The Schools
(based on “The Cool” by Lupe Fiasco)

Verse 1

Check out his report card, straight A’s no B’s,
Got that 2400 on his last SAT.
In the last year took six AP’s.
His life goal, you see, is to get to MIT.
He’s got no life, can’t spare the time,
A little lonely sometimes, but he’ll be fine.
Might’ve gotten out more if his parents had let him.
Feels like he doesn’t know anyone who gets him.
His peers think he’s weird, ‘cause he dresses so sloppy;
Only talk to him when his notes they want to copy.
Bothers him a bit, but makes him feel appreciated
Because being used is better than being hated.
So he keeps his eyes on the prize, GPA at 4.5,
Dreaming ‘bout the future is what’s keeping him alive.
So forget his peers, just wait till he’s out of here,
Be rich in twenty years, and they’ll still be sipping beers.

Hook

These years go passing you by,
Do what you need to survive,
Decide to try or to lie.
If they go passing you by, don’t cry.
If you’re breaking the rules, wasting your tools,
Afraid to lose. Chasing the Schools.

Verse 2

Found out in 6th grade that he couldn’t compete,
So the system he played, and decided to cheat.
Felt guilty at first, but he didn’t confess.
And with every passing test, it hurt a little less.
And now he’s swapping answers, he’s got no shame.
Integrity’s a joke ‘cause it’s all just a game.
Getting in the room, make sure you find a seat
Right next to a nerdy kid, so you can take a peek
Every time he’s not looking, it’s way more efficient
Just don’t get caught, that’s the only condition
Try or get high? He’ll choose the latter.
Life’s not fair anyways, so what does it matter?
The only thing that counts is making your wallet fatter.
Think there’s more to it? You’re dreams will get shattered.
He’ll go to UCLA, where he’ll party every day.
Get laid, get paid, f*** what people say.

Hook

Verse 3

Her friends and teachers call her the overachiever.
Think she can’t do it? She’ll make you a believer.
To try something new, she’s always so eager.
Excel at it too, she’s a natural born leader.
Student council officer, sports, always a captain.
Whatever she wants, she can make it happen.
Start a new club to put it on her application
It’s pretty stacked already, but can’t get complacent
But sometimes it’s so much crap that she’s about to snap.
Just want to block it all out and take a much needed nap.
Too many all nighters, everything’s kind of hazy.
Going a little crazy but she can’t get lazy.
Keep on pushing through it, persistence is a must.
Since she can remember, it was Stanford or bust.
A rejection letter in the mail is what she fears the worst.
She always been cursed, the one who’s always first.

Hook