[Intro - Dry voice] Called it a joke. I was the only one not laughing. [Verse 1 - Swung rap] Same kids beside me on the walk to class, Same kids smiling when they made me the laugh. Wanted a place, so I swallowed the sting, Acted like I didn't hear half of the things. One good afternoon could erase a week, Kept buying the story that they'd look out for me. If I fought back, suddenly I was the problem, If I went quiet, gave 'em room to keep going. That's a shit little bargain for a kid to learn, Trade your own worth just to keep your turn. Never called it bullying when I lived inside it, Called 'em my mates, kept making excuses. [Build] I can name it now. I can hear the difference. Bring the drums up— Let the old laugh finish. [Chorus - Gang chant] MATES WITH SHARP EDGES! CUTTING ME DOWN! WANTED A FRIEND— GOT A PLACE IN THE CROWD! I AIN'T YOUR PUNCHLINE! I AIN'T YOUR GAME! YOU DON'T GET MY TRUST JUST BY KNOWING MY NAME! [Verse 2 - Faster bursts] Learnt that belonging could come with a price, Learnt to be useful and twice as nice. Carried that habit from the yard to the street, Kept putting everyone ahead of me. Now I look back and I feel for that kid, Couldn't see the trap when he stood within it. Some real mates came, some stayed and proved, They could hear "that hurt" without changing the truth. Didn't need perfect. Needed respect. Needed to stop putting myself second. Took years to tell where a friendship ends, When the only one paying is you again. [Bridge - Bass drops out] The hurt wasn't funny. The silence wasn't proof That I agreed With what they chose to do. [Final Chorus - Bigger drums] MATES WITH SHARP EDGES! CUTTING ME DOWN! WANTED A FRIEND— GOT A PLACE IN THE CROWD! I AIN'T YOUR PUNCHLINE! I AIN'T YOUR GAME! YOU DON'T GET MY TRUST JUST BY KNOWING MY NAME!
