Rough
The Game Lyrics


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[Game - Verse 1]
What do you do when life gets too hard for you
Shed tears or is that to hard for you
I'm just a man, reflection of my family
Meaning you ain't gotta have one to understand me
I got kids, I got friends
Only difference between me and you is I don't care bout this benz
I care about Will he was dying and he needed me
I care about the Grammy they gave Missy they cheated me
But they cheated Drake, they cheated Justin Bieber
Guess America don't like Canada we some f-ckin heathens
Game can't watch his mouth thats why his daddy beat him
Same mouth made him millions and now his daddy need him
Finally got a black president look at how they treat him
Kids starvin in Africa why only Oprah feed them?
What happened to the music that I know
I miss it, U2 I guess we feel like Bono

[Game: Verse 2]
The living, the dead
These Dre beats, my head
My life, featuring Wayne
That was Jayceon, this is Game
Adjacent to the fame aint chasing a damn thing
So tonight let all of your pain be champagne
I cant tame my killers but I can tell them chill
I might give you a pass depending how I feel
The bi polar bear
They said the end of the World is comin I know it's here

Cuz California cold this year
Detox, R.E.D
MC's dead
Kill them softly like Lauren Hill
Skin heads goin K-K-Krazy cuz a n-gga in a foreign wheel
We all born to die, some of us born to kill
If that don't wake you up I hope tomorrow morning will

[Yelawolf: Verse 3]
Never I thought I'd see the day when I, would roll up in the parking lot
And having people comin up to me for a photograph of the shit I talk about
Yela can I get an autograph Alabama so proud that we just can't wait
Congrats on the Shady deal, any news on the release date?
I told them what I can, shake another hand sign another autograph it's cool
Got fans gettin inked up, they de-cater to me I love you too
Got 3000 too, the spirit of rock and roll
Long barrell .38 loaded I'm John Wayne in Geronimo
So I dont really know whats got some these p-ssies panties in a ball
Cuz I never done shit but get better and believin' in God
And leavin' my mom at 15 with a dream and a cross
A cross that I didn't see until I was nailed to it for believin' at all
That I could ever be accepted the way I saw it
I mean I knew it would be hard but really come on yall
Oh I'm a redneck? F-CK YOU tatted on my neck




I'll sip high life in a can at the grammys now add that to my rep
Bitch!

Overall Meaning

The Game ft Yelawolf's song Rough talks about the harsh realities of life and how people deal with them differently. In the first verse, Game asks what one does when life becomes too difficult to handle. He questions if shedding tears is too hard for some people. Despite being a successful man with kids and friends, he realizes that material possessions like his Benz do not define him. He mentions how he prioritizes people he cares about like his friend Will, who was dying and needed him by his side. Moreover, he talks about how unjust the Grammy's are and how they cheated him, Drake, and Justin Bieber, making a general statement that America does not like Canada. Furthermore, Game highlights the double standards and hypocrisy that exists when talking about kids starving in Africa and how only Oprah feeds them. He seems to miss the old music such as U2 and their frontman, Bono, whom he greatly admires.


In the second verse, Game talks about the living, the dead, and how Dr. Dre's Beats have been his constant companion. He mentions his previous rap name, Jayceon, before transitioning to The Game. He claims that he has never chased fame, and while he can't control the actions of his "killers," he can try and stop them from causing destruction. He talks about the "bi-polar bear" and how the end of the world is close since California is colder this year. Game mentions his upcoming album Detox and R.E.D, and how MCs are dead. He also talks about how he handles skinheads going "K-K-Krazy" as he drives by in his foreign car. He ends his verse by saying that we are all born to die, and some of us are born to kill, hoping that this realization will wake us up tomorrow morning.


In the last verse, Yelawolf reflects on his journey from being a person who talks about hardships to becoming a celebrity. He mentions how proud people from Alabama are and asks for patience as he waits for his album release date. He claims that he has gotten better, thanks to his belief in God, and how he never expected to be accepted due to being a redneck, as some people refer to him. However, he takes pride in it and has even tattooed those words on his neck. Yelawolf mentions how he drinks highlife beverages in cans at the Grammy awards, taking pleasure in subverting people's expectations. He ends the song with an expletive-free flow that encapsulates the anger and frustration of being judged by people's perceptions of him.


Line by Line Meaning

What do you do when life gets too hard for you
When life becomes overwhelmingly difficult, what is your response?


Shed tears or is that to hard for you
Do you allow yourself to express emotion, or do you find it too difficult?


I'm just a man, reflection of my family
As a person, I am a result of the influence of my family and upbringing.


Meaning you ain't gotta have one to understand me
It is not necessary to have a similar family structure to relate to and understand me.


I got kids, I got friends
I have children and friends like most people.


Only difference between me and you is I don't care bout this benz
The only difference between us is that I do not place value on material possessions such as this car.


I care about Will he was dying and he needed me
I prioritize caring for my friend Will who was in need of assistance during severe hardship.


I care about the Grammy they gave Missy they cheated me
I am upset about being cheated out of a Grammy award, similar to what happened to artist Missy.


But they cheated Drake, they cheated Justin Bieber
Other artists such as Drake and Justin Bieber were also unfairly treated by award shows.


Guess America don't like Canada we some f-ckin heathens
It seems that America dislikes Canadian artists, possibly due to a sense of moral inferiority.


Game can't watch his mouth thats why his daddy beat him
I have a tendency to speak without thinking, which may have led to me being physically abused by my father as a child.


Same mouth made him millions and now his daddy need him
Ironically, the same mouth that caused me hardship as a child has now given me wealth and influence that my father needs.


Finally got a black president look at how they treat him
The election of a black president has not ended racial discrimination, as evidenced by the unfair treatment he receives.


Kids starvin in Africa why only Oprah feed them?
It is concerning that many children in Africa are starving and in need of assistance, yet it seems that only Oprah Winfrey is making a significant effort to help.


What happened to the music that I know
I miss the quality and substance of music from the past.


I miss it, U2 I guess we feel like Bono
I miss the music of U2, and perhaps feel a personal connection to their lead singer Bono.


The living, the dead
This phrase refers to all people, whether alive or deceased.


These Dre beats, my head
I am listening to music through a pair of Dr. Dre headphones.


My life, featuring Wayne
My life is similar to a song featuring rapper Lil Wayne.


That was Jayceon, this is Game
I used to go by the name Jayceon, but now I am known as Game.


Adjacent to the fame aint chasing a damn thing
Even though I am near to fame, I am not actively pursuing it or seeking attention.


So tonight let all of your pain be champagne
Tonight, let us celebrate and try to forget any pain or difficulty we may be experiencing, perhaps through the consumption of champagne.


I cant tame my killers but I can tell them chill
I may not be able to control my dangerous associates, but I can ask them to calm down or refrain from violence.


I might give you a pass depending how I feel
I may forgive or overlook a transgression, but it depends on my emotional state and attitude at the time.


The bi polar bear
This phrase might refer to someone who has manic episodes and severe mood swings, like a bipolar bear.


They said the end of the World is comin I know it's here
Some people believe we are approaching the end of the world, and I agree that it has arrived.


Cuz California cold this year
The weather in California is colder than usual this year.


Detox, R.E.D
These are names of albums or projects that have faced significant delays or issues.


MC's dead
Many hip-hop artists have died, either from unnatural causes or old age.


Kill them softly like Lauren Hill
Similar to how Lauren Hill's music has a gentle impact on listeners, I aim to peacefully defeat my opponents.


Skin heads goin K-K-Krazy cuz a n-gga in a foreign wheel
Racist individuals are becoming outraged and agitated because a black person is driving a foreign-made vehicle.


We all born to die, some of us born to kill
Every person is born with the inevitability of death, but some individuals are more inclined towards violence or aggression.


If that don't wake you up I hope tomorrow morning will
If the harsh reality of human existence does not make you more aware or grateful, I hope something else will.


Never I thought I'd see the day when I, would roll up in the parking lot
I never imagined that I would become successful enough to be recognized and approached by fans in public places like parking lots.


And having people comin up to me for a photograph of the shit I talk about
It is surreal to me that people want to take photos with me because of the words and ideas I express in my music.


Yela can I get an autograph Alabama so proud that we just can't wait
Fans from my home state of Alabama are very proud and supportive, eager to meet me and obtain my autograph.


Congrats on the Shady deal, any news on the release date?
Congratulations on your recent record label deal with Shady Records. Are there any updates on when your next project will be released?


I told them what I can, shake another hand sign another autograph it's cool
I have answered fans as best as I can, and am happy to shake their hands or sign autographs to express my appreciation and gratitude.


Got fans gettin inked up, they de-cater to me I love you too
It is amazing to see fans getting tattoos of my name or likeness as a sign of their devotion and admiration, which I reciprocate.


Got 3000 too, the spirit of rock and roll
I have connected with legendary musician Andre 3000, who embodies the spirit and legacy of rock and roll music.


Long barrell .38 loaded I'm John Wayne in Geronimo
I am prepared and armed for any situation, like the famous cowboy and movie star John Wayne or the Apache warrior Geronimo.


So I dont really know whats got some these p-ssies panties in a ball
I am baffled and confused as to why some individuals are acting so irrationally or aggressively towards me or my music.


Cuz I never done shit but get better and believin' in God
I have only focused on self-improvement and faith in God, yet some people seem to have a problem with me for no reason.


And leavin' my mom at 15 with a dream and a cross
I left my mother's care at a young age, but had a strong vision and faith in God to guide me through life.


A cross that I didn't see until I was nailed to it for believin' at all
My faith in God led to me being metaphorically 'crucified' or punished, but I did not truly understand the depths of my beliefs until this occurred.


That I could ever be accepted the way I saw it
I always hoped that others could accept me for who I am and my unique perspective on life.


I mean I knew it would be hard but really come on yall
I anticipated that making a name for myself and being accepted as a unique individual would be challenging, but it has been even more difficult than I expected.


Oh I'm a redneck? F-CK YOU tatted on my neck
People may label me as a 'redneck', but I do not care and have literally tattooed a message expressing my disregard for those opinions on my neck.


I'll sip high life in a can at the grammys now add that to my rep
I will drink a cheap beer at the Grammy Awards ceremony, as a symbol of my humble beginnings and disregard for superficial displays of wealth or status.


Bitch!
This last line is likely an aggressive or dismissive expression, indicating the end of the song or the artist's frustration with something or someone.




Contributed by Sadie M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Michael Considine

Yelawolf
, most under rated lyricist today. Love story is immense. Showing lyric dexterity on this track before anyone gave a fuck.

Joseph Vasquez

I used to listen to this song while I was in the turret in Kandahar! It put me in that mellow state with a calm heart rate. Amazing track!!!!!

Boom Boom

Man this track is wild. Who would have thought game and Yelawolf on the same track would be 🔥🔥

Rasheyd

I use to play this all the time in high school 😭💯

Young HDM

me too man. time flies 🥲

F.j S

Dam same here 11 years ago

Big Money

This and monsters in my head on repeat

FULL Juggalo Albumz

Same

Aaron Thompson-Greer

Probably Yelawolfs' best ever verse! #goosebumps  

Kgomotso Mphahlele

2020 and this song still sounds amazing... Aged like wine.

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