Based on sales, Boyz II Men is one of the most successful R&B groups of all time, having recorded five #1 pop hits between 1992 and 1997. They have since topped sales of 25 million records. Three of their #1 hits, "End of the Road", "I'll Make Love to You", and "One Sweet Day" (a duet with Mariah Carey), set and broke records for the longest period of time a single remained at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Boyz II Men were originally signed to Motown Records from 1990 to 2000, at which point they were moved to parent label Universal Records. After the 2000 album Nathan Shawn Michael Wanya, Boyz II Men moved to Arista Records. In 2003, Michael McCary left the group due to chronic back problems resulting from scoliosis. As of 2005, Wanya Morris, Shawn Stockman, and Nathan Morris continue to tour and record as a trio.
human nature
Boyz II Men Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Across the night-time
The city winks a sleepless eye
Hear her voice
Shake my window
Sweet seducing sighs
Get me out
Four walls won't hold me tonight
If this town
Is just an apple
Then let me take a bite
If they say
Why, why, tell 'em that is human nature
Why, why, does he do me that way
If they say
Why, why, just tell 'em that is human nature
Why, why, does he do me that way
Reaching out
To touch a stranger
Electric eyes are everywhere
See that girl
She knows I'm watching
She likes the way I stare
If they say
Why, why, tell 'em that is human nature
Why, why, does he do me that way
If they say
Why, why, just tell 'em that is human nature
Why, why, does he do me that way
I like livin' this way
I like lovin' this way
Looking out
Across the morning
The city's heart begins to beat
Reaching out
I touch her shoulder
I'm dreaming of the street
If they say
Why, why, tell 'em that is human nature
Why, why, does he do me that way
If they say
Why, why, tell 'em that is human nature
Why, why, does he do me that way
If they say
Why, why, tell 'em that is human nature
Why, why, does he do me that way
If they say
Why, why, tell 'em that is human nature
Why, why, does he do me that way
The lyrics of the Boyz II Men song, "Human Nature," delve into the innate human desire for freedom and desire. The opening lines describe a restless feeling as the singer gazes out at the sleepless city, longing to break free of four walls and experience the exhilaration of the night. The seductive nature of the city is further emphasized as the singer is drawn to a stranger with electric eyes, and a girl who reciprocates his gaze. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "If they say, Why, why, tell 'em that is human nature, Why, why, does he do me that way," which can be interpreted as a plea to acknowledge the humanness in one's desires and behavior.
The bridge of the song provides a sense of yearning as the singer dreams of the street after touching a stranger's shoulder. The final repetition of the chorus emphasizes that these desires and impulses are inherent in human nature.
Overall, the lyrics of "Human Nature" explore the idea that our desires and actions as humans cannot always be explained or justified, but they are a fundamental part of who we are.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking out
Observing my surroundings
Across the night-time
During the hours of darkness
The city winks a sleepless eye
The city is still awake and active at night
Hear her voice
Listening to the sounds of the city
Shake my window
The sounds are so loud they vibrate my window
Sweet seducing sighs
The sounds are alluring and enticing
Get me out
I need to leave my current location
Into the night-time
During the hours of darkness
Four walls won't hold me tonight
I feel too restless to be cooped up indoors
If this town
If my current location
Is just an apple
Is something desirable
Then let me take a bite
I want to experience it fully
If they say
If people ask
Why, why, tell 'em that is human nature
It's human instinct to desire and pursue what we want
Why, why, does he do me that way
Why does he treat me the way he does?
Reaching out
Trying to connect with others
To touch a stranger
To make new connections
Electric eyes are everywhere
People are watching and waiting for connections
See that girl
I notice a particular person
She knows I'm watching
She is aware of my presence
She likes the way I stare
She is responsive to my interest
I like livin' this way
I enjoy my current lifestyle
I like lovin' this way
I enjoy loving and pursuing connections
Looking out
Observing my surroundings
Across the morning
Early in the day
The city's heart begins to beat
The city wakes up and comes to life
Reaching out
Trying to connect with others
I touch her shoulder
I make contact with someone
I'm dreaming of the street
I imagine the possibilities and potential of my current location
If they say
If people ask
Why, why, tell 'em that is human nature
It's human instinct to desire and pursue what we want
Why, why, does he do me that way
Why does he treat me the way he does?
If they say
If people ask
Why, why, tell 'em that is human nature
It's human instinct to desire and pursue what we want
Why, why, does he do me that way
Why does he treat me the way he does?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Steve Porcaro, John Bettis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind