Dead and Gone
Justin Timberlake Lyrics

Ooh, I've been travelin' on this road too long
The singer has been on a difficult and trying journey for too long

Just trying to find my way back home
The singer is trying to return to a place of personal peace or happiness

The old me is dead and gone, dead and gone
The singer feels that they have left behind an old version of themselves that no longer serves them

Ever had one of dem days, you wish woulda' stayed home
The artist is recalling a particularly difficult day when they wish they had not left their home

Run into a group of niggas, getting they hate on
The artist encountered a group of people who were being hateful towards them

You walk by, they get wrong you reply
When the singer walked past the hateful group, they replied to their taunts or insults

Then shit get blown way outta proportion, way past discussion
The situation escalated quickly and became too intense to resolve through discussion

Just you against them, pick one then rush 'em
The artist was faced with a violent situation where they had to choose a side and fight back

Figure you'll get jumped, that next, they don't wanna stop
The artist expected the situation to turn violent and knew that their opponents would not back down

There now they bussin', now you gushin', ambulance rushin'
The conflict turned violent and the artist was shot, resulting in an emergency medical situation

You to the hospital, with a bad concussion
The singer suffered a serious injury and had to be taken to the hospital

Plus ya hit four times, plus it hit ya spine, paralyzed waist down, now ya wheelchair bound
The artist was severely injured and is now paralyzed from the waist down, requiring a wheelchair

Never mind that now, you lucky to be alive, just think it all started you fussin' with three guys
Although the situation was violent and the singer was severely injured, they are fortunate to be alive and reflecting on how it all started

Now ya pride in the way, but ya pride is the way, you could fuck around, get shot, die any day
The singer realizes that their pride put them in a dangerous situation and they could have easily been killed

Niggas die every day all over, bullshit dope money dice, game ordinary hood shit
The singer is reflecting on the reality of everyday violence in their community and how it is often tied to drugs and money

Could this be 'cause of hip hop music or did the ones with the good sense not use it, usually niggas don't know what to do when their back against the wall, so they just start shootin'
The artist is questioning whether the violent nature of their community and people's reactions to certain situations are influenced by hip hop music, and is reflecting on the lack of solutions or peaceful reactions to challenges

For red or for blue or for blo' I guess, from Bankhead or from your projects
The artist is referencing the fact that people in their community are quick to defend their turf or neighborhood, even if it means violence

No more stress, now I'm straight, now I get it now I take time to think, before I make mistakes, just for my family's sake
The singer has moved past their violent past and has learned to take time to reflect and make thoughtful decisions for the sake of their family

That part of me left yesterday, the heart of me is strong today, no regrets I'm blessed to say, the old me dead and gone away
The singer has left behind their violent past and is stronger for it, with no regrets about leaving that version of themselves behind

I ain't never been scared, I live through tragedy
The artist has been through difficult and traumatic situations but has never been scared

Situation coulda been dead, lookin' back at it
The artist is reflecting on a past situation where they could have easily been killed

Most of that shit, didn't even have to happen
The artist is recognizing that many of the difficult situations they have been in did not have to happen to begin with

But you don't think about it when you out there trappin'
Despite the unnecessary nature of many of the difficult situations the singer has faced, it can be difficult to think rationally when stuck in a cycle of negative behavior

In apartments hangin', smoking and rappin'
The artist is describing the lifestyle that they used to live, which included hanging out in apartments and participating in smoking and rapping

Niggas start shit didn't, next thing ya know we cappin'
The singer is describing a situation where a fight quickly escalated into a shooting or other violent incident

Get locked up, then didn't even get mad, now think about damn, what a life I had
The singer recognizes how their past behavior landed them in jail and reflects on how different their life could have been if they had made different choices

Some shit, still look back just sad
Despite their progress, the singer still has moments of sadness and regret when they remember their past behavior

Maybe my homeboy, till be around, had I not hit the nigga in the mouth that time, I won that fight, I lost that war
The artist reflects on a time when their actions cost them a friendship, and recognizes how they both won the fight but ultimately lost something bigger

I can still see my nigga, walkin' out that door, who'da thought I'd never see Philant no more
The artist is mourning the loss of a friend who they never expected to lose, and is reflecting on how going down a path of violence can end in tragic outcomes

Got enough dead homies, I don't want no more, cost a nigga his job, cost me more, Ida took that ass-whoopin', now for sure
The singer recognizes the high cost of their violent lifestyle, including losing friends, hurting people close to them, and missing out on opportunities because of their behavior

Now think before I risk my life, take them chances to get my stripe, a nigga put his hands on me alright, otherwise stand there, talk shit all night
The singer has learned to consider the consequences of their actions before taking risks, and recognizes that sometimes it is better to avoid fights and just let people talk rather than risk their life

Cause I hit you, you sue me, I shoot you, get locked up, who me?
The artist recognizes the potential legal repercussions of violent behavior and wants to avoid further conflict or punishment

I turn my head to the east, I don't see nobody by my side, I turn my head to the west, still nobody in sight
The artist is alone and lacks support or companionship

So I turn my head to the north, swallow that pill that they call pride, the old me is dead and gone, but the new me will be alright
The artist is letting go of their pride and recognizes that their old self is gone, but they are hopeful for their future as a new version of themselves