Lift Off
Mike Shinoda Lyrics

Lift off like Virgin Galactic
Starting off strong, soaring upward like a spaceship heading for the stars.

My Richard's too Branson, to fuck with you bastard
I'm too rich and successful, like Richard Branson of Virgin Galactic, to bother with your negativity.

Very legendary, that's a matter of fact
I am truly iconic and historic, no denying that.

Shit, you're the opposite of star, like rats spelled backwards
You have no shine or talent, in fact, you're the complete opposite of a star, like the word "rats" spelled backwards.

I flow poems out to Saturn and passed it
My poetic flow and creativity are out of this world, reaching even to the farthest planet, Saturn.

Easy as a standard anti-gravity back flip
I make it look easy, like performing a standard back flip in zero-gravity.

Satellite tracking can't map up my tactics
Even satellite technology can't keep up with my clever, unpredictable methods and strategies.

I spit the same shit they split an atom in half with
My rhymes are so powerful they are equivalent to splitting atoms in half.

No, it's not what I want but it had to be
I may not have wanted things to happen a certain way, but sometimes it's necessary for growth.

I spent 6 months just recharging my battery
I took time off to rest and rejuvenate myself, just like a battery needs recharging.

Imagine me quitting, what a travesty that'd be
It would be a terrible loss if I were to give up, as I am meant to keep going and succeed.

Your space shuttle challenges are nothing but tragedies
Compared to the challenges I have faced, your obstacles are insignificant and almost comical.

So take care on the path that you're headed
Be careful with the choices you make and the direction you're heading in life.

I'm the father to your style, don't you ever forget it
I am the original and influential creator of the style you emulate, so show respect.

I don't drop mics, only let it smoke or I said it
I don't need to make a big show of ending a performance, my talent and words alone are enough.

And I don't play even when they press it, get it?
I am always serious and focused, even when people try to distract or provoke me.

Please brace for impact
Get ready for the energy and impact of what's coming next.

I must have went to space and got sent back
My experiences have taken me so far beyond the norm that it feels like I've been to space and come back.

But I'm still intact, in fact, take a picture of me
Despite all of the challenges, I am still whole and complete, and proud of who I am.

You can see that I'm a star with your lens cracked
Even with imperfect vision or a damaged lens, you can still clearly see that I am a shining star.

Supernova, it's Caesar's palace stuntin' on my apartments
My power is explosive and radiant, like a supernova, and even my humble apartment is impressive like Caesar's palace.

'Cause history'll show, we done been to war like Romans
Like the historic Romans, we have fought tough battles and survived to tell the tale.

Did that dance with the devil, hail high as a kettle
I have faced my demons and overcome them, now I'm soaring high like a boiling kettle.

So it's no wonder why I put this ice on all of my metal
I celebrate my success and accomplishments by adorning my possessions with icy luxury.

We'll wear that shit like a medal, used to think I was a joker
We wear our hard-earned rewards and achievements like a medal of honor, even though I used to doubt myself.

No Jared Leto when I said I'd get us out the ghetto
Unlike Jared Leto's character in the movie 'Suicide Squad', I actually followed through on my promise to rise out of poverty and struggle.

Slam my foot on the pedal, put the studio
I am fully committed and driven, constantly pushing forward with my music career.

And I couldn't afford instrumentals
Starting out with limited resources, I had to create my music without the luxury of professional instruments.

Fuck it, record a cappella
I made do with what I had, even if it meant recording my voice alone without any backing music.

Flying coach streaming Coachella until they ban me
Even with my success, I still appreciate the simple things and enjoy experiencing music festivals like Coachella as a regular attendee.

Now they like Bambi's mother's, dead, I'm onto these Grammy's
I have silenced all the doubters and critics, and now I am focused on pursuing and winning Grammy awards.

I'm rolling these grams gladly, purple and green like dabbie
I enjoy indulging in marijuana, and prefer the strains that are purple and green like the character Dabbie from 'Trailer Park Boys'.

Shades on like Velma, hair long like Shaggy
I take fashion cues from the cartoon characters Velma and Shaggy from 'Scooby Doo', wearing glasses and letting my hair grow long.

Crushin' addies in my water, got my voice raspy
I sometimes take Adderall pills to help with concentration, but it can have the side effect of making my voice sound raspy.

Haven't slept since California and that shit was last week
I have been so busy and driven that I haven't had time to rest and recharge, even though I traveled to California a week ago.

Paranoid when I sleep but when I'm high I'm happy
My anxiety and fears keep me from restful sleep, but when I indulge in marijuana I feel happy and relaxed.

That's what I need to kiss the sky when I get stuck in the valley
Marijuana helps me see the bigger picture and feel inspired, which is what I need when I feel stuck or down in the dumps.

I'm off of the earth, I'll ride alone
I feel like I'm soaring above and beyond the normal confines of life, and I don't need anyone else to ride with me.

I'm drifting away, out of time, I flow
I am no longer bound by the constraints of time and place, instead flowing freely like water.

Away from the truth, away from the night
Sometimes I try to escape reality and the dark, confronting truths by drifting away and losing myself in my own thoughts and dreams.

Away from the day
I am leaving behind the mundane, everyday troubles and seeking something greater and more fulfilling.