Runnin
Tupac ft. Notorious B.I.G Lyrics


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And I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead?
Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?
Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?

Check it, I grew up a fuckin' screw-up
Got introduced to the game, got a ounce and fuckin' blew up
Choppin' rocks overnight
The nigga Biggie Smalls trying to turn into the black Frank White
We had to grow dreads to change our description
Two cops is on the milk box missing
Show they toes you know they got stepped on
A fist full of bullets a chest full of Teflon
Run from the police picture that, nigga I'm too fat
I fuck around and catch a asthma attack
That's why I bust back, it don't phase me
When he drop, take his Glock, and I'm Swayze
Celebrate my escape, sold the Glock, bought some weight
Lay back, I got some money to make, motherfucker

And I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead?
Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?
Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?

It's on me
But still I'm having memories of high speed when the cops crashed
As I laugh, pushing the gas while my Glocks blast
We was young and we was dumb, but we had heart
In the dark, will we survive through the bad parts
Many dreams is what I had, and plenty wishes
No hesitation in extermination of these snitches
Envious bitches, they still continue to pursue me
A couple of movies, now the whole world's trying to screw me
Even the cops tried to sue me, so what can I do?
But stay true, sipping 22's of brew
And now media is trying to test me
Got the press asking questions, trying to stress me
Misery is all I see, that's my mind state
My history with the police will shake the crime rate
My main man had two strikes, slipped, got arrested and flipped
He screamed "thug life" and emptied the clip
Got tired of running from the police

And I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead?
Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?




Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Tupac and Notorious BIG's song Runnin reflect the dilemma that many young people face today: why are they struggling to survive in life, when life seems to have no meaning or purpose? The rapper ponders his own mortality and why he's fighting so hard to live, only to die in the end. He asks why he's striving to be seen when there is nothing to see, and why he's trying to give to others when no one is giving him a chance.


The lyrics also reveal the rapper's struggles growing up, dealing drugs, and running from the law. Tupac laments the fact that he never had an easy life, even from an early age. He talks about growing up as a "fuckin' screw-up," getting introduced to the drug game, and then taking it too far. He also mentions how he and his friend, Biggie Smalls (aka The Notorious B.I.G.), had to grow their hair out in order to change their description and avoid being caught by the cops.


The rapper also describes his escapades running from the police, escaping when they crashed, and being chased through dark alleys. Although he admits that he made mistakes and had to deal with the consequences of his actions, he still maintains that the media and the police are trying to screw him over. In the end, he is left with nothing but his own thoughts, wondering why he is dying to live if he's just living to die.


Line by Line Meaning

And I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead?
I'm questioning whether people who have laughed at me in the past will continue to ridicule me even after I'm dead.


Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight?
I'm struggling to find meaning in my life, and the constant struggle is exhausting me.


Why am I trying to see, when there ain't nothing in sight?
I'm questioning why I keep trying to see a brighter future for myself, when there is no hope in sight.


Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try?
I'm wondering why I bother trying to be generous to others when they don't give me a chance to succeed.


Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?
I'm questioning why I am fighting so hard to stay alive, when ultimately death is inevitable.


Check it, I grew up a fuckin' screw-up
Let me tell you about my rough childhood and how it has shaped me as a person.


Got introduced to the game, got a ounce and fuckin' blew up
I got involved in the drug trade and quickly rose to power.


Choppin' rocks overnight
I was cutting cocaine all night to meet the demands of the market.


The nigga Biggie Smalls trying to turn into the black Frank White
My friend Biggie Smalls wanted to emulate the character Frank White from the movie King of New York.


We had to grow dreads to change our description
We had to alter our appearance to avoid being identified by the police.


Two cops is on the milk box missing
There are two missing police officers who went after us.


Show they toes you know they got stepped on
We were responsible for the disappearance of the police officers and left evidence of our involvement.


A fist full of bullets a chest full of Teflon
We were heavily armed and prepared to defend ourselves against the police.


Run from the police picture that, nigga I'm too fat
I can't outrun the police because I'm overweight, so I have to stand my ground.


I fuck around and catch a asthma attack
I might have an asthma attack from all the stress and exertion of running from the police.


That's why I bust back, it don't phase me
I shoot back at the police because I am not afraid of them.


When he drop, take his Glock, and I'm Swayze
If I kill a police officer, I will take his gun and feel like Patrick Swayze in the movie Road House.


Celebrate my escape, sold the Glock, bought some weight
After successfully evading the police, I sold my gun and invested in more drugs to sell.


Lay back, I got some money to make, motherfucker
Now that I have escaped and have more drugs to sell, I can take a breather and plan my next move.


It's on me
I take full responsibility for my actions and decisions.


But still I'm having memories of high speed when the cops crashed
I am haunted by the memory of a high-speed chase with the police that ended in a crash.


As I laugh, pushing the gas while my Glocks blast
I find it amusing to shoot my gun while driving at high speeds to escape the police.


We was young and we was dumb, but we had heart
We were reckless and foolish, but we were brave and determined.


In the dark, will we survive through the bad parts
We relied on each other for survival during the darkest moments of our lives.


Many dreams is what I had, and plenty wishes
I had many aspirations and desires for my life.


No hesitation in extermination of these snitches
I have no qualms about killing people who betray us and cooperate with the police.


Envious bitches, they still continue to pursue me
Women who are jealous of my success still try to be with me.


A couple of movies, now the whole world's trying to screw me
After my rise to fame, everyone wants a piece of me and tries to take advantage of my success.


Even the cops tried to sue me, so what can I do?
The police are trying to take legal action against me, even though they have no solid evidence.


But stay true, sipping 22's of brew
Despite all the negativity surrounding me, I remain true to myself and enjoy drinking beer.


And now media is trying to test me
The media is probing for more information and trying to provoke a reaction from me.


Got the press asking questions, trying to stress me
Reporters are constantly hounding me and asking invasive questions that cause me stress.


Misery is all I see, that's my mind state
I am consumed by feelings of unhappiness and despair.


My history with the police will shake the crime rate
My past interactions with the police have had a significant impact on the crime rate in the area.


My main man had two strikes, slipped, got arrested and flipped
My closest friend had two prior convictions, messed up, got caught, and cooperated with the police.


He screamed "thug life" and emptied the clip
My friend identified with the thug life mentality and went out in a blaze of glory, shooting until he was out of ammunition.


Got tired of running from the police
My friend became weary of the constant conflict with the police and decided to go out on his own terms.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EDGAR WINTER, CHRISTOPHER WALLACE, OSTEN HARVEY, MARSHALL B III MATHERS, LUIS RESTO, TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@apblolol

"Why am i dying to live, if im just living to die." Hits me every time

@CrackZulu

Not alone

@Smash896

Word up

@lauriecook7128

Same here

@user-wg1bj6mi4c

Сложно брат

@krystalford300

@@CrackZulu sssssssss

74 More Replies...

@haloskaterkid

A friendship destroyed by media intervention. Two poets gone before their time like many others that came before them. RIP pac and big, your influence and message lives on

@quest6264

adrift dam that got me thinking KINGS RESTING NOW

@omgman2248

Brad favor with Tupac Shakur

@MHWRESTLIN

quest 626 no the friendship was destroyed by Pac getting shot and rumours that bad boy set it up and biggie knew but never warned him

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