[Verse 1] A young shorty, intrigued by the rap artist image Couldn't let grandmoms catch me reciting lyrics If she did she got upset and gave me a lecture Told me rap was for hoodlums that didn't really impress her They just a bunch of thugs that keep TEC's on their dresser Out of respect for her I used to hide my tapes Quietly recording shows up at nights real late Stuffing papers in ca**ettes if I ain't had no blanks From maxillae TV case that didn't't matter what the tape was The favorite show back in the days was probably Future Flavors Marley Marl and Pete Rock playing the exclusives Nothing but new hits, the one show that I refused to miss That was the era that gave me the most influences When rap was in its prime and the streets were damaged from crime I was in the lab drafting a rhyme Bumping 50 MC's by Tony Touch while every track would rewind [Hook] Late night video souls Those were the days of my youth Yeah, those were the days of my youth I used to rock a triple goose when it was cold Those were the days of my youth Yeah, those were the days of my youth Running around chasing skirts in the summer Those were the days of my youth Yeah, those were the days of my youth Being raised up by a single mother Those were the days of my youth Damn, what happened to the days of my youth [Verse 2] Just a little kid who fiend to be placed on the TV screen Listening to Billie Jean smiling and dancing With tube socks and church shoes, acting like Michael Jackson That was way back when, Michael who my idol was Black mittens on my hands ‘cause I ain't had no white gloves After that phase started admiring the thugs Letting my pants sag glow over my ( Huarache) kicks Life to me was all about hip hop and comic strips Fighting with my television while my chick karate flicks Always taken care of, can't say I was impoverished Sneaky little child always behaving suspicious Devious type flirting with the baby sitters Thank God for moms discipline, that made a difference Could've ended up being a problem child facing a sentence Instead I chose a path with limitations and restrictions On being and listening when no time was giving wisdom [Hook] Getting bad grades at school Those were the days of my youth Yeah, those were the days of my youth Rocking Jordan's made me feel a little cool Those were the days of my youth Yeah, those were the days of my youth Rap City in the basement Those were the days of my youth Yeah, those were the days of my youth Damn, I wonder where them days went Those were the days of my youth Damn, what happened to the days of my youth [Verse 3] You could find me on the block chasing the ice cream truck A cooling out waiting for the fire hydrants to erupt Spraying water guns at everybody while I run and duck You know the younging, that came across as being mad shy and coy Nickname back in the day used to be shotty boy Liked a few sports but b-ball was one of my favorites Naive like every kid thinking I could make the Majors Found a new hobby which was putting pencils to pages Infected with a love for hip hop that got contagious First album on tape was 36 Chambers Started watching YO! MTV Raps with Dre and Ed Taping hot 97 in night before I lay in bed Black Moon 'Who's Got The Props' forever playing in my head Blasting my speakers when I heard Angie Martinez Battle of the beats, one of my favorite features Influenced by the music, so I switched up the dress-code Thinking I'm the man now because I rock fresh clothes From Hilfiger to Helly Hansen when the weather was cold Negro need catching grand hills on my feet Those memories are forever that I remember and keep [Hook] From Jo Clear to Big Les Those were the days of my youth Yeah, those were the days of my youth Stocking cabs with a fitted on my head Those were the days of my youth Yeah, those were the days of my youth Yes, farmers and shirts by Tommy Hill Those were the days of my youth Yeah, those were the days of my youth Those times are long gone but still wear ‘em Those were the days of my youth Damn, what happened to the days of my youth?