TELL THE TRUTH

Track 2 on WE ARE

Producers

May. 11, 20201 viewer

TELL THE TRUTH Lyrics

[Verse 1]
My daddy had a small house up on the east side (Alright)
Willy down the block threw me the peace sign (Oh, yeah)
Moved to the big city, now we sitting killing (Alright)
My daddy growed up, when times was hard and gritty (Oh, yeah)

[Pre-Chorus]
Whether looking for love?
Are you looking for fame?
Before you go off
Better know the game

[Chorus]
He said, tell it like it is (Tell the truth)
Live how you live (I'm talkin' to you)
When you're doing what you do
Just tell the truth (Tell the truth)
Tell it like it is (Tell the truth)
Love how you live (I'm talkin' to you)
When you're doing what you do, da-da-da-da
Just tell the truth

[Verse 2]
I'm thinking 'bout my papa
Now that I'm a star (Alright)
Lost in translation
People all across the nation (Oh, yeah)
Just say it, plain and simple
Amongst the complications (No lie)

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[Pre-Chorus]
I'm packing all my sneakers
I never had a car
Before you drive off, yeah
Better know who you are

[Chorus]
He said, tell it like it is (Tell the truth)
Live how you live (I'm talkin' to you)
When you're doing what you do
Tell the truth (Tell the truth)
He said, just tell it like it is (Tell the truth)
Love how you live (I'm talkin' to you)
When you're doing what you do, ow!

[Bridge]
Just tell the truth (Tell the truth)
Just tell the truth (Tell the truth)
Just tell the truth (Tell the truth)
Ooh, ooh, ow!

[Chorus]
Tell it like it is (Tell the truth)
Live how you live (I'm talkin' to you)
When you're doing what you do
I said, just tell it like it is (Tell the truth)
Love how you live (I'm talkin' to you)
When you're doing what you do
When you do it, be you, be you, be you

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What did Jon Batiste say about "TELL THE TRUTH"?

Jon Baptiste:

We recorded it at the legendary Sound City recording studios [in Los Angeles]. All of us were in the same room at the same time, and it was done in one take. James Gadson, who plays the drums, played with Bill Withers and on all the classic records with the Jackson 5. He’s a living legend who still plays like he was in his prime. It’s about the advice that my dad told me when I was 17 years old, when I left New Orleans to move to New York and go to Juilliard to start my career. He told me to stay true to who I am, no matter what you’re looking for, no matter what you’re looking to do.

– via Apple Music

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