Pain

Overview

Pain is one of the best known collaborations between 2Pac and Stretch. Produced by Stretch, the track was recorded in late March 1994, just days after 2Pac was released from Clinton Correctional Facility following his incarceration. The recording captures 2Pac and Stretch immediately resuming their creative partnership during the early stages of the Above the Rim soundtrack sessions.

Although never released as a standalone commercial single, Pain first appeared as a bonus track on selected cassette editions of the Above the Rim soundtrack before receiving a wider release as the B-side to Warren G and Nate Dogg's hit single Regulate. For many fans, particularly outside the United States, the Regulate CD single became the easiest way to obtain the song.

Stretch contributes both the production and a guest verse, while 2Pac delivers one of his most passionate performances. The song has since become one of the most celebrated collaborations between the pair and remains a fan favourite from the final period of their friendship before their relationship began to deteriorate later in 1994.

An alternate version of Pain (Alternate Version) also exists, featuring a different instrumental and an extended chorus containing the additional line "Don't get too close or else you might get shot." That version is documented separately within this archive.

Recording History

Pain was recorded in late March 1994, just days after 2Pac was released from Clinton Correctional Facility. The session marked one of the first known recordings completed by 2Pac following his release and reunited him in the studio with his close friend and collaborator Stretch, who also produced the track.

Recorded during the early Above the Rim soundtrack sessions, Pain showcased the chemistry between 2Pac and Stretch at a pivotal point in their careers. Stretch contributed both the production and a guest verse, while 2Pac delivered one of his most intense and emotionally charged performances of the period.

Although never released as a commercial single in its own right, Pain was included as a bonus track on selected cassette editions of the Above the Rim soundtrack before later receiving a wider release as the B-side to Warren G and Nate Dogg's hit single Regulate. The recording has since become one of the most highly regarded collaborations between 2Pac and Stretch.

Release History

Year	Release	Format	Notes
1994	Above the Rim (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)	Cassette	Bonus track on selected cassette editions.
1994	Regulate	CD Single	B-side.
2021	Above the Rim (Deluxe Edition)	Digital	Included on the expanded soundtrack.

Samples

Samples Used

No confirmed samples have currently been identified.

Lyrics

[Sample from Star Trek V]
”I couldn't help but notice your pain”
”My pain?”
”It runs deep. Share it with me!”

2Pac

They'll never take me alive, I'm getting high with my four-five
Cocked on these suckas, time to die.
Even as a youngster, causing rukus on the back of the bus,
I was a fool all through high school kicking up dust.
But now I'm labelled as a trouble maker, who can you blame?
Smoking weed helped me take away the pain,
So I'm hopeless.
Rolling down the freeway swerving, don't worry,
I'm about to crash up on the curb cause my vision’s blurry.
Maybe if they tried to understand me, what should I do?
I had to feed my fuckin' family.
What else could I do, but be a thug
out slanging with the homies
Fuck hanging with them phonies in the club.
Got my mind on danger,
never been a stranger to homicide.
My city’s full of gang-bangers and drive-bys.
Why do we die at an early age?
He was so young, but still a victim of the 12 gauge.
My memories of a corpse,
Mind full of sick thoughts,
And I ain't goin back to court, so fuck what you thought.
I'm drinking Hennessey running from my enemies,
Will I live to be 23?
There's so much pain

Chorus

Oooh....
Tired of the strain and the pain
Oooh....
Tired of the strain and the pain

Stretch

Years and years of that rough life
Runnin’ crazed and wild as a kid and growin tough with a knife,
And living trifed on the regular,
Bockin’ out competitors,
See them fake a move and take them down like the fuckin’ predator.
Get in trouble everyday in school,
Act a fool,
And you know I had to break every rule.
Showing off for the bitches cause I had the mad rep
So I had to watch my back when it was time to step
But my grimeys, the grimiest with love for me,
Ooh pop, pop!!
And send a sucker up above for me.
Aiyo, currency kept passing me by, but I didn't cry,
Broke and head off with the pack and started sellin coke,
And now the money's looking lovely,
Pop the drop top and now the bitches wanna rub me,
Kick 'em the game
It's all the same, I kick it back yo
Give 'em slack yo, and now they label me the mack yo
People check it;
Get disrespected if you front on the the birdman
Ya heard man
Catch a couple shots from the glock in my hand
Damn! At least I'm realistic with my biscuit
You know you get your ass twisted, so run for cover.
Me and my man got a plan kicking major dust,
So if you’re on nigga look for the gauge to bust
A lot of pressure with the street fame, it's a deep game,
and my mama always crying yo, there's so much pain

Chorus

Oooh....
Tired of the strain and the pain
O00h....
Tired of the strain and the pain

2Pac

They got me mobbin’ like I'm loc'ed and ready to get my slug on,
I load my clip and slip my mothafuckin' gloves on,
I ain't scared to blast on these suckas if they test me, trust!
I got my glock cocked playa if they pass me, bust,
On motherfuckers with a passion
Better duck cause I ain't lookin when I'm blastin’
I'm a nut, I’m drinkin Hennessey and gettin' high
On the lookout for my enemies,
Don't wanna die, tell me why,
Cause this stress is gettin' major,
A buck-fifty across the face with my razor.
What can I do but be a thug until I'm dead and gone,
I keep my brain on the game and stay head strong
These sorry bastards want to kill me in my sleep,
But will they, can I see,
And everyday is just a struggle
steady thuggin' in the streets
And i'll be ballin’ loc’,
Don't let 'em make you worried,
Keep swinging at these suckas till you buried.
I was born to raise hell,
A nigga from the gutta.
Word to mother I'm touched,
I'm kickin dust up ready to bust
I'm on the scene steady muggin' mean
Until they kill me
I'll be living this life
I know you feel me
There's so much pain

Chorus

Oooh...
Tired of the strain and the pain
Oooh...
Tired of the strain and the pain
O00h...
Tired of the strain and the pain
O00h...
Tired of the strain and the pain