If you've been following this blog you know that weekly songs have been provided by DJ Rinkrat for the past few months. This week, Rinkrat is on hiatus and Gal VanIZed is at the turntable. I may have found out about this song thanks to Rinkrat but I'm the one who insisted that it be the song of the week. I want to dedicate this tune to all my students at Long Beach City College. We are always talking about how one person makes a difference and how your thoughts effect your perception. What do you suppose might happen if you made this song your theme song. What if you listened to it so many times that it got stuck in your head. What if, everytime you started to doubt yourself or feel like giving up, you started thinking about this song? I think it could be powerful. I looked for the lyrics to Self-Esteem by Nelly on the web but didn't find them so I listened to the song (willingly) about 5 times and tried to jot them all down. I'm gonna have sweet dreams tonight. If you can help me with any of the parts I've missed, I appreciate it. Chours 1 You got to believe in yourself Don't let nobody tell you what you can be You got to believe in yourself And everything else will work out, you'll see 2x Chorus 2 I think, I.., Naw, I know, I can 3x I know I can 2x You see my papa was a rolling stone and my momma had problems of her own but I still managed to make it out okay although I'm hailed as a hometown hero Still in my hometown I'm seen as a negro but man that's okay There's so many obstacles in life to overcome and as soon as you jump over one here come another one But we got to be strong and set examples for our sons If the sun don't shine then the decaying has begun Chorus 1 repeat 2x Chorus 2 repeat 3x They say I'm old enough to go to war But I ain't old enough to play in the NBA no more Now you tell me what's wrong with that I pledge allegiance all the way to Iraq But ain't nobody pledging to me when I get back Tell my Uncle Sam he's wrong for that You see my self-esteem I'm never leaving home without it They told me I'd never make it They told me I ain't got it (this verse is unclear for me) Now tell me whoever made it now tell me I ain't got it I'm sayin' (??) who's sayin' I ain't (??) Chorus 1 repeat x2 That's right You gotta believe it brother Chours 2 repeat - 3x's Rock on Nelly Rock on my brother Keep your head up over the storm young fellow Got a letter from the government Opened it, read it and told 'em all to forget it Because we believe in the future Uncle Sam sends his man to recruit you You still can't trust it But you came this far end of discussion When you know who you are Chorus 1 repeat 2x That's right, believe Com'on now Don't let nobody tell you what you can be Nelly, tell 'em now That's right, rockin' in pos-i-tivity Chorus 2 repeat 2x You gotta believe You gotta believe my brother You keep doin' your thing That's right, keep that head up all the way into the future that's right for the babies, baby Buy Self Esteem by Nelly on iTunes The song of the week is brought to you by Michael Zampelli, former owner of Southern California punk rock icon, Zed Records. For almost 30 years, this mecca of punk and alternative music kept Southern California enthusiasts adequately supplied with unique, original and innovative music. Currently, Zampelli manages a hockey fan message boards at www.letsgokings.com with thousands of subscribers. He takes photos for the LAist and the LA Derby Dolls. Each week he will contribute a song with a theme, a message and a beat. Enjoy and stay tuned.