How Much A Dollar Cost Lyrics - Kendrick Lamar

1 How much a dollar really cost?

2 The question is detrimental, paralyzin' my thoughts

3 Parasites in my stomach keep me with a gut feeling, y'all

4 Gotta see how I’m chillin' once I park this luxury car

5 Hopping out, feeling big as Mutombo

6 Twenty on pump six, dirty Marcellus called me Dumbo

7 Twenty years ago, can't forget, now I can lend all my ear or two

8 How to stack these residuals tenfold, the liberal concept of what men'll do

9 Twenty on six, he didn't hear me

10 Indigenous African only spoke Zulu, my American tongue was slurry

11 Walked out the gas station, a homeless man with a semi-tan complexion

12 Asked me for ten 'rand, stressin' about dry land

13 Deep water, powder blue skies that crack open

14 A piece of crack that he wanted, I knew he was smokin', he begged and pleaded

15 Asked me to feed him twice, I didn't believe it, told him, "Beat it"

16 Contributin' money just for his pipe, I couldn't see it

17 He said, "My son, temptation is one thing that I've defeated

18 Listen to me, I want a single bill from you, nothin' less, nothin' more"

19 I told him I ain't have it and closed my door, tell me how much a dollar cost

20 It's more to feed your mind

21 Water, sun, and love, the one you love

22 All you need, the air you breathe

23 He's starin' at me in disbelief

24 My temper is buildin', he's starin' at me, I grab my key

25 He's starin' at me, I started the car, then I tried to leave

26 And somethin' told me to keep it in park until I could see

27 The reason why he was mad at a stranger like I was supposed to save him

28 Like I'm the reason he's homeless and askin' me for a favor

29 He's starin' at me, his eyes followed me with no laser

30 He's starin' at me, I notice that his stare is contagious

31 'Cause now I'm starin' back at him, feelin' some type of disrespect

32 If I could throw a bat at him, it'd be aimin' at his neck

33 I never understood someone beggin' for goods

34 Askin' for handouts, takin' it if they could

35 And this particular person just had it down pat

36 Starin' at me for the longest until he finally asked

37 "Have you ever opened up Exodus 14?

38 A humble man is all that we ever need, tell me how much a dollar cost"

39 It's more to feed your mind

40 Water, sun, and love, the one you love

41 All you need, the air you breathe

42 Guilt trippin' and feelin' resentment

43 I never met a transient that demanded attention

44 They got me frustrated, indecisive, and power trippin'

45 Sour emotions got me lookin' at the universe different

46 I should distance myself, I should keep it relentless

47 My selfishness is what got me here, who the fuck I'm kiddin'?

48 So I'mma tell you like I told the last bum

49 Crumbs and pennies, I need all of mines

50 And I recognize this type of panhandlin' all the time

51 I got better judgement, I know when nigga's hustlin', keep in mind

52 When I was strugglin', I did compromise, now I comprehend

53 I smell grandpa's old medicine reekin' from your skin

54 Moonshine and gin, nigga you're babblin', your words ain't flatterin'

55 I'm imaginin' Denzel but lookin' at O'Neal

56 Kazaam is sad thrills, your gimmick is mediocre

57 The jig is up, I seen you from a mile away losin' focus

58 And I'm insensitive, and I lack empathy

59 He looked at me and said, "Your potential is bittersweet"

60 I looked at him and said, "Every nickel is mines to keep"

61 He looked at me and said, "Know the truth, it'll set you free

62 You're lookin' at the Messiah, the son of Jehovah, the higher power

63 The choir that spoke the word, the Holy Spirit

64 The nerve of Nazareth, and I'll tell you just how much a dollar cost

65 The price of having a spot in Heaven, embrace your loss, I am God"

66 I wash my hands, I said my grace, what more do you want from me?

67 Tears of a clown, guess I'm not all what is meant to be

68 Shades of grey will never change if I condone

69 Turn this page, help me change, so right my wrongs