Everlast — What It's Like
Album: Whitey Ford Sings The BluesAvg rating:
Your rating:
Total ratings: 433
Length: 5:01
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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We've all seen a man at the liquor store beggin' for your change
The hair on his face is dirty, dread-locked, and full of mange
He asks a man for what he could spare, with shame in his eyes
"Get a job, you fucking slob," is all he replies
God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in his shoes
'Cause then you really might know what it's like to sing the blues
Then you really might know what it's like
Then you really might know what it's like
Then you really might know what it's like
Then you really might know what it's like
Mary got pregnant from a kid named Tom that said he was in love
He said, "Don't worry about a thing, baby doll, I'm the man you've been dreaming of"
But three months later he say he won't date her or return her calls
And she swear, "God damn, if I find that man I'm cuttin' off his balls"
And then she heads for the clinic and she gets some static walking through the door
They call her a killer and they call her a sinner and they call her a whore
But God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in her shoes
'Cause then you really might know what it's like to have to choose
Then you really might know what it's like
Then you really might know what it's like
Then you really might know what it's like
Then you really might know what it's like
I've seen a rich man beg, I've seen a good man sin, I've seen a tough man cry
I've seen a loser win, and a sad man grin, I heard an honest man lie
I've seen the good side of bad and the downside of up and everything between
I licked the silver spoon, drank from the golden cup, and smoked the finest green
I stroked the fattest dimes at least a couple of times before I broke they heart
You know where it ends, yo, it usually depends on where you start
I knew this kid named Max, he used to get fat stacks out on the corner with drugs
He liked to hang out late, he liked to get shit-faced and keep the pace with thugs
Until late one night there was a big gun fight and Max lost his head
He pulled out his chrome .45, talked some shit, and wound up dead
Now his wife and his kids are caught in the midst of all of this pain
You know it crumbles that way, at least that's what they say when you play the game
God forbid you ever had to wake up to hear the news
'Cause then you really might know what it's like to have to lose
Then you really might know what it's like
Then you really might know what it's like
Then you really might know what it's like to have to lose
The hair on his face is dirty, dread-locked, and full of mange
He asks a man for what he could spare, with shame in his eyes
"Get a job, you fucking slob," is all he replies
God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in his shoes
'Cause then you really might know what it's like to sing the blues
Then you really might know what it's like
Then you really might know what it's like
Then you really might know what it's like
Then you really might know what it's like
Mary got pregnant from a kid named Tom that said he was in love
He said, "Don't worry about a thing, baby doll, I'm the man you've been dreaming of"
But three months later he say he won't date her or return her calls
And she swear, "God damn, if I find that man I'm cuttin' off his balls"
And then she heads for the clinic and she gets some static walking through the door
They call her a killer and they call her a sinner and they call her a whore
But God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in her shoes
'Cause then you really might know what it's like to have to choose
Then you really might know what it's like
Then you really might know what it's like
Then you really might know what it's like
Then you really might know what it's like
I've seen a rich man beg, I've seen a good man sin, I've seen a tough man cry
I've seen a loser win, and a sad man grin, I heard an honest man lie
I've seen the good side of bad and the downside of up and everything between
I licked the silver spoon, drank from the golden cup, and smoked the finest green
I stroked the fattest dimes at least a couple of times before I broke they heart
You know where it ends, yo, it usually depends on where you start
I knew this kid named Max, he used to get fat stacks out on the corner with drugs
He liked to hang out late, he liked to get shit-faced and keep the pace with thugs
Until late one night there was a big gun fight and Max lost his head
He pulled out his chrome .45, talked some shit, and wound up dead
Now his wife and his kids are caught in the midst of all of this pain
You know it crumbles that way, at least that's what they say when you play the game
God forbid you ever had to wake up to hear the news
'Cause then you really might know what it's like to have to lose
Then you really might know what it's like
Then you really might know what it's like
Then you really might know what it's like to have to lose
Comments (71)add comment
Such philosophical RP member responses conjured up by the lyrics in this song made me give it an 8.
Uncut. Pure. Powerful.
crogers wrote:
crogers, you are a wise one. Wish that more people shared your philosophy.
stunix wrote:
OK, here are some thoughts:
They are only words. Powerful, important, poignant, expressive words. The only power they have is the power that you give them. They only appear to be "swear words" to you because someone in your past convinced you that the words were somehow "bad". They are just words. Incidentally, they make you feel something, don't they? That is not a coincidence.
There is no such thing as a needless word. If you choose to imbue someone else's words with some kind of power that you have invented in your own mind, that's on you. Do you really feel that it's OK for you to insist that others censor themselves to fit your own personal barometer of acceptability? Really? Are you completely free to express yourself? Should you be? I think so. I want to hear what you really feel and I'm not afraid to hear it in any way you choose to express it.
Life's too damn short to put provisos and restrictions on communication between human beings. IMO, an overt lack of honest and open communication between groups of people continues to be at the heart of every conflict we as a race have to contend with. Any restrictions that you think you have on what you can say or how you can say it are artificial, imposed on you by some societal (or parental) "norm" that has been forced on you by those who seem to have more authority than you do. Is that really where you want to draw the line on how you express yourself... for the rest of your life? Really?
There is no such thing as too much communication. There is just fear, narcissism, zealotry and honest human words crashing against the walls of closed minds and entrenched idealism. We can do better than that. As the current iteration of the human race, we must do better than that. Good people with honest opinions need to stop being afraid to express them, must stop being afraid to hear others express them, must get over their Puritanical hang-ups and get down to the reality of life in today's world. Just words.
"It doesn't have to be like this. All we need to do is make sure we keep talking."
- Stephen Hawking
Good tune, but I down rate it for needless swearing. There is no watershed or safe harbor on a global radio station.
OK, here are some thoughts:
They are only words. Powerful, important, poignant, expressive words. The only power they have is the power that you give them. They only appear to be "swear words" to you because someone in your past convinced you that the words were somehow "bad". They are just words. Incidentally, they make you feel something, don't they? That is not a coincidence.
There is no such thing as a needless word. If you choose to imbue someone else's words with some kind of power that you have invented in your own mind, that's on you. Do you really feel that it's OK for you to insist that others censor themselves to fit your own personal barometer of acceptability? Really? Are you completely free to express yourself? Should you be? I think so. I want to hear what you really feel and I'm not afraid to hear it in any way you choose to express it.
Life's too damn short to put provisos and restrictions on communication between human beings. IMO, an overt lack of honest and open communication between groups of people continues to be at the heart of every conflict we as a race have to contend with. Any restrictions that you think you have on what you can say or how you can say it are artificial, imposed on you by some societal (or parental) "norm" that has been forced on you by those who seem to have more authority than you do. Is that really where you want to draw the line on how you express yourself... for the rest of your life? Really?
There is no such thing as too much communication. There is just fear, narcissism, zealotry and honest human words crashing against the walls of closed minds and entrenched idealism. We can do better than that. As the current iteration of the human race, we must do better than that. Good people with honest opinions need to stop being afraid to express them, must stop being afraid to hear others express them, must get over their Puritanical hang-ups and get down to the reality of life in today's world. Just words.
"It doesn't have to be like this. All we need to do is make sure we keep talking."
- Stephen Hawking
crogers, you are a wise one. Wish that more people shared your philosophy.
So... what? You think that powerful messages should be hidden behind unicorns and rainbows? What world do you live in?
I don't think this piece is hiding behind anything at all — quite the contrary; this thing is right out there, in your face, showing you (yes, you) an honest-to-goodness, real life side of our "modern" society that some people (ahem) actively choose to ignore rather than to confront, assist with, attempt to improve or even try to understand. I believe that this song was written, at least in part, so that nice folks just like you, Mr. Weasel, would have a rare opportunity to get a tiny taste for what real life is like for so many. The language fits the message and helps to portray the scene. Turn away in disgust if you must, but know that this is your world too - ignoring the powerful, repulsive messages in favor of only the feel-good ones means you're missing at least half of the story.
w3weasel wrote:
powerful messages shouldn't be hidden behind such a repulsive facade
rpdevotee wrote:
powerful messages shouldn't be hidden behind such a repulsive facade
This is a very powerful song...
Anyone listening should reserve comment before fully contemplating the message and reflecting on one's own imperfections.
Anyone listening should reserve comment before fully contemplating the message and reflecting on one's own imperfections.
powerful messages shouldn't be hidden behind such a repulsive facade
"Ayyyaaahhh toookaahh alllaah ofaah hisaah moneeeeyyyaaahhhh"
Holy early 90's vocals.
This is drek
Holy early 90's vocals.
This is drek
Smooth Groove!
This is a very powerful song...
Anyone listening should reserve comment before fully contemplating the message and reflecting on one's own imperfections.
Anyone listening should reserve comment before fully contemplating the message and reflecting on one's own imperfections.
Yep, house of pain Very nice, were those bagpipes??
Why do I hear Metallica's Whiskey In The Jar while Everlast should be playing? I'd rather hear Everlast than this pathetic cover.
stunix wrote:
"Needless"? Really?
Good tune, but I down rate it for needless swearing. There is no watershed or safe harbor on a global radio station.
"Needless"? Really?
pretty damn good album
Gonna look for my Thin Lizzy now.
Now we know know-how
Where is the use when it's just a learning curve ?
Just to get you caught red handed again.
While a gender fluid may get what he deserves
The great pretender with some nerve
Finds grammar in Amsterdam.
stunix wrote:
OK, here are some thoughts:
They are only words. Powerful, important, poignant, expressive words. The only power they have is the power that you give them. They only appear to be "swear words" to you because someone in your past convinced you that the words were somehow "bad". They are just words. Incidentally, they make you feel something, don't they? That is not a coincidence.
There is no such thing as a needless word. If you choose to imbue someone else's words with some kind of power that you have invented in your own mind, that's on you. Do you really feel that it's OK for you to insist that others censor themselves to fit your own personal barometer of acceptability? Really? Are you completely free to express yourself? Should you be? I think so. I want to hear what you really feel and I'm not afraid to hear it in any way you choose to express it.
Life's too damn short to put provisos and restrictions on communication between human beings. IMO, an overt lack of honest and open communication between groups of people continues to be at the heart of every conflict we as a race have to contend with. Any restrictions that you think you have on what you can say or how you can say it are artificial, imposed on you by some societal (or parental) "norm" that has been forced on you by those who seem to have more authority than you do. Is that really where you want to draw the line on how you express yourself... for the rest of your life? Really?
There is no such thing as too much communication. There is just fear, narcissism, zealotry and honest human words crashing against the walls of closed minds and entrenched idealism. We can do better than that. As the current iteration of the human race, we must do better than that. Good people with honest opinions need to stop being afraid to express them, must stop being afraid to hear others express them, must get over their Puritanical hang-ups and get down to the reality of life in today's world. Just words.
"It doesn't have to be like this. All we need to do is make sure we keep talking."
- Stephen Hawking
Good tune, but I down rate it for needless swearing. There is no watershed or safe harbor on a global radio station.
OK, here are some thoughts:
They are only words. Powerful, important, poignant, expressive words. The only power they have is the power that you give them. They only appear to be "swear words" to you because someone in your past convinced you that the words were somehow "bad". They are just words. Incidentally, they make you feel something, don't they? That is not a coincidence.
There is no such thing as a needless word. If you choose to imbue someone else's words with some kind of power that you have invented in your own mind, that's on you. Do you really feel that it's OK for you to insist that others censor themselves to fit your own personal barometer of acceptability? Really? Are you completely free to express yourself? Should you be? I think so. I want to hear what you really feel and I'm not afraid to hear it in any way you choose to express it.
Life's too damn short to put provisos and restrictions on communication between human beings. IMO, an overt lack of honest and open communication between groups of people continues to be at the heart of every conflict we as a race have to contend with. Any restrictions that you think you have on what you can say or how you can say it are artificial, imposed on you by some societal (or parental) "norm" that has been forced on you by those who seem to have more authority than you do. Is that really where you want to draw the line on how you express yourself... for the rest of your life? Really?
There is no such thing as too much communication. There is just fear, narcissism, zealotry and honest human words crashing against the walls of closed minds and entrenched idealism. We can do better than that. As the current iteration of the human race, we must do better than that. Good people with honest opinions need to stop being afraid to express them, must stop being afraid to hear others express them, must get over their Puritanical hang-ups and get down to the reality of life in today's world. Just words.
"It doesn't have to be like this. All we need to do is make sure we keep talking."
- Stephen Hawking
Great song, though it's a little weird to hear it without every other word bleeped out.
Tippster wrote:
Still crushingly relevant. Screw the haters, this is a GREAT song.
Good tune, but I down rate it for needless swearing. There is no watershed or safe harbor on a global radio station.
Still crushingly relevant. Screw the haters, this is a GREAT song.
Like it! sounds like Metallica!
An instant 9 when it came out, on the way to a rare 10 even after 17+ years.
trailhead wrote:
Interesting, 'cause I could have sworn that this was played fairly regularly here. It's a good song with great lyrics but I'd prefer to hear another tune from Everlast at this point.
Wow first time in more than 8 years.
Bill must have Ferguson and Staten Island on his mind.
Bill must have Ferguson and Staten Island on his mind.
Interesting, 'cause I could have sworn that this was played fairly regularly here. It's a good song with great lyrics but I'd prefer to hear another tune from Everlast at this point.
Wow first time in more than 8 years.
Bill must have Ferguson and Staten Island on his mind.
Bill must have Ferguson and Staten Island on his mind.
Pipes wrote:
Interesting what you call necessary because I am able to deduce what the edited words are. I'm not offended by the profanity but would not want my children listening to it. Is your vocabulary such that you cannot convey a strong message without profanity? Hopefully your children will learn enough profanity in school that they are able to communicate with you in the manner in which you are accustomed.
YIKES!
You all would be singing a different tune if this white boy dropped the N word as easily as he drops the others. Artisic integrity would count for nothing in that case, I would bet. You'd have him on a stake instead of a cross.
toker wrote:
It would be a shame if we were unable to explain to our children why certain words bothered us.
This is hard to believe coming from someone named 'toker'.
Pipes wrote:
Interesting what you call necessary because I am able to deduce what the edited words are. I'm not offended by the profanity but would not want my children listening to it. Is your vocabulary such that you cannot convey a strong message without profanity? Hopefully your children will learn enough profanity in school that they are able to communicate with you in the manner in which you are accustomed.
But this song isn't really that profane. A quick listen actually reveals 1 F-bomb and two $#!Ts. And a GD if you really count that one, I don't. But in the edited one you also lose (that I can remember off the top of my head from when this was played on the radio) are: Balls, Whore, Green, Drugs (I think this one was gone in the radio edit), 45. I remember there being a lot more 'bleeps' but cant remember any more.
toker wrote:
It would be a shame if we were unable to explain to our children why certain words bothered us.
We'll be too busy simply telling our children that certain words are inherently bad, socially unacceptable, etc. The why is explained by, "well, they're just bad words." Just like our parents told us. Some kind of dubious evolution has occurred-it was decided at some point that certain words are offensive and that "fact" has been perpetuated. The more you ponder it, the more absurd it really is.
Mugro wrote:
Your inappropriate is my appropriate. The obscenities in this song are NECESSARY to convey the message of the song. The radio edit drains this song of any strength that the album version has.
I completely agree (hey something Mugro and I agree on!) this song makes so much more sense in the unedited version. It's not a glorification of the violece it depicts, unlike a lot of gansta rap, it's a truly heart wrenching depiction of human beings at their most desperate and depraved.
This is one of the few rap songs that I really like. Great lyrics. I especially love the line "You know where it ends, it usually depends on where you start." So true. Anyway, glad to hear this on RP.
Pipes wrote:
Interesting what you call necessary because I am able to deduce what the edited words are. I'm not offended by the profanity but would not want my children listening to it. Is your vocabulary such that you cannot convey a strong message without profanity? Hopefully your children will learn enough profanity in school that they are able to communicate with you in the manner in which you are accustomed.
Necessary is completely irrelevent. The songwriters chose specific words for their lyrics. Broadcast radio plays an edited version rather than be slapped with fines by the FCC; RP is under no such contraints, and can therefore play the song the way it's written. If you don't approve of them for yourself or your children, it's your choice not to listen to the song or buy the album, that's all.
Another case of mere good intentions not being enough to make a listenable song. toker wrote:
It would be a shame if we were unable to explain to our children why certain words bothered us.
Why?
hells yeah, bitches.
love a little variety in here.
LaundryDetergent wrote:
Did they play this song by accident? It does not belong on RP.
I don't mind it once in awhile. Nothing wrong with it at all.
This is a steaming turd of a song.
Censorship is ridiculous. You can't say whore but you can blow up as many people as you want. You can't make love, but you can show rape. Hypocritical and insulting to a person's intelligence.
It would be a shame if we were unable to explain to our children why certain words bothered us.
Did they play this song by accident? It does not belong on RP.
Mugro wrote:
Your inappropriate is my appropriate. The obscenities in this song are NECESSARY to convey the message of the song. The radio edit drains this song of any strength that the album version has.
Please remember that your audio player has a mute button. Use it and spare the rest of us of being forced to listen to the neutered version of this song. Afterall, who appointed you as Commissioner of the FCC??
Interesting what you call necessary because I am able to deduce what the edited words are. I'm not offended by the profanity but would not want my children listening to it. Is your vocabulary such that you cannot convey a strong message without profanity? Hopefully your children will learn enough profanity in school that they are able to communicate with you in the manner in which you are accustomed.
Geecheeboy wrote:
Wish you had played the radio edit. Bill says it's ok with him if we play RP in our office or store yet over the top profanity is not appropriate for office or store, any more than it is appropriate to yell obscenities in public. Childish. Adolescent indeed.
Your inappropriate is my appropriate. The obscenities in this song are NECESSARY to convey the message of the song. The radio edit drains this song of any strength that the album version has.
Please remember that your audio player has a mute button. Use it and spare the rest of us of being forced to listen to the neutered version of this song. Afterall, who appointed you as Commissioner of the FCC??
Wish you had played the radio edit. Bill says it's ok with him if we play RP in our office or store yet over the top profanity is not appropriate for office or store, any more than it is appropriate to yell obscenities in public. Childish. Adolescent indeed.
the_bink wrote:
Thanks for not playing the radio edit.
No kidding. I'm not a big fan of this song but there is NOTHING worse than the radio edit. All the bleeps, scratches, reeeees, whooooops, and other strange noises is incredibly annoying. Not sure why they even bothering playing the song with half the lyrics removed.
dmax wrote:
Nuh UH.
Yuh, HUH! No way, dude! I TOTALLY hate this song beyond all possible hatedom. Don't even.
Most excellant Mr Bill !!
dmax wrote:
Man, I super hate this tune. Adolescent emo.
Oh yeah? I hate it more than you do.
good song. Got to see him live few yrs back. Very good, turntables and all.
Where'd this come from?
None of his other stuff I've heard comes within 100 yards of how good this. These lines are amazing
I've seen a rich man beg
I've seen a good man sin
I've seen a tough man cry
I've seen a loser win
And a sad man grin
I heard an honest man lie
I've seen the good side of bad
And the down side of up
And everything between
I licked the silver spoon
Drank from the golden cup
Smoked the finest green
I stroked daddies dimes at least a couple of times
Before I broke their heart
You know where it ends
Yo, it usually depends on where you start
I like.
It must not have been overplayed on French radio. 
So amazingly underrated. Everlast kicks ass. More, please.
I feel like I'm in Ninth Grade again. Hooray? 
jah_blessed wrote:
give me a break!
meghan89 wrote:
Must be a glitch in the playlist system. Did someone hack RP again?
really...are we in the twilight zone?...... give me a break!
meghan89 wrote:What the hell is going on here? Did someone hit Bill over the head with his laptop and put this on?
Bill - come back and let us know you're all right and that you never meant to play this. Maybe we should call a doctor?
ROLFING
I've been unfortunate enough to hear this twice on RP. This is one of those "outliers" that happens on occasion.
Thanks for not playing the radio edit. For me, the downfall of Toronto radio was when cfny started to play radio edits of (some) songs. Oh yeah, the morning in '91 when I woke up to Bob Jovi didn't help.
Anyway, thanks again Bill, awsome selection of music. Shame I can't listen in the car.
Must be a glitch in the playlist system. Did someone hack RP again?
gjeeg wrote:
A 90's classic. Insightful, empathetic. real.
Catchy. A good "who do you think you are?" morality tale.
Morality tale? hmm, I don't know about that. I would rather say that is a well put critique to some hypocritical morality values that seem to be still valid and authoritative. Anyway, I concur that is certainly a 90's classic, overplayed or not. Thank god Everlast was careful to put some good music out and not only do bad (baaaaad) duets with Santana.
Remember this guy jumping around with House Of Pain :-) 
Very over played, but it is a great song. Its well written and catchy. This song is a good example of commercial radio. It can ruin a good thing. What a shame. This song deserves more than a 5.9 rating.
Awfully nice not to have those annoying edits. I'm not a big proponent of rough language, but it makes it worse to hear bleeps and chops.
A 90's classic. Insightful, empathetic. real.
Catchy. A good "who do you think you are?" morality tale.
...A little Neil Diamond, then some Mich Gerber and now Everlast. This is EXactly why I love RP!!!
Wow. Never heard the uncut version of this song. Love it.
haha, haven't heard this in years and apparently I still hate it, very much. 
What the hell is going on here? Did someone hit Bill over the head with his laptop and put this on?
Bill - come back and let us know you're all right and that you never meant to play this. Maybe we should call a doctor?
Everlast - What It's Like Lyrics
We've all seen the man at the liquor store beggin' for your change
The hair on his face is dirty, dreadlocked and full of mange
He ask the man for what he could spare with shame in his eyes
Get a job you f**kin' slob's all he replied
God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in his shoes
'Cause then you really might know what it's like to sing the blues
Then you really might know what it's like (X4)
Mary got pregnant from a kid named Tom who said he was in love
He said don't worry about a thing baby doll I'm the man you've been dreamin' of
But three months later he said he won't date her or return her call
And she sweared god damn if I find that man I'm cuttin' off his balls
And then she heads for the clinic and she gets some static walkin' through the doors
They call her a killer, and they call her a sinner, and they call her a whore
God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in her shoes
'Cause then you really might know what it's like to have to choose
Then you really might know what it's like (X4)
I've seen a rich man beg
I've seen a good man sin
I've seen a tough man cry
I've seen a loser win
And a sad man grin
I heard an honest man lie
I've seen the good side of bad
And the down side of up
And everything between
I licked the silver spoon
Drank from the golden cup
Smoked the finest green
I stroked daddies dimes at least a couple of times
Before I broke their heart
You know where it ends
Yo, it usually depends on where you start
I knew this kid named Max
He used to get fat stacks out on the corner with drugs
He liked to hang out late at night
Liked to get shit faced
And keep pace with thugs
Until late one night there was a big gun fight
Max lost his head
He pulled out his chrome. 45
Talked some shit
And wound up dead
Now his wife and his kids are caught in the midst of all of his pain
You know it crumbles that way
At least that's what they say when you play the game
God forbid you ever had to wake up to hear the news
'Cause then you really might know what it's like to have to lose
Then you really might know what it's like (X4) To have to lose...
The non-edited version, a refreshing departure from what I've heard in the past.
Overplayed for a time, but so much more meaningful when not chopped to hell for radio.
I like this song, 7.
9 all day long for the message and groove.
Long Live RP!!