WRITER STEVIE WONDER
RECORDED BY COOLIO
As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I take a look at my life and realize there`s nothin` left `Cuz I`ve been blastin` and laughin` so long, that Even my mama thinks that my mind is gone But I ain`t never crossed a man that didn`t deserve it Me be treated like a punk you know that`s unheard of You`d better watch how you`re talkin`, and where you`re walkin` Or you and your homies might be lined in chalk I really hate to trip but I gotta, know As they group I see myself in the pistol smoke, fool I`m the kinda G the little homies wanna be like On my knees in the night, sayin` prayers in the streetlight
Chorus:
Been spending most their lives, living in the gangsta`s paradise
Been spending most their lives, living in the gangsta`s paradise
Keep spending most our lives, living in the gangsta`s paradise
Keep spending most our lives, living in the gangsta`s paradise
They got the situation, they got me facin` I can`t live a normal life, I was raised by the state So I gotta be down with the hood team Too much television watchin` got me chasin` dreams I`m a educated fool with money on my mind Got my 10 in my hand and a gleam in my eye I`m a loc`d out gangsta set trippin` banga And my homies is down so don`t arouse my anga, fool Death ain`t nothin` but a heartbeat away, I`m livin` life, do or die, what can I say I`m 23 now, will I live to see 24 the way things is goin` I don`t know Tell me why are we, so blind to see That the one`s we hurt, are you and me Been spending most their lives, living in the gangsta`s paradise Been spending most their lives, living in the gangsta`s paradise
Keep spending most our lives, living in the gangsta`s paradise Keep spending most our lives, living in the gangsta`s paradise Power and the money, money and the power Minute after minute, hour after hour Everybody`s runnin`, but half of them ain`t lookin` What`s goin` on in the kitchen, but I don`t know what`s cookin`
they say I got ta learn, but nobody`s here to teach me If they can`t understand it, how can they reach ME I guess they can`t, I guess they won`t
I guess they front, that`s why I know my life is out of luck, fool
Been spending most their lives, living in the gangsta`s paradise
Been spending most their lives, living in the gangsta`s paradise
Keep spending most our lives, living in the gangsta`s paradise
Keep spending most our lives, living in the gangsta`s paradise
Tell me why are we, so blind to see
That the one`s we hurt, are you and me
Tell me why are we, so blind to see
That the one`s we hurt, are you and me
