Lyrics Break Down: Guarantees - Atmosphere

Lyrics Break Down: Guarantees - Atmosphere

Hello everybody, this is week two of Lyrics Break Down. The song this week is Guarantees by Atmosphere. It's off the album When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold. I first fell in love with this song when I heard it live for the first time. It was at the House of Blues in Las Vegas. We just happened to walk by and see that Atmosphere was playing that night. So of course Marshall and I ditched my dad and went to show. How often is ones of your favorites artists playing when you are in vacation in Vegas? It was an amazing show like always. During the encore, Slug played this song with just himself and the guitarist and it was truly amazing. I had heard the song before, but hearing it live like this just made it come to life. It was a powerful performance of a really personal, real life song.  Ever since, I have had it on my constant play list, listening to it over and over.  Take a look at the lyrics. 

　
Atmosphere - Guarantees 　

These warehouse wages
Kill the ends introduction
I should have schooled it up
When I was younger should have stuck to plan
Always had the dreams of being more self assertive
And my kids a teenager he needs the health insurance
So break my body
Break break my soul down
Just another zombie walking blindly through your ghost town
Pull up to the bar to politic and tap the power
Ain't nobody all that jolly at your happy hour
But I don't want to go home yet
So I'm gonna talk to my cigarette
And that television set
It doesn't matter what brand or station
Anything to take away from the current situation
No overtime pay no holiday
Months behind on everything but the lottery
Went around the corner guaranteeing that my car died
Wifey having trouble juggling both the part times
My cup ain't close to filled up
We trying to build up so we can have enough
And when I finally get the color
There won't be nothing left to paint on
My friend tried to kill himself to the same song

My better half is mad at making magic out of canned goods
My tax bracket status gotta questioning my man hood
My shorty got caught smoking weed at a concert
And if I smack em everybody treats me like a monster
My neighbors ain't doing much better
And we making competition instead of sticking together
Can't save no nest egg in fact this nest is rented
In fact that rent is late, wait
The money ain't here the raise ain't coming
Just me and my son and that crazy woman
And those bartenders this whole fucking country
Got everybody swallowing that lunch meat

Maybe we can speed up the process
Kill me in my thirties in the name of progress
Put me in the dirt and then change the topic
Some time it seems like the only way to stop it
Contemplate my departure date
Doesn't take a lot to get a lot of us to talk this way
Take a shot at me that's all I'm obligated for
Apparently my only guarantee is a walk away

The only guarantee in life is a life worth dying for
The only guarantee in life is a life worth dying for
Cause death don't wait for no one
Sitting on your front door
The only guarantee in life is a life worth dying for
Cause death don't wait for no one
Sitting on your front door


Now, listen for yourself!




Guarantees is a song that every person can relate to.  We all have worked hard in our life and sometimes it is a struggle to make ends meet. We all wish we had more money, better education, better job, or even a job at all.  Sometimes family life is hard, but we all figure things out in the end. When I really got hooked on this song I was in a depressed haze, struggling to figure out my life.  Sometimes the song helped me get through, sometimes it made me struggle even more.  Those days are long passed, but this is song is still one of my personal favorites.  It's down to earth and in your face.  It may not be the most up beat song, but it is a honest song you can hear and feel that it is made from deep within the heart and soul.  And that is why I love underground hip hop.  The realness that comes to life. 

Well that's it for this weeks edition of Lyrics Break Down.  Tune in next week for Smile by Eyedea and Abilities.