Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba Maybe he's got more to give than I've got Maybe 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 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 Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba 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 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 Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba When you decide (when you decide) To make up your mind (to make up your mind) Think what you're losing (ooh, ooh, ooh) And what you may find How can you win if you never lose? 'Cause some day you will find That to own your own life You've got to pay your dues 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 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