Back up Plan - Mahalia

She would tear apart each word and turn it into a gimmick

She used to play with the melodies and beats and the words

She would come in singing things that no one had heard

As a child, she was always pretty bright

Never bitching with the girls or getting into fights

There was something in her head and there was something in her mind

There was something going around and there was something burning bright

This don’t matter to me

Soon I’ll be on TV

And I won’t have to dream no more

This ain’t got nothing on me

Soon I’ll be VIP

I’ll be making money, being a G, going properly

Teachers used to say, «What do you want to be?»

As soon as she says, «Singer», they all look at her blankly

Like darling, darling, you need to have a backup plan

«Like what?», She said, «Working in Matalan?»

Well, quite frankly, Miss

I’ve already applied with the other thousand applicants standing in the line but

That ain’t my calling, I’m tired of your warning cos' I won’t be falling

So move over darling

This don’t matter to me

Soon I’ll be on TV

And I won’t have to dream no more

This ain’t got nothing on me

Soon I’ll be VIP

I’ll be making money, being a G, going properly

Now she’s grown, she’s all alone with

Two kids screaming on the phone is

Landlord calling for his rent but

She’s still stalking cos' she can’t pay again and

Yes, she’s going to court today

For the dress she stole away

It was for a big audition

Oh my, she’s on a mission to show the teachers and the guys

She made something of her life

There’s something in her head

There’s something in her mind

There’s something going around

There’s something burning bright

This don’t matter to me

Soon I’ll be on TV

And I won’t have to dream no more

This ain’t got nothing on me

Soon I’ll be VIP

I’ll be making money, being a G

But it don’t come free