You Got To Pay Your Dues
The Drifters Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba
Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba
Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba
Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba

Maybe he's got more to give than I've got
Maybe he's offering you a lot
One thing's for certain
Before you choose
I am what I am
And to be what I am
I've got to pay my dues

You've got to pay your dues
I am what I am
And to be what I am
I've got to pay my dues

Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba
Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba
Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba
Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba

All that I have is a handful of rain
All that I own is my soul and my name
Would I be different with a shine on my shoes?
Well, I am what I am
And to be what I am
I've got to pay my dues

You've got to pay your dues
I am what I am
And to be what I am
I've got to pay my dues

Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba
Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba
Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba
Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba

When you decide (when you decide)
To make up your mind (to make up your mind)
Think what you're losing (ooh, ooh, ooh)
And what you may find

How can you win if you never lose?
'Cause some day you will find
That to own your own life
You've got to pay your dues

You've got to pay your dues
Yes, there'll come a day when you're gonna say
I am what I am
And to be what I am
I've got to pay my dues

I've got to pay my dues
I've got to pay my dues
Yes, I've got to pay my dues
I've got to pay my dues




Yes, I've got to pay my dues
I've got to pay my dues

Overall Meaning

The Drifters' song, You Got to Pay Your Dues, is a song about self-acceptance and perseverance. The lyrics suggest that one cannot achieve success without paying the necessary dues. The song tells the story of a man who acknowledges that he may not have as much to offer as someone else, but he is still valuable and needs to work hard to achieve his dreams. The repetition of the lines β€œI am what I am” and β€œTo be what I am, I've got to pay my dues” emphasizes the importance of self-realization and effort.


The lyrics also caution against making rash decisions and not considering the consequences. The phrase β€œthink what you’re losing and what you may find” advises listeners to take a moment to reflect and consider the long-term implications of their decisions. The song suggests that one cannot truly β€œown their own life” without first putting in the necessary time and effort.


In conclusion, The Drifters' You Got to Pay Your Dues encourages listeners to work hard, reflect on their decisions and accept themselves for who they are. The song emphasizes the importance of paying dues and persevering in the face of challenges.


Line by Line Meaning

Maybe he's got more to give than I've got
Perhaps the person you're considering has more to offer than I do.


Maybe he's offering you a lot
Maybe he's giving you everything that you want.


One thing's for certain
There's one thing that's definite.


Before you choose
Before you decide.


I am what I am
I am who I am, and I can't change that.


And to be what I am
In order to remain true to myself.


I've got to pay my dues
I have to go through my struggles and hardships.


All that I have is a handful of rain
I don't have much to offer or bring to the table.


All that I own is my soul and my name
All I have is my identity and reputation.


Would I be different with a shine on my shoes?
Would I be seen or treated differently if I had more money or status?


When you decide (when you decide)
When you finally make your choice.


To make up your mind (to make up your mind)
To finally decide.


Think what you're losing (ooh, ooh, ooh)
Consider what you might be giving up.


And what you may find
And what you might discover in the future.


How can you win if you never lose?
You have to experience failure in order to learn and succeed.


Yes, there'll come a day when you're gonna say
One day, you'll realize.


I've got to pay my dues
I have to go through my struggles and hardships.




Writer(s): Rupert Holmes, Paul Vance, Gerard Jerry Florio

Contributed by Alexander W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@stevenstewardson8613

Great soul sound for sure remember buying a copy from Rob's records hurts yard Nottingham late 70's thanks again brico fab upload πŸ’―βœŠπŸ»

@MrsNolastname

Daddy there is nobody!!!!

@petemorris6191

OMG this is soul masculine godliness xxxx

@stevenstewardson4829

Yeah Love ❀ this song I had this back in Wigan 78 ❀ 🎢 ❀ πŸ’ 🎢 🌈 ktf 😊

@stevenstewardson8613

Utter class slice of northern remembered dancing πŸ•Ί to this jewel at the palais Nottingham late 70's my favourite period in life thanks brico cracking upload πŸ’―πŸ˜ŽπŸŽΆπŸŽ΅πŸŽ·πŸŽΈπŸͺ•πŸŽ»πŸŽΊπŸŽΌπŸŽΉπŸŽΌπŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘β­β­πŸ’ŽπŸ’ŽπŸ‘πŸ‘‘πŸ‘‘πŸ‘‘πŸŽ§πŸŽ§πŸŽ§πŸŽ§πŸ™πŸ™πŸ™βœŠπŸ»βœŠπŸ»βœŠπŸ»βœŠπŸ»βœŠπŸ»βœŠπŸ»βœŠπŸ»βœŠπŸ»βœŠπŸ»βœŠπŸ»

@louiebee6745

Another great NS banger!πŸ‘πŸ‘

@terryrowe4843

Reminds me of Wigan casino

@Chef1965

Great track....keep the faith x

@1061andy

All that I own is my soul and my name....

@stevegreenly2259

Simply awesome

More Comments

More Versions