Back Then
A.I. Love You Lyrics


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Ay, in my apartment a long time ago
I knew a bad bitch, but she was kind of slow
Still gave it up when it's a few of us
She let me finger fuck her on the school bus
We used to cut school with her and run train
She want to hang with us, we want one thing
Just penetrating that throat dog
She choke on it like Smoke Dog
But whenever I fucked up my re-up
In a dice game I go see her
She'll give me enough to buy a quarter ounce
And then blow a blunt of that reefa'
She used to buy a nigga new sneakers
Pay the bill on my beeper
Just so she can pay to put a "69"
And I know what time to go freak her
Then one day I just asked her
"Why you always give your ass up?
I mean damn these hoes get paid
All you do is get laid, this shit don't add up."
She said, "Tip, all I wanna do is feel love
Even if I know it ain't real love
Even if I know a nigga only finna hit it
Then never call back, I still fuck"
And that's fucked up, she's so trill
I need somethin', she go steal
When the trap hot and police ride
Nigga, guess where we go chill?
For 'bout four years she held dope
And my four pounds till' it goes down
I remember shawty, she stayed down
I won't say her name because she married now

When the lights go out and I'm in my bed
I think of all the madness in my head oh
All of the things that I did back then
Oh when I'm in my bed
I think of all the memories I've had oh
All of the things that I did back then

She would always turn heads when she'd fall through
She would always make moves how a boss do
And she never gave any nigga time of day
But she the chick all the niggas tried to talk to
But when it came to me, she had a thing for me
When we kick it she roll up the weed for me
And we'd both cut class post up in the cut steady
Watching just to see if the police coming
We got close over time, her and I
Right around the time that I first got signed
Come to think about it I was 'bout 17
I ain't even have a license, couldn't even drive
I was going back and forth with these flights
Another show after show, each night
She became so suspicious of these other bitches
She'd go through my phone and we'd fight
Talk about torn between the two
Wasn't really much more that we could do
Wasn't really much space for us
But she stayed down with every tour she seen me do
But I guess one night I had a few
Huh, one night I had a few
Yeah, this little chick that caught my eye
I told her "hurry up, meet me at the room"
And no, I didn't have a contraceptive
And my common sense neglected
And two months later next thing I know
I got a text that said "I'm pregnant"
And you can almost bet she kept it
That's the reason why you left me
On top of all that, it wasn't even mine
I went and got paternity tested, damn!

When the lights go out and I'm in my bed
I think of all the madness in my head oh
All of the things that I did back then
Oh when I'm in my bed
I think of all the memories I've had oh
All of the things that I did back then

Wait, hold up, is that you?
With them big ol' thighs after school?
Jay 3-0-5 had gave me high five
When I said I'm in hot pursuit
You said I won't ride until Kendrick drive
A new Monte Carlo that cruise
And that shot my pride, I tried to improv'
But no freestyle I never do
You looking for the nigga with the tallest 'fetti
You overlooking every nigga that ain't quite ready
To make it rain on you like about to break a levee
Hold up, that pussy petty
Yeah, your nails did, your hair did
Your cell phone is selfish
It only got numbers that come with a Hummer
Her new prima donna I smelt it
Tried to make you mine, ho!
Tried to make some time, ho!
But I ain't got the time or the patience
To stop and wait in line, ho!
Her dreams holds Versace
She fall for Armani
Only deal with rich niggas
Fuck you and Mitt Romney
I'm grown now I'm on my own now
I'm po'ppin'
Change my phone now
When I get home now
I got o'ptions
Fast forward, wait is that you?
With them big old thighs after school?
And your 3 kids and 3 baby daddies
And car note that's overdue? I know

When the lights go out and I'm in my bed
I think of all the madness in my head oh
All of the things that I did back then
Oh when I'm in my bed




I think of all the memories I've had oh
All of the things that I did back then

Overall Meaning

The song "Back Then" by A.I. Love You tells the story of the singer's relationship with a woman he knew from his past. He describes how they used to skip school and indulge in sexual activities, with her being willing to do almost anything just to feel loved. Despite society's disapproval of their relationship, they remained together for several years and overcame various challenges such as drug trafficking and infidelity. However, their relationship eventually fell apart due to the singer's irresponsibility and inability to stay faithful, resulting in the woman moving on and starting a family with other men.


The lyrics of "Back Then" reveal the complex and often tumultuous nature of relationships. It highlights how difficult it is to maintain a relationship with another person, no matter how much love there is between them. It also illustrates the consequences of bad choices and the regret that can come with them. Overall, the song is a poignant reflection on a past relationship that had both its happy moments and its struggles.


Line by Line Meaning

Ay, in my apartment a long time ago
In the past, I lived in an apartment where many experiences took place.


I knew a bad bitch, but she was kind of slow
I was acquainted with an attractive person, although they may not have been intellectually quick.


Still gave it up when it's a few of us
Regardless of the circumstances, she was still willing to engage in intimate activities with a group of people.


She let me finger fuck her on the school bus
She allowed me to engage in explicit sexual acts with her while we were on a school bus.


We used to cut school with her and run train
We frequently skipped school with her and engaged in sexual activities in a sequential manner.


She want to hang with us, we want one thing
While she desired companionship, we were primarily interested in sexual encounters.


Just penetrating that throat dog
The main objective was to engage in oral sex with her.


She choke on it like Smoke Dog
She experienced difficulty and discomfort while performing oral sex, similar to Smoke Dog.


But whenever I fucked up my re-up
Whenever I made a mistake with my drug supply, causing it to deplete,


In a dice game I go see her
I would visit her after losing money in a gambling game involving dice.


She'll give me enough to buy a quarter ounce
She would provide me with sufficient funds to purchase a quarter ounce of drugs.


And then blow a blunt of that reefa'
In addition, she would consume a marijuana joint.


She used to buy a nigga new sneakers
She would purchase new shoes for me.


Pay the bill on my beeper
She would cover the expenses associated with my pager.


Just so she can pay to put a "69"
She would even spend money specifically to have the number '69' engraved.


And I know what time to go freak her
I was aware of when to visit her for sexual encounters.


Then one day I just asked her
At some point, I questioned her about her behavior.


"Why you always give your ass up?
"Why are you constantly engaging in sexual activities?


I mean damn these hoes get paid
Other individuals in similar situations receive financial compensation.


All you do is get laid, this shit don't add up."
Your actions primarily consist of sexual encounters, which seems illogical.


She said, "Tip, all I wanna do is feel love
She responded, "I simply want to experience love.


Even if I know it ain't real love
Even though I am aware it may not be genuine love.


Even if I know a nigga only finna hit it
Even if I know a person is solely interested in engaging in sexual activities.


Then never call back, I still fuck"
Even if they never contact me again, I am still willing to engage in sexual encounters with them.


And that's fucked up, she's so trill
This situation is messed up, but she remains true to herself.


I need somethin', she go steal
When I require something, she is willing to steal it for me.


When the trap hot and police ride
In times of increased police surveillance and risk,


Nigga, guess where we go chill?
We would find a hideout or a safe place to hang out.


For 'bout four years she held dope
She kept illegal drugs for approximately four years.


And my four pounds till' it goes down
She stored my four pounds of drugs until we could sell it all.


I remember shawty, she stayed down
I recall that she remained loyal and committed.


I won't say her name because she married now
I will refrain from mentioning her name due to her current marital status.


When the lights go out and I'm in my bed
During times of darkness and solitude while lying in bed,


I think of all the madness in my head oh
I reflect on the chaotic thoughts occupying my mind.


All of the things that I did back then
I reminisce about all the actions and choices I made in the past.


She would always turn heads when she'd fall through
Whenever she arrived, she would capture everyone's attention.


She would always make moves how a boss do
She would constantly make confident and assertive decisions.


And she never gave any nigga time of day
She never showed interest or attention to any man.


But she the chick all the niggas tried to talk to
Despite this, she was the woman all the men attempted to engage with.


But when it came to me, she had a thing for me
However, she had a particular attraction or interest in me.


When we kick it she roll up the weed for me
When we spent time together, she would prepare and roll marijuana joints for me.


And we'd both cut class post up in the cut steady
Both of us would skip school and find a discreet location to hang out calmly.


Watching just to see if the police coming
Remaining vigilant, observing our surroundings for any signs of law enforcement.


We got close over time, her and I
Gradually, we developed a close bond and connection.


Right around the time that I first got signed
Coinciding with the period when I received my first recording contract.


Come to think about it I was 'bout 17
Upon reflection, I realized I was approximately 17 years old.


I ain't even have a license, couldn't even drive
At that time, I did not possess a driver's license and was unable to operate a vehicle.


I was going back and forth with these flights
I frequently traveled by air, constantly moving between different locations.


Another show after show, each night
Performing evening after evening, consecutively.


She became so suspicious of these other bitches
She grew increasingly distrustful of other women involved in my life.


She'd go through my phone and we'd fight
She would examine and scrutinize the content of my phone, leading to arguments and disagreements.


Talk about torn between the two
We frequently discussed the conflict and dilemma of being caught between two choices.


Wasn't really much more that we could do
There were limited options available to resolve our situation.


Wasn't really much space for us
The circumstances did not provide us with ample room for progress or growth.


But she stayed down with every tour she seen me do
Despite the challenges, she remained loyal and supportive throughout every tour I embarked on.


But I guess one night I had a few
However, on one particular night, I consumed a few alcoholic beverages.


Huh, one night I had a few
Yes, one evening I consumed multiple drinks.


Yeah, this little chick that caught my eye
Indeed, I became interested in this particular woman.


I told her "hurry up, meet me at the room"
I instructed her to hasten her arrival and join me in a designated room or location.


And no, I didn't have a contraceptive
Regrettably, I did not possess a method of birth control.


And my common sense neglected
My ability to make rational decisions was disregarded or ignored.


And two months later next thing I know
After a duration of approximately two months, I suddenly became aware of the following events.


I got a text that said "I'm pregnant"
I received a text message informing me of the woman's pregnancy.


And you can almost bet she kept it
It is highly likely that she carried the pregnancy to term.


That's the reason why you left me
This became the motivation for her departure or ending the relationship.


On top of all that, it wasn't even mine
Additionally, to complicate matters further, the child was not biologically mine.


I went and got paternity tested, damn!
I took the necessary steps to confirm the child's paternity through a testing process.


Wait, hold up, is that you?
Wait a moment, is that really you?


With them big ol' thighs after school?
Are those your large and prominent thighs that I used to observe after school?


Jay 3-0-5 had gave me high five
Jay from the 305 area code region enthusiastically greeted me with a high five.


When I said I'm in hot pursuit
When I expressed my strong pursuit or interest in you.


You said I won't ride until Kendrick drive
You declared that you would only engage in a romantic relationship when a person named Kendrick drives.


A new Monte Carlo that cruise
Unless you acquire a new vehicle, specifically a Monte Carlo, you won't participate.


And that shot my pride, I tried to improv'
This statement significantly affected my self-esteem, and I attempted to come up with a creative response.


But no freestyle I never do
Unfortunately, I am not skilled at freestyle improvisation.


You looking for the nigga with the tallest 'fetti
You are seeking a man with a substantial amount of money or wealth.


You overlooking every nigga that ain't quite ready
You are disregarding or neglecting all the men who are not yet financially prepared.


To make it rain on you like about to break a levee
To shower you with money, as if trying to breach a levee and create a flood.


Hold up, that pussy petty
Wait a moment, that attitude or behavior is insignificant or trivial.


Yeah, your nails did, your hair did
Yes, your nails are well-groomed, your hair is styled.


Your cell phone is selfish
Your cell phone exhibits selfish tendencies or is solely focused on your needs.


It only got numbers that come with a Hummer
Your cell phone only contains contact information linked to individuals who own Hummer vehicles.


Her new prima donna I smelt it
I detected the presence of her new arrogant and demanding personality.


Tried to make you mine, ho!
I attempted to establish an exclusive and committed relationship with you!


Tried to make some time, ho!
I made an effort to allocate and spend quality time with you!


But I ain't got the time or the patience
Unfortunately, I do not possess the availability or tolerance for it.


To stop and wait in line, ho!
I am unwilling to pause my activities and wait for you!


Her dreams holds Versace
Her aspirations involve acquiring or wearing Versace clothing.


She fall for Armani
She is attracted to or enamored with individuals associated with the Armani brand.


Only deal with rich niggas
She exclusively engages with wealthy men.


Fuck you and Mitt Romney
She holds contempt for both you and Mitt Romney.


I'm grown now I'm on my own now
I have matured and am now independent.


I'm po'ppin'
I am currently succeeding and flourishing.


Change my phone now
I have replaced my previous cell phone with a new one.


When I get home now
Upon arriving home,


I got o'ptions
I possess multiple choices or alternatives.


Fast forward, wait is that you?
Skipping ahead to the present, is that still you?


With them big old thighs after school?
Do you still possess those prominent and sizable thighs that I used to observe after school?


And your 3 kids and 3 baby daddies
Additionally, do you now have three children and three different fathers?


And car note that's overdue? I know
And an outstanding car payment that is past its due date? I am already aware of these details.


When the lights go out and I'm in my bed
During moments of darkness while I am lying in bed,


I think of all the madness in my head oh
I reflect upon all the chaos and turmoil present within my thoughts.


All of the things that I did back then
I contemplate all of the actions and decisions I made in the past.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bobby Ray Simmons, Clifford Harris, Kendrick Duckworth, Kris Stephens

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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