"Standards" lyrics - LESLIE ODOM JR.

[Intro:]
(They call me Mister Tibbs)

When it was crumbs, scraps, pennies, pats, everything was fine
You treat me like a loaded gun when I ask for what is mine
Always try to dim my light no matter how bright I shine
But I've got my standards that I'm never letting die

And I bleed 'cause of pride, you're not bleedin' me dry
Cannot abide, I got my head on a swivel this time
Why would I let you just twist it aside?
I catch a fever when they're aiming at the way I live my life

[Chorus:]
These are my standards, I ain't gon' never, never let 'em die
I ain't gon' never, never let 'em die
I ain't gon' never, never let 'em die
These are my standards

When I called for help, you didn't pick up your phone
You saw my kingly potential so you kept me from my throne
The truth is, I'm demonized for standing my own ground
So you push me to the deep end, hoping I drown

[Bridge:]
But I've got my-
I've got my bee-bm, bah-bm, bee-a-bm, bee-day
Anybody hold you to it, I don't need you
Ah, di-ba-boo, ooh

[Chorus:]
I ain't gon' never, never let 'em die
I ain't gon' never, never let 'em die
I ain't gon' never, never let 'em die
These are my standards

'Cause I won't let you treat me so unfair
Don't I deserve my God-given share?
Whether I've got a dollar or I'm a billionaire
These are my standards, I ain't gon' never, never let 'em die

[Outro:]
Because of pride, losing my spine (Hey! Hey!)
I got my head on a swivel this time (Hey!)
Why would I let ya? (Why would I let ya?)
I catch a fever when they're aiming at the way I live my life
(Hey!) These are my standards that I'm never letting die