Now Or Never
Dice Raw Phonte The Roots Lyrics

Everything's changing around me
The world is constantly changing and evolving.

And I wanna change too
The singer also desires change in their life.

It's one thing I know
The singer is certain of one thing.

It ain't cool being no fool
It's not cool to be foolish or make bad decisions.

I feel different today
The artist's emotions and outlook on life have changed recently.

I don't know what else to say
The singer is at a loss for words to describe their current situation.

But I'm-a get my shit together
The singer is determined to make changes and improve their life.

It's now or never
The artist feels like they are at a crossroads and must take action now or risk missing their chance.

I'm sick, sick of waiting in vain
The artist is tired of waiting for things to change on their own.

Tired of playing the game
The artist is tired of following the same routine and making the same mistakes.

Thinking of making a change
The singer is considering making a major change in their life.

Finally breaking the chains
The artist is breaking free from whatever has been holding them back.

Every phase, every happening craze
The singer has experienced many phases and trends throughout their life.

When it's said and done
When everything is over and done with.

My head is right back in a haze
The singer feels confused and uncertain, despite their efforts to change.

I'm ready for the next chapter and page
The artist is ready for the next phase of their life.

To start acting my age and part ways
The artist is ready to mature and move on from their current lifestyle.

With black thought from back in the days
The singer is ready to move on from their past mistakes and leave them behind.

I'm stargazing from the back of the stage
The singer is observing their life from a distance and analyzing it from a new perspective.

Questioning if who y'all praise is worthy of praise
The artist is questioning the value and worth of popular culture and idols.

What's the phrase--bygones is bygones?
The artist is questioning the idea of forgiveness and moving on from past mistakes.

Niggas who used to be the underdog is icons
People who were once underdogs or outcasts have become idols and role models for others.

People say the light shines once in a lifetime
People believe that opportunities come rarely in life.

Is this mid-life kind of crisis a little bit like mine?
The artist is questioning whether their current situation is a mid-life crisis.

I'm thinking not now, but right now
The singer wants to take action immediately.

I need some kinda sign that the future is bright now
The singer is looking for a sign or indication that things will get better.

I fuck around, do the right thing like Spike now
The singer is referencing Spike Lee's film 'Do the Right Thing', suggesting they will make better decisions going forward.

The quick and the dead--which is my look-a-like now
The artist is reflecting on their own mortality and the choices they've made.

I'm moving ahead
The artist is determined to move forward and make changes in their life.

Yo, opportunities lost because I blew 'em
The singer has missed out on opportunities in the past due to their own mistakes.

On the sunniest days of my life I cried through 'em
Even on happy days, the singer has struggled emotionally.

Mom's was out the picture and pops I barely knew him
The artist's parents were not present in their life.

And I would pray to God, but I'm tired of lying to him
The artist has lost faith in God or feels like they are not being honest with their prayers.

Tired of trying to run from the things inside of us
The artist is tired of avoiding or ignoring their own issues and feelings.

Got a lot of fam' and a lot of admirers
The singer has a lot of family and friends who support them.

Who tell me that I should aspire to be changed
The artist's loved ones encourage them to make positive changes in their life.

But when I think of changing, it's like why even try this shit?
The singer is questioning the point or benefit of making changes in their life.

My mind hazy and my thoughts they get distorted
The singer is struggling with mental clarity and clear thinking.

I know my good and bad needs both get recorded
The singer is aware that both their positive and negative actions are remembered and have consequences.

You do right so your soul can last
The artist believes that doing good and making positive changes will have a positive impact on their well-being and spirit.

But my role was cast before I even auditioned for it
The artist feels like their fate or destiny was decided before they had a chance to make choices for themselves.

So I don't really see an end to my vice
The singer feels trapped by their own bad habits or negative tendencies.

It's just false reclamation, no end of my strife
The singer fears that their attempts to improve their life will ultimately be unsuccessful or temporary.

Feel the evil overpowering
The artist feels overwhelmed by negative emotions or thoughts.

You can go ahead throw the towel in
The artist may feel like giving up or giving in to their negative tendencies.

'Cause, nigga, that's the end of the fight
This would signify the end of the battle or struggle.

When you can only see the tunnel at the end of the lights
When things seem hopeless or like there is no way out.

Like (?) it's the end of your life
This may signify a sense of hopelessness or despair.

When I look into the mirror and see my own image
The singer is introspective and reflective.

It feels like there's something else far off in the distance
The singer feels like there is something beyond their current experience or understanding.

Something I wanna see, but something that's resistant
The singer desires change or growth, but feels like it is difficult to achieve or resistible.

And every day the haunting is growing more persistent
The artist's desire for change becomes stronger every day and is harder to ignore.

I never noticed it before, but now I can't miss it
The artist has become more aware of their own desires and struggles.

And the constant pounding's driving me ballistic
The singer feels overwhelmed by the pressure to change or improve their life.

I ran from it for years, but it's still next to me
The singer has been avoiding or ignoring their problems for a long time, but they are still present in their life.

And it's growing stronger take and leaving less of me
The artist's desire for change is becoming more intense and taking over their thoughts and emotions.

I can't fight it now; I know it's just destiny
The artist feels like their desire for change is inevitable and cannot be avoided.

And I just wonder what's gonna happen when it catches me
The artist is unsure what their life will look like if they embrace change.

Will it leave me face down in (?)
The singer fears that change may have negative consequences or outcomes.

Or will it just start bringing out the best of me?
The artist hopes that positive change will lead to personal growth and self-improvement.

But is the best of me really just the worst of me?
The singer is questioning whether their idea of 'the best version of themselves' is actually a negative or harmful part of their personality.

And if so yesterday could be my anniversary
If the singer's idea of 'the best version of themselves' is actually negative, then they may have already celebrated their peak or highest point in life.

In sinners' court it's important to have church with me
The singer is acknowledging their own flaws and shortcomings.

I'm trying to get rid of these ghosts that's cursing me
The artist is trying to overcome their own negative past experiences and memories.

I feel that change is an absolute certainty
The artist is convinced that change in their life is necessary and inevitable.

'Cause what's going on is a state of emergency
The singer feels like their current situation is urgent and requires immediate attention and action.