Call your momma "mommy" (you gotta not!)
Askin' her for money (you gotta not!)
Never keep your house clean (you gotta not!)
Wearin' dirty laundry (you gotta not!)
Is that what you call flirtin'? (you gotta not!)
You ain't even workin', boy get a job
And baby, when you wanna start growin' up
We can boom, boom, boom, baby, fall in love

Oh, you don't like kids? (you gotta not!)
And you still smoke cigs? (ew, you gotta not!)
Is you afraid of blue's clues? (you gotta not!)
Do you still use a bluetooth? (you gotta not!)
You love whitey-tighties (you gotta not!)
'Cause they only show off your muffin top
And baby, when you wanna start growin' up
We can boom, boom, boom, baby, fall in love (let's go!)

I need a man
A man who can act like a man
So hear me now, I don't get paid to babysit no one
I'm out here lookin' for the one to love
Singin', I need a man, so hear me now

Oh, you don't bump to the weeknd? (you gotta not!)
You argue with my best friend? (you gotta not!)
Yeah, all the hottie-totties (you gotta not!)
If that's the way you party (you gotta not!)
Everybody want me (you gotta not!)
But you're kinda hot, so I thought, why not?
And baby, when you wanna start growin' up
We can boom, boom, boom, baby, fall in love

I need a man
A man who can act like a man
So hear me now, I don't get paid to babysit no one
I'm out here lookin' for the one to love
Singin', I need a man, so hear me now

Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah
Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah
Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah
Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah

All my ladies, if you need a man, sing!

Call your momma "mommy" (you gotta not!)
Askin' her for money (you gotta not!)
And baby, when you wanna start growin' up
We can boom, boom, boom, baby, fall in love

I need a man
A man who can act like a man
So hear me now, I don't get paid to babysit no one
I'm out here lookin' for the one to love
Singin', I need a man, so hear me now

Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah
Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah (so hear me now)
Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah
Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah (so hear me now)

I need, I need a man
I need, I need a man (I need a man)
I need, I need a man (I need a man)
I need, I need a man (I need a man)

Overall Meaning

"You Gotta Not" by Little Mix is a sassy and playful tune that tackles modern dating issues. The song's lyrics cleverly list a number of undesirable behaviors that a man should avoid if he wants to attract a confident and self-assured woman. The song is essentially a series of tongue-in-cheek warnings to men who are more interested in acting like boys than taking responsibility for their lives. The song's title "You Gotta Not" is a shortened form of "You gotta not do that if you want to impress me."

The song's first verse encourages men to stop acting like little boys and step into adulthood. Calling one's mother "mommy" and asking her for money are actions that suggest a lack of independence and maturity. Similarly, not keeping one's house clean and wearing dirty laundry are not the hallmarks of a responsible adult. The second verse tackles other modern-day issues such as smoking, not liking kids, using a Bluetooth, and not being able to handle blue's clues. Little Mix seems to be saying that in order to attract a strong and self-sufficient woman, you need to act like an adult and take responsibility for your life.

The song's chorus emphasizes the desire for a traditional 'man' in the relationship. Little Mix wants someone who can act like a man and not someone who requires constant care-giving. They sing that they are not looking for a boy to babysit, but instead, they are out there searching for the one to love. The chorus ends with a repeated plea for a real man- one who is not afraid of responsibilities and commitments.

Line by Line Meaning

Call your momma "mommy" (you gotta not!)
Don't act like a child and use baby talk with your mom

Askin' her for money (you gotta not!)
Don't take advantage of your parents and ask for money all the time

Never keep your house clean (you gotta not!)
Don't be messy and neglect your living space

Wearin' dirty laundry (you gotta not!)
Don't wear dirty clothes, it's unhygienic

Is that what you call flirtin'? (you gotta not!)
Don't mistake bad behavior for flirting

You ain't even workin', boy get a job
Don't be lazy, find work to support yourself

And baby, when you wanna start growin' up
When you're ready to mature as an adult

We can boom, boom, boom, baby, fall in love
We can start a serious relationship

Oh, you don't like kids? (you gotta not!)
Don't dislike children and show your immaturity

And you still smoke cigs? (ew, you gotta not!)
Don't smoke cigarettes, it's unhealthy and unattractive

Is you afraid of blue's clues? (you gotta not!)
Don't be afraid of childish things like a kid's TV show

Do you still use a bluetooth? (you gotta not!)
Don't use outdated technology like a bluetooth headset

You love whitey-tighties (you gotta not!)
Don't wear tighty-whities that show off your stomach

'Cause they only show off your muffin top
Because they accentuate your body's flaws

I need a man
I'm looking for a mature, responsible partner

A man who can act like a man
A partner who behaves in a mature and responsible way

So hear me now, I don't get paid to babysit no one
I'm not interested in childish, immature behavior

I'm out here lookin' for the one to love
I'm searching for a long-term, meaningful relationship

Singin', I need a man, so hear me now
Reiterating the need for a mature partner

You don't bump to the weeknd? (you gotta not!)
Don't have bad taste in music and be unwilling to listen to popular artists

You argue with my best friend? (you gotta not!)
Don't behave aggressively towards loved ones and create problems in relationships

Yeah, all the hottie-totties (you gotta not!)
Don't be overly concerned with superficial attractiveness

If that's the way you party (you gotta not!)
Don't prioritize partying and neglecting responsibilities

Everybody want me (you gotta not!)
Don't be possessive and jealous in relationships

But you're kinda hot, so I thought, why not?
Despite the red flags, I'm attracted to you

Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah
Repeating a catchy chorus

All my ladies, if you need a man, sing!
Encouraging other women to join in the search for a mature, responsible partner

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alexander Kronlund, Johan Carlsson, Ross Golan, Meghan Trainor

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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