for the rent (you ain't know)
For the Cadillacs and gas money spent (you ain't know)
Will have a whole lot of bitches jumpin' ship (you ain't know)
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Hard Out Here for a Pimp Lyrics as written by Jordan Houston Cedric Coleman
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/