[Intro]
Ba-ba ba-ba, ba-ba-ba ba-ba
Ba-ba-ba ba-ba, ba-ba-ba ba-ba
Ba-ba

[Verse 1]
Maybe he's got more to give than I've got
Baby, he's offering you a lot
One thing's for certain, before you choose
I am what I am, and to be what I am
I've got to pay my dues

[Chorus]
You've got to pay your dues
I am what I am, and to be what I am
I've got to pay my dues

[Post-Chorus]
Ba-ba ba-ba, ba-ba-ba ba-ba
Ba-ba-ba ba-ba, ba-ba-ba ba-ba
Ba-ba

[Verse 2]
All that I have is a handful of rain
All that I own is my soul and my name
Would I be different with a shine on my shoes?
Well, I am what I am, and to be what I am
I've got to pay my dues
[Chorus]
You've got to pay your dues
I am what I am, and to be what I am
I've got to pay my dues

[Post-Chorus]
Ba-ba ba-ba, ba-ba-ba ba-ba
Ba-ba-ba ba-ba, ba-ba-ba ba-ba
Ba-ba

[Bridge]
When you decide (When you decide)
To makе up your mind (Make up your mind)
Think what you're losing
And what you might find
How can you win if you nevеr lose?
'Cause someday you will find that you'll own your own mind
You've got to pay your dues

[Chorus]
You've got to pay your dues
Yes, there'll come a day when you're gonna say
"I am what I am, and to be what I am
I've got to pay my dues"

[Post-Chorus]
I've got to pay my dues, I've got to pay my dues
Yes, I've got to pay my dues
I've got to pay my dues
Yes, I've got to pay my dues
I've got to pay my dues
(Ba-ba-ba ba-ba, ba-ba-ba ba-ba)