Al B. Sure! (born Albert Brown, 4 June 1969, Boston, Massachusetts) is an A… Read Full Bio ↴Al B. Sure! (born Albert Brown, 4 June 1969, Boston, Massachusetts) is an American singer-songwriter, and record producer. He grew up in Mount Vernon, New York and during the late 1980s, Al B. Sure! enjoyed a brief run as one of New Jack Swing’s most popular romantic singers and producers. He is known for his trademark unibrow.

Brown was a star football quarterback at Mount Vernon High School in New York, but rejected an athletic scholarship to the University of Iowa to pursue a music career. In 1987, Quincy Jones selected Brown as the first winner of the Sony Innovators Talent Search. Subsequently, Brown went on to work with Jones on several projects, most notably the platinum single "Secret Garden" from Jones' double platinum album Back on the Block. On this recording, Brown was one of a quartet with Barry White, El DeBarge, and James Ingram.

His debut album from 1988, In Effect Mode, sold more than two million copies, topping the Billboard R&B chart for seven straight weeks. The album included his memorable single "Nite and Day", which topped the R&B singles chart and reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100. He received numerous Grammy and American Music Award (AMA) nominations, and won an AMA for Best New R&B Artist. He also received several Soul Train Award nominations, and won the award for Best New Artist. He also won several New York Music Awards. In addition, Al's 900 phone line was third in generating revenue, following those for New Kids on the Block and Run-DMC.

As a writer and producer, Brown introduced the multi-platinum group Jodeci and teen R&B performer Tevin Campbell (also one of Quincy Jones's former protégés), as well as Faith Evans, Dave Hollister, Case, and Usher to the music scene.

On June 23, 2009, Al released his fourth studio album, Honey I'm Home. It features the hit song, "I Love It (Papi Aye Aye Aye)." The single peaked at #77 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart and at #22 Adult R&B.

If I'm Not Your Lover
Al B. Sure! Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(feat. Slick Rick)

If I'm not your lover
If I'm not your friend
Tell me, baby
Just tell me what I am

If I'm not your lover

If I'm not your friend
Tell me, baby

I'm just a man
Who comes around at night
And to leave you, girl
Baby, that ain't right

You call me over
Give me sexy talk
After things are over
You tell me take a walk, girl

If you think
I'm playing you too close
I just want to be the one
Who's loving you the most, girl

Material things
Don't come into my world
All I want is a one man girl

If I'm not your lover
If I'm not your friend, yeah
Tell me, baby
Just tell me what I am

If I'm not your lover
If I'm not your friend
Tell me, baby
Just tell me what I am

Since this conversation
I'm so confused
Tell me, baby
Am I being used

Dedication is what I want
You're being complicated
You know it's just a front, girl

If you think
I'm playing you too close
I just want to be the one
Who's loving you the most, girl

Material things
Don't come into my world
All I want is a one man girl

If I'm not your lover, yeah
If I'm not your friend
(If I'm not your friend)
Tell me, baby
(Just tell me, tell me, tell me)
Just tell me what I am

If I'm not your lover
If I'm not your friend
Your friend
Just tell me what I am

If I'm not your
Just tell me what I am
If I'm not your

If I'm not your lover
If I'm not your friend
Just tell me, baby
Just tell me
Just tell me, tell me

If I'm not your lover
If I'm not your friend
Tell me, baby
Just tell me what I am

If I'm not your lover
If I'm not your friend
Tell me, baby
Just what I am

If I'm not your lover
If I'm not your friend
Tell me, baby
Just what I am

If I'm not your lover
If I'm not your friend
Tell me, baby
Just tell me what I am

If I'm not your lover
(Not your lover)
If I'm not your friend
(Not your friend, not your friend)
Tell me, baby (tell me, baby)
Just what I am

If I'm not your lover
If I'm not your friend
Tell me, baby
Just tell me
Just tell me what I am

If I'm not your lover
If I'm not your friend
Tell me, baby
Just tell me what I am
(Just what I am)

If I'm not your lover
If I'm not your friend
Tell me, baby
Just tell me what I am

If I'm not your lover
If I'm not your friend

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Al B. Sure!'s song If I'm Not Your Lover express the confusion and frustration of a man who is unsure of where he stands in his romantic relationship. He questions whether he is truly his love interest's lover and friend, or if he is being used for a temporary pleasure. He yearns for dedication and simplicity in the relationship, stating that material things do not matter to him as long as he has a faithful partner. The addition of rapper Slick Rick's verse adds to the song's narrative by introducing a perspective from a third-party, who asks the woman to treat the man with care and respect.

The lyrics of If I'm Not Your Lover delve into themes of insecurity, trust, and honesty in romantic relationships. The singer of the song is unsure of his love interest's intentions and feels used. He desires a genuine connection with her and wants to know where he stands in her life. He is willing to give his all to her, but only if she reciprocates his feelings and commitment. The use of repetition in the chorus emphasizes the importance of clarity in communication in relationships, and highlights the singer's confusion and desperation for answers.

Line by Line Meaning

If I'm not your lover
If I'm not the one you're romantically involved with

If I'm not your friend
If I'm not someone you trust, rely on, and confide in

Tell me, baby
Communicate with me honestly and openly, my love

Just tell me what I am
Just tell me what role I play in your life

I'm just a man
I am a human being with emotions and desires

Who comes around at night
I visit you after dark for romantic reasons

And to leave you, girl
It wouldn't be fair or respectful to abruptly leave you

Baby, that ain't right
It would be wrong and hurtful to act that way

You call me over
You ask me to come to you

Give me sexy talk
You engage in flirtatious and sexual conversation with me

After things are over
After we have been intimate