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What it's like: Everlasting empathy

By Jim Chen

It has been ten years since Everlast issued What It's Like, but the song still resonates. Even more so in a hotly contested political season that coincides with some of the toughest economic times in recent American history.

Everlast, What It's Like , Whitey Ford Sings the Blues (1998)

We've all seen the man at the liquor store begging for your change The hair on his face is dirty, dreadlocked, and full of mange He asks the man for what he can spare with shame in his eyes Get a job you fucking slob is all he replied. God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in his shoes 'Cause then you really might know what it's like to sing the blues Then you really might know what it's like [x4] Mary got pregnant from a kid named Tom who said he was in love He said don't worry about a thing baby doll I'm the man you've been dreaming of But three months later he said he won't date her or return her calls And she swears God damn if I find that man I'm cutting off his balls And she heads for the clinic and she gets some static walking through the door They call her a killer, and they call her a sinner, and they call her a whore God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in her shoes 'Cause then you really might know what it's like to have to choose Then you really might know what it's like [x4] I've seen a rich man beg I've seen a good man sin I've seen a tough man cry I've seen a loser win And a sad man grin I heard an honest man lie I've seen the good side of bad And the down side of up And everything between I licked the silver spoon Drank from the golden cup Smoked the finest green I stroked the daddy's dimes at least a couple of times Before I broke their heart You know where it ends Yo, it usually depends on where you start I knew this kid named Max He used to get fat stacks on the corner with drugs He liked to hang out late, he liked to get shit faced, and keep pace with thugs Until late one night there was a big gun fight and Max lost his head He pulled out his chrome .45, talked some shit, and wound up dead Now his wife and his kids are caught in the midst of all of his pain You know it crumbles that way At least that's what they say, when you play the game God forbid you ever had to wake up to hear the news 'Cause then you really might know what it's like to have to lose Then you really might know what it's like [x3] To have to lose . . . .

Full post as published by Jurisdynamics on June 12, 2008 (boomark / email).