Pain
Various Artists Lyrics


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I couln't help but notice your pain
It runs deep
Share it with me!
They'll never take me alive
i'm gettin' high with my four-five
Cocked on these suckas
Time ta die
Even as a youngster
causin' ruckis on tha back of the bus
i was a fool all through high school
kickin' up dust
but now i'm labled as a trouble maker
who can you blame?
smokin' weed helped me take away the pain
so i'm hopeless
rollin' down the freeway swervin'
don't worry
i'm about to crash up on the curb cause my visions blurry
maybe if they tried to understand me
what should i do?
i had to feed my fuckin' family
what else could i do
but be a thug
out slangin' with the homies
fuck hangin' with them phonies in the club
got my mind on danger
never been a stranger ta homicide
my cities full of gang bangers and drive bys
why do we die at an early age
he was so young
but still a victom of the 12 guage
my memories of a corpse
mind full of sick thoughts
and i ain't goin back to court
so fuck what you thought
im drinkin' hennessey
runnin from my enemies
will i live to be 23
there's so much pain
()
Ohhhh...
Tired of tha Strain and tha Pain
Ohhhh...
Tired of tha Strain and tha Pain
years and years of that rough life
runnin crazed and wild as a kid and growin tough with a knife
and livin trifed on the regular
bokin out competitors
see them take a move and take them down like a fuckin preditor
get in trouble everyday in school
act a fool
and you know i had to break every rule
showin off for the bitches cause i had the mad rep
so i had to watch my back when it was time to step
[????] with love for me
pop, pop, pop
and send a chuckle up above for me
and yo come and seek?? but i didnt cry
broke and head off with the pack and started sellin coke
and now i'm tha one that's lookin lovely
pop the drop top and all tha bitches want ta rub me
kick'em the game

it's all the same
i kick it back yo
give'em slack yo
and now they lable me tha mack yo
people check it
get disrespected if you front tha the birdman
you heard man
catch a couple shots from tha glock in my hand
Damn!
release some realistic with my biscuit
you know you get your ass twisted so run for cover
me and my man got a plan kickin' major dust
so if your on nigga look for the guage to bust
a lot of pressure with the street fame
it's a deep game
and my mama always cryin'
yo there's so much pain
()
Ohhhh...
Ohhhh...
They got me mobbin like i'm
loc'ed and ready to get my slug on
i load my clip and slip my motherfuckin' gloves on
i ain't scared to blast on these suckas if they test me
trust
i got my glock cocked ready if they press me
bust some motherfuckers with a PASSION
better duck cause i ain't lookin when i'm BLASTIN
i'm a nut and drinkin hennessey
and gettin' high
on tha lookout for my enemies
don't wanna die
tell me why
cause this stress is gettin' major
a buck fist across my face with my razor
what can i do but be a thug until i'm dead and gone
keep my brain on tha game and stay head strong
these sorry bastards
want to kill me in my sleep but will they can i see
and everyday it just a struggle
steady thuggin' in the streets
and i'll be ballin' loc
don't let'em make you worry
keep swingin' at these suckas till you buried
i was born to raise hell, a nigga from the gutta,
with a motha on drugs
i'm kickin dust up
ready ta bust
i'm on the scene steady muggin' mean
until they kill me
i'll be livin this life
i know you feel me
there's so much pain
()
Ohhh...
Tired of tha Strain and tha Pain
Ohhh...
Tired of tha Strain and tha Pain
Ohhh...
Tired of tha Strain and tha Pain
Ohhh...




Tired of tha Strain and tha Pain
Ohhhhhh...

Overall Meaning

The song "Pain" by Various Artists is a haunting and powerful portrayal of the struggles and pain of life, particularly in the context of poverty and violence. The opening lines express deep empathy for someone who is in pain: "I couldn't help but notice your pain, it runs deep, share it with me!" Then the lyrics move on to describe the singer's own experiences of pain and struggle, from being labeled a troublemaker in school to turning to drugs and crime to feed his family. The chorus expresses a weariness and exhaustion with the constant strain of living in these circumstances, while the later verses describe the rage and violence that can result from such a life.


One of the most striking elements of the song is the way it portrays a kind of fatalistic acceptance of violence and death, as evidenced in lines like "will I live to be 23?" and "what can I do but be a thug until I'm dead and gone?" This attitude reflects the broader social conditions of poverty and systemic oppression that can seem inescapable to those who are trapped in them. The lyrics also touch on themes of loyalty, revenge, and the pressure to prove oneself in a violent and competitive environment.


Interestingly, the song was released in 1994 as part of a solo album by rapper 2Pac, titled "Above the Rim." However, versions of the song with different arrangements and additional verses have also been recorded by several other artists, including Stretch and Scarface. The song has been sampled and referenced in many other hip-hop and rap tracks over the years, attesting to its enduring impact and resonance.


Overall, "Pain" stands as a powerful critique of the social and economic structures that lead to poverty, violence, and systemic inequality, while also offering a compassionate and empathetic view of those who are struggling to survive within those structures.


Line by Line Meaning

I couldn't help but notice your pain
I see that you are hurting


It runs deep
Your pain is profound


Share it with me!
Let me be there for you


They'll never take me alive
I am ready to face the consequences of my actions


i'm gettin' high with my four-five
I am using drugs and alcohol to cope with life's challenges


Cocked on these suckas
I am ready and armed to deal with my enemies


Time ta die
I am willing to risk my life for what I believe in


Even as a youngster causin' ruckus on tha back of the bus
I have always been rebellious and disruptive


i was a fool all through high school kickin' up dust
I made poor choices and caused trouble during my teenage years


but now i'm labeled as a trouble maker who can you blame?
I have a reputation as a troublemaker and people judge me unfairly


smokin' weed helped me take away the pain
I use marijuana as a form of self-medication


so i'm hopeless rollin' down the freeway swervin'
I feel lost and out of control, driving recklessly


don't worry i'm about to crash up on the curb cause my visions blurry
I am too intoxicated to drive safely


maybe if they tried to understand me what should i do? i had to feed my fuckin' family
I am just trying to provide for my loved ones and wish others would empathize with my struggles


what else could i do but be a thug out slangin' with the homies
I turned to crime to make ends meet and fit in with my peers


fuck hangin' with them phonies in the club
I do not care for superficial relationships or socializing in clubs


got my mind on danger never been a stranger ta homicide
I am always aware of the potential for violence and have even committed murder


my cities full of gang bangers and drive bys
The place I come from is rife with gang violence and shootings


why do we die at an early age he was so young
Death at a young age is common in my community and it hurts


but still a victim of the 12-gauge
He died from a gunshot wound


my memories of a corpse mind full of sick thoughts
I have disturbing memories of seeing dead bodies and it haunts me


and i ain't goin back to court so fuck what you thought
I refuse to be punished by the justice system again


im drinkin' hennessey runnin from my enemies will i live to be 23
I am drinking heavily and afraid for my life and uncertain if I will survive past a young age


Ohhhh... Tired of tha Strain and tha Pain
I am exhausted from the stress and pain of my life


years and years of that rough life runnin crazed and wild as a kid and growin tough with a knife
I have lived a hard and violent life since childhood


and livin trifed on the regular bokin out competitors
I often engage in criminal activity and conflict with rivals


see them take a move and take them down like a fuckin preditor
I am aggressive and quick to strike out at those who threaten me


get in trouble everyday in school act a fool
I have a history of getting into trouble and causing problems in school


and you know i had to break every rule showin off for the bitches cause i had the mad rep
I enjoy breaking rules and getting attention for my reputation as a thug


so i had to watch my back when it was time to step [????] with love for me pop, pop, pop
I have to be constantly vigilant for danger and often face gunfire


and send a chuckle up above for me and yo come and seek?? but i didnt cry
I laugh in the face of danger and do not show weakness or fear


broke and head off with the pack and started sellin coke
I turned to selling drugs to make money and fit in with my peers


and now i'm tha one that's lookin lovely pop the drop top and all tha bitches want ta rub me
As a successful drug dealer, I enjoy wealth and the attention of women


kick'em the game it's all the same
I feel stuck in the same cycle of crime and violence


i kick it back yo give'em slack yo and now they lable me tha mack yo
I am a smooth operator and do not let others get to me


people check it get disrespected if you front tha the birdman you heard man
I do not tolerate disrespect and will respond with violence


catch a couple shots from tha glock in my hand
I am not afraid to use my gun to defend myself


Damn! release some realistic with my biscuit
I am angry and ready to use my firearm


you know you get your ass twisted so run for cover
If you cross me, you will face severe consequences


me and my man got a plan kickin' major dust
My associates and I have a scheme and are making moves


so if your on nigga look for the guage to bust
If you are my enemy, you should expect me to shoot you


a lot of pressure with the street fame it's a deep game
The lifestyle of gang violence and criminal activity is intense and hard to leave behind


and my mama always cryin' yo there's so much pain
Even my loved ones are affected by the pain and violence of my life


They got me mobbin like i'm loc'ed and ready to get my slug on
I feel like a crazed gang member, ready to start shooting


i load my clip and slip my motherfuckin' gloves on
I am preparing for violence and want to remain anonymous


i ain't scared to blast on these suckas if they test me trust i got my glock cocked ready if they press me
I am ready and willing to use my gun to protect myself


bust some motherfuckers with a PASSION better duck cause i ain't lookin when i'm BLASTIN
I am not aiming carefully and will shoot recklessly


i'm a nut and drinkin hennessy and gettin' high on tha lookout for my enemies don't wanna die
I am paranoid and self-medicating to deal with the fear and stress of violence


tell me why cause this stress is gettin' major a buck fist across my face with my razor
I am under immense pressure and willing to resort to violence to defend myself


what can i do but be a thug until i'm dead and gone keep my brain on tha game and stay head strong
I feel like I have no other options but to continue a life of crime and violence


these sorry bastards wanna kill me in my sleep but will they can i see and everyday it just a struggle steady thuggin' in the streets and i'll be ballin' loc don't let'em make you worry keep swingin' at these suckas till you buried
I am constantly in danger and fighting for my life but refuse to let my enemies defeat me




Writer(s): Tupac Amaru Shakur, David Grusin, Randy Walker, Kevin Rhames, Earl WilbertKlugh Jr, Christopher Walker

Contributed by Isabella Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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