[Verse 1]
I was 14 and losing ground
In a black top of a town
Where no one wins and no one’s leaving
My dad said, “Son, just finish school
Because this world can be so cruel”
I said, “You too” and kept on dreaming

[Pre-Chorus 1]
I’m nothing like you, nothing like you
Why don’t you know anything about me?
I swear somehow, I’ll make you proud
But why you wanna always go and doubt me?

[Chorus 1]
Story of my life in 1995
A hero in Chicago, a legend in my mind
A million lonely nights, a million times I tried
To jump like Michael Jordan, but never quite as high

[Post-Chorus]
High, high

[Verse 2]
When I was 19 I ran so far
They couldn’t catch me on the yard
I travelled unfamiliar places
My dad said “Son, just come back home
You won’t survive out on your own
You’re on a fast break, running aimless”
[Pre-Chorus 2]
But I’m nothing like you, nothing like you
Why don’t you believe I have the answers?
I swear somehow I’ll make you proud
But why can’t you just let me take my chances?

[Chorus 1]
Story of my life in 1995
A hero in Chicago, a legend in my mind
A million lonely nights, a million times I tried
To jump like Michael Jordan, but never quite as high

[Bridge]
I’m 49, the game is mine
Every night is overtime
I beat the odds and I’m still playing
My dad has passed, he’s been long gone
I wish he’d met my teenage son
It’s been harder than I thought to raise him

[Pre-Chorus 3]
I’m just like you, so much like you
Silent as he’s jumping for a layup
But I’m so proud of him, so proud
But just like you I’m still too scared to say it
So I’ll say it now
[Chorus 1]
Story of my life in 1995
A hero in Chicago, a legend in my mind
A million lonely nights, a million times we tried
To jump like Michael Jordan, but never quite as high

[Chorus 3]
Story of my life in 1995
A hero in California, a legend in my mind
A million lonely nights, a million times we tried
To jump like Kobe Bryant, but never quite as high

[Outro]
High, I hope you’ll reach the sky
I hope you’ll reach the sky
I hope you’ll reach the sky
I hope you’ll reach the sky
I hope you’ll reach the sky
I hope you’ll reach the sky