[Intro]
Rain on the avenue.
Cab won't stop.
Phone won't stop either.
Funny how that works.
[Verse 1]
Used to walk these blocks
with holes in my shoes,
now the driver asks me
which entrance I wanna use.
Same street.
Different door.
Same kid.
Different floor.
Funny how the city treats you
when they think you're worth more.
Back then I knew every shortcut
to save two bucks.
Now people call me “sir”
while they reach for my trust.
That's expensive.
Trust costs more
when your name gets bigger.
Everybody gets friendly
when the picture gets clearer.
I got old friends calling
like we spoke last week.
We ain't spoke in years.
But money got a good memory.
One says:
“Brother, remember me?”
I do.
That's why I'm careful.
[Chorus]
Rain on the avenue.
Money in my coat.
Everybody loves the captain
when they see the boat.
Rain on the avenue.
Smile, shake hands.
Some people want the dream.
Some people want the plans.
I keep moving.
Keep calm.
Keep count.
'Cause the higher you go...
the more hands come out.
[Verse 2]
Met a woman downtown
who knew too much too quick.
Knew what I drank.
Knew what I drove.
Knew who I came with.
She said:
“You look tired.”
I said:
“You look informed.”
She laughed.
That's when I knew
this conversation came with a form.
She wasn't after love.
Good.
Neither was I.
But people don't need romance
to have reasons to lie.
She asked about business.
I changed the subject.
Asked about music.
She changed it back.
That's talent.
I like people
who tell me what they want.
I fear people
who make me guess.
So I finished my drink,
left cash on the table,
and walked out thinking:
expensive clothes
don't make intentions stable.
[Chorus]
Rain on the avenue.
Money in my coat.
Everybody loves the captain
when they see the boat.
Rain on the avenue.
Smile, shake hands.
Some people want the dream.
Some people want the plans.
I keep moving.
Keep calm.
Keep count.
'Cause the higher you go...
the more hands come out.
[Verse 3]
My mother hates the way
I check the window twice.
Says:
“You worked this hard
to live better, not live scared.”
She's right.
That's the worst part.
Success gave me rooms
I dreamed about,
then taught me
to check who's knocking.
I got food in the fridge.
Bills paid.
Good view.
Still sometimes eat standing up
like the old place taught me to.
Still save receipts.
Still hate waste.
Still don't trust compliments
that arrive too late.
My brother says:
“Relax.”
I tell him:
“I'm trying.”
Truth is...
some habits survive
even when the reason dies.
[Bridge]
[Beat strips down]
You can change the address.
Change the car.
Change the clothes.
But the mind?
Takes longer.
[Soft soul sample]
I ain't scared of losing money.
Money comes back.
I'm scared of losing judgment
when everybody starts acting like family.
[Beat returns]
That's different.
[Verse 4]
There was a boy from my building
who used to call me broke.
Now he tells people
we grew up like brothers.
That's a good joke.
I don't correct him.
Why ruin something
he clearly needs?
People rewrite history
when the new version feeds.
Another friend stayed quiet
through the whole climb.
Never asked for a favor.
Never asked for a dime.
Called last month
just to ask about my mom.
That's wealth.
That's something
you can't put on.
So I bought him dinner.
He tried to split the bill.
I laughed:
“You gave me bus fare
when I couldn't pay it still.”
He said:
“That was nothing.”
Exactly.
That's why it meant everything.
[Final Chorus]
Rain on the avenue.
Still coming down.
Same city that ignored me
knows my name now.
Rain on the avenue.
I don't need the praise.
I need people
who knew me before the upgrade.
Keep moving.
Keep calm.
Keep count.
The higher you go...
the fewer real ones around.
Rain on the avenue.
Let it fall.
I'd rather have two real people...
than a hundred calls.
[Outro]
Cab finally stops.
Driver says:
“Big night?”
I say:
“Same rain.”
Different coat.
