John Doe
B.o.B feat. Sevyn Streeter Lyrics

Seems like your heart stops working
It seems that you lose your passion and drive for life.

The minute they close the curtain
As soon as the show is over, you feel defeated.

You take off your mask
You drop the facade and show your true self.

And take off your costume
You let go of the image you've been portraying.

And if anyone asks you're taking a smoke break
If anyone questions you, you pretend to be taking a break.

Drinking some coffee
You use coffee or any other excuse to hide your true actions.

But everyone knows what you're doing
Everyone knows what you're up to, despite your attempts to hide it.

Seems like the bus moves slower
Time slows down when you're anxious to get somewhere.

Just cause you got somewhere to go
You're rushing because you have somewhere important to be.

So you take a few pills in Beverly Hills
You turn to substances to cope with your problems.

But if anyone asks you've got a prescription
You use the excuse of having a prescription to justify your drug use.

You got an addiction
You have become addicted to these substances.

Who do you think that you're fooling
Despite your attempts to hide your addiction, nobody is fooled.

Errybody's addicted to something
Everyone has their own addictions.

Errybody gotta grip onto something
Everyone needs something to hold onto for stability.

Even if it's just to feel the response of appeal
Even if it's just for the feeling of acceptance.

Maybe once, maybe twice
Perhaps one or two times you can control it.

Maybe hundreds of times, hundreds of times
But repeated hundreds of times shows it has become an issue.

Without it, it's just harder to function at times
This addiction has now become necessary for daily life.

You race to the bottom of every single bottle
You continue to consume as much as you can until it's all gone.

As if there was someone or something to find
You continue to search for something that isn't there.

You're struggling in your mind
Your addiction has taken a toll on your mental health.

And you tell yourself lie after lie
You keep feeding yourself excuses and justifications for your behavior.

'Til you get to the point where it's no longer private
You've become too addicted to keep it to yourself anymore.

That people that you work with noticed the signs
Your addiction is now apparent to those around you.

When you walk in the room
Your presence brings attention to your addiction.

It gets noticeably quiet
People become uneasy and uncomfortable around you.

So you break up the silence, you say you've been at the gym
You try to change the topic and lie about your whereabouts.

But the way look, can't blame on the diet
Your physical appearance makes it obvious that you're lying.

So what you hiding?
The truth is obvious, so what are you trying to hide?

Yeah, I've probably had too many things
The singer is admitting to their own past mistakes.

Smashed too many freaks
They've had too many casual sexual encounters.

Had too much to dro(I mean)
They've done too many drugs in the past.

Had too much to drink
They have a history of excessive alcohol consumption.

Left the club, ended up in custody
Their actions have led them to legal trouble in the past.

Random drug test, passed it luckily
Despite their drug use, they've passed a drug test in the past.

My girl broke up wit' me cause she walked in suddenly
Their addiction has negatively impacted their relationships.

With a woman up under me
They were caught cheating in the relationship.

I told her "Wait!
They try to explain their actions away.

It ain't what it look like!
They deny any wrongdoing.

I must've slip and fell, clumsy me!"
They make up a flimsy excuse for their actions.

Well, at least I admit it, cause the worst you could do
They acknowledge that admitting to their mistakes is better than denying them.

Is to do it and not be man enough to say that you did it
The singer is condemning those who refuse to take responsibility for their actions.

That's just how you prevent it, well I ain't no different
Acknowledging your mistakes is key to preventing future ones.

I love all the money, the fame
The artist is confessing their love for the darker side of fame.

And the parties with beautiful women
They also enjoy the perks of their success.

I spend so much time as an underground artist
They admit to staying underground to avoid the pressures of fame and addiction.

'Cause I was afraid to succumb to the business
They're afraid of falling victim to the negative aspects of the music industry.

And what I'd become
They're worried about losing themselves to the industry.

But that what you'd judge I become
They know that their decisions will be judged by others.

The path with the greatest resistance
The harder path is often the better one to take.

That's how the tables can turn when they pivot
Changing your perspective can lead to positive change.

And change you perspective and flip your entire position
Changing your mindset can have an impactful change on your life.

My whole life I've been dying to wish and to live and experience
The singer has always wanted to live life to the fullest.

Everything possible
They're eager to experience everything they can.

When I told 'em my dreams, they just said they ain't logical
Others have doubted the artist's dreams and ambitions.

Now, I can see it, it's optical (optical)
The artist is now confident in their dreams and can see a clear path forward.

John Doe, I just want the John I know
The chorus is a plea for someone to return to their true self.

Once you put the drinks on hold
The singer wants the person to stop their destructive behavior.

Maybe you could come back home
The artist wants the person to return to their true self and start a new path.