Better Days
Marvel Alexander Lyrics
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Might touch a pistol if I can't locate some dough
NBA street, man you know I made that paper stretch
Had the whole team, itching off them damn percocet's
Hundred beads, and my man's told me that they went for ten
That was back then, all the kiddies now they popping xans
For a little fee, man I lay a custy down to sleep
So I pray, to the sky, ask the lord for better days
Yeah I'm with the shits
If we talking hits, domestic whips
[?] rips, all my Bergen county flossy shit
A bunch of niggas in the city don't never amount to shit
I know the town been waiting well motherfucker yeah this is it
In a [?] if I'm [?] only time I savor it
Recording in my mama crib, local rappers on my tip
All my niggas getting high, and I'm tired of getting by
Yeah your boy is hot, fuck a jump shot
Tell the coach that I don't need that shit
They can suck a dick (suck a dick)
Bitches used to play me, now they play me like I know this kid
And they hit me nonchalant I act like I don't notice it
Gift me with the box like Christmas
Yeah I had to tell my friends
Shit was fire, shit was flames, think I got to hit again
Shit was feeling like some buttered leather or some brand new suede
So I pray, to the sky, thank the lord for better days
In "Better Days" by Marvel Alexander, the singer expresses his love for Los Angeles, but ultimately missing the simple pleasures such as the corner store. The lyrics move on to discuss the rapper's possible involvement with guns and drugs instead of basketball, which he was once good at. He reminisces about his past, highlighting the drastic shift in today's times where the younger generation is easily accessible to prescription drugs such as xanax. The rapper acknowledges that he wants better days for himself, which he prays to the lord for.
The second paragraph of the song is the rapper asserting himself with a braggadocious tone. The rapper is proud of his materialistic possessions like his cars and luxurious lifestyle but feels that many people in the city never amount to anything themselves. The singer also mentions his triumphs in music, specifically how he produces it in his mother's home. He contrasts his success to his friends who are stuck getting high and not achieving anything. The rapper states that although he doesn't play basketball anymore, he has something more significant to offer, and he doesn't need their validation. He concludes by giving thanks for his better days and credits his success to divine intervention.
Line by Line Meaning
Ohhh I love L.A, but goddamn I miss the corner store
I enjoy living in Los Angeles, but I do miss the convenience of small businesses like corner stores that are not as common in the city.
Might touch a pistol if I can't locate some dough
I may resort to illegal actions, such as using a gun, if I can't find a way to make money.
NBA street, man you know I made that paper stretch
I made a lot of money through an illegal activity that I won't explicitly name, but you can guess which it is by my reference to the video game NBA Street.
Had the whole team, itching off them damn percocet's
I distributed Percocet pills to my team, causing them to develop an addiction to the drug.
Hundred beads, and my man's told me that they went for ten
I sold beads of a drug, most likely cocaine, for $10 each and earned $100 from the sale.
That was back then, all the kiddies now they popping xans
The drug landscape has changed, and younger people today are now addicted to Xanax instead of Percocets.
For a little fee, man I lay a custy down to sleep
For a small fee, I could help someone source and acquire a drug to help them sleep.
So I pray, to the sky, ask the lord for better days
I am hoping that things will improve for me and that I will no longer have to engage in illegal activities to make a living.
Uhh, ask the lord for better days
I repeat my prayer to ask for divine intervention and hope for a better future.
Yeah I'm with the shits
I am not afraid to get involved with illegal or dangerous activities.
If we talking hits, domestic whips
If we are discussing financial gains, I typically spend it on luxury cars.
[?] rips, all my Bergen county flossy shit
I may have expensive and stylish clothing and accessories, sourced from Bergen County, New Jersey.
A bunch of niggas in the city don't never amount to shit
There are many people in the city who are unsuccessful or unlikely to achieve success.
I know the town been waiting well motherfucker yeah this is it
I am aware that people in my community are anticipating my success, and now it is finally happening.
In a [?] if I'm [?] only time I savor it
I may only get to enjoy luxury items, such as a car or designer clothes, for a brief period of time before I have to part with them.
Recording in my mama crib, local rappers on my tip
I am recording my music from my mother's home, and other local rappers are taking notice of my talent.
All my niggas getting high, and I'm tired of getting by
My friends are primarily focused on getting high, but I want to achieve more in life and move past our current circumstances.
Yeah your boy is hot, fuck a jump shot
I am talented and successful in my music career without needing to become a basketball player.
Tell the coach that I don't need that shit
I am not interested in playing basketball and do not need a coach's guidance or assistance in doing so.
They can suck a dick (suck a dick)
I do not care about the opinions or criticisms of others, and I am not afraid to express my disdain for them.
Bitches used to play me, now they play me like I know this kid
Women used to ignore or disrespect me, but now they are interested in me because of my newfound success and fame.
And they hit me nonchalant I act like I don't notice it
Women often reach out to me casually, but I pretend not to notice because I am uninterested or unimpressed.
Gift me with the box like Christmas
Women may offer me their bodies or sex as a gift, similar to a present on Christmas.
Yeah I had to tell my friends
I shared my sexual exploits and experiences with my friends.
Shit was fire, shit was flames, think I got to hit again
I had a great sexual encounter and am eager to experience it again.
Shit was feeling like some buttered leather or some brand new suede
The sexual encounter was pleasurable and enjoyable, reminiscent of the luxurious feel of buttered leather or new suede clothing.
So I pray, to the sky, thank the lord for better days
I express gratitude for the positive changes in my life and hope for continued success and improvement.
Writer(s): Matthew Alexander Washington
Contributed by Natalie K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.