spoken intro
you can say what you want about me
try to do what you want to me
but you can not stop me

verse 1
i’ve been, knocked down in some crazy towns
even got punched in the face in l.a.
but there ain’t nutiin’ in the world
that keep me from doin’ what i wanna do
cos i’m, too proud, too strong
i live by the code that you gotta move on
feeling sorry for yourself ain’t got nobody nowhere

b verse 1
so i, held my head high (i knew i)
knew i’d survive (well i made it)
i made it (don’t hate it)
that’s just the way it goes

chorus 1
i done made it through, stand on my own two
i paid my dues
tried to hold me down, you can’t stop me now
i paid my dues

verse 2
now i’m, still tested everyday
people try to mess with anastacia
gotta another thing comin’
cos i handle mine and i thought i’d better let you know
i’m no punk, i can get down
i don’t give as damn ‘bout who’s around
that’s worked just fine up ‘til now

b verse 2
so i, held my head high (i knew i)
knew i’d survive (but i made it)
i made it (don’t hate it)
that’s just the way it goes

chorus 2
i done made it through, stand on my own two
i paid my dues
tried to hold me down, you can’t stop me now
i paid my dues

middle section
(took) so long to get me here, and i won’t live in fear
of you tryin’ to steal my shine
(first) they wanna build you up, then they tear you down
and it’s a struggle, tryin’ to bubble,

verse 3
but i, held my head high (held my head high)
knew i’d survive (knew i’d survive)
i made it (don’t hate it)
that’s just the way it goes

chorus 3
i done made it through, stand on my own two
i paid my dues
tried to hold me down, you can’t stop me now
i paid my dues

chorus 4
i done made it through, stand on my own two
i paid my dues
tried to hold me down, you can’t stop me now
i paid my dues

chorus 5
i done made it through, stand on my own two
i paid my dues
tried to hold me down, you can’t stop me now
i paid my dues