[Intro]

“It's hard acting like everything is alright” (x8)


[Verse 1]

(It's hard) acting like everything ain’t going terribly
Showing off my strengths when I need someone to carry me

Looking for a kickstart, the crowd fund a charity
The more get poorer as we widen the disparity

My friend took a second job waiting on his stock to vest
'cause full time in tech ain't enough to pay the cost of rent

Stress comes with consequence, asked if he’s exhausted yet
The bubble’s gonna burst and it’s weighing on his consciousness

Heavy on his mind from the people he's been walking past
Every day to work, then at night when he comes walking back

They wonder why the market's on the verge about to burn and crash
'cause unemployed's the standard for majority of working class

I'm struggling for words just to proper fill these pages
Meanwhile my friend's grinding every night for wages

Monday through to Sunday, burning hours every night
Still he manages a smile fronting everything's alright


[Chorus]

“It's hard acting like everything is alright” (x4)

The newspaper writes – “things will never be the same”
The radio describes – “it'll end with bang bang”

The television cites – “life is like a dice game”
And it’s hard acting like everything is alright


[Verse 2]

Another day of strain, feeling drained is now the trend
Scraping by’s the way of life, worried for my friend

Stiffed him on his raise, plus they hiked his rent again
All this got him feeling trapped, wondering when this sentence ends

Started out with bright eyes, ready for the ride
Eventually becoming numb, feeling dead inside

It’s hard acting like everything is alive
With a city full of homelessness struggling to survive

The bay is in decay once you step outside your door
Building up these skyscrapers, can’t afford the floor

Sprint in different paths, think they need a semaphore
Watch it get more lavish while it’s rotting at the core

This future of uncertainty makes people live in fear
But galas and events getting bigger every year

Meanwhile my friend’s trying to push his code to prod
It’s the second time this week he’s late to his other job


[Chorus]

“It's hard acting like everything is alright” (x4)

The newspaper writes – “things will never be the same”
The radio describes – “it'll end with bang bang”

The television cites – “life is like a dice game”
And it’s hard acting like everything is alright


[Verse 3]

Welcome to this gauntlet of thorns along its axis
In some regard the human race, but even more disastrous

Sharp-spined sweet-centered dream is just a cactus
Growing jobs and lower taxes, ever-promised practice

The top 1% leaving all but one below
Prices rushing up, but income is getting slow

My friend about to drown, can’t swim against the flow
Barely treading water, second job let him go

Realized the struggle keeping pace with all the higher rent
Leadership starts to wonder where all the desire went

Drawing on the savings that’s intended for retirement
Selling off his future just maintaining his environment

Catch us living fast while the sun is setting slow
Tomorrow shadow’s grow just to keep the status quo

Word to E-40, gotta Tell Me When To Go
The boom becomes a bust. How or when, you never know


[Chorus]

“It's hard acting like everything is alright” (x4)

The newspaper writes – “things will never be the same”
The radio describes – “it'll end with bang bang”

The television cites – “life is like a dice game”
And it’s hard acting like everything is alright