Standards - Leslie Odom, Jr.

(they call me mister tibbs)

when it was crumbs, scr-ps, 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

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

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

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 got a dollar or i’m a billionaire

these are my standards, i ain’t gon’ never, never let ’em die

because of pride, losing my spine

i got my head on a swivel this time

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

these are my standards that i’m never letting die