How Much A Dollar Cost

Kendrick Lamar

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How Much A Dollar Cost Song Lyrics
How much a dollar really cost?
The question is detrimental, paralyzin' my thoughts
Parasites in my stomach keep me with a gut feeling, y'all
Gotta see how I'm chillin' once I park this luxury car
Hopping out feeling big as Mutombo
20 on pump six, dirty Marcellus called me Dumbo
20 years ago, I can't forget

Now I can lend all my ear into how to stack these residuals tenfold
The liberal concept of what men'll do
2006, he didn't hear me
Indigenous African only spoke Zulu
My American tongue was slurry
Walked out the gas station
A homeless man with a semi tan complexion asked me for ten Rand
Stressin' 'bout dry land
Deep water, powder blue skies that crack open
A piece of crack that he wanted, I knew he was smokin'
He begged and pleaded

Asked me to feed him twice, I didn't believe it
Told him, "Beat it"
Contributin' money just for his pipe, I couldn't see it
He said, "My son, temptation is one thing that I've defeated"
"Listen to me, I want a single bill from you"
"Nothin' less, nothin' more"

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

It's more to feed your mind
Water, sun and love, the one you love
All you need, the air you breathe

He's starin' at me in disbelief
My temper is buildin', he's starin' at me, I grab my key
He's starin' at me, I started the car then tried to leave
And somethin' told me to keep it in park until I could see
A reason why he was mad, a stranger like I was supposed to save him
Like I'm the reason he's homeless and askin' me for a favor
He's starin' at me, his eyes follow me with no laser

He's starin' at me, I notice that his stare is contagious
'Cause now I'm starin' back at him, feelin' some type of disrespect
If I could throw a bat at him, it'd be aimin' at his neck
I never understood someone beggin' for goods
Askin' for handouts, takin' it if they could
And this particular person just had it down pat
Starin' at me for the longest until he finally asked
"Have you ever opened to Exodus 14?"

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

It's more to feed your mind
Water, sun and love, the one you love
All you need, the air you breathe

Guilt trippin' and feelin' resentment
I never met a transient that demanded attention
They got me frustrated, indecisive and power trippin'
Sour emotions got me lookin' at the universe different
I should distance myself, I should keep it relentless
My selfishness is what got me here, who the fuck I'm kiddin'?

So I'ma tell you like I told the last bum, crumbs and pennies
I need all of mines, and I recognize this type of panhandlin' all the time
I got better judgement, I know when n—'s hustlin'
Keep in mind, when I was strugglin', I did compromise
Now I comprehend, I smell grandpa's old medicine
Reekin' from your skin, moonshine and gin
Nigga you're babblin', your words ain't flatterin', I'm imaginin' Denzel be lookin' at O'Neal
Kazaam is sad thrills, your gimmick is mediocre, the jig is up
I seen you from a mile away losin' focus
And I'm insensitive, and I lack empathy

He looked at me and said, "Your potential is bittersweet"
I looked at him and said, "Every nickel is mines to keep"
He looked at me and said, "Know the truth, it'll set you free"
"You're lookin' at the Messiah, the son of Jehovah, the Higher Power"
"The choir that spoke the word, the Holy Spirit, the nerve of Nazareth"
"And I'll tell you just how much a dollar cost"
"The price of having a spot in Heaven, embrace your loss, I am God"

I wash my hands, I said my grace, what more do you want from me?
Tears of a clown, guess I'm not all what is meant to be
Shades of gray will never change if I condone, oh yeah
Turn this page, help me change, so right my wrong
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