Paper Towels
From Struggle to Success: Elz Bentley's Anthem on Rising Above, Despite the Absence of Paper Towels
Lyrics
Time flies when you winning
Time seems to pass quickly when one is experiencing success.
Too bad that's what I'm all about
The speaker acknowledges a strong focus on success and winning in their life.
Been counting these bands all day
The speaker has been counting money (bands) throughout the day.
Need to wash my hands, where the paper towels
Despite financial success, the speaker emphasizes a need for basic cleanliness, using "paper towels" as a metaphor.
We done came a long way
Reflecting on progress and distance traveled in life.
Section 8, 3 beds, 5 in the house
Describing past living conditions with three beds and five people in the house, likely referencing a tough upbringing.
Now we living like this
The speaker contrasts past hardships with their current, improved lifestyle.
But we still ain't got no paper towels
Despite progress, the speaker humorously points out a lack of basic supplies like paper towels.
Take a nigga out the hood but you can't take the hood out of me
Expressing the idea that one's origin and identity remain despite leaving a challenging environment.
Waking up early nothing comes when you sleep
Highlighting the importance of hard work and early rising to achieve success.
Hit the bathroom, wash my face, brush my teeth
A morning routine involving personal hygiene and grooming.
Put on something fresh, something clean on my feet
Putting on fresh and clean attire, possibly symbolizing a positive change in the speaker's life.
Yeah, them boys keep losing, they in love with defeat
Observing others who consistently face defeat, contrasting with the speaker's own approach to learning from losses.
Learning from my losses, everything on me
Attributing everything, including losses, to the speaker's responsibility.
Tryna get a dub every day of the week
Expressing the desire to achieve victory every day of the week.
Pulled up to the club, gas tank on e
Describing a confident entrance to a club, despite a low gas tank.
Webbie, boosie everything on me
Referencing Webbie and Boosie, suggesting a connection to a particular lifestyle or community.
Wipe me down
Referring to the act of wiping oneself down, possibly indicating self-assurance or success.
Stussy bucket on my head, that's my crown
Describing the speaker's headwear as a symbol of distinction or authority.
Shirt open chest out, button down
Presenting a confident and open demeanor, symbolized by an open shirt and exposed chest.
I can see it, they hate, they frown
Perceiving others' jealousy or disapproval, represented by frowns.
At me how
Questioning the negative reactions of others toward the speaker's success.
Boys ain't doing what I'm doing
Highlighting the speaker's unique actions and lifestyle compared to others.
You ain't even screwing who I'm screwing
Emphasizing differences in relationships and activities compared to others.
We ain't the same, you ain't congruent
Stating a lack of similarity or alignment with others.
We ain't on the same level now
Asserting a higher level of success or achievement than others.
Tell a hater kick rocks, cause that boy ain't applying no pressure
Rejecting negativity and urging those who criticize to distance themselves ("kick rocks").
You ain't on my level
Reiterating a perceived difference in levels of success compared to others.
And I stay with Benjamin every day, that's my fellow
Expressing constant companionship with money (Benjamin, a reference to the hundred-dollar bill).
Time flies when you winning
Repeating the idea that time passes quickly when one is winning.
Too bad that's what I'm all about
Reiterating a strong focus on success and winning in the speaker's life.
Been counting these bands all day
Reiterating the speaker's engagement in counting money (bands).
Need to wash my hands, where the paper towels
Reiterating the need for basic cleanliness, humorously tying it to the lack of paper towels.
We done came a long way
Repeating the reflection on progress and distance traveled in life.
Section 8, three beds, five in the house
Reiterating past living conditions and challenges.
How we living like this
Posing a question about the current lifestyle despite a humorous lack of paper towels.
We still ain't got no paper towels
Repeating the humorous observation of the continued absence of paper towels despite overall success.
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