All the girlies smile when you come around
The dudes say they're down with you to try to fit in
Everybody thinks you're funny when you're clownin'
And they always hang around; you think you've got lotsa' friends

You can be counted on to do right by your crew
Inevitably, you'll get screwed
Some cats will flip on you

So many situations
Where some chick or some dude that you thought was really close to you
Thought they might get a leg up
If they stabbed you in the back
I guess you probably should have expected that

You gotta' figure out who your friends are
You need to figure out who your friends are
You better figure out who your friends are

You've got a buddy
(Hey, buddy)
You've known him for a year or two
It's easy to forget the chips have never been down
(Every day has been a good day)
The two of you go to the bar to get a beer or two
You get into some trouble; he's nowhere to be found
(Nope. Where is he?)
You hope he'll show up soon, 'cause things are lookin' grim
(He was here a little bit ago)
You realize just as you get hit that you can't count on him
(That motherfucker)

I guess seeing is believing
When a so-called good friend that you though would be there 'til the end
Thinks they might have it easier
If they turn their back on you
I guess it's probably smart to expect them to

You gotta' figure out who your friends are
You need to figure out who your friends are
You better figure out who your friends are

You need figure out who your friends are
You better figure out who your friends are
So fuckin' figure out who your friends are

Now when you're sittin' on top everybody seems down
That's why I don't mess around
Because most people, I have found don't really like you
They might act like they're by your side
You won't believe how quick those bitches do some stupid shit to spite you

That's right, dude, and I don't care where you're from
'Cause everybody needs somebody not to stick 'em in the bum
But everybody's been a sucker
Then you just feel dumb
'Cause you stuck your neck out
And you trusted someone

It's kinda fun - I think - to see if you can read 'em
Find the dude who's gonna' flip
Preempt them and defeat 'em
But for freedom we all must trust a little bit
So take an old friendship
Make an effort to rekindle it

But choose your buddies wisely
Don't be a retard
A real homie acts like a get out of jail free card
He runs the extra mile, then he don't even breathe hard
Some people got dough
They ain't the lucky ones, we are

Different from your friend in the bar
You know how, 'mon?
That dude's up in your grill
Then it's that dude I'm gonna pound on
Might do some ill shit mother fuckers might frown on
But all my buddies know that I'm somebody they can count on

You better figure out who your friends are
Should probably figure out who your friends are
You have to figure out who your friends are