They Say
Common ft. John Legend & Kanye West Lyrics

They say "What's happenin'?"
People often ask what is going on in the world, curious about the facts.

We say the facts and then, they lie
We speak the truth openly, yet others spread falsehoods instead.

We comin' back for them
We are not afraid to stand up for ourselves and confront those who spread lies.

They might say but they don't know (They say, they say) They don't know
Others may make assumptions about us and spread rumors, but they do not actually know the truth.

They say a nigga lost his mind
People claim that someone has gone insane.

But in the scheme of things I never lost a rhyme
Despite what others say, I have not lost my talent for writing lyrics.

The thin line between love and hatred
There is a fine line between feeling love and feeling hate.

I'm the black pill in the Matrix, the saturated life
I see the world differently, and through my music, I shed light on the problems and issues people face in their daily lives.

They say life is what you make it
People often say that you have the power to shape your own life.

So I wait quick on a spaceship so I can take it
I am determined to chase after success and not let anything hold me back from reaching my goals.

As high as the stakes get when paper get low
When money is tight, the pressure to succeed and make a living is even greater.

I be tellin' Derick, "Tell Cara get us a show"
I am focused on my music and want to spread my message through live performances.

Little Com, I make righteous bitches get low
Through my music, I empower women to be strong, independent and make their own choices.

The richest man ain't necessarily the nigga with dough
Money does not always equal wealth and success in life.

They say "You ripped", "Wow", yeah, that's what they say
People often compliment or praise us for our musical talent and ability.

My niggas couldn't tell it was me, like Jamie in Ray
Even my closest friends do not recognize how talented and successful I have become.

Paintin' a day, with focused crime, broads, and good wine
I paint pictures with my music that cover various topics like crime, love, and enjoying the good things in life.

They say "Dope is sour so it's homework and hood crimes"
People criticize the use of drugs and associate them with criminal activity in urban neighborhoods.

I stood mine, for forever and a day, so goodbye
I have stayed true to myself and my beliefs, and am now moving on to new challenges and accomplishments.

They never could say, tell 'em, J
Despite all the rumors and false statements, they could never knock me down or break my spirit.

Ah, the sweet taste of victory
Achieving success is a euphoric feeling.

Go 'head and breath it in like antihistamine
Take a deep breath and savor the feeling of victory like you would take medicine for allergies.

I know they sayin', "Damn, Ye' snapped with this beat"
People are impressed with my musical abilities and how well I produced a particular track.

Fuck you expect? I've got a history
Of course I would produce a great track, given my past and experiences in the music industry.

Groupie love now, gotta be them wheels
Now that I am famous, people are attracted to me for superficial reasons like my wealth and status.

Haters back down, gotta be that steel
People who dislike me because of my success need to back off and respect my accomplishments.

I know they cant wait 'til ya outta ya deal Look how they did D'Angelo, ask 'em "How do it feel?"
People are excited for me to finish my contract with my record label and potentially face issues like other famous artists such as D'Angelo have in the past.

My best friends worry 'bout me 'Cause they know when you famous And you had made cash the media aims at us and you be up so high If you ever fall off, it feel like a plane crash
My closest friends are worried about the negative attention and pressure that comes with fame, and how hard it can be to keep up with expectations and maintain success.

But God don't ever give me nothin' I cant handle So please don't ever give me records I can't sample
I believe that God only gives me challenges and opportunities that I am capable of handling, and I am confident in my ability to make the most of them.

So I could vacay where it ain't no channels But it's quite okay for a gangsta to wear sandals
I am willing to take a break from the spotlight and go on vacation to a place where there is no media or cameras. I also believe that it is perfectly cool for someone from a rough background to dress in a comfortable, laid-back style.

They say because of the fame and stardom I'm somewhere in between the church and insane asylum
People think that my fame and celebrity status make me a little crazy or unstable.

I guess it's messin' with my health then And this verse so crazy when I finish I'm just gon' check myself in, again
The pressure of fame is affecting my mental health, and I am considering checking myself back into a mental health facility.

They say, "Dude think he righteous" I write just to free minds, from Stony to Rikers Amongst the lifeless, in a world crazy as Mike is On my paper, whether its weed or Isis
People criticize me for thinking that I am doing something noble or righteous with my music, but I am determined to use my platform to inspire and motivate others, even those in prison.

They say life is a game, so I play hard Writin' for my life 'cause I'm scared of a day job
I work hard in my music career because I am afraid of ending up in a regular 9-5 job.

They say "Sef kept the hood together" I tell the young, "We can't play the hood forever"
People praise me for keeping my community together, but I recognize that it is not sustainable and that people need to aim for more than just surviving in their neighborhoods.

Play my cards right, they say I went too left They showed me strange love, like I was Mr. F
Even when I do things well and succeed, people still criticize me for taking the path less traveled or not following their expectations.

Played chess in this game of, pawns and knights Now I claim "King" like Don, or Frank White
I have been strategic in my approach to the music industry, positioning myself as a player in the game and now asserting my dominance as a successful artist.

They say my life is comparable to Christ The way I sacrificed and resurrected twice
Some people see my life story and the struggles I have overcome and compare it to the resurrection story of Jesus Christ.

They say "The crochet pants and the sweater was wack" Seen "The Corner", now they say "that nigga's back," uh
People initially criticized my clothing choice, but after seeing my music video for "The Corner", they are now impressed and excited about my talent.