There's someone bangin' on my wall
I turn the volume up to full
I don't know who it is or why they don't like me
I don't feel safe in history

There's something naggin' in my head
I turn my body out of bed
I pull the curtains on another brand-new day
Mrs. Jones and friend just look away

[Chorus:] I'm prisoner number one
I won't get parole 'cause I carry a gun
Prisoner number one
I'm prisoner number one
We're all prisoners
We're all prisoners
We're all prisoners here

Last thing I remember Tuesday night
Is three white wonders waiting for a fight
Mrs. Jones walked past me as I lay there on that street
She knows I'm a black boy underneath

[Chorus:]

We're all prisoners, always caught
In the life and death of each other's thoughts, other's thoughts, other's thoughts

[Chorus:]

I'm prisoner number one
I won't get parole 'cause I carry a gun
I'm prisoner number one
I'm prisoner number one
Oh-whoa-oh
Oh-whoa-oh
Oh-whoa-oh-oh