Runnin' )
The Game Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Got to live for today cause tomorrow ain't promised to me
Don't just want a piece I want my whole destiny
If you got it, I'm gone take it
If you're in it, you're coming with me
Bench warmers, get no playing time
No sleeping til I cross the line, I'm running

With 99 miles left, on the Avis rental car
Blowing horns like Miles Davis
At the pearly gate, God let me in
Give me a room by Aaliyah with ESPN
I know I got more sins than two lesbians
Been back and forth across the border like Mexicans
But I'm running like New York pedestrians
Trying not to scuff my Nike Air checks again
It's funny how niggas be the best of friends
And fall out over pussy and wanna dead they man
One of my niggas in the grave the other one in the pen
She fucking my enemies inside my homeboys Benz
Now she begging God's mercy cause she ain't listen to Nas
And never heard about Ike and the Iverson jersey
He got a cousin named Jayceon that rock the Gary Payton
Now the same trifling bitch is a HIV patient, true story

Got to live for today cause tomorrow ain't promised to me
Don't just want a piece I want my whole destiny
If you got it, I'm gone take it
If you're in it, you're coming with me
Bench warmers, get no playing time
No sleeping til I cross the line, I'm running

If I get knocked with my gun nigga I'm running
If I catch a murder one nigga I'm running
Homicide come around and they keep on coming
That's why I'm out of state and I keep on running
I ain't Nelly but my Desert Eagle's on girl
Just dropped bail traveling the world
When I sign my deal I said fuck jail
I went on tour to Barcelona and Brazil
This shit real fuck an appeal
D's want my head like that bitch in Kill Bill
Sling dope sling crack and them E pills
That's why I'm on the low like a damn navy seal, I'm running

Got to live for today cause tomorrow ain't promised to me
Don't just want a piece I want my whole destiny
If you got it, I'm gone take it
If you're in it, you're coming with me
Bench warmers, get no playing time
No sleeping til I cross the line, I'm running

Cause I gotta pack them shows
And Dre told me ain't no coming back from gold
So I gotta get my album in place
My G-Unit features, my Eminem sixteens, my Dr. Dre beats
And it was two years from today when I started rhyming
And took my demo to Suge and he ain't sign me
Niggas threatening my life like it's hard to find me
See me shining in the hood like twenty inch Lexanis
My mom said I'm hard head, I don't follow the rules
Why should I when Reebok giving niggas they own shoes
And I'm dealing with the same problems 50 Cent got
Yayo in jail and they think I'm trying to take his spot
I'm in the studio laughing at Chris Rock
Then I turn on MTV and see Soulja Slim shot
And niggas trying to gun me down in the rim shop
Cause I just want the same recognition that the Crips got
They say I'm the next in line and if I get shot
Then I go out as the Bobby Fischer of hip hop
Make your chest move, Sylvia Rome and Kevin Lyle slept cool
Jimmy Iovine was the best move

Got to live for today cause tomorrow ain't promised to me
Don't just want a piece I want my whole destiny
If you got it, I'm gone take it
If you're in it, you're coming with me




Bench warmers, get no playing time
No sleeping til I cross the line, I'm running

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to the song "Runnin'" by The Game feat. Tony Yayo and Dion express a sense of urgency and determination to make the most of the present moment, as there is no guarantee of tomorrow. The singer is focused on achieving his entire destiny, not just settling for a small piece of it. He is driven by his desire to succeed and will take whatever he needs to reach his goal. The lines "No sleeping til I cross the line, I'm running" convey a sense of perseverance and dedication, as the singer is willing to work tirelessly until he reaches his destination.


The verses of the song each tell a different story, but all center around the theme of running. The first verse describes a high-speed car chase, while the second verse discusses the singer's criminal activity and constant evading of authorities. The third verse touches on the struggles of making it in the music industry and the pressures that come with it. Through it all, the underlying message is that the singer will keep running towards his goals, no matter what obstacles come his way.


Line by Line Meaning

Got to live for today cause tomorrow ain't promised to me
I need to enjoy life today because there is no guarantee of tomorrow.


Don't just want a piece I want my whole destiny
I don't just want a small piece of success, I want to achieve my full potential.


If you got it, I'm gone take it
If someone else has something I want, I will take it by any means necessary.


If you're in it, you're coming with me
If someone is a part of my journey, they will come with me no matter what.


Bench warmers, get no playing time
If you're not willing to work hard, you won't get any opportunities.


No sleeping til I cross the line, I'm running
I won't rest until I achieve my goals and cross the finish line.


With 99 miles left, on the Avis rental car
Starting from the bottom and driving towards success.


Blowing horns like Miles Davis
Making noise and getting attention.


At the pearly gate, God let me in
Hopeful that I will be accepted into paradise.


Give me a room by Aaliyah with ESPN
Wanting to enjoy the afterlife with comfort and entertainment.


I know I got more sins than two lesbians
Acknowledging that I have made mistakes and have more to atone for.


Been back and forth across the border like Mexicans
Traveling frequently and encountering obstacles.


But I'm running like New York pedestrians
Moving quickly and with a purpose.


Trying not to scuff my Nike Air checks again
Being aware of my mistakes and trying not to repeat them.


It's funny how niggas be the best of friends
The irony of friends turning into enemies over trivial matters.


And fall out over pussy and wanna dead they man
Fights and conflicts caused by jealousy and romantic relationships.


One of my niggas in the grave the other one in the pen
Lost friends to violence and imprisonment.


She fucking my enemies inside my homeboys Benz
Betrayal by someone close.


Now she begging God's mercy cause she ain't listen to Nas
Regret after making poor choices.


And never heard about Ike and the Iverson jersey
Not informed about significant events and cultural moments.


He got a cousin named Jayceon that rock the Gary Payton
Someone in his circle has achieved success.


Now the same trifling bitch is a HIV patient, true story
Someone who betrayed him met a negative consequence.


If I get knocked with my gun nigga I'm running
Avoiding the consequences of illegal actions.


If I catch a murder one nigga I'm running
Escaping punishment for a serious crime.


Homicide come around and they keep on coming
Being constantly pursued by law enforcement.


That's why I'm out of state and I keep on running
Fleeing towards a different location to avoid getting caught.


I ain't Nelly but my Desert Eagle's on girl
Not literally like Nelly but carrying a weapon for protection.


Just dropped bail traveling the world
Enjoying freedom after being released on bail.


When I sign my deal I said fuck jail
Avoiding any trouble afterwards, especially legal problems.


I went on tour to Barcelona and Brazil
Enjoying the perks of success through international travel.


This shit real fuck an appeal
Accepting the reality of the situation and not relying on appeal.


D's want my head like that bitch in Kill Bill
Being at risk of danger and death.


Sling dope sling crack and them E pills
Dealing with illegal substances to make money.


That's why I'm on the low like a damn navy seal, I'm running
Staying hidden and avoiding attention to evade authorities.


Cause I gotta pack them shows
Having a busy schedule with live performances.


And Dre told me ain't no coming back from gold
Being pushed to strive for high levels of success.


So I gotta get my album in place
Focusing on completing and releasing new music.


My G-Unit features, my Eminem sixteens, my Dr. Dre beats
Collaborating with successful artists to create high-quality music.


And it was two years from today when I started rhyming
Reflecting on the progress made since entering the music industry.


And took my demo to Suge and he ain't sign me
Being rejected by industry professionals but not giving up.


Niggas threatening my life like it's hard to find me
Being in danger and needing to stay hidden.


See me shining in the hood like twenty inch Lexanis
Showing off success despite the environment not being conducive.


My mom said I'm hard head, I don't follow the rules
Being stubborn and independent in decision-making.


Why should I when Reebok giving niggas they own shoes
Disregarding rules when there are opportunities for success.


And I'm dealing with the same problems 50 Cent got
Facing similar obstacles as another successful artist.


Yayo in jail and they think I'm trying to take his spot
Being accused of trying to usurp positions of others within the industry.


I'm in the studio laughing at Chris Rock
Being able to enjoy oneself despite the stress of the industry.


Then I turn on MTV and see Soulja Slim shot
Being confronted with the harsh realities of violence in the world.


And niggas trying to gun me down in the rim shop
Being targeted and threatened with violence.


Cause I just want the same recognition that the Crips got
Desiring the same level of respect and recognition as other successful groups.


They say I'm the next in line and if I get shot
Being seen as a potential target for violence because of success.


Then I go out as the Bobby Fischer of hip hop
Being remembered as someone who pushed hip hop to new levels and transformed the industry.


Make your chest move, Sylvia Rome and Kevin Lyle slept cool
Providing a danceable beat for listeners to enjoy.


Jimmy Iovine was the best move
Making a good decision to work with a successful music industry executive.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MATTHEW QUINNEY, CARLOS JENKINS, DAVID FOREMAN, DASHAWN QUINCY WHITE, KHALIF BROWN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

GRAND

Unpopular opinion but Yayo’s energy smoked this track. Haven’t heard this in a long while and decided to revisit. Still a banger! 🔥🔥🔥

Aas Must

Both good man.

Commie Zombie

IM RUNNIN!

Ş Mavi

Whoever came up with the idea putting Yayo on this track is a genius. Don't know why, can't put my finger on it, but this beat and Yayo were meant for each other.

JoNeZ

He was also on the run at this time for a warrant too

Ş Mavi

@JoNeZ lmao

Јоеy

even the fact hi tek produced it 🙌🏾 🔥

cmadera144

The Delivery Was Everything

3 More Replies...

thegiftedmedia

It takes a true rap aficionado to realize that Yayo's verse is gold in this track. Goes extremely hard!

BIG STEEL

+thegiftedmedia yep i like yayo too

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