Artist: Random Album: Heroes Volume One Song: Hand Me Downs (Inspired By Marvin Gaye) Typed by: jostmatt at bluewin dot ch [ VERSE 1: Random ] 'Yo I remember Marvin Gaye used to sing to me He had me feelin like black was the thing to be' And suddenly the ghetto didn't seem so hard We didn't need no job, we still beat those odds I'm a dreamer, at least that's what mama be sayin I mix work and play, she got no time to be playin I was tryina be patient, let life come to me And envisioned the day that we be livin comfortably But it never did happen, not for me or the crew So they took to the corner, made it do what it do Started off with the nicks, then moved to the dimes Put so many in they pocket in like two week's time They ( ? ) in my grill, but I was still chill They would say that I was gettin my clothes from Good Will Well all I do is laugh it off As we ( ? ) to the board or played basketball They had the new tennis shoes, but to me it was the same Cause to me those kicks didn't improve they game 'Freakin brothers every way' - Nah, that was Ice Cube Had no problem with drugs till it took one of my dudes It's like braggin on havin the best casket You gotta be dead, so do it even matter? Come back to the block and they can't be found So I was glad I was content with my hand me downs You know [ CHORUS: Random ] Socks to shoes, pops to moms What's mine is yours, what's yours is mine You're my brother, so even if you can't be found It's all good, I take those hand me downs From shirts to hats, even a couple dollars Whatever you need holler, I got you, it ain't a bother Cause I know if mines can't be found You'll be there with a hand me down Now that's what's up [ VERSE 2: Random ] I just lost my job over some bull The boss said I'm expendable cause I ain't had no pull Dude couldn't even tell me to my face Sent me a little letter on my desk with a gold lace What am I to tell my wife, what she gon' tell me? I just bought a TV with DLB 60 flat screen, been attractin Lots of attention, but if I ain't gettin that green We can't keep none, but it's no refunds Thought it was sweet, hon, now look what we done But she ain't buyin that cause it was me I was the one in the store sayin, "Baby trust me" Cause I thought I had job security ( ? ) my authority But at least I can tell my man Spill my guts and he'll tell me, "I understand" [ CHORUS: Random ] [ VERSE 3: Random ] I remember Marvin Gaye used to sing to me He had me feelin like free was the thing to be Cause that was a brother that was breakin the mold A true artist that had taken control Because he had the voice and conviction that could shake the soul And even though the industry had taken its toll Dude refused to be less than Marvin Even if it meant the label kept him starvin But it just wouldn't happen cause he was too gifted It taught me that true talent shouldn't be shifted And maybe if rappers was more like that With less fallin in line and more fightin back Then maybe we could recognize our true worth Cause all diamonds get found underneath the earth So in that case underground ain't so bad And true blue music just ain't no fad When I started I wanted to be a rapper Not really an artist cause I was just a novice Influenced by the greats with successful careers Used to look at 'em as my heroes and now they my peers So even though so many can't be found I'm greatful to accept y'all hand me downs I said even they can't be found I'm greatful to accept y'all hand me downs Ya heard [ CHORUS: Random ]