these days
Nate Dogg (ft. Daz Dillinger) Lyrics


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These days, you gotta be strapped
I'm already knowin' ain't nobody got my back
These days, you gotta be down
Who said it was easy claimin' Dogg Pound?

These days, you gotta be strapped
I'm already knowin' ain't nobody got my back
These days, you gotta be down
Who said it was easy claimin' Dogg Pound?

I believe I got good skills
We been makin' music since we were kids
That's all I wanna do for life
Keepin' it real until the day I die
Obstacles get in my way
Continue to mash and don't forget to pray
I keep my hand on my steel
Because I love my life and I always will
Whatever people say to me
I take it in stride, I'm thinkin', "Negro, please"
If you really don't know me
Then you best back up, I suggest strongly
Yes sir, this is D-P-G
'Til the day I D-I-E
For my L-I-F and E
No matter where I look, that's all I see
And I know

These days, you gotta be strapped
I'm already knowin' ain't nobody got my back
These days, you gotta be down
Who said it was easy claimin' Dogg Pound?

These days, you gotta be strapped
I'm already knowin' ain't nobody got my back
These days, you gotta be down
Who said it was easy claimin' Dogg Pound?

Many women cling to me
Is it 'cause they see me on BET?
Everybody knows my name
All the police think I'm servin' 'caine
Jealous niggas call us out
But I don't worry long as I hear their mouths
If ever they decide to kill
You better be prepared because I know I will
One thing I can guarantee
You don't wanna be standin' next to me
Before my final curtain call
I feel safe sayin' it won't be long
So if we bump heads in the street
Or even at some party
You niggas really can't see me
My request is that you stop tryin'
Before I let go

These days, you gotta be strapped
I'm already knowin' ain't nobody got my back
These days, you gotta be down
Who said it was easy claimin' Dogg Pound

These days, you gotta be strapped
I'm already knowin' ain't nobody got my back
These days, you gotta be down
Who said it was easy claimin' Dogg Pound?

Every day, that four-five stays on deck for whoever
I'm bustin', takin' down, bowin' down never
Gotta watch my back for these coppers
As well as these niggas that I kick it with
They stick you faster than these bitches will
Since I'm pimpin', everybody wants my riches
And I can't keep the don from buyin' weed, yackin' every time
I smoke constantly, it comforts me
From committin' a murder, so I chill and puff the herb
Who gots my back? Nobody (nobody)
Little Jon Gotti's layin' niggas down at the homie's party
Are we goin' crazy? I guess we are bein' who we are
And they say them niggas got to be a star
I gots to get mine, if I blast then it's my destiny
If I die then it was meant to be intentionally
Worryin', stressin', I guess I need a confession
When the murder take place, it was self protection (these days)

These days, you gotta be strapped
I'm already knowin' ain't nobody got my back (these days)
These days, you gotta be down
Who said it was easy claimin' Dogg Pound? (These days)

These days, you gotta be strapped
I'm already knowin' ain't nobody got my back (these days)
These days, you gotta be down
Who said it was easy claimin' Dogg Pound? (These days)

These days, you gotta be strapped
I'm already knowin' ain't nobody got my back (these days)
These days, you gotta be down
Who said it was easy claimin' Dogg Pound? (These days)

These days, you gotta be strapped
I'm already knowin' ain't nobody got my back (these days)
These days, you gotta be down
Who said it was easy claimin' Dogg Pound? (These days)





These days, you gotta be strapped
I'm already knowin' ain't nobody got my back (these days)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Nate Dogg's (ft. Daz Dillinger) "These Days" speaks to the realities and dangers of being a member of their clique, Dogg Pound. The song's focal point is the notion of being "strapped," or carrying a gun, as a means of survival in their environment. The fear of being alone and abandoned is emphasized in the first verse where the lyrics state, "I'm already knowin' ain't nobody got my back." The second verse speaks to the challenges of life, referencing the power of prayer and pushing through obstacles. Additionally, it references the continuous problem of having to defend oneself against people who don't know them or are jealous of their successes.


The lyrics also narrate the day-to-day reality of being a member of Dogg Pound. Their celebrity status attracts many women, but the police associate them with illegal drug activities. To this end, the need for them to have each other's back is crucial. However, the lyrics also indicate that their closest allies may also be a threat, signifying the need to be careful while "kicking it" with friends. The last verse touches on the topic of destiny, with the lyrics speaking of the inevitability of death and the "self-protection" from murder as a means to follow one's destiny.


Line by Line Meaning

These days, you gotta be strapped
Nowadays, you need to carry a weapon


I'm already knowin' ain't nobody got my back
I'm aware that there's no one looking out for me


These days, you gotta be down
You need to be tough


Who said it was easy claimin' Dogg Pound?
Who thinks being a member of the Dogg Pound gang is easy?


I believe I got good skills
I'm confident in my abilities


We been makin' music since we were kids
We've been creating music together since we were young


That's all I wanna do for life
Making music is my lifelong ambition


Keepin' it real until the day I die
I will always be true to myself


Obstacles get in my way
There are challenges in my path


Continue to mash and don't forget to pray
I'll keep pushing and praying to overcome them


I keep my hand on my steel
I always carry my gun


Because I love my life and I always will
I cherish my life and will do everything to protect it


Whatever people say to me
No matter what others say to me


I take it in stride, I'm thinkin', "Negro, please"
I remain calm and dismissive of their comments


If you really don't know me
If you truly don't understand who I am


Then you best back up, I suggest strongly
You should keep your distance from me


Yes sir, this is D-P-G
I'm representing the Dogg Pound gang


'Til the day I D-I-E
I'll be a part of the gang until I die


For my L-I-F and E
I'm doing this for my life


No matter where I look, that's all I see
Everything I see is related to the Dogg Pound gang


Many women cling to me
Lots of women want to be with me


Is it 'cause they see me on BET?
Maybe because of my appearances on BET


Everybody knows my name
I'm famous and well-known


All the police think I'm servin' 'caine
The cops suspect I'm a drug dealer


Jealous niggas call us out
Enemies are always trying to provoke us


But I don't worry long as I hear their mouths
I'm not bothered as long as they're only talking


If ever they decide to kill
If they ever decide to become violent


You better be prepared because I know I will
I'll protect myself and fight back


One thing I can guarantee
The only thing I'm sure of


You don't wanna be standin' next to me
It's not safe to be around me in dangerous situations


Before my final curtain call
Before I die


I feel safe sayin' it won't be long
I don't expect to live much longer


So if we bump heads in the street
If we meet on the street


Or even at some party
Or in any social situation


You niggas really can't see me
You guys really don't understand me


My request is that you stop tryin'
I ask that you stop provoking me


Every day, that four-five stays on deck for whoever
I carry a gun every day


I'm bustin', takin' down, bowin' down never
I'm not afraid to use it


Gotta watch my back for these coppers
I need to be cautious around the police


As well as these niggas that I kick it with
And also the people I hang out with


They stick you faster than these bitches will
They will betray you faster than women will


Since I'm pimpin', everybody wants my riches
As a pimp, people are after my money


And I can't keep the don from buyin' weed, yackin' every time
I can't stop using drugs (weed and yak)


I smoke constantly, it comforts me
I use drugs as a form of self-medication


From committin' a murder, so I chill and puff the herb
It prevents me from committing violent acts, so I use drugs instead


Little Jon Gotti's layin' niggas down at the homie's party
Jon Gotti is killing people at a party


Are we goin' crazy? I guess we are bein' who we are
Are we acting insane? Maybe, but we're just being ourselves


And they say them niggas got to be a star
People say we are destined for fame


I gots to get mine, if I blast then it's my destiny
I need to get what's mine, and if I end up using my gun, then that's just what was meant to happen


If I die then it was meant to be intentionally
If I die, it was because it was meant to happen


Worryin', stressin', I guess I need a confession
I'm feeling anxious and overwhelmed, I need to confess my feelings


When the murder take place, it was self protection (these days)
If someone is killed, it's because they were threatening my safety




Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Delmar Arnaud, Kenneth Gamble, Nate Hale, Thom Randolph Bell

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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