Runnin'
Eminem Ft. 2Pac & Notorious B.I.G. Lyrics


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And I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead?
Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?
Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?

Check it, I grew up a fuckin' screw-up
Got introduced to the game, got a ounce and fuckin' blew up
Choppin' rocks overnight
The nigga Biggie Smalls trying to turn into the black Frank White
We had to grow dreads to change our description
Two cops is on the milk box missing
Show they toes you know they got stepped on
A fist full of bullets a chest full of Teflon
Run from the police picture that, nigga I'm too fat
I fuck around and catch a asthma attack
That's why I bust back, it don't phase me
When he drop, take his Glock, and I'm Swayze
Celebrate my escape, sold the Glock, bought some weight
Lay back, I got some money to make, motherfucker

And I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead?
Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?
Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?

It's on me
But still I'm having memories of high speed when the cops crashed
As I laugh, pushing the gas while my Glocks blast
We was young and we was dumb, but we had heart
In the dark, will we survive through the bad parts
Many dreams is what I had, and plenty wishes
No hesitation in extermination of these snitches
Envious bitches, they still continue to pursue me
A couple of movies, now the whole world's trying to screw me
Even the cops tried to sue me, so what can I do?
But stay true, sipping 22's of brew
And now media is trying to test me
Got the press asking questions, trying to stress me
Misery is all I see, that's my mind state
My history with the police will shake the crime rate
My main man had two strikes, slipped, got arrested and flipped
He screamed "thug life" and emptied the clip
Got tired of running from the police

And I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead?
Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?




Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Eminem ft. 2Pac & Notorious B.I.G.'s song "Runnin'" are a reflection on the difficulties and struggles of life, and the reasons why someone may continue to fight even when it seems pointless. The verses all start with a series of rhetorical questions that delve into the darker thoughts and fears of the artists. The repeated question of "Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?" is a poignant reminder of the human struggle to find purpose and meaning in life.


The lyrics then move into a series of personal stories and reflections from each artist. Notorious B.I.G. reminisces about his youth, where he was introduced to drugs and crime, and the harsh reality that often comes with those choices. He reflects on his escape and success, but acknowledges the constant danger and tension that comes with being a successful rapper from the streets.


2Pac's verse is a reflection on his own experiences with the police and the media, and the constant pressure and scrutiny that came with his fame. It is also a reminder of the violence and danger that he faced, both from rivals in the rap game and from those who sought to bring him down.


Eminem's verse tackles themes of addiction, depression, and self-doubt, and how those issues can make life feel like a constant struggle. He acknowledges the hardships that come with fame and success, and the difficulty of living up to expectations.


Overall, "Runnin'" is a raw and emotional exploration of the complexities of life, and the reasons why we keep fighting even when it seems like there's nothing left to fight for.


Line by Line Meaning

And I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead?
Do people only find joy from seeing me fail?


Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
Why am I working so hard for no real purpose?


Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?
Why am I striving for success when there's no clear vision?


Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
Why am I putting in effort when no one is giving me a chance?


Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?
Why am I struggling so much in life with no real purpose or satisfaction?


Check it, I grew up a fuckin' screw-up
Listen up, I had a difficult upbringing


Got introduced to the game, got a ounce and fuckin' blew up
I was introduced to the drug game and quickly became successful in selling an ounce of drugs


Choppin' rocks overnight
I was working hard to break down and sell rock (crack cocaine)


The nigga Biggie Smalls trying to turn into the black Frank White
Biggie Smalls was striving to become a notorious drug lord named Frank White


We had to grow dreads to change our description
We felt the need to change our appearance by growing dreadlocks to avoid being profiled by police


Two cops is on the milk box missing
Two missing police officers are being searched for and their pictures are on milk cartons


Show they toes you know they got stepped on
If you see the cops' feet, you know they've been killed


A fist full of bullets a chest full of Teflon
I have a gun loaded with bullets coated in Teflon, which can penetrate bulletproof vests


Run from the police picture that, nigga I'm too fat
I'm not physically fit enough to outrun the police


I fuck around and catch a asthma attack
I could have an asthma attack due to my poor physical health


That's why I bust back, it don't phase me
That's why I shoot back at police, it doesn't scare me


When he drop, take his Glock, and I'm Swayze
When I kill a cop, I take his gun and leave quickly like the character Patrick Swayze played in the movie 'Ghost'


Celebrate my escape, sold the Glock, bought some weight
I celebrate my escape from the police by selling the gun and using the money to buy drugs


Lay back, I got some money to make, motherfucker
I'm taking it easy now that I have some money from drug sales and plan to continue making more


It's on me
I take full responsibility for my actions and decisions


But still I'm having memories of high speed when the cops crashed
I still remember the high-speed car chase with the police


As I laugh, pushing the gas while my Glocks blast
I laugh while driving away and shooting my gun out the window


We was young and we was dumb, but we had heart
We were young, foolish, but brave and fearless


In the dark, will we survive through the bad parts
We faced many difficult situations and obstacles in life, but we persevered


Many dreams is what I had, and plenty wishes
I had many dreams and hopes for my future


No hesitation in extermination of these snitches
I have no problem killing anyone who snitches or betrays me


Envious bitches, they still continue to pursue me
Jealous women are still after me even though I'm successful


A couple of movies, now the whole world's trying to screw me
After I became famous from music and movies, the public and media turned against me


Even the cops tried to sue me, so what can I do?
The police even tried to sue me, making my situation even more difficult


But stay true, sipping 22's of brew
I stay true to myself while drinking 22-ounce bottles of beer


And now media is trying to test me
The media is trying to provoke me and see how I'll react


Got the press asking questions, trying to stress me
The media is asking me stressful and challenging questions


Misery is all I see, that's my mind state
I'm in a constant state of misery and it's affecting my mental health


My history with the police will shake the crime rate
My past crimes and conflicts with the police have significantly impacted the crime rate


My main man had two strikes, slipped, got arrested and flipped
My closest friend had two strikes on his criminal record, made a mistake, got arrested, and became an informant


He screamed 'thug life' and emptied the clip
My friend yelled 'thug life' before shooting his gun until it was empty


Got tired of running from the police
My friend became weary of constantly trying to run away from the police




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: EDGAR WINTER, CHRISTOPHER WALLACE, OSTEN HARVEY, MARSHALL B III MATHERS, LUIS RESTO, TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@apblolol

"Why am i dying to live, if im just living to die." Hits me every time

@CrackZulu

Not alone

@Smash896

Word up

@lauriecook7128

Same here

@user-wg1bj6mi4c

Сложно брат

@krystalford300

@@CrackZulu sssssssss

74 More Replies...

@haloskaterkid

A friendship destroyed by media intervention. Two poets gone before their time like many others that came before them. RIP pac and big, your influence and message lives on

@quest6264

adrift dam that got me thinking KINGS RESTING NOW

@omgman2248

Brad favor with Tupac Shakur

@MHWRESTLIN

quest 626 no the friendship was destroyed by Pac getting shot and rumours that bad boy set it up and biggie knew but never warned him

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