Lecrae - Just Like You Lyrics
Lyrics
(Hook- J. Paul)
I just wanna be like you,
Walk like, talk like, even think like you
The only one I could look to
You're teaching me to be just like you
Well I just gotta be like, like
I just gotta be like you
(Verse 1- Lecrae)
Dear, Uncle Chris, Uncle Keith, Uncle Ricky,
Before the Lord get me, I gotta say something quickly, I
Grew up empty since my daddy wasn't with me, shoot,
I wasn't picky I'd take any male figure you
Stepped in at the right time,
It's 'cuz of you that I write rhymes
You probably never knew that
I loved the way you used to come through,
Teach me to do the things that men do
True, You
Showed me stuff I probably shouldn't have seen,
But you had barely made it out your teens,
Took me under your wings
I wanted hats I wanted clothes just like you,
Lean to the side when I roll just like you
Ain't care if people didn't like you,
You wanna bang, I wanna bang too
Skyline, pyru
You woulda died I woulda died too
You went to prison got sick lost ya pops yeah I cried too
You never know who's right behind you
I got a little son now and he do whatever I do
But it's something deep inside you,
That tell you it's gotta be more than doing what other guys do,
To have nobody there to guide you
But I followed your footsteps and this shouldn't surprise you,
You realize you, You realize you, you,
Yeah,
(Hook)
I just wanna be like you,
Walk like, talk like, even think like you
The only one I could look to,
You're teaching me to be just like you
Well I just gotta be like, like
I just gotta be like you
(Verse 2)
Now all I see is money, cars, jewels, Stars
Womanizers, tough guys, guns, knives, and scars,
Drug pushers, thugs, strippers, fast girls, fast life
Everything I wanted and everything I could ask life
If this ain't living and they lied well,
Guess I married an old wives' tale
Wow, fail
I don't know another way to go,
This is the only way they ever showed
I got this emptiness inside that got me fighting for approval because I missed out on my daddy saying, way to go,
Ain't get that verbal affirmation or know how to treat a woman,
Know how to fix an engine,
To keep the car running
So now I'm looking at the media and I'm following what they feed me,
Rap stars, trap stars,
Whoever wants to lead me
Even though they lie they still tell me that they love me,
They say I'm good at bad things at least they proud of me
(Hook)
I just wanna be like you,
Walk like, talk like, even think like you
The only one I could look to
You're teaching me to be just like you
Well I just gotta be like, like
I just gotta be like you
(Like you)
(Verse 3)
I was created by God but I ain't wanna be like Him,
I wanna be Him
The Jack Sparrow of my Caribbean
I remember the first created being,
And how he shifted the blame on his dame
For fruit he shouldn't have eaten,
And now look at us all out of Eden,
Wearing designer fig leaves by Louis Vuitton
Make-believing
But God sees through my foolish pride,
And how I'm weak like Adam, another victim of Lucifer's lies
But then in steps Jesus,
All men were created to lead but we needed somebody to lead us
More than a teacher,
But somebody to buy us back from the darkness,
You can say He redeemed us,
Taught us that real leaders follow God,
Finish the work 'cuz we on our job
Taught us not to rob
But give life, love a wife like He loved the Church,
Without seeing how many hearts we can break first
I wanna be like you in every way,
So if I gotta die everyday
Unworthy sacrifice
But the least I can do is give the most of me
Because being just like you is what I'm s'pose to be
They said you came for the lame,
I'm the lamest
I made a mess, but you say you'll erase it,
I'll take it...
They say you came for the lame,
I'm the lamest
I broke my life, but you say you'll replace it,
I'll take it.
(I just gotta be like... be like... be like... I just gotta be like you...I just gotta be like you)
Video
Lecrae - Just Like You - OFFICIAL VIDEO (@Lecrae @ReachRecords)
Meaning & Inspiration
Released in 2010 as part of his album "Rehab," Lecrae's "Just Like You" stands as a profound exploration of shared human experience and spiritual aspiration, particularly within the context of faith. The song's core message revolves around the universality of struggles and the underlying desire for connection and redemption, a theme deeply rooted in Christian understanding. Lecrae masterfully crafts a narrative that acknowledges the imperfections and challenges inherent in the human condition, painting a picture of people from all walks of life grappling with similar internal battles. This resonates powerfully with the biblical concept presented in Romans 3:23, which states that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." The song's genius lies in its ability to normalize these struggles, suggesting that falling short is not an anomaly but a shared characteristic that can, paradoxically, be a bridge to understanding and empathy.
The "story behind" this track, as interpreted through its lyrical landscape, is one of recognition and a gentle call to spiritual awakening. Lecrae doesn't shy away from the difficulties people face, whether it's societal pressures, personal failings, or the search for meaning. He positions himself not as an outsider looking in, but as someone intimately familiar with these trials. This is where the song's profound spiritual depth emerges. The phrase "just like you" becomes an invitation to see the divine spark within everyone, even amidst their flaws. It speaks to the inherent worth and dignity bestowed upon humanity by God, as reflected in Genesis 1:27: "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." Lecrae’s encouragement to look beyond outward appearances and recognize a common, underlying humanity is a direct echo of Jesus' teachings about loving one's neighbor as oneself, a commandment found in Matthew 22:39.
The analysis of "Just Like You" reveals a layered message that encourages introspection and a renewed focus on what truly matters. The song serves as a reminder that superficial differences often mask a deeper, shared longing for peace, purpose, and ultimately, reconciliation with the divine. Lecrae subtly guides the listener toward recognizing that true transformation and fulfillment come not from striving for an unattainable perfection in isolation, but from embracing one's brokenness and seeking solace and strength in a higher power. This echoes the sentiment in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," suggesting that our capabilities are amplified and our burdens lightened when we rely on God's grace. The song’s impact is in its quiet insistence that even in our imperfections, we are seen, understood, and loved, a testament to the unmerited favor of God, a cornerstone of the Christian faith. "Just Like You" is more than a song; it's a theological reflection on shared humanity and the transformative power of recognizing our common need for grace and redemption.