These next lyrics were for the character of Jay-B who was in the musical I wrote called Nobody’s Idol. The premise of the show was that it was down to final 4 contestants on a surreal singing competition vying for a lifetime supply of fame. The competition was hosted by the God of Fame or in subsequent rewrites the Goddess of Fame. Anyway, spotlight on Jay-B – he was a rapper who wanted to be a legend like his idols and who died young and their albums went on to sell millions.
I’ve always loved rap because I love lyrics and words. But I don’t necessarily listen to it a lot – so to write this I definitely did a lot of research. Cramming decades worth of hip-hop music listening into a couple weeks – I also watched some documentaries and lots of interviews where rappers spoke about the craft of rap. The original song title was: ‘Die Tryin’ but I think in subsequent rewrites I might try to find a way to change to chorus to Why Keep Tryin’ – just so the song can be a little hopeful. Anyway here is the first verse.
I GO FROM NOBODY TO SOMEBODY
TO SOMETHING TO DIE FOR KICK IN THE DOOR,
HERE COMES THE PREDATOR, YOU HEARD ME ROAR,
IT’S THE LION WANTING MORE OF AN ENCORE, ENCORE
SOMEONE’S GOTTA DIE ON THE ROAD TO RICHES
OR DIE TRYIN’ IN AMERICAN STITCHES
IF I SHOULD DIE BEFORE I SELF DESTRUCT
DISORDERLY CONDUCT, WILL ERUPT
DEATH AROUND THE CORNER THE CROWD WILL BE THE MOURNER
I REPORT I’M HYPNOTIZED, DESENSITIZED
CAUSE I TAKE BREATH AFTER BREATH
UNTIL I REALIZE THAT LIFE AFTER DEATH IS LIKE
LATE REGISTRATION FOR ADMIRATION FROM A NATION
OF COLLEGE DROP-OUTS WITH NO DIRECTION
BUT MY DEBT TO SOCIETY IS PAID IN FULL
IN A GREATEST HITS COLLECTION,
MY COMMON RESURRECTION
LIKE GLORIA GAYNOR IT WILL SURVIVE
BY ALL MEANS NECESSARY WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE
I’M READY TO DIE YEAH I’M GONNA DIE
Waking Dreams Up 