Top Of The Stairs

(Album: I Wish - 1995)

Growing up as a kid, tough skins and Afros
Wasn't South Central, but still it came natural
It wasn't nobody to watch my back
Didn't wanna be strapped or get jacked
Mama taught me not to trust no man
Brother, what's your plan?
If you ever lose a fight, then you go back again and win
And I don't care if he was one of your friends
You better bury your feelings within, and understand
'Cause on top of the stairs
They got keys to Cadillacs, BMWs, Mercedes Benzes and all of that
And on top of the stairs, yeah
They got color TVs and even girls come in two pairs
And on the bottom you've got nothing but guilt
Bad feelings being felt, dead homies being killed
When I die, always know that I never wanna see my little brother drop
So you better stay on top

'Cause no one really cares about the guy on the bottom
No one really cares about the guy beneath
And everybody wants to be down with the dude
On top of the stairs, top of the stairs

'Cause no one really cares about the guy on the bottom
No one really cares about the guy beneath
And everybody wants to be down with the dude
On top of the stairs, top of the stairs

Little brother, look around you, can't you see
All the possibilities and we, you and me
To the bang boogie, up jump the boogie
To the boogie to the boogedy beat, I'm an emcee
I spent three years in Mickey D's cleaning dishes
Half of that time was making wishes
Wanted to hit switches in a brand new 6-4
But all I could afford was a number nine at Roscoe's for chicken and waffles
How about that Honda Accord?
Used to watch 'em drive by at night 'til I got bored
But not no more, really, that's for sure
'Cause I gotta million honeys knocking on my door
And I'm not trying to score with one
'Cause diseases kill and that's ill
To make a mill and then you getting done
When you on top of the world girls may come
But when you fall down you won't find one

'Cause no one really cares about the guy on the bottom
No one really cares about the guy beneath
And everybody wants to be down with the dude
On top of the stairs, top of the stairs

'Cause no one really cares about the guy on the bottom
No one really cares about the guy beneath
And everybody wants to be down with the dude
On top of the stairs, top of the stairs

Little brother, this is all we got
Me and you, we be crew
Even though it doesn't seem like a lot, it is
So don't be thinking negative
I know just how you feel when you got time to kill I'll tell you how it is
I know you might be unsure
'Cause it gets rough out there and when it rains and pours
I stole shoes from stores, hung out with cool cats
Put cars on flats, broke windows with bats
And that's not all, even made crank phone calls
I was flossing on Slauson and Fox Hills Mall (So whattup y'all?)
After all, please check my credentials
I once got busy in the Winchell's, yeah
So throw your hands in the air
Wave 'em around if you've been treated unfair, yeah
'Cause no one cares (about me)
No one cares (about you)
Top of the stairs, top of the stairs (yeah)

'Cause no one really cares about the guy on the bottom
No one really cares about the guy beneath
And everybody wants to be down with the dude
On top of the stairs, top of the stairs

'Cause no one really cares about the guy on the bottom
No one really cares about the guy beneath
And everybody wants to be down with the dude
On top of the stairs, top of the stairs

'Cause no one really cares about the guy on the bottom
No one really cares about the guy beneath
And everybody wants to be down with the dude
On top of the stairs, top of the stairs

'Cause no one really cares about the guy on the bottom
No one really cares about the guy beneath
And everybody wants to be down with the dude
On top of the stairs, top of the stairs

Yeah
To all my little brothers out there
It's cool to be on top, but don't ever forget where you came from
Most importantly you better remember
The little guy you step on to get on top
Is the same guy you gonna run into going back down
Yeah
Top of the stairs