Latchkey

Guess it's all about perspective
I grew up thinking we were good
We were rich...
Then I look back..like...wow
It was really a struggle
It's crazy

Parents be like "do what I say, not what I do,"
That's the clearance to proceed and go and act a fool
I used to sneak sips of brew
Brag about it to the kids at school
Pretending that my momma never cared about
My well being or whereabouts
Family arguments, no shame, I would air it out
My intention was immersion
But it was obvious that my acting out
Was serving as diversions
Think the year was maybe 9-1
Mom had two jobs when most couldn't find one
And I got A's without effort
While all the other homies would stray without shepherds
They say the devil's playground is idle time
So I would stay around the house, try to write a rhyme
Mom got in round 6AM
And if my homework wasn't out, it was mayhem
Even if we had none I would tell her that I had some
And go and get some math done
No dad, cause he up and split
We open up the oven door to heat up the crib
Cold; wasn't an athlete
Only time I ran was to avoid
Getting my ass beat
Trying to make friends with all the bad see
11 years old with acne
They call me the Latchkey Kid
And there it is

CHORUS
You better come straight home
Anybody knocks on the door, just say
Keep the living room straight, don't touch that stove
And don't let anybody tell you we broke
You better come straight home
Anybody knocks on the door, just say
Keep the living room straight, don't touch that stove
And don't let anybody tell you we broke
Cause we gon' be alright

It was almost instant respect
To see a shiny Kwikset key around a kid's neck
That meant he had the house to himself
Which almost meant he outgrew the belt
And I was truly raised by a village
Cause if they caught me slippin' I would get it
Inexplicably so frickin hard headed
Then when my mom came home she hit me harder
Made the beating double
Every day borrow sugar from the neighbor's house
Watching TV over there because our cable's out
My Game Boy it was my prized posession
Everyday I learned quick how to dodge a question
Like, "Y'all aight? I know your moms is stressing"
She would say that every setback provides a less
Gas bills in collection
Supply Side Economics got us all regressing
And I'm armed with nothing with my ambition
We ain't poor, just in transition
Up in church with my hands risen
Praying lord can you hear my transmission
Forgive my transgressions...
Same story as last week
It's kinda funny if you ask me
How poverty can make you mad deep
And in the corner that's me
12 year old with acne they called me the Latchkey
Kid

CHORUS
You better come straight home
Anybody knocks on the door, just say
Keep the living room straight, don't touch that stove
And don't let anybody tell you we broke
You better come straight home
Anybody knocks on the door, just say
Keep the living room straight, don't touch that stove
And don't let anybody tell you we broke
Cause we gon' be alright