“Hard Out Here” is the lead single from Raye’s upcoming first studio album “My 21st Century Blues”, as well as her first solo release since her 2021 separation with Polydor Records. The song was released on June 30, 2022.
[Intro]
After years and fears and smiling through my tears
All I ask of you is open your ears
'Cause the truth ain't pretty my dear
It's been dark, been hard out–
[Verse 1]
Uh
On my way, figured a way, figured a way out
My pen is a gun, pen is a gun, I'm finna spray now
He said I was out, said I was done, look at his face now
Hm, hm, ah, uh, ah, uh
Tell them boys, feeling them boys, meet at the stake house
I been a mess, so I'm in a dress and I got my cakes out
Sleeping on her, sleeping on me, I'm in your face now
Hm, no, no, no, no, no
[Verse 2]
What you know about hustling?
As a young girl (Young girl) in the dungeons (Dungeons)
What you know about making amends?
With the devils in your face you must pretend
Uh, ah
[Verse 3]
CR0, I'm from the ends but I'm a actor
Smile in your face all of thе pricks, all of the wankers
I had to chill, smoke it away, managе my anger
[Verse 4]
Ooh, what you know about systems?
About drugged drinks, fucking nearly dying from addictions
You start to wonder why I'm Christian
Without the Lord, I'd take my life for all the times I've been a victim
Oh, no weapon formed against me shall ever prosper
[Chorus]
Baby, I bounce, baby, I bounce, baby, I bounce back
Baby, I bounce back (Bounce, bounce, bounce back)
Baby, I bounce, baby, I bounce, baby, I bounce back
Hm, no weapon formed against me shall ever prosper
Baby, I bounce, baby, I bounce, baby, I bounce back
Baby, I bounce back (Bounce, bounce, bounce back)
Baby, I bounce, baby, I bounce, baby, I bounce back
No weapon formed against me shall ever
[Verse 5]
All the white men CEOs, fuck your privilege
Get your pink chubby hands of my mouth, fuck you think this is?
I told my lawyer stand by (War), there is no wrath like a woman scorned
Uh, now I bet you wish
[Verse 6]
Baby, I bounce, baby, I bounce, baby, I bounce back
Devil's a liar, I am the guy, call me the Conrad
I been too nice, triple the price, pay me the whole bag
These motherfuckers cheatin' on me, am I a wag? Never again
Top of the day, top of the day, top of the day to you
This LP's full of the shit I'm gonna say to you, ooh
See how I flow when I'm in pain, I'm gonna pray for you
Then I'ma aim for you, and it's a shame for you, shame for you
[Verse 7]
Oh yeah
What you know about violence? I'm on smoke now
Babe, I think it's time to cut the violins
Can't see you, I'm looking at the inside of my eyelids
I'll never stop fighting, all in God's timing
[Bridge]
Timing
And I'm about to have these grown men crying (Cry-, hm, -ing)
You wasn't trying, you was sitting on diamonds (Hm)
You gon' have to see me now, I'm shining, hyped up, blinding
Very fucking frightening, all these lies, now I see it so clear
See for girls like me from the bottom of the tier
Believe that it’s always been hard out here
[Chorus]
Baby, I bounce, baby, I bounce, baby, I bounce back
Baby, I bounce back (Bounce, bounce, bounce back)
Baby, I bounce, baby, I bounce, baby, I bounce back
Hm, No weapon formed against me shall ever prosper
Baby, I bounce, baby, I bounce, baby, I bounce back
Baby, I bounce back (Bounce, bounce, bounce back)
Baby, I bounce, baby, I bounce, baby, I bounce back
No weapon formed against me shall ever prosper
Hard Out Here. was written by RAYE & Mike Sabath & Justin Tranter & Brandon Colbein.
Hard Out Here. was produced by Mike Sabath.
RAYE released Hard Out Here. on Thu Jun 30 2022.
I had no idea what was in store for me, but my mind was on fire. I wanted this chapter to be as authentic as possible and tell my story without worrying about the opinion of one or the other. These are visceral feelings that I needed to externalize to find myself as an artist. Writing “Hard Out Here...