All my life I've been runnin' scared   Feelin' shut out, no one cared   Not my mother, not my brother   Crazy beatings by my father   A-ooh a-ooh      Music's been my saving grace   Been my ticket to a better place   Brought me riches, brought me fame   Many people know my name   A-ooh a-ooh      My old friends who knew me when   Say "brian you've come a long, long way"   Thank you, thank you wo wo-o-o-oh      My cousins say I ain't the same   Criticize I change my game   They're not happy 'cause I'm different   More creative, independent   A-ooh a-ooh      My old friends who knew me when   Say "brian you've come a long, long way"   Thank you, thank you   Thank you, thank you      I've decided to change and grow   Taste the new and release the old   Those who love me, they know I'm tryin'   Livin' brave instead of dyin'   A-ooh a-ooh      I've decided to change and grow   Taste the new and release the old   Those who love me, they know I'm tryin'   Livin' brave instead of dyin'   A-ooh a-ooh