So Close
Tinie Tempah Lyrics

Why'd you have to give up?
Asking why the person gave up.

Why'd you have to give up now, when we were so close?
Questioning why the person gave up when they were so close to success.

When we were so close
Recalling how close they were to success.

I swear this could've been us
Saying that they could have succeeded together.

Imagine where we'd be right now
Thinking about how successful they could be right now if they hadn't given up.

'Cause we were so close
Noticing again how close they were to success.

Wow, few years ago, we were on the radio that weren't legal
Reflecting on their past radio experience which wasn't legal.

Now you're scary yo, yo take control of your ego
Calling out the person for being too afraid and egotistical.

This real so your fake to the mandem now
Pointing out how fake the person is now compared to before.

When I came with my sound, I made the mandem proud
Acknowledging how proud the people were of their sound.

You used to be comfortable just tryna be the best in your area
Reminiscing about how the person was only focused on being the best in their area.

I was never satisfied, I'm tryna be the best from this era
Explaining that they always wanted to be the best of their era.

You said you've been depressed, you was re-addressing your career
Recalling how the person was depressed and trying to change their career.

So I took a UberX when I could've came in my Carrera
Detailing how they went out of their way to make the person feel better.

Just to make you feel worth something I showed you that I cared
Expressing how they wanted the person to feel cared for and valued.

I admit that I went ghost and didn't phone you for two years
Owning up to disappearing and not communicating for two years.

Ain't easy breaking through glass ceilings, we fighting wars out here
Stating how hard it is to succeed and how they're fighting against obstacles.

So it's okay throw shade like those sorta shorts I wear
Accepting criticism, even if it's petty like criticising their clothing.

Yeah, 'cause if I lose the fame, don't know whose to blame
Admitting that they don't know who to blame if they were to lose their fame.

I'd probably do the same
Saying that they would probably give up if they were in the person's shoes.

Last level of a computer game, you can't clock
Comparing success to the final level of a game that is difficult to beat.

But don't lose faith, it ain't too late
Encouraging the person to not give up and that it's not too late to succeed.

This fight ain't even over, the bell didn't even ring
Saying that the fight isn't over yet and they shouldn't give up.

There's no blood on the towel, so why'd you throw it in
Stating that there's no need for them to give up yet.

You could've tried believing but you're leavin'
Pointing out that the person gave up without even trying to believe in themselves.

Ah, living insomnia, billin' up ganja
Describing how they deal with insomnia by smoking marijuana.

Tryna get bigger on Myspace, bigger on Tumblr
Reflecting on their past attempts to get recognized on social media.

So a little bit of myself in you, you was just a bit younger
Feeling a connection with the person because they see a bit of themselves in them.

Switching your line and ringing my phone on private number
Pointing out how the person tried to hide their phone number when they called.

Told me you was ready for the world, yeah I can see you had a hunger
Being able to see how motivated the person was to succeed.

Said I'm gonna make them respect me, like Dizzee and DJ Wonder
Sharing their goal to gain respect like Dizzee and DJ Wonder.

Remember how your wifey went on stage, got a bit drunker
Recalling a moment where the person's significant other got drunk on stage.

Didn't wanna share no limelight, now you wanna steal my thunder
Noticing how the person didn't want to share the spotlight before but now wants to steal their success.

Tripled my net worth, 'cause I'm rich in karma
Bringing up how their success is linked to being a good person and having good karma.

Even let you come to my studio, get you bits mixed and mastered
Detailing how they helped the person with their music by having them come to their studio.

Always showed love as an artist
Pointing out how they always supported the person's artistry.

Celebrate it when you charted
Being happy for the person when they charted.

Then you started going on darky, wonder why the hype never lasted
Noticing how the person's behavior changed and their success didn't last.

You can tell lies for a whole lifetime but the truth is a bastard
Pointing out that even if the person lied for their whole life, the truth will eventually come out.

We was with you on the phone till late, those times when you was at your darkest
Remembering how they were there for the person during their tough times.

Now apart from your African friend's house, you ain't seeing no red carpets
Noticing how the person isn't seeing any success or red carpet events anymore.

Had a whole world in your finger tips and now your so way past it
Realizing how the person had so much potential but now they're past their prime.

I was sitting in the back of a car with tears rolling down my face
Describing a moment where they were emotional in a car.

I didn't wanna cry but I know the streets aren't safe
Admitting that they didn't want to cry but the dangerous environment affected them.

I know the police don't play, they've gotta be on my case
Acknowledging the threat of the police being on their case.

There's only so many crimes that can take place before they observe it
Realizing that the police will eventually catch on to their crimes.

I was on a reministic ting but I didn't wanna miss this time
Reflecting on their past while also not wanting to miss the current moment.

I was studying, so I watched Giggs's, then I watched K Koke, then I watched Nines
Detailing how they were studying and watching other successful artists to learn from them.

But when I say this, couldn't agree with this shit
Saying that they didn't agree with some of the things they learned.

I'm one of the realest out here, man make music, man don't bitch
Stating that they are a real artist who makes music without complaining.

So I jumped out the car, in a different town
Deciding to change their situation by jumping out of the car and going to a different town.

Wiped off the tears, no turning around
Determined to keep going and not turn back.

Told myself, watch man do my ting
Encouraging themselves to focus on their own work.

They're gonna be like London's burning down
Believing that their success will be explosive like a burning city.

I've been grinding five years, four mixtapes, 1 EP;
Listing their accomplishments and hard work towards success.

Never got a retweet, watch how it changes now
Expressing how their success is finally changing and gaining recognition.