Runnin'
2Pac with The Notorious B.I.G. Lyrics
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Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?
Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?
Check it, I grew up a fuckin' screw-up
Got introduced to the game, got a ounce and fuckin' blew up
The nigga Biggie Smalls trying to turn into the black Frank White
We had to grow dreads to change our description
Two cops is on the milk box missing
Show they toes you know they got stepped on
A fist full of bullets a chest full of Teflon
Run from the police picture that, nigga I'm too fat
I fuck around and catch a asthma attack
That's why I bust back, it don't phase me
When he drop, take his Glock, and I'm Swayze
Celebrate my escape, sold the Glock, bought some weight
Lay back, I got some money to make, motherfucker
And I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead?
Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?
Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?
It's on me
But still I'm having memories of high speed when the cops crashed
As I laugh, pushing the gas while my Glocks blast
We was young and we was dumb, but we had heart
In the dark, will we survive through the bad parts
Many dreams is what I had, and plenty wishes
No hesitation in extermination of these snitches
Envious bitches, they still continue to pursue me
A couple of movies, now the whole world's trying to screw me
Even the cops tried to sue me, so what can I do?
But stay true, sipping 22's of brew
And now media is trying to test me
Got the press asking questions, trying to stress me
Misery is all I see, that's my mind state
My history with the police will shake the crime rate
My main man had two strikes, slipped, got arrested and flipped
He screamed "thug life" and emptied the clip
Got tired of running from the police
And I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead?
Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?
Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?
The lyrics to Runnin’ by 2Pac with The Notorious B.I.G. are an introspective and reflective take on life, death, and the struggles of living in the streets while trying to survive. The singer questions the purpose of his fight, wondering if it is worth it to fight to live if all he seems to be living for is a never-ending cycle of fighting. He also reflects on the challenges of living in the ghetto, where he is constantly left with nothing to see or give, and no one is willing to give him a try. The lyrics touch on the theme of death, as the singer wonders if he will be laughed at when he's dead and why he is dying to live if he is just living to die.
The song begins with The Notorious B.I.G, talking about his rise to fame, from being a "screw-up" to being introduced to the game and blowing up from a mere ounce of drugs. He chronicles his life in the streets, where he had to change his physical appearance to escape the police's clutches. He mentions the struggles of trying to avoid the police, who were constantly on their tail while they tried to make a living. The singer reflects on the struggles of surviving in a neighborhood where young people were forced to turn to drugs and crime to survive. He also reflects on the regrets and consequences of trying to live a fast life in the streets, where they had to protect themselves from envious bitches and snitches.
The latter part of the song is done by 2Pac where he chronicles his memories of the high-speed chase and the adrenaline rush that comes with it. The lyrics touch on the challenges of living life in the fast lane, where they had to have a heart to survive the bad parts. He talks about the many dreams he once had and the plenty of wishes that he could have made, but his reality was different. The singer reflects on the ups and downs of his life, where he had to deal with the press that constantly tried to stress him. He reflects on his history with the police and how it affected the crime rate. Finally, he talks about his friend who got arrested and flipped and emptied the clip, thereby becoming tired of running from the police.
Line by Line Meaning
And I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead?
I question the possibility of people mocking me after I pass away.
Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
I ponder why I strive to survive when all I experience is strife.
Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?
I contemplate my pursuit of vision when there's nothing evident before me.
Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
I wonder why I endeavor to provide when nobody grants me an opportunity.
Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?
I question why I'm so eager to survive when I'm ultimately bound to perish.
Check it, I grew up a fuckin' screw-up
Listen closely, my upbringing was problematic.
Got introduced to the game, got a ounce and fuckin' blew up
I was initiated into illicit activities, and I quickly became successful.
Choppin' rocks overnight
I spent countless hours breaking down drugs to sell.
The nigga Biggie Smalls trying to turn into the black Frank White
My peer, Notorious B.I.G., is aspiring to emulate a notorious drug kingpin.
We had to grow dreads to change our description
We grew dreadlocks to alter our appearances to avoid detection and profiling by authorities.
Two cops is on the milk box missing
Two police officers have gone missing and are being searched for.
Show they toes you know they got stepped on
If we ever find them, we'll be able to determine they were involved in something illegal.
A fist full of bullets a chest full of Teflon
We carry guns fitted with bulletproof vests.
Run from the police picture that, nigga I'm too fat
I won't bother running from the police because I'm out of shape and would get caught.
I fuck around and catch a asthma attack
I might even experience an asthma attack while trying to flee.
That's why I bust back, it don't phase me
That's why I shoot back, I'm not affected by their attempted apprehension of me.
When he drop, take his Glock, and I'm Swayze
After they're shot, we'll steal their weapon, and I'll feel like Patrick Swayze in the movie Point Break.
Celebrate my escape, sold the Glock, bought some weight
I'm happy I evaded the police, so I sold my gun and purchased more drugs to sell.
Lay back, I got some money to make, motherfucker
I'll take it easy now because I have a lot of profit to earn.
It's on me
I'll take responsibility.
But still I'm having memories of high speed when the cops crashed
I'm still recalling that time police officers crashed chasing us at high speed.
As I laugh, pushing the gas while my Glocks blast
As I'm driving away, I laugh while firing my gun.
We was young and we was dumb, but we had heart
We were youthful and foolish, but we were brave.
In the dark, will we survive through the bad parts
Amid the hardships, will we endure?
Many dreams is what I had, and plenty wishes
I had many aspirations and hopes.
No hesitation in extermination of these snitches
I have no qualms about killing those who betray or inform on me.
Envious bitches, they still continue to pursue me
Jealous women are still chasing after me.
A couple of movies, now the whole world's trying to screw me
After appearing in some films, now everyone's trying to harm me.
Even the cops tried to sue me, so what can I do?
The police tried to take legal action against me, so there's not much I can do.
But stay true, sipping 22's of brew
I'll remain authentic and drink 22-ounce bottles of beer.
And now media is trying to test me
Journalists are attempting to provoke me and test my patience.
Got the press asking questions, trying to stress me
The press is interrogating me, attempting to agitate me.
Misery is all I see, that's my mind state
I only see despair surrounding me, that's my mentality.
My history with the police will shake the crime rate
My past interactions with police officers will disturb the level of criminal activity.
My main man had two strikes, slipped, got arrested and flipped
My friend had two prior convictions, messed up, got detained, and began cooperating with authorities.
He screamed "thug life" and emptied the clip
He shouted "thug life" and unloaded his firearm.
Got tired of running from the police
He became exhausted by fleeing from law enforcement.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: EDGAR WINTER, CHRISTOPHER WALLACE, OSTEN HARVEY, MARSHALL B III MATHERS, LUIS RESTO, TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@apblolol
"Why am i dying to live, if im just living to die." Hits me every time
@CrackZulu
Not alone
@Smash896
Word up
@lauriecook7128
Same here
@user-wg1bj6mi4c
Сложно брат
@krystalford300
@@CrackZulu sssssssss
@haloskaterkid
A friendship destroyed by media intervention. Two poets gone before their time like many others that came before them. RIP pac and big, your influence and message lives on
@quest6264
adrift dam that got me thinking KINGS RESTING NOW
@omgman2248
Brad favor with Tupac Shakur
@MHWRESTLIN
quest 626 no the friendship was destroyed by Pac getting shot and rumours that bad boy set it up and biggie knew but never warned him