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

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

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

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 Ôbout who's around
that's worked just fine up Ôtil now

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

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,

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
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

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

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