To the beat y'all, play that beat (5x)
(This is a Missy Elliott exclusive)

[1st Verse]
When you want to go around the world (I'm ready)
And if you want me to fight your ex-girl for you (I'm ready 2x)
If you need me to cook you meals (I'm ready)
And if you want me to come and chill with you boy (Suga' I'm ready)

[Chorus:]
You don't know how you got me
I've never been in so, but not me
I was always told not to be
Givin' up the [cat] easy

Something you do reminds me
Friends be tryin' to stop me
They can't believe you got me
Givin' up the [cat] easy

When you need a back rub from working all day (I'm ready)
Uh when you need a chick to come over right away (I'm ready) (Like this)
When you need me to wash your clothes boy (I'm ready)
When you need me on the phone to curse out the hoes (Suga' I'm ready)

[Chorus]

[Repeat: x2]
Boy there ain't none quite like you
Ask me and I'll always do
'cause' I got this thing for you
You know what a little (cat) can do

[Chorus]

I'm ready when your baby momma trips
So just call me come in doin' backwards flips
My darling
Would you like me bust her lips
'cause' I'm ready, show you I'm the realest chick
And I love you
I'll do what you want me to do
I said I love you
For you I'm more than a crew
I'm Mrs. Do-right
Can't go wrong with me
I said are-E-D-why
Always on time
Uh, come on

Overall Meaning

The song "Play That Beat" by Missy Elliott is about a woman who is willing to do anything for her man. She is letting him know that she can travel the world with him, fight for him, cook for him, and be there for him whenever he needs her. The chorus talks about how her friends are surprised that she is giving herself so easily to the guy she loves, but she can't help it because of the special bond they share. She is confident that no one can love him like she does and is willing to do whatever it takes to make him happy.

The song is a reflection of the traditional gender roles in relationships where women are expected to cook, clean and be there for their partners at all times, regardless of how they are treated. The lyrics also reinforce the idea that women should not give themselves up easily and should not be sexually promiscuous. Missy Elliott challenges these stereotypes and shows women that they can be strong and independent while still being loving and caring partners. The song encourages people to find someone who loves and appreciates them for who they are and to never settle for less.

Line by Line Meaning

To the beat y'all, play that beat (5x)
Missy Elliott is requesting the DJ to play the music by saying 'to the beat, play that beat' repeatedly.

When you want to go around the world (I'm ready)
Missy is always ready to travel with her partner whenever he wants to go on a trip.

And if you want me to fight your ex-girl for you (I'm ready 2x)
Missy is willing to fight for her man if needed to protect him from his ex-girlfriend.

If you need me to cook you meals (I'm ready)
Missy is always ready to prepare meals for her partner whenever he needs her to.

And if you want me to come and chill with you boy (Suga' I'm ready)
Missy is ready to spend time and relax with her partner whenever he asks her to.

You don't know how you got me
Missy's partner might not know why he has her completely invested in their relationship.

I've never been in so, but not me
Even though Missy has never been this invested before, this is different because she really cares for her partner.

I was always told not to be
Missy was always taught not to give herself away easily in a relationship.

Givin' up the [cat] easy
Missy is referring to her body being compared to a cat, that she shouldn't be giving it away easily.

Something you do reminds me
Something that her partner does makes her invest her time and care for him.

Friends be tryin' to stop me
Missy's friends might think that she is giving too much of herself in the relationship, so they try to stop her.

They can't believe you got me
Missy's friends can't believe how much her partner has influenced her to care for him so much.

When you need a back rub from working all day (I'm ready)
Missy is ready to give her partner a back rub after he comes back from working all day.

Uh when you need a chick to come over right away (I'm ready) (Like this)
Missy is always ready to come over whenever her partner needs her to, even on short notice.

When you need me to wash your clothes boy (I'm ready)
Missy is ready to wash her partner's clothes whenever he asks her to.

When you need me on the phone to curse out the hoes (Suga' I'm ready)
Missy is willing to handle any issues regarding her partner's ex-partners, and fiercely protect her relationship from them.

Boy there ain't none quite like you
Missy's partner is special and unique.

Ask me and I'll always do
Missy is ready to do anything to keep her partner happy in the relationship.

'cause' I got this thing for you
Missy is deeply in love with her partner, and this is the reason why she is invested in this relationship.

You know what a little (cat) can do
Missy is hinting that her partner might know the effect she has on him, like what a seductive woman can do to a man's will.

I'm ready when your baby momma trips
Missy is ready to be there for her partner when his baby mother causes trouble.

So just call me come in doin' backwards flips
Missy will do anything to reach to her partner's side, just like doing gymnastics - even figuratively doing a backwards flip while arriving.

My darling
A term of endearment for her partner.

Would you like me bust her lips
Missy is willing to physically fight the baby mother if she ever disrespects their relationship.

'cause' I'm ready, show you I'm the realest chick
Missy is ready to prove to her partner how much she cares and is full of love and respect in their relationship.

And I love you
Missy loves her partner deeply.

I'll do what you want me to do
Missy is willing to do anything that her partner wants and asks her to do in the relationship.

For you I'm more than a crew
Missy is closer to her partner than just being the member of a team.

I'm Mrs. Do-right
Missy considers herself the perfect woman for her partner, because she'll always do the right thing for their relationship.

Can't go wrong with me
Missy thinks that her partner can't ever make a mistake being with her.

I said are-E-D-why
Missy is spelling out her name to announce herself.

Always on time
Missy is always punctual and dependable for her partner in their relationship.

Uh, come on
Missy concludes the song with an invitation to keep listening to her music.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TIMOTHY MOSLEY, MISSY ELLIOTT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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