This version of Tha Payroll (Stay Strong) was released by Michael Franti & Spearhead in 1997.
Our About Michael Franti & Spearhead page at Decade Lyrics includes the
Here's more interesting things in songs and lyrics tied to Michael Franti & Spearhead or about the 1990s in general.
Gramma this one’s for you (stay strong)
(He’s strong!)
Mama Mama Mama Mama I couldn’t say “No”
(So strong!)
Got sick and tired of seein’ brothers being treated ill
(He’s strong!)
They say to chill, they say my homey’s not available
(Stay strong!)
I hear Mama they got him working on tha Payroll
(She’s strong!)
Mama Mama Mama Mama I couldn’t say “No”
(So strong!)
Got sick and tired of seein’ sistas being treated ill
(She’s strong!)
They say to chill, they say my homegirl’s not available
(Stay strong!)
I hear Mama they got her working on tha Payroll
At 21 the brother “Smooth” he got a record deal
been working hard been writin’ songs about the things he feels
he says it’s real, ’cause I got bills, but I got skills
my deck is stacked, if I could only get my shit on wax
when it was ripe he took his tape up to the rec execs
they smoked cigars and rolled their eye’s at him behind their specs
your shit is phat but I don’t hear it in the format Jack
what’s all this black crap check page twenty one of your contract
A friend of mine Roberta she got a job at the post office
she was college edjamacated but got fired up at the law office
I’m all alone two kids at home, I need a job just any job
so I can get back on my feet like Tina “T”(urner)
the boss came up to her said, “why don’t you come home with me”
I’d like to see you take off your clothes for me
she said “No way man!”
he said “You don’t understand”
“You lose your life, you lose your job if you don’t do this shift!”
I met a black man who became a police officer
officer, officer, officer, officer, officer, overseer
he tried to tell me it was the only job available
either rob or join the mob ’cause I’m not salable
one night he went out on an undercover sting-ing
bought some smack tried to break the heroin ring-ring
Two cops white cops saw juggling goin’ down
they spilled his brain like homey the fuckin’ clown
(He’s gone!)
Mama Mama Mama Mama I couldn’t say no
got sick and tired of seein’ people bein’ treated ill
picked up my nines, walked up from behind
tapped two of them on the neck so I could meet their eyes direct
Pom! Pom!
I didn’t do it for tha payroll
Want more lyrics and songs by Michael Franti & Spearhead?
Michael Franti & Spearhead has released many songs over the years besides
If you're a fan of the music of the 1990s looking for more songs from 1997 or the 1990s overall, you've come to the right place!
More Songs & Lyrics by Michael Franti & Spearhead
- 100,000 Miles (1994)
- Caught Without An Umbrella (1994)
- Crime To Be Broke In America (1994)
- Dream Team (1994)
- Hole In The Bucket (1994)
- Home (1994)
- Love Is Da Shit (1994)
- Of Course You Can (1994)
- People In Tha Middle (1994)
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- Piece O’ Peace (1994)
- Positive (1994)
- Red Beans & Rice (1994)
- Runfayalife (1994)
- Africa On Line (1997)
- Chocolate Supa Highway (1997)
- Comin’ To Gitcha (1997)
- Food For Tha Masses (1997)
- Ganja Babe (1997)
- Gas Gauge (The World’s In Your Hands) (1997)
- Keep Me Lifted (1997)
- Madness In Tha Hood (Free Ride) (1997)
- Rebel Music (3 O’Clock Roadblock) (1997)
- U Can’t Sing R Song (1997)
- Water Pistol Man (Chocolate Mix) (1997)
- Wayfaring Stranger (1997)
- Why Oh Why (1997)
- Do Ya Love (2001)
- Every Single Soul (2001)
- Listener Supported (2001)
- Love’ll Set Me Free (2001)
- Oh My God (2001)
- Rock The Nation (2001)
- Skin On The Drum (2001)
- Sometimes (2001)
- Soulshine (2001)
- Speaking Of Tongues (2001)
- Stay Human (All The Freaky People) (2001)
- Thank You (2001)
- We Don’t Mind (2001)
Visit our Michael Franti & Spearhead profile for more Michael Franti & Spearhead songs, lyrics & info!
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