Verse 1:
Em C
I was seven years old, when I got my first pair
I stepped outside
G B
And I was like, Momma , this air bubble right here, it's gonna make me fly
Em C
I hit that court, and when I jumped, I jumped, I swear I got so high
G B
I touched the net, Mom I touched the net.. this is the best day of my life
Em
Air Max's were next,
That air bubble, that mesh
C
The box, the smell, the stuffin, the tread.
Am
At school, I was so cool
I knew that I couldn't crease 'em
G
My friends couldn't afford 'em
B
Four stripes on their Adidas
Em
On the court I wasn't the best, but my kicks were like the pro's
C
Yo, I stick out my tongue so everyone could see that logo
Am
Nike Air Flight , book bag was so dope
B
And then my friend Carlos' brother got murdered for his Fours, whoa
Em
See he just wanted a jump shot, but they wanted his Starter coat though
C
Didn't wanna get caught, from Genesee Park to Othello
Em
You get clowned for those Pro Wings, with the velcro
Those were not tight
B
I was trying to fly without leaving the ground,
Em
cuz I wanted to be like Mike, right
C
Wanted to be him
G
I wanted to be that guy, I wanted to touch the rim
I wanted to be cool, and I wanted to fit in
B
I wanted what he had, America, it begins
Em
I want to fly
C
Can you take me far away
Am
Give me a star to reach for
G B
Tell me what it takes
(Chords repeat)
And I'll go so high
I'll go so high
My feet won't touch the ground
Stitch my wings
And pull the strings
I bought these dreams
That all fall down
Em
We want what we can't have, commodity makes us want it
C
So expensive, damn, I just got to flaunt it
G
Got to show 'em, so exclusive, this that new shoe
B
A hundred dollars for a pair of shoes I would never hoop in
Em
Look at me, look at me, I'm a cool kid
C
I'm an individual, yea, but I'm part of a movement
Am
My movement told me be a consumer and I consumed it
G B
They told me to just do it, I listened to what that swoosh said
Em
Look at what that swoosh did
C
See it consumed my thoughts
Are you stupid, don't crease 'em, just leave 'em in that box
Em
Strangled by these laces, laces I can barely talk
B
That's my air bubble and I'm lost, if it pops
Em
We are what we wear, we wear what we are
C
But see I look inside the mirror and think Phil Nike tricked us all
G
Will I stand for change, or stay in my box
B
These Nikes help me define me, but I'm trying to take mine, off
(Instrumental bit)
Em C G B
Em C Am G B
Em C G B
Em C Am G B
(Chorus Chords same as first chorus)
I want to fly
Can you take me far away
Give me a star to reach for
Tell me what it takes
And I'll go so high
I'll go so high
My feet won't touch the ground
So stitch my wings
And pull the strings
I bought these dreams
That all fall down
Em C Am G B
Em
They started out, with what I wear to school
C
That first day, like these are what make you cool
G
And this pair, this would be my parachute
B
So much more than just a pair of shoes
Em
Nah, this is what I am
What I wore, this is the source of my youth
C
This dream that they sold to you
Am
For a hundred dollars and some change
Consumption is in the veins
G B
And now I see it's just another pair of shoes