I Wanna Feel Good About Myself
w/m Mrs. Gerry A. J. Thompson
copyright 2004 BMI Gerry J Music Publishing

Verse 1 -This first message is to all the moms 'n' 'em
Don't talk about my dad...saying he's so sad;  And he ain't even worth a dime
Cause if the truth be told, you ain't pure gold...and maybe you should be servin' time
Saying I'm his kid so my life's minimal...that's just criminal
You jackin' up my mental health.  You got to treat me better
... I wanna feel good about myself.

Verse 2 - Yo...dads...we be talkin' t'you!
Don't just send me a dollar and never give me a holler cause I'm your responsibility.
You and mom couldn't make it together...all y'all had was stormy weather
Don't take that out on me!
Check this message...while I have your attention...curb your aggression!
Maybe y'all supposed to be with somebody else...you be good to me
...cause I wanna feel good about myself.

Verse 3 - Gotta message for my peeps!
You want me to hear my teacher... are you listening to your preacher
When He says for you to give!
How you bringing salvation to another nation...and right here you ain't loving God's creation
Saying I'm stupid is very cruel...I work hard in school
I ain't just something off the shelf
Speak positive words to me... I wanna feel good about myself.

Verse 4 - Listen up all you religious folk
You talk about my mom's new spouse and show up at her house sittin' down at our table to eat.
And you stealing from the government... three months behind in your rent
And won't put shoes on your kids' feet
I don't want your criticism and your words with no wisdom;
I need you to teach me real love so I can know it... Then I can show it...and live it...then I can give it... I need to feel it... and see it...do it...prove it...

Verse 5 - Hey...don't think u gettin' away Mr. bid'nes'man (businessman)
You grew up in the hood...now you think you're too good;
Cause you live on Ka-ching Avenue!
Somebody helped you get there and for me you just don't care…
Won't you help a sister make it through?
Ever think 'bout picking up some slack... by reachin' back.
I can see you're doing all right for yourself
Tell me I can make it... I wanna feel good about myself.

Bridge
Don't Prey on me; pray for me
Don't Disgrace me...but embrace me
Don't Attack me...you gotta back me
Don't Slug me...you need to hug me
Don't Assault...but try to exult me
Don't Sift me...lift me
Don't Hurt me...heal me
Don't Prescript me...equip me
Stop hatin' and debatin' and start appreciatin'

Final Verse
Just a message for our mommas' and poppas'; Our peeps and all 'em.
We are not a generation of empty heads
So don't make us a generation of empty hearts...You got'ta do your part
Put something good in me...see...I'm a great investment
I can't help somebody else
If right now... I don't feel good about myself!

Vamp
To the Teacher who wants me to learn faster
To the Pastor who only preaches disaster
To the Lawyer who only wants to jail me
And the Principal who wants to expel me
To the Pimp who wants to sell me
To the Bully who only wants to beat me
and the Government who wants to cheat me
To the Doctor who only wanted to abort me
...the Neighbor who wants to report me
...the Reefer that wants to court me
The Policeman who wants to arrest me
To the Disease that wants to infest me
To the Pusher who wants to test me
That Uncle who wants to incest me
To the Undertaker who only wants to put me under...

Tag
Think about this my friend...maybe you think somebody messed over you...and you want your life to end;
Maybe they just don't know how to show you their love.
Most rejection is just misdirection of real affection.