Released: May 11, 2020

Songwriter: Tearce Kizzo Jon Batiste Autumn Rowe

Producer: Ex Reyes Nick Waterhouse Jon Batiste

[Verse 1]
My daddy had a small house up on the east side (Alright)
Willy down the block threw me the peace sign (Oh yeah)
Moved to the big city, now we sitting killing (Alright)
My daddy growed up, when times was hard and gritty (Oh yeah)

[Pre-Chorus]
Whether looking for love?
Are you looking for fame?
Before you go off
Better know the game

[Chorus]
He said, tell it like it is (Tell the truth)
Love how you live (I'm talkin' to you)
When you're doing what you do
Just tell the truth (Tell the truth)

Tell it like it is (Tell the truth)
Love how you live (I'm talkin' to you)
When you're doing what you do
Just tell the truth

[Verse 2]
I'm thinking 'bout my papa
Now that I'm a star (Uh huh)
Lost in translation
People all across the nation (Oh yeah)
Just say it, plain and simple
Amongst the complications (No lie)

[Pre-Chorus]
I'm packing all my sneakers
I never had a car
Before you drive off, boy
Better know who you are

[Chorus]
He said, tell it like it is (Tell the truth)
Love how you live (I'm talkin' to you)
When you're doing what you do
Tell the truth (Tell the truth)

He said, tell it like it is (Tell the truth)
Love how you live (I'm talkin' to you)
When you're doing what you do, ow!
Just tell the truth (Tell the truth)
Just tell the truth (Tell the truth)
Just tell the truth (Tell the truth)
Ooh, ooh, ow!

Tell it like it is (Tell the truth)
Love how you live (I'm talkin' to you)
When you're doing what you do
I said, just tell it like it is (Tell the truth)
Love how you live (I'm talkin' to you)
When you're doing what you do
When you do it, be you, be you, be you

Jon Batiste

Jonathan Michael Batiste (born in Kenner, Louisiana, USA on November 11, 1986) is a Singer, composer, multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire. He is the bandleader of Stay Human; a house band of the talk program “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”.

This New Orleans native grew up alongside Trombone Shorty and started his career at a young age touring with luminaries like Wynton Marsalis, Louis Hayes, and Roy Hargrove.

When he’s not directing music for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Jon tours with Stay Human around the world.