what is this, what is bad
what is good, what good is that
what is my purpose, and what is its purpose
what's tryin too hard, what is imperfect
what if my works worthless, what if my worth wordless
what if they draft me on the first version
am i the third charm, or the worst wordsmith
what if my hurt surfaced, could i subvert burdens
Or my herd heard this, got some birds perching
then my verse worsens, damn - curse my verses
But i will verse hurdles, and think to urge persons
to murmur words early, and hurl their worries furthest
i’m on the verge sergin, i need a stern talking
got the nerds bobbin, i got a firm offer
what if i earned purses, moreso my terms earned em
what if i writers block, i could avert curtains
i will emerge earnest, could i merge verdicts
I spit that burn sternum, reflection eternal
what if i tried hard, what if i found god
what if these lines fall flat and my minds gone
what if my crew loves or hates all of it
or the world does the opposite
what if my crew loves or hates all of it
or the world does the opposite
Chorus
what’s living if i ain’t getting no peace of mind
why try if the people won’t even see the shine
i’ve been trying i’ve been trying, but at what cost
i guess i’m just a lost cause
(repeat)
i see it’s all changing now
with bigger stages now
...plus you’re looking relatively famous, wow
played for crowds
a couple thou made you a couple thou?
so now you call it quits, and you go all in, you might double down
face the doubt
who really knows how this is playing out
what’s the point of wealth
if you can't help yourself get outta hell
the fame don't feed you
the pain don’t need you
the game don’t see you
would you tell a peasant to aim for crowns
— now you’re waiting on some payments now
when a year ago, all you had were dreams that some people would hear you flow
people know your lyrics
at the concerts, they sing em loud
came to make music
is that the reason you stay in town?
What? do you need medal now?
and you’ll never plan to settle down?
cuz no one’s at your level now?
settle down, one day you’ll set it down
Chorus
what’s living if i ain’t getting no peace of mind
why try if the people won’t even see the shine
i’ve been trying i’ve been trying, but at what cost
i guess i’m just a lost cause
(repeat)
so what they think they talk bout
all they do is talk doubt
but you dropped out of college
to listen to college dropout
learning most lessons
out the classroom, goin' on bout
dreaming one day with all the music you’ll help your moms out
i know you're going all out
now you're going all in
and then some
maybe more the outcomes might be income
and you could make your mom proud
and build fam a kingdom
or queendom
and now your dreams
they don’t even seem dumb
these plans are unreal
they ain’t even seen them
so think it up
imagine if ancestors were seeing us
keep singing the songs
spent too long being unsung
your soul was feeling empty
hole was greater than some sum
knowledge in your dreams
and found wisdom in your genes
and found poems in your skin
and found freedom in your team
when you call it quits, might be the city’s best to do it
but don’t sweat it for now, somebody's gotta make the music
Chorus
what’s living if i ain’t getting no peace of mind
why try if the people won’t even see the shine
i’ve been trying i’ve been trying, but at what cost
i guess i’m just a lost cause
(repeat)
(break)
sorry what i said before
i called to settle scores
i know you metamorphed
and i don’t wanna meddle more
i don’t think i’ve met a more
driven dude with metaphors
from this town
i get your sound
i'm headed out
i’ll get the door
i listened to your mixtapes
and hit em more than i’ll say
no you ain’t a disgrace
i take it back, now i’ll say
i hope you eat well
sleep well
get your ass out of retail
you’re damn good
say what’s up for me
i hope the fam's good
credits
from HEATCHECK!,
released April 27, 2023
Songwriter/Composer: Francis Arevalo
Lead Vocals: Francis Arevalo
Producer: NUXNAMAN
Recording Engineer: NUXNAMAN
Studio: Homecourt Studios
Mixing Engineer: NUXNAMAN
Mastering Engineer: Eugene Chong
Francis Arevalo is a Filipino-Canadian artist and producer based in Vancouver, BC. Known for his personal storytelling, clever lyricism, and colourful production, he makes music to uplift, inspire, and energize himself and his community.
