I was living a fantasy somewhere deep in my mind I don’t know what clicked but something told me to define Who I am, who I wanted to be, the secret talent that’s inside I was never the one to say the words that I was thinking No, I never thought I’d be the one who started singing This is all so new, I don’t know what to do, but somehow, someway this feels right I told my mama what she thinks and she said, “baby you should go for it” “It’s a good idea, I know it is” I never knew that I could, but I knew that I should so I’ll give everything I have to give Just to get a grip You know I gotta get a grip on it, bust a lick on it, I can’t let this slip away This is my shot, all the way to the top (NO) no I can’t afford delay You know I gotta get a grip on it, bust a lick on it, do whatever it takes No I can’t take a break, ain’t no time for mistakes, I got to get a grip And turn this dream into actuality Fast forward to middle school I thought it’d happen fast Talking all that music sitting back in science class I was shy, no I’m not gonna lie, singing to people terrified me So I gave it a chance and put my talents to the test Sang in front of my friends, my teachers, classmates, and all the rest It feels like it was a dream, it feels like it wasn’t me, I’ve never felt so alive and free I told my father what he thinks and he said, “boy you better go for it” “These chances, no, they can't be missed” Now I knew that I could, and I knew that I should so I’ll give everything I have to give Just to get a grip You know I gotta get a grip on it, bust a lick on it, I can’t let this slip away This is my shot, all the way to the top (NO) no I can’t afford delay You know I gotta get a grip on it, bust a lick on it, do whatever it takes No I can’t take a break, ain’t no time for mistakes, I got to get a grip And turn this dream into actuality I gotta take control over this feeling before it takes over me But I’ve been living with it for so long what if it sabotaged my dream It’s a chance that I’ll take, if it means that I’ll break the chain and finally be free of it (So I can get a grip on it and live the life that I was meant to live) You know I gotta get a grip on it, bust a lick on it, I can’t let this slip away This is my shot, all the way to the top (NO) no I can’t afford delay (you know I can’t afford this delay) You know I gotta get a grip on it, bust a lick on it, do whatever it takes (Imma do whatever it takes) No I can’t take a break, ain’t no time for mistakes, I got to get a grip (no no) And turn this dream into actuality (no no) (I hope I make it, I hope I take it) You know I gotta get a grip on it, bust a lick on it, I can’t let this slip away (all the way to the top) This is my shot, all the way to the top (NO) no I can’t afford delay (no don't make it stop) You know I gotta get a grip on it, bust a lick on it, do whatever it takes (yeah yeah) No I can’t take a break, ain’t no time for mistakes, I got to get a grip (no no)

Everyday I come to this place and dread working, serving random people Fake smile on my face, keep a steady pace Don’t let the boss catch you slacking off They told me I’ll catch the ice-cream blues, it spreads if you work here long enough I feel it in my bones, it’s overflown Trying to get out, make its withdrawal I got the ice-cream blues, I got it all on my shoes I got no time to be a man I’ll buy a six-string guitar, and it’ll take me far away From this place that I don’t belong Take out the trash, grab that person’s cash, right it down, look around, clean that mess up What is this? Look what you missed The easiest job you can’t do right I don’t belong, should be writing my songs far away from this place, I have no doubt Doing all that I can, without a helping hand Scooping ice-cream just to make my way out I got the ice-cream blues, I got it all on my shoes I got no time to be a man I’ll buy a six-string guitar, and it’ll take me far away From this place that I don’t belong Ooh, right (harmonica solo until out)

I try to go to parties, hang out with the coolest people in the town Try to convince myself that I’m made for this life that I’m living now Maybe I just have the worst luck, maybe I just don’t care enough Maybe I’m just meant for more Work a 9 to 5, minimum pay, sit in school 8 hours a day Don’t have no more time left for me Only one conclusion it could be This life just ain’t meant for me Living where I cannot be Myself; don’t belong This life just ain’t meant for me Why can’t anybody else see I’m struggling to stay strong I try to throw some parties, invite all the coolest people to my house No one cares; they're breaking chairs, walls, tables; I’m just sitting on the couch Maybe I just have the worst luck, maybe nobody cares enough I sure hope I’m meant for more Sit alone at home all night all day, writing songs I will never play Realizing what I cannot see Only one conclusion it could be This life just ain’t meant for me Living where I cannot be Myself; don’t belong This life just ain’t meant for me Why can’t anybody else see I’m struggling to stay strong I cannot force myself to fit in places I don’t belong It don't make sense; I should’ve split when I had the chance Although that was at my own expense I wish I knew where I belong, but instead I’m writing this song I’m not alone, just surrounded by faces unknown in this place that I used to call home This life just ain’t meant for me Living where I cannot be Myself; don’t belong (I don’t belong) This life just ain’t meant for me (I can’t be strong) Why can’t anybody else see (there’s something wrong) I’m struggling to stay strong (this life ain’t meant for me) This life just ain’t meant for me (I’m praying on my knees) Living where I cannot be (Somebody come help me) Myself; don’t belong (hear my cry and my plea) (I’m drowning I can’t breathe) This life just ain’t meant for me (I’m drowning I can't see) Why can’t anybody else see (I’m drowning come save me) I’m struggling to stay strong

You never see the change until it’s done, but it’s too late There’s nothing you can do to bring back the ones you knew You start to feel alone in the place you thought was home Remember who you are and think that life will never take you far What happened to your friends who said they’ll be there ’til the end? They left you for their addictions and treated you an infliction You go off on your own; discover things about yourself unknown Reminisce on the past; the days you thought would always last I sit and watch as it shatters before my eyes Watch them swimming circles as I start drowning in all these lies Rough terrain, feel the pain, drench you with the rain From the storm inside your brain ’til it makes you go insane We used to kick it playing games up at 2 AM Talking ‘bout how we not gonna be like one of them No you doing and selling drugs while “getting lit” Turned you from a man to an animal called a hypocrite I don’t go out or party or drink or smoke or what I don’t mess with you anymore, guess you outta luck Stop asking me what I’m doing when you don’t see me out I’m doing me and don’t you dare ask me what that’s about This prob’ly the first time that you hearing my originals Clasp your hands and pray ‘cause this truly is such a miracle It’s been a while since anybody’s seen me on a stage It’s been a while since anybody’s seen me out my cage Now I’m making moves and I ain’t looking back Now it feels like I’m finally on the right track No more reminiscing or missing the past I’m moving on That life wasn’t meant for me; I left it all behind I’m gone

Sitting, thinking to myself, “wish I could be somewhere else” Guitar laying on the shelf It’s been months since I’ve been out, let’s hit the town Get in the groove, let’s make some moves Brush the dust off my guitar; hit the road in my used car Won’t stop driving ’til I’m far Far away from all the distractions that keep me from the point I need to prove No more excuses, no more intrusions; I am through The clock is ticking now, time’s running out; time for me to start making… Making moves and make them soon Nothing can stop me now because I have nothing to lose Making moves and make them soon Nothing can stop me now because I have something to prove Making moves; just me not you I don’t expect you to approve, but it’s what I gotta do; I’m making moves Sitting, driving by myself; where the hell is somewhere else? Won’t accept anyone’s help Gotta do it alone, it’s all I know; nobody else, all by myself (yeah, yeah) No more excuses, no more intrusions; I am through (no, no) The clock is ticking now, time’s running out; time for me to start making…(moves) Making moves and make them soon Nothing can stop me now because I have nothing to lose Making moves and make them soon Nothing can stop me now because I have something to prove Making moves; just me not you I don’t expect you to approve, but it’s what I gotta do; I’m making moves (INSTRUMENTAL BREAK) I can't take it any longer; there’s things I must do, things I have to; please approve The clock is ticking now, time’s running out; time for me to start making moves Making moves and make them soon Nothing can stop me now because I have nothing to lose Making moves and make them soon Nothing can stop me now because I have something to prove Making moves; just me not you I don’t expect you to approve, but it’s what I gotta do; I’m making moves