If I Were A Boy Ft. R. Kelly
Beyonce Lyrics

If I were a boy
The beginning of the hypothetical scenario where the singer imagines living as a male.

Even just for a day
Specifying the duration of the hypothetical scenario.

I'd roll out of bed in the morning
The freedom to wake up and move freely without worrying about the usual gender stereotypes.

And throw on what I wanted and go
The ability to wear whatever and not be judged because of their gender.

Drink beer with the guys
Socializing with male friends in a way that is not always possible as a woman.

And chase after girls
The freedom to flirt without societal labels.

I'd kick it with who I wanted
Being able to hang out with whoever she wants, regardless of gender or societal norms.

And I'd never get confronted for it
Not facing any repercussions for actions deemed unacceptable for women.

'Cause they'd stick up for me
Other men would defend her actions or decisions.

If I were a boy
Reiterating the hypothetical scenario's start.

I think I could understand
The idea that men and women often have different experiences and understandings of love and relationships.

How it feels to love a girl
The singer imagines how it might feel to be male and love a woman.

I swear I'd be a better man
Acknowledging that men may have a responsibility to treat women better.

I'd listen to her
The ability to empathize and understand a woman emotionally.

'Cause I know how it hurts
The singer recognizes the pain of feeling unheard or unappreciated.

When you lose the one you wanted
Emphasizing the pain of losing someone you love.

'Cause he's taken you for granted
Blaming the person's bad treatment for the end of the relationship.

And everything you had got destroyed
The aftermath of a failed relationship and the pain involved.

If I were a boy
Reiterating the hypothetical scenario's start.

I would turn off my phone
Not responding to calls and messages.

Tell everyone it's broken
Giving off the impression of not interested in communications.

So they'd think that I was sleeping alone
Suggesting that men do not need to be as communicative in relationships.

I'd put myself first
Prioritizing what the male version of the singer wants in a hypothetical sense.

And make the rules as I go
Enjoying the freedom to make independent choices without any cultural constraints.

'Cause I know that she'd be faithful
Assuming that the woman in the relationship will be loyal and patient with him.

Waiting for me to come home (to come home)
The idea that men do not always have to check in with their significant other.

If I were a boy
Reiterating the hypothetical scenario's start.

I think I could understand
The same sentiment expressed earlier in the song.

How it feels to love a girl
The singer imagines how it might feel to be male and love a woman.

I swear I'd be a better man
The same sentiment expressed earlier in the song.

I'd listen to her
The same sentiment expressed earlier in the song.

'Cause I know how it hurts
The same sentiment expressed earlier in the song.

When you lose the one you wanted
The same sentiment expressed earlier in the song.

'Cause he's taken you for granted
The same sentiment expressed earlier in the song.

And everything you had got destroyed
The same sentiment expressed earlier in the song.

It's a little too late for you to come back
The person who took the singer for granted wanting to come back after realizing their mistake.

Say it's just a mistake
Trying to justify their actions as an accident rather than purposeful.

Think I'd forgive you like that
Assuming that the singer would be willing to forgive them easily.

If you thought I would wait for you
A partner thinking that the singer would have been waiting for them.

You thought wrong
The singer bluntly stating that this is not the case.

But you're just a boy
The person who made the mistake is seen as being immature or inexperienced.

You don't understand (Yeah, you don't understand)
The idea that men and women often have different experiences and understandings of love and relationships.

How it feels to love a girl someday
The singer emphasizing that someday the person might understand her and her feelings.

You wish you were a better man
The person acknowledging that they need to improve themselves.

You don't listen to her
The same sentiment expressed earlier in the song.

You don't care how it hurts
The same sentiment expressed earlier in the song.

Until you lose the one you wanted
The same sentiment expressed earlier in the song.

'Cause you've taken her for granted
The same sentiment expressed earlier in the song.

And everything you have got destroyed
The same sentiment expressed earlier in the song.