Paid in Full
B.B. King/Sheryl Crow Lyrics

Thinkin of a master plan
Rakim is thinking of a plan to make money

'cause ain't nuthin but sweat inside my hand
Rakim has no money and is broke

So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent
Rakim has no money in his pocket

So I dig deeper but still comin up with lint
Rakim continues to search his pockets for money but only finds lint

So I start my mission- leave my residence
Rakim starts his mission to find a way to get money

Thinkin how could I get some dead presidents
Rakim is thinking about how he can get money

I need money, I used to be a stick-up kid
Rakim used to rob people to get money

So I think of all the devious things I did
Rakim reflects on his past actions of robbing people

I used to roll up, this is a hold up, ain't nuthin funny
Rakim used to rob people, and it wasn't a joking matter

Stop smiling, be still, don't nuthin move but the money
Rakim used to threaten people during his robberies to ensure they gave him their money

But now I learned to earn 'cause I'm righteous
Rakim no longer robs people and has learned to earn money in a legal and ethical way

I feel great! so maybe I might just
Rakim feels good about his decision to earn money legally and ethically

Search for a 9 to 5, if I strive
Rakim is considering finding a job to make money

Then maybe I'll stay alive
Rakim needs to make money to survive

So I walk up the street whistlin this
Rakim is walking up the street while whistling a tune

Feelin out of place 'cause, man, do I miss
Rakim feels out of place because he misses the days when he had money to spare

A pen and a paper, a stereo, a tape of
Rakim misses simple things like a pen and paper, a stereo, and a cassette tape

Me and Eric B, and a nice big plate of
Rakim also misses being with Eric B and eating a big plate of food

Fish, which is my favorite dish
Rakim's favorite food is fish

But without no money it's still a wish
Rakim wants to eat fish, but without money, it's just a wish

'cause I don't like to dream about gettin paid
Rakim does not like to dream about making money, he wants to make it happen

So I dig into the books of the rhymes that I made
Rakim goes back to his old rap lyrics to see if he can make money from them

To now test to see if I got pull
Rakim wants to see if his old rap lyrics still have an audience

Hit the studio, 'cause I'm paid in full
Rakim goes to the studio because he believes he can make money from his old rap lyrics