Lessons in What Not to Become

When I was a kid my Daddy got mad
And slammed me against the wall
Sometimes I got shook
Sometimes I got hit
For losin' my temper at all
Didn't dare say 'Look at you, man
Blowin' your stack like that'
I hadn't been taught the word 'hypocrite' yet
But I already knew what it meant
This is a lesson in what not to become
Lessons in what not to become
Sometimes that means me
Can't please everyone
Tryin' to live by a code I can stick to
I'm a fuck up just like you
But it's better than not trying at all

Early on I knew
To learn from the mistakes
Of people I most admire
Crazy-ass times
Wish I was wild
But the drugs snuffed out the fire
All that talent fried and blackened
Senile at 25
I'll never be as dope as you
But at least I'm still alive
Another lesson in what not to become
Lessons in what not to become
For some mouths that's me
Can't please everyone
Tryin' to live by a code I can stick to
Sometimes it's as easy as
Not lettin' this happen to you

Yeah, your Mum and I
Had such a great time when we your age
Makin' love, gettin' high
Wild in the streets almost every day
But now that you're that age
Just Say No®
But take your Ritalin
If you still turn out wrong
It's all your music's fault

Breaks m heart to see
When someone born to lead
Gets so paranoid they're crazy
Agree with all I say
Or you're the enemy and there ain't no in between
Drown like Ahab
Trying to slay that Great White Whale
So tied up in their own rules
People jump ship and they fail
This is a lesson in what not to become
Another lesson in what not to become
Another lesson
Lessons in what not to become
For some mouths that's me
Can't please everyone
Tryin' to live
By a code I can stick to
I ain't 100% pure
To the point of being miserable