Want to Be - Oddisee

There’s this feeling, I’ve been chasing

I’ve got leads on, its location

It changes form, every time I face it

Only appreciated when it’s gone

Taken for granted like it’s etched in stone

But liberty ain’t strong, any wrong break it

Placed in my arms, my control in cages

'Tween a rock and a hard place and they say move on

That’s what I’m trying to do, a miracle to perform

But you can’t make that without an eyebrow raising

People want your magic for their own ovation

When you’re in full bloom is when the beehive swarms

And the time I’ve wasted, trying to fit in norms

People like me more when I pretend I’m basic

But what do I want, I practiced patience

And right then and there it dawned

I just want to be happy

I just want to be free

I just want to be left alone

I just want to be me

What in the world are you looking for

Can’t a young man get money on tour?

Live in Brooklyn buildings, pre-war

With a name that don’t make you think of C4

High-ceiling apartments

No ceiling on my living, I ain’t giving up options

Love without a limit is the mission accomplished

Don’t expect to get it without wetting of armpits

I sweat these pores

In this American scheme, a picket sign to a fence

They want to kick me out the country as a line of defense

See me, I’m from the country and I’m proud of my ends

And even though you try to shun me, you ain’t shrouding intent

I’m just a man with a vision in a tunnel with hit-men

Trying to shoot the lightbulb because they thought I was twitching

Got a few ideas, wrote them down in a list

Let me say them now before I forget them

I just want to be happy

I just want to be free

I just want to be left alone

I just want to be me

I don’t believe in a promise

Unless it’s one I made myself

'Cause there is no denying the facts, if I’m the only accomplice

And rarely have I courted for help

I ain’t trying to monstrous

I just want month’s rent

A little something extra, I ain’t hoarding the wealth

'Cause 99 percent of us is trying to get success

That 99 percent of us was already dealt

No trophy on the mantle but I got a mantle

When mama couldn’t pay the power, I would grab the candles

I’m just thankful I can channel that to block a tangle

Steering straight and I don’t hesitate to park an angle

I’m just trying to turn a smirk to a smile

Restricted to allow

All while keeping my distance from the crowd

And that may change along the road I pave

But today right here and now

I just want to be happy

I just want to be free

I just want to be left alone

I just want to me

I just want to be happy

I just want to be free

I just want to be left alone

I just want to me