Last One Standing
Skylar Grey Lyrics

Now you see me standin' in the lights
Now you witness my presence in the spotlight

But you never saw my sacrifice
But you were unaware of the hardships I endured

Or all the nights I had to struggle to survive
Or the countless nights filled with hardships that I had to endure just to stay alive

Had to lose it all to win the fight
I had to give up everything in order to emerge victorious

I had to fall so many times (oh-oh-oh)
I experienced numerous failures and setbacks

Now I'm the last one standin'
But now, despite all the challenges, I am the last one remaining and thriving

Uh, you weren't with me on the cold block nights
You were not by my side during the harsh nights on the streets

Now you front row for the spotlight
Now you seek to be at the forefront of attention and fame

Now the diamonds in the Audemars bright
Now my expensive diamond jewelry shines brightly

Jets overseas for a far flight
Traveling in private jets to distant locations

Young nigga on bullshit and I ball on 'em, Bill Cartwright
A young individual engaged in questionable activities, yet succeeding and excelling

Knew I could shine through the darkness
I always had the belief that I could find success even in difficult times

I guess I always been a star type
I have always possessed the qualities of a star or someone destined for greatness

That lion in me made my heart fight, could've been a victim of an opp pipe
The fierce determination within me kept me fighting, preventing me from becoming a casualty of a dangerous situation

Took a million risks just to get to this 'cause we ain't the ones that the cops like
I took numerous risks in order to reach this point because we are not favored by the law enforcement agencies

Been so many times God tested me, they only see the answers I got right
God has put me through countless trials and challenges, yet people only see the successful outcomes

They commentin' all on the blogs, tryna tell me how to live my life
People continuously criticize and judge me on social media, attempting to dictate how I should navigate my life

And I waited so patiently, if you could take off, don't wait for me
I exercised great patience, but if you have the opportunity to succeed, do not hesitate to seize it

No days off, grind faithfully, I keep thankin' God for savin' me
I work relentlessly without any breaks, dedicating myself to the grind, and I always express gratitude to God for saving me

Front line, showcasin' our bravery
Taking a leading role, displaying our courage and bravery

I know that top spot, it was made for me
I am aware that the highest position was destined for me

It all paid off so we felt the struggle so painfully
Our hard work and sacrifices have finally yielded results, but it is a painful reminder of the difficult journey

Yeah, you know the code we gotta live by
You are aware of the principles and rules we must abide by

Never mind all the ice cubes on this wristwear in the big body
Dismiss the flashy jewelry on my wrist and the luxurious vehicle I possess

Live by the gun, get bodied or it's hella time in that cell
If we embrace violence, we risk losing our lives or spending prolonged periods of time in prison

It was hella times where I failed, when I had to double back from them Ls
I experienced numerous failures and setbacks that forced me to retrace my steps

Bet he don't double back when he tell
I bet he does not hesitate to inform or cooperate with authorities

'Cause it ain't no comin' back when you tell
Once you provide information to the authorities, there is no turning back

Why would you leave me here by myself? A nigga be lonely
Why would you abandon me in this situation? I feel lonely and abandoned

Ayy, I blew the whole bag on they flights, ain't leavin' the homies
I spent a significant amount of money on their trips and refuse to abandon my friends

If he really gang, then get him a chain, no cubic zirconies
If someone is truly a part of our gang, then they deserve a real gold chain, not a fake one

White Zomb' in the stogey, stood firm, never folded
A high-quality marijuana-filled cigar, I remained strong and resolute, never succumbing to pressure

Furthest thing from a rodent, you put the jacket on and you bogus
I am nothing like a small and insignificant creature, whereas you pretend and falsely represent yourself

Yeah, big dawg and they know it
Yes, I am a dominant figure and everyone acknowledges it

I had to spin off to stay focused
I had to distance myself from certain individuals to maintain my concentration and determination

Longev' on the motion
Consistently pursuing success over a long period of time

We don't abandon ship when it's hopeless
We do not give up during difficult and seemingly hopeless situations

I done been broke before and they know
I have experienced poverty in the past, and others are aware of it

I make it look easy
I give the impression that achieving success is effortless

Like I made it overnight
As if I instantly reached this level of success

But you don't see the dark side
However, you fail to recognize the hardships and challenges I had to face

And all of the monsters I had to fight (fight)
And all of the internal demons and obstacles I had to overcome

And all of the nightmares (nightmares)
And all of the distressing experiences and fears I had to endure

Made me stronger than life (yeah)
These hardships made me stronger and more resilient

Y'all say (what?), I've changed (huh)
Some of you claim that I have changed or become different

Really, though? (Tell me), how so?
But really, explain to me, how have I changed?

Got all (what?), this bread (yeah)
I have achieved financial success and wealth

I'm still (what?), sour though (huh)
Despite my success, I still maintain a bitter or skeptical attitude

I don't know (I'm a), square peg (in a), round hole (yeah)
I do not fit into the conventional molds or expectations

Like a block of cheese in a paper towel roll
Similar to a block of cheese being placed in a paper towel roll, I stand out and do not fit in

Rocky Balboa (I), never been no (what?), towel thrower
Like Rocky Balboa, I have never been one to give up or admit defeat

Even when I got kicked to the curb (yeah)
Even when I was disregarded or rejected

Life knocked my dick in the dirt
Life physically and emotionally beat me down

I got back up, flipped it the bird
I regained my strength and resilience, showing life that it did not defeat me

'Til I earned the attention I yearned
Continuing to work hard until I gained the recognition I desired

Not to mention, I learned
Additionally, I gained knowledge and wisdom

How to turn resentment and hurt
I discovered how to transform negative emotions into motivation

To an unquenchable thirst, in the simplest terms
To an insatiable desire for success, to put it simply

It's revenge of the nerd, in every sense of the word
This is the revenge and triumph of the underdog or outcast, in every aspect

But all you see is the fame and the millions
However, all you notice is the fame and wealth I have gained

You don't see the strength and resilience (nah)
You fail to recognize the inner strength and perseverance I possess

How I rack my brain but it feels as if I'm tryna explain it to children (damn)
I constantly try to convey my experiences and struggles, but it seems as if I am explaining it to young children

So a lot of this pain isn't healin', no escapin' it, this anger is spilling
Consequently, much of this pain remains unhealed, and there is no escape from it. This uncontrollable anger spills out

Almost like recreatin' a feelin' of 9/11 when the second plane hit the building
It is comparable to reliving the shock and devastation of the September 11th attacks when the second plane crashed into the building

So let 'em paint you the villain
Let them portray you as the antagonist

Some of this just may be a symptom (yeah)
Some of these issues may merely be a side effect

Of havin' way too much income (mmm)
Resulting from the excessive amount of wealth I possess

But when you struggled every day just to get some (yeah)
However, when you have experienced the struggle of striving to have even the bare necessities

Now all of this hate is a syndrome (yuh)
Now, all the hate and negative attention I receive is a widespread syndrome or condition

When they can't relate, and that stems from (what?)
When others cannot relate to my experiences, and that originates from

Money lookin' like it grows on trees
The perception that money is easily obtained and abundant

Yeah, they're green but those aren't leaves (leaves)
Yes, money is green, but it is not comparable to leaves on a tree as it cannot be effortlessly obtained

Sufficed to say, with every sacrifice I made
To put it simply, considering all the sacrifices I have made

It's like I gave up my life to fame
It seems as if I have traded my personal life and well-being for fame and recognition

All the nights that I lied awake
The countless nights where I couldn't sleep and stayed awake

Nights I stayed up to write and pray
Nights where I remained awake to write and pray for guidance

Had to claw, scratch and fight my way
I had to relentlessly struggle, fight, and claw my way to success

Just follow me, and I'll light the way
Simply follow my lead, and I will guide you towards success

Look to the hook if your sky look grey (Skylar Grey)
If you are feeling down or hopeless, listen to the chorus of the song (sung by Skylar Grey)

And rappers, how can we be on the same level now
And fellow artists, how can we be considered equals now

When I gotta look down and see these clowns that are on the ground?
When I have to look down and see these foolish individuals who are beneath me?

Bitch, I got clouds beneath me
I have reached great heights, to the point where clouds are beneath me

Ever since I put out the EP to the height of 2003 me
Since I released my EP, I have soared to the level of success I experienced in 2003

You ain't see the struggle to make it out the D
You did not witness the hardships I faced to escape the difficult environment I grew up in

Because I made it somehow look easy
But despite the challenges, I managed to make it appear effortless

Now you see me standin' in the lights
Now you witness my presence in the spotlight

But you never saw my sacrifice
But you were unaware of the hardships I endured

Or all the nights I had to struggle to survive
Or the countless nights filled with hardships that I had to endure just to stay alive

Had to lose it all to win the fight
I had to give up everything in order to emerge victorious

I had to fall so many times (oh-oh-oh)
I experienced numerous failures and setbacks

Now I'm the last one standin' (oh-oh-oh)
But now, despite all the challenges, I am the last one remaining and thriving