Hard Back (Industry) - Dizzee Rascal

Hardback, stern face, play your position and know your place, only move when

the money’s calling, take my advice you’ll be ballin'

You need a hardback, stern face, play your position and know your place,

only move when the money’s calling, take my advice you’ll be ballin'

First up, it’s important that you keep your shit original, try and keep that

copycat shit to a minimal

People want something that they never heard before, if it’s been done leave it

they don’t wanna hear no more

Secondly, here’s another clever thing that you can do, find yourself a good

manager who’s really got a clue

Cause there’s so many to choose from, they all look the part, but it’s

difficult to come across the ones that’s really smart

And can stand firm and steady when the label’s talking shit, will respect it,

keeps it gangsta, but does everything legit

And dependable, you can trust to handle your biz, and can really make you sure

of what the situation is

Next up, find a record label that aint full of pricks, one that lets you

breathe artistically but makes you come with hits

Congratulations now you’ve got your deal you’re set to go, lemme fill you in on

just a couple things you need to know

You need a hardback, stern face, play your position and know your place,

only move when the money’s calling, take my advice you’ll be ballin'

You need a hardback, stern face, play your position and know your place,

only move when the money’s calling, take my advice you’ll be ballin'

Next up change your number change your phone and change your chip,

cos there’s gonna be a lot of people ringing talking shit

Whether bredrens wanting money cos now suddenly you’re rich, or some dumb

hating fassies tryin to take you for a bitch

Yeah I know it’s minor and you can handle it, it’s nothing, but eventually

you’re really gonna wanna do something

And that’s counter-productive, beefin' over bullshit, you can never stop those

dumb? tryin' to bullshit

Plus you’re in the limelight, well-paid verbalist, which leads me onto my next

subject; journalists

These are the people that could put your name about, so be careful what you’re

saying when you’re talking out your mouth

An' avoid bein' ignorant, tone down the thug-shit, come to interviews buzzin —

tone down the drug shit

Keep your eye on the ball, mind on the job, and before you know you’ll have the

whole world on your knob

You need a hardback, stern face, play your position and know your place,

only move when the money’s calling, take my advice you’ll be ballin'

You need a hardback, stern face, play your position and know your place,

only move when the money’s calling, take my advice you’ll be ballin'

Here’s something that I shoulda stressed early on, don’t go spending all your

money till it’s gone

Cos the tax man’s gonna want his paper when it’s due, and there’s nobody above

the tax man especially you

And another thing, buy your house before you buy your car, don’t tell no-one

where you are, even better if you’re far

Everybody knows you’re gangsta and that porsche looks great, but do you really

want it sitting on that council estate?

Differently, watch where you choose to socialise, keep an eye out for trouble,

watch for devils in disguise

Please don’t be fooled by no pretty females, play it safe, never let em know

your full details

I ain’t saying be para' I just sayin' be sure, you can never know if that bitch

will be braggin what she saw

And aside from making money keep loving what you do, I ain’t saying nothing

more because the rest is up to you

I got a hardback, stern face, play your position and know your place,

only move when the money’s calling, take my advice you’ll be ballin'

You need a hardback, stern face, play your position and know your place,

only move when the money’s calling, take my advice you’ll be ballin'