Raised up with two kinds of people
The good ones and the bad
I was taught from early on
The only choice I had

Now I see, it's clear to me
What was in the plan
Had to walk the walk and talk the talk
And try to be a man

I swear the wind took me away
But now I'm here again today, yeah

I'm back on the mean streets
Oh, it's the only thing I know
Never change me, it was born in my soul
And it don't take much to make me mad
Push me a little and I bring back
I've a mean streak, oh
Yeah, I'm back on the mean streets

Somebody stole my money
I heard a brother say
Used to we'd fight it out
That was yesterday

Just because you're packin' son
Don't make you a man
If you shoot to kill, what's the thrill
Why don't you understand

Each time I walk outside my door
We need a change and that's for sure

I'm back on the mean streets
Oh, it's the only thing I know
Never change me, it was born in my soul
And it don't take much to make me mad
Push me a little and I bring back
I've a mean streak, oh
Yeah, I'm back on the mean streets

Do you ever think about where you're goin'?
Have you ever thought about where you've been?
Will you ever pass this way again?
There's a fear and you know it
But inside, you can't show it
No where for you to run and hide

I'm back on the mean streets
Yes, it's the only thing I know
Never change me, it was born in my soul
And it don't take much to make me mad
Push me a little and I bring back
I've a mean streak
Yeah, I'm back on the mean streets

Yeah, I'm back on the mean streets, baby
I'm back on the mean streets
I'm back on the mean streets
On the mean streets
Don't take much to take me back