[Verse 1 - Joell Ortiz] On hot days the fire hydrant kept me cool man Occasionally stole a snack from the fruit stand Stepped in dog poop, no good luck Then I hitch a ride on the back of an ice cream truck Yep, that's how I grew up Had too much to drink on my birthday and threw up The Yankees playin' against the Indians, it's two up My TV too fuzzy, I can't really tell who up Let my laces drag, too lazy to tie my show up The sole is all chewed up, wish I had the new Chucks The elevator felt like a sauna Reeked of old urine, and cheap marijuana I woke up one mornin', and creeped to the corner See them candles, my boy Steve is a coroner Comin' up in NY was just ill, but I look back and, I guess that's what made me real [Chorus - Samuel] I grew up in an apartment on the West Side Taught to never feel right, always residin' on the outside I was made to grow up and be famous So I'm tryin' my best to stay shameless Can't take this, change of season I'm sick to my stomach for no reason But I guess that's, part of the deal I guess that's what makes me real (Da da da da da da da) (X2) [Verse 2 - Samuel] Woken up to car alarms Coffee shops and nail salons I take a ride on the subway on my bicycle downtown Coney Island stoned I was afraid to ride The Cyclone Blackouts fade into fresh lemonade And late night serenades [Chorus] [Verse 3 - Samuel] Walkin' through the park at dawn New York Times and candy bars I take a ride on the subway when my bicycle breaks down Nothin' ever changes Just the same old summer faces The days are long so we hold on 'Cause the feelin' just won't last Late nights, early mornings Smokin' cigarattes in Coney Island The subway's burnin' Street lights, golden summers Throwin' empty bottles off the roof In the rain and thunder [Chorus]