Crime Don't Pay
Al & The Vibrators Lyrics


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Uhh, uhh uhh, hey uh hey
What it is
What it is "Crime pays in mad ways"

Yo, yo, bust it
How I was walkin' mindin' my own biz
Here it is
I see these two kids bouncin', my way
Eyes blood red with venom
And somethin' tellin' me that I
Best not offend 'em
But they don't even know I got this badge
That I'm about to flash on that
Ass like two hit's of hash
Pass by 'em, eye 'em
Peep money on the left got the toast
Niggas ready to roast so I'm ghost
Then find another victim so I can jig 'em
Act like I'm po'-po'
Be like: "YO YO!" and stick 'em
Trick 'em out their currents
Them dirty greens and in the process
Stoppin' all the flow from fiends
It's all good 'cause in
My hood it's better, if my baretta
Give these po' folks some
Cheddar to the letter
A present day - Robin Hood
Crime pays in mad ways nigga it's all good

"From here on nuthin' goes
Down unless I'm involved"
"Crime pays in mad ways"
"No blackjack, no dope deals, no nuthin'
You guys got FAT while everybody
Starved on the street"
"Crime pays in mad ways"

"It's my turn"

Aiyyo, I've been checkin' these
Stick-up kids for weeks
Seein' how they pull they jobs
And go trick with freaks
I seeks a weakness, in their armor
So I can harm a
Crimi nal with top residu-als
I shall be back with exact means to get him
Tighten up the grip and let
These hollow points hit him split him
Send they whole crew in mad directions
Correction, I think I'll make
This other selection
Their leader, numero un', the top cheese
FREEZE! Don't make me have to
Load up to squeeze nigga
I don't mind wettin' up yo' type
Try me you dirty slimy
Sleazy greasy grimey - where the safe at?
That's when he show and prove that he a liar
Find and clean the stash and set
His fuckin' crib on fire i'm yo' sire
Hittin' these crooks to fix my hood
Crime pays in mad ways, nigga it's all good

"From here on nuthin' goes
Down unless I'm involved"
"Crime pays in mad ways"
"No blackjack, no dope deals, no nuthin'
You guys got FAT while everybody
Starved on the street"
"Crime pays in mad ways" "It's my turn"

Bust it
I'm shoppin' Sears for wears that I
Can put on in Foot Locker
For other soles to put my foot
On, but right then and, there
My vision peeps 'em, to dirty fleece 'em
Thinkin' nobody sees 'em, boostin'
So I exhale like Whitney Houston
Then start accusin'
These tricks for their intrusion, excludin'
Mr al' Tariq from your profit's
You better stop it
Shorties hold to drop it, or cop it
Witcha greenbacks I know you're holdin'
Like the feds
Just some high-rollers rollin'
I'm told in, your profession
Money be flowin', but all I'm knowin'
Is my shorties, they keep on growin'
So bust it peep the science here's the plan
- I'll be your man give me what you can
And I won't ever stop y'all
From boostin' in my hood
Crime pays in mad ways baby it's all good

"From here on nuthin' goes
Down unless I'm involved"
"Crime pays in mad ways"
"No blackjack, no dope deals, no nuthin'
You guys got FAT while everybody




Starved on the street"
"Crime pays in mad ways" "It's my turn"

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Al & The Vibrators's song "Crime Don't Pay" tell a vivid story of a character who is involved in criminal activities and justifies it by claiming that crime pays in various ways. The singer describes a situation where they encounter two individuals with malicious intentions, but they use their authority as someone with a badge to intimidate and rob them. This sets the tone for the rest of the song, highlighting the idea that in their neighborhood, engaging in criminal behavior is seen as a means to survival and even as a form of empowerment.


The chorus of the song emphasizes the theme that "crime pays in mad ways," indicating a belief that engaging in illicit activities can lead to material gain and a sense of superiority. The singer expresses a confidence in their ability to manipulate and control situations to their advantage, highlighting a sense of power and control over others who may be engaging in criminal behavior as well. The notion that "nothing goes down unless I'm involved" underscores a feeling of indispensability and authority within the criminal landscape they operate in.


As the lyrics progress, the singer continues to demonstrate their cunning and strategy in dealing with rival criminals, seeking out weaknesses and exploiting them to assert dominance. The act of confronting the leader of a crew and demanding compliance through intimidation and violence showcases a ruthless determination to maintain their position of power. Despite the risks and threats involved in criminal activities, the singer remains steadfast in their belief that crime is a lucrative path towards success and influence within their community.


The final verse of the song delves into a scenario where the singer confronts individuals attempting to steal merchandise. Through confrontation and manipulation, the singer asserts their authority and demands a share of the profits, reinforcing the idea that in their world, crime is a way to accumulate wealth and maintain control. The repeated refrain of "crime pays in mad ways" serves as a mantra reaffirming their belief in the benefits of engaging in illicit activities. Overall, the lyrics of "Crime Don't Pay" paint a gritty and compelling narrative of a character navigating the complexities of crime and power dynamics in their environment.


Line by Line Meaning

Uhh, uhh uhh, hey uh hey
Expressing excitement, preparing to share a message


What it is
The situation or circumstances currently at hand


What it is "Crime pays in mad ways"
Acknowledging that engaging in criminal activities can generate significant financial gains


Yo, yo, bust it
Attention grabbing phrase before sharing information


How I was walkin' mindin' my own biz
Describing a peaceful state of mind while going about personal business


Here it is
Presenting a situation or scenario


I see these two kids bouncin', my way
Observing individuals approaching in a lively manner


Eyes blood red with venom
Noticing aggression or hostility in their eyes


And somethin' tellin' me that I
Intuition warning about potential danger


Best not offend 'em
Choosing not to provoke or upset them


But they don't even know I got this badge
Revealing possession of authority or official identification


That I'm about to flash on that
Preparing to display the badge as a form of intimidation


Ass like two hit's of hash
Comparing the impact of the badge to a powerful drug


Pass by 'em, eye 'em
Moving past them while keeping a close watch


Peep money on the left got the toast
Spotting someone armed with a weapon


Niggas ready to roast so I'm ghost
Recognizing the potential danger and deciding to leave quickly


Then find another victim so I can jig 'em
Searching for a target to deceive or exploit


Act like I'm po'-po'
Pretending to be a police officer


Be like: "YO YO!" and stick 'em
Using a confrontational approach to deceive them


Trick 'em out their currents
Deceiving them out of their possessions


Them dirty greens and in the process
Referring to money acquired through deception


Stoppin' all the flow from fiends
Preventing drug users from obtaining their fix


It's all good 'cause in
Justifying actions by claiming it benefits the neighborhood


My hood it's better, if my baretta
Believing that using a weapon improves the area


Give these po' folks some
Providing financially for the less fortunate


Cheddar to the letter
Giving money exactly as promised


A present day - Robin Hood
Comparing oneself to the legendary figure who stole from the rich to give to the poor


Crime pays in mad ways nigga it's all good
Justifying criminal behavior as profitable and beneficial for the community


"From here on nuthin' goes
Establishing control and involvement in all future events


Down unless I'm involved"
Claiming authority over all activities


No blackjack, no dope deals, no nuthin'
Prohibiting certain illegal activities


You guys got FAT while everybody
Accusing others of thriving while the community suffers


Starved on the street"
Experiencing hardship while others profit unjustly


"No blackjack, no dope deals, no nuthin'
Reiterating the ban on illegal activities


You guys got FAT while everybody
Critiquing the unfair distribution of wealth


Starved on the street"
Showing the suffering of the less privileged


"Crime pays in mad ways"
Highlighting the lucrative nature of criminal behavior


"It's my turn"
Claiming the opportunity to benefit personally from criminal activities




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@NavvyMom

It's not as difficult as it might seem. With autism she would be entitled to attend school until age 21. If she didn't have any peers who lived nearby or made the effort to keep her in their circle of friends after graduation, she could slip through the cracks. Like they go to college or whatever and move on in life, and fall out of touch with her. Or maybe she did many "normal" school activities but didn't socialize with schoolmates outside of school. Lots of possibilities. If this was going on for 12 years, she would have been about 24 when it started. Another video said something about her having or developing some kind of anxiety disorder where she was afraid to go outside? And/or some kind of paralysis where only the eyes can move? (But how would they know that? I need to rewatch the other video, facts are scrambled.) A lot of psychoses or whatever the term is manifest in one's early 20's. So maybe she became afraid to go outside right around the time her peers were breaking ties and forming new ones, or maybe someone tried to invite her somewhere and she said no, and they stopped trying. That's all a stretch, and only a theory about how her peers could lose touch with her.
EDIT: Someone elsewhere in comments said she had some sort of muscle paralysis and couldn't walk.

As for family, or friends of her parents, I agree totally. But her parents may have come up with excuses for that scenario as well.
"Oh, she doesn't really like going out anymore."
"Oh, she's not feeling well today/night."
As unbelievable as it seems, if they were the types to always go elsewhere and not have people come to the home to visit, she could go many years without seeing relatives or friends. Maybe relatives asked after her and were told lies by the parents and believed the lies in an effort not to be intrusive and/or respect what they were told were Lacey's wishes about socializing.

However it happened that she was forgotten about, these "parents" deserve to be duct taped to a sofa, and maybe fed or given a drink of water whenever someone thinks of it, maybe once a week or so.



All comments from YouTube:

@iampaulzy

"Two deadbeat ass parents" got my attention.

@jenessalundgren9025

same!

@AK27inAZ

I thought I misheard. Lol

@thepuzzledsage

says uncensored right behind him.

@jackyali3323

HOW DARE YOU SHE IS A WOMAN

@Danielle-nm5qx

Mine too lol

2 More Replies...

@northcarolina209

If a coroner says he can’t eat for a week because of this you know that this is bad

@Wangootango

i knoww😯😢

@s-sentialbizness7283

I bet that poor guy also has recurring nightmares after witnessing that horrific scene! And he probably has a young daughter too, which would make things even more heartbreaking! 😥 I actually knew a guy in Arizona who was a coroner, and made a living for years collecting bodies and taking them to the city morgue ..... but he told me that one of THE most gruesome crime scenes that he ever experienced was so traumatic, he couldn't sleep for days because he was up all night crying, while thinking about the poor victim's family and what they must have been going through at the time! Amazingly, he was still able to continue on with his work, despite being practically haunted by things he experienced just from doing his job!

@ChillKenny

Love your name

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