Lyrics
I put my life on the line
I roll them dice and I'm fine
'Cause all I ever dreamt about was makin' it
They ain't giving it, I'm taking it
I'm taking it, taking it, they ain't giving it
I'm taking it, taking it, they ain't giving it
I'm taking it, taking it, they ain't giving it
I'm taking it, taking it, I need all that shit
Steal myself a record deal
Steal myself a record deal
Steal myself a record deal
If I just went in and stole in, the police woulda noticed
Gotta be strategic, creep in, go in n' leave without motive
Hold up, my plan is forming, alright, casing this building
Watching these rappers that rap and walk in and leave out with millions (millions)
Headed in sweating, open that front door
"Interscope" printed out right by the entrance
Door closes, not a metaphor
Then I start towards that front desk, right where you check in
Dressed in an uniform, acting like a janitor
All blue jumpsuit, rush you
Bloodthirsty for the money like a bull
Looking in the eyes of the matador (fuck you!)
Carrying two cans of paint, security looks at me awkward
I say, "third floor? I'm late, paintin' Jimmy lovine's office"
Holding my breath, 'bout to faint
I'm scared to death that he stops me
Heart beating so loud you can hear the echo in that lobby
And see, I'm breaking down if I don't make it out, then I'm leaving town with that contract
And I'm spazzing out, grabbing the A & R out
His chair and I'm taking him hostage
I don't give a fuck, step into the elevator, press three
Now I'm headed up (heist!)
What they don't know, there's a gun in the paint can
And I'm ready and willing to bust 'em, I'm fucking desperate
Stuck in this recession, now what you think?
If I can sign, my luck is destined, my future depends on ink
A secretary at the front of the entrance, staring right at me
I walk out, she whispers "go ahead" and then gives me a wink
I put my life on the line
I roll them dice and I'm fine
'Cause all I ever dreamt about was making it
They ain't giving it, I'm taking it
I'm taking it, taking it, they ain't giving it
I'm taking it, taking it, they ain't giving it
I'm taking it, taking it, they ain't giving it
I'm taking it, taking it, I need all that shit
If I get past security, the secretary, the cubicles
But it's weird, it's like this room I've walked into is unusual
Thought it'd be shiny and beautiful
Thought it'd be alive and like, musical
But it feels like someone died, it's got the vibe of a funeral
There's numbers on the chalkboard
CDs boxed in cardboard
Artists that flopped, that got dropped and never got to be sophomores
Graphic designers are sitting around
Waiting for albums that never come out
Complainin' that they have nobody in-house
Wonderin' what they make art for
I start thinkin', am I in the right place? Just walk forward
See plaques on the wall
Aww yea, in a second, those will be all yours
Finally see an office with a mounted sign, heaven sent
Big, block, silver letters, read it out loud, "President" (heist!)
This was my chance to grab that contract and turn and jet
Right then, felt a cold hand grab on the back of my neck
He said, "we've been watching you, so glad you could make it
Your music get's so impressive and this whole brand you created
You're one hell of a band, we here think you're destined for greatness
And with that right song, we all know that you're next to be famous"
"Now I'm sorry, I've had a long day, remind me now what your name is?
That's right, 'Macklemore,' of course today has been crazy
Anyway, you ready? We'll give you one hundred thousand dollars
After your album comes out, we'll need back that money that you borrowed"
Mm-hm, so it's really like a loan? "Alone? Come on, no!
We're a team, 360 degrees, we will reach your goals!
You'll get a third of the merch that you sell out on the road
Along with a third of the money you make when you're out doing your shows
Manager gets 20, booking agent gets 10
So shit, after taxes, you and Ryan have seven percent to split
That's not bad, I've seen a lot worse
No one will give you a better offer than us"
"Mm-hm," I replied, "I appreciate the offer
Thought that this is what I wanted
Rather be a starving artist
Than succeed at getting fucked"
I roll them dice and I'm fine
'Cause all I ever dreamt about was makin' it
They ain't giving it, I'm taking it
I'm taking it, taking it, they ain't giving it
I'm taking it, taking it, they ain't giving it
I'm taking it, taking it, they ain't giving it
I'm taking it, taking it, I need all that shit
Steal myself a record deal
Steal myself a record deal
Steal myself a record deal
If I just went in and stole in, the police woulda noticed
Gotta be strategic, creep in, go in n' leave without motive
Hold up, my plan is forming, alright, casing this building
Watching these rappers that rap and walk in and leave out with millions (millions)
Headed in sweating, open that front door
"Interscope" printed out right by the entrance
Door closes, not a metaphor
Then I start towards that front desk, right where you check in
Dressed in an uniform, acting like a janitor
All blue jumpsuit, rush you
Bloodthirsty for the money like a bull
Looking in the eyes of the matador (fuck you!)
Carrying two cans of paint, security looks at me awkward
I say, "third floor? I'm late, paintin' Jimmy lovine's office"
Holding my breath, 'bout to faint
I'm scared to death that he stops me
Heart beating so loud you can hear the echo in that lobby
And see, I'm breaking down if I don't make it out, then I'm leaving town with that contract
And I'm spazzing out, grabbing the A & R out
His chair and I'm taking him hostage
I don't give a fuck, step into the elevator, press three
Now I'm headed up (heist!)
What they don't know, there's a gun in the paint can
And I'm ready and willing to bust 'em, I'm fucking desperate
Stuck in this recession, now what you think?
If I can sign, my luck is destined, my future depends on ink
A secretary at the front of the entrance, staring right at me
I walk out, she whispers "go ahead" and then gives me a wink
I put my life on the line
I roll them dice and I'm fine
'Cause all I ever dreamt about was making it
They ain't giving it, I'm taking it
I'm taking it, taking it, they ain't giving it
I'm taking it, taking it, they ain't giving it
I'm taking it, taking it, they ain't giving it
I'm taking it, taking it, I need all that shit
If I get past security, the secretary, the cubicles
But it's weird, it's like this room I've walked into is unusual
Thought it'd be shiny and beautiful
Thought it'd be alive and like, musical
But it feels like someone died, it's got the vibe of a funeral
There's numbers on the chalkboard
CDs boxed in cardboard
Artists that flopped, that got dropped and never got to be sophomores
Graphic designers are sitting around
Waiting for albums that never come out
Complainin' that they have nobody in-house
Wonderin' what they make art for
I start thinkin', am I in the right place? Just walk forward
See plaques on the wall
Aww yea, in a second, those will be all yours
Finally see an office with a mounted sign, heaven sent
Big, block, silver letters, read it out loud, "President" (heist!)
This was my chance to grab that contract and turn and jet
Right then, felt a cold hand grab on the back of my neck
He said, "we've been watching you, so glad you could make it
Your music get's so impressive and this whole brand you created
You're one hell of a band, we here think you're destined for greatness
And with that right song, we all know that you're next to be famous"
"Now I'm sorry, I've had a long day, remind me now what your name is?
That's right, 'Macklemore,' of course today has been crazy
Anyway, you ready? We'll give you one hundred thousand dollars
After your album comes out, we'll need back that money that you borrowed"
Mm-hm, so it's really like a loan? "Alone? Come on, no!
We're a team, 360 degrees, we will reach your goals!
You'll get a third of the merch that you sell out on the road
Along with a third of the money you make when you're out doing your shows
Manager gets 20, booking agent gets 10
So shit, after taxes, you and Ryan have seven percent to split
That's not bad, I've seen a lot worse
No one will give you a better offer than us"
"Mm-hm," I replied, "I appreciate the offer
Thought that this is what I wanted
Rather be a starving artist
Than succeed at getting fucked"