Can't Go For That
ËþÃ×ÑÇ(Tamia) Lyrics

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[Tamia][Missy]
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
(Yo, yo, yo uh)

Why you got an attitude?
(Uh-huh, yo)
Why you acting all foolish?
(Uh-huh, yo)

When you see me out in the street boy
(Ugh)
You wanna embarass me, call me names
Slap my face until
Until you see my friends come, ooh
Then you wanna try to console me, oh
(Uh-huh, yo, yo)
But they already know boy
(They already know boy)
Cause for the last week I've been in the house
And I've cried and cried

[Missy]
I can't go for that, no, no, no can do
I can't go for that, no, no, no can do
I can't go for that, no, no, no can do
I can't go for that, can't go for that
Can't go for that

Now you bring me flowers
(Uh, what?)
You say you got it together
(Uh, yo)
Soon as I let my guard down
(Ugh)
Oh there you go again
In my grill till I call the cops then
Then you wanna chill out and say
(Ooh, say what?)
I'm the one who's buggin'
(Oh
But, no, no it's you, you see
(No, no, it's you, you see)
Every time I go out
You come grabbin' all over me

[Missy]
I can't go for that, no, no, no can do
I can't go for that, no, no, no can do
I can't go for that, no, no, no can do
I can't go for that, can't go for that
Can't go for that

Why you trippin?
Get your hands off me
Why you illin?
I'm supposed to be your nubian queen

Why you trippin?
Get your hands off me
Why you illin?
I'm supposed to be your nubian queen

I'm supposed to be your nubian queen, oh

[Missy]
I can't go for that, no, no, no can do
I can't go for that, no, no, no can do
I can't go for that, no, no, no can do

I can't go for that, can't go for that
Can't go for that

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Can't Go For That" by Tamia feat. Missy Elliot discuss a relationship where the female protagonist is tired of her partner's behavior towards her. She questions why he has an attitude towards her and acts foolishly when he sees her in public, trying to embarrass her through name-calling and physical aggression. However, once her friends come around, he tries to console her as if nothing happened. The singer has been in her house all week crying and now she is tired of his behavior.

Missy Elliot's rap verse emphasizes the point of the song, with her stating that she "can't go for that" behavior of her partner. Despite her partner bringing her flowers and proclaiming that he has it together, he still behaves inappropriately towards her, making her call the cops on him. The chorus is a repeating refrain of "can't go for that," highlighting the singer's unwillingness to accept the behavior that her partner is displaying.

Overall, the song is a powerful statement against toxic relationships and standing up against unacceptable behavior. The lyrics remind listeners that they deserve respect and kindness from their partners and can choose to leave a relationship if necessary.

Line by Line Meaning

Why you got an attitude?
Why are you being unpleasant towards me?

Why you acting all foolish?
Why are you behaving in a silly manner?

When you see me out in the street boy, you wanna embarass me, call me names
When you see me outside, you want to humiliate me by insulting me.

Slap my face until, until you see my friends come, ooh
Hitting me until my friends arrive.

Then you wanna try to console me, oh
After that, you try to comfort me.

But they already know boy, cause for the last week I've been in the house and I've cried and cried
But my friends already know what had happened since I had locked myself inside and cried for a week.

I can't go for that, no, no, no can do
I cannot accept that behavior.

Now you bring me flowers
Now you bring me flowers.

You say you got it together
You claim to be composed.

Soon as I let my guard down, oh there you go again
Once I start trusting you, you revert to your old ways.

In my grill till I call the cops then, then you wanna chill out and say
You get in my face until I call the police, then you try to act calm and normal.

But, no, no it's you, you see, every time I go out, you come grabbin' all over me
It's actually you who has the problem because every time I go out, you try to get physical with me.

Why you trippin? Get your hands off me
Why are you acting like this? Stop touching me.

Why you illin? I'm supposed to be your nubian queen
Why are you behaving in this manner? I'm supposed to be your African American queen.

I'm supposed to be your nubian queen, oh
I'm supposed to be the most important person in your life.

Contributed by Aaliyah R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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