Roots

[Verse 1]
Welcome to the fashion show
Fuck what you did to earn it
Tell me who you know
Sign the contract so you can't leave us when you grow
We own you now, make no mistake
Better look them in the eye, do what they say, for your career's sake
Who do you think you are?
Would you change everything about yourself just to be a star?
Pucker up, just to get an audition
(Suck-up)
Now here's a mint for all that ass you'll be kissing

[Chorus]
We're going back to our old ways
Everything was gold days
Where have they gone?
Where are they?
Now we see that you were leading us along
To a place we don't belong
Put smiles on all the wrong faces
End up in all the wrong places
Now we see that you were leading us along
We're going back to our old ways

[Verse 2]
Let me remind you not to forget who we're writing these songs for
You're just a pawn on the industry chess board
Navigating conversations
Leave the truth under your hat
If you say what's on your mind
Boy, they're gonna remember that
We made you
We gave you a shot
We're the only friends you got
Now give us what we want, whether you like it or not
Write something to make us look good for the suits
Fuck music politics
I'm going back to my roots

[Chorus]
We're going back to our old ways
Everything was gold days
Where have they gone?
Where are they?
Now we see that you were leading us along
To a place we don't belong
Put smiles on all the wrong faces
End up in all the wrong places
Now we see that you were leading us along
We're going back to our old ways

[Bridge]
Freedom is a feeling that I can't recall
Might as well be writing all my songs on a prison wall
Now I see past all the mirrors and smoke
I gave my whole life away with a pen stroke

[Verse 3]
Lining your pockets on the backs of the artists
Thrown away because my song never charted
You promised!
Glory and fame
Remember my name
But when it didn't work out
I'm left with the shame of being
Another washed up has-been, never-was
Still the label gets its cut, like it always does
Lived a lifetime with your foot on my neck
Fuck the contract
I'm taking back what life I have left

[Chorus]
We're going back to our old ways
Everything was gold days
Where have they gone?
Where are they?
Now we see that you were leading us along
To a place we don't belong
Put smiles on all the wrong faces
End up in all the wrong places
Now we see that you were leading us along
We're going back to our old ways

[Outro]
We're going back to our old ways
Everything was gold days
Where have they gone?
Where are they?
Now we see that you were leading us along
We're going back to our old ways