Back of My Mind

[Verse 1: Oddisee]
Welcome to the back of my mind
Where brain cells are chained cells, locked in solitary confine
I hope that they may never see shine
Where the insane dwells is not a place for people
Way too lethal at times
See the demeanor I present you is kind
But the truth is I'm ruthless
I plan to do this until I'm toothless and dying
See I've realized it now
That most of my pals will never get the chance to see
What they were dreaming about
Well, look at me, I must be a nightmare for those
Who was right there, so close, but not enough to see
May you live vicariously
If you helped me on my feet
Know I'ma be there, always around
Ironically the honesty is profound
It's the ones that tried to leave me on the ground
That don't fuck with me now
Die slows brothers, die painfully
This in the, back of my mind this ain't a thing to me

[Hook: Paolo Escobard]
Hey, so ya'll are trying to leave me behind
But I'm speaking from the back of my mind, little loud
It's got me fighting wars in my head
With all the mother fuckers wanting me dead
Ain't got no time for them
'Cause I got mind for living
And I got mine from being
In the back of my mind, where a live

[Verse 2: Oddisee]
You know
I'm trying to be a better person, the more I get ahead, I worsen
I use to have a higher tolerance for when people be talking shit
Now I just put them on mute when they're cursing
I know we ain't perfect but I tryna be above stooping low
Negativity ain't worth the exertion
But lately, the thoughts in the back of my brain
That I contain be leaking out
I'm speaking out through these verses
And this is what it is, cutthroat is this biz
You either hold the knife or hold the wound, I'm trying to live
My competitions in need of no help
They're good at killing themselves
But I assist them, 'cause I hate to see them bleeding on shelves
I'm pretty selfish and I know it, I do my best not to show it
Sometimes though I can't control it
I let it go and expose it
I say some shit that's insulting and proud that I am the culprit
And hope you find it revolting
That's what's from the back of my mind

[Hook: Paolo Escobard]
Hey, so ya'll are trying to leave me behind
But I'm speaking from the back of my mind, little loud
It's got me fighting wars in my head
With all the mother fuckers wanting me dead
Ain't got no time for them
'Cause I got mind for living
And I got mine from being
In the back of my mind, where a live