[INSTRUMENTAL — rollicking upright piano riff, finger snaps, violins answer] [HOOK — gang chant, call and answer, claps knocking] Never better (never better), never better (nah, never) Ask me one more time, the answer's never ever Never better (never better), never better (nah, never) Practice in the mirror 'til it sounds like whatever [VERSE 1 — bouncy, cocky, playful swagger] Sister called me Tuesday, rent was due the first Sent it 'fore she finished, I already knew the verse Marq caught it on a Friday, I'm the number that he called Bail bondsman know my birthday, that's how often I get involved Mama's surgery is Thursday, I done paid the second half She asked me am I eating, I lied and made her laugh My girl packed on a Sunday, said "you take care of the earth But I can't remember one time that you put yourself first" I told her "never better," helped her carry out the bag Heard the gate shut, sat down, stared at the wall a tad Then I answered Ray like "say less, I got you" with a grin Check engine light been on since March — it's part of the trim [HOOK — gang chant, call and answer, claps knocking] Never better (never better), never better (nah, never) Ask me one more time, the answer's never ever Never better (never better), never better (nah, never) Practice in the mirror 'til it sounds like whatever [VERSE 2 — quicker clipped flow, piano stabbing between lines] Who the first call when the transmission drops? (who?) Who they dial when the landlord knocking nonstop? (who?) I'm the favor with a face, I'm the ride, I'm the bail I'm the "you the only one I could tell" — I know it well Uncle June passed on a Tuesday, I'm the one they called first I drove the family to the viewing, hands at ten and two, rehearsed Got home, kicked my shoes off, watched the ceiling 'til the light Phone as quiet as a held breath, nothing buzzed all night So excuse me if I say it with a little bit of chest I survived the whole week and I ain't even had to rest [BRIDGE — beat drops to snaps and piano, voice down, close-mic] What if I say "it's bad" (what), what if I say "not fine" (nah) Bet the room go quiet like a card that got declined They don't want the truth from me, they want the peace of mind So I keep it like a tip jar — "never better," every time [VERSE 3 — hardest flow, beat back in full, violins sawing] Only one who caught it was Tony at the shop (Tony) Killed the clippers mid-taper, let the buzzing drop Said "you good, for real?" and let the quiet breathe a bit Phone buzzed — somebody's need — I said "I got you," and I split Left the tip, he shook his head, said "next week, you answer me" It's Tuesday, I'm back up in the chair, practicing "honestly..." [HOOK — biggest one, both chants stacked] Never better (never better), never better (nah, never) Ask me one more time, the answer's never ever Never better (never better), never better (nah, never) Practice in the mirror 'til it sounds like whatever [OUTRO — chant fading, piano holding one long chord, claps trailing off] Never better (never better), never better (nah, never) (You good, for real?) ... man, ask me again next week
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