In early 2000, both Roberson and Luckett were replaced with Williams and Farrah Franklin; however, Franklin quit after five months, leaving the group as a trio. Their third album, Survivor (2001), whose themes the public interpreted as a channel to the group's experience, produced the worldwide hits "Independent Women", "Survivor" and "Bootylicious. In 2001, they announced a hiatus to pursue solo careers. The trio reunited three years later for the release of their fifth and final studio album, Destiny Fulfilled (2004), which spawned the international hits "Lose My Breath" and "Soldier (feat. T.I. & Lil' Wayne)". Since the group's official disbandment in 2006, Knowles, Rowland and Williams have reunited several times, including at the 2013 Super Bowl halftime show and 2018 Coachella festival.
Destiny's Child has sold more than sixty million records worldwide to date. Billboard ranks the group as one of the greatest musical trios of all time, the ninth most successful artist/band of the 2000s, placed the group 68th in its All-Time Hot 100 Artists list in 2008 and in December 2016, the magazine ranked them as the 90th most successful dance club artist of all time. The group was nominated for 14 Grammy Awards, winning twice for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and once for Best R&B Song.
Why You Actin'
Destiny's Child Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Chapter one
LAX departure
Flight 1106 he sat right next to me
Chapter two
He was cute so I asked him if he had a lucky lady claiming him
Chapter three
He made it clear that he was single
Chapter four
We landed and he said we just can't end it
Cause he needed a little more time wit me
Weeks later we datin'
Taking me all kinda places
Showing me thing I never seen
It was kinda crazy
I'm relating to this man so I gave him
Every hidden secret part of me
Oh oh then it switched
What is this overheard your messages
When I questioned you, you said she's a friend
Now it's funny that I'm runnin' into you is that your group
Nigga tell her I'm your main event
[Chorus]
Why you actin' like you don't know
Who I am
After all the trips, all time we spent
Now you act like we weren't doing it
Why you actin' like you don't know
Girl I know your man
I drove his whip, I bought his rims
And I know its gone hurt you proving it
Why you actin' like you don't know
Who I am
After all the trips, all time we spent
You gone act like we weren't doing it
Why you actin' like you don't know
Girl I know your man
After all the trips, all time we spent
And I know its gone hurt you proving it
[Kelly:]
Think I'm lying
His Mama, Mrs. Parker
And I sat down in the den and watched Comic View
Think I'm lying
His boxers
He likes to wear Calvin Klein
With the open front fly design size 32
Think I'm lying
I never could describe his birth mark
If I never did let him hit and get into this
Think I'm lying
I can even tell you your size
Cause you left your bra behind in his bathroom
Weeks later we datin'
Taking me all kinda places
Showing me thing I never seen
It was kinda crazy
I'm relating to this man so I gave him
Every little secret part of me
Oh oh then it switched
What is this overheard your messages
And I questioned you, you said she's a friend
Now it's funny that I'm runnin' into you is that your group
Partner tell her I'm your main event
[Chorus]
[Michelle:]
See you makin' it harder
For the other man
When a real woman
Try to let you in
Now she lookin' at me
Thinkin' I disrespect
But that's not my way girl 'cause I wasn't raised like that
You accusing me
Should be checking him
Insecure of me
'cause I dealt wit him
Woman to woman I ain't got time for foolishness
I'm out the door
This is my cue
I can't go through with this
[Chorus]
Why you actin' like you don't know
Why you actin' like you don't know
Why you actin' like you don't know
Why you actin' like you don't know
Why you actin' like you don't know
Girl I know your man
After all the trips, all time we spent
I know its gone hurt you proving it
The song "Why You Actin'" by Destiny's Child features three different perspectives from the group's members about their experiences with a man who was dishonest about his relationship status. Chapter one begins with Beyoncé recounting a flight where she met the man, and they hit it off, leading to weeks of dating. However, in chapter two, she discovers through overhearing his messages that he has a girlfriend. In chapter three, Kelly gives specific details about the man's personal life, corroborating Beyoncé's discovery, and in chapter four, Michelle encourages women to hold men accountable for their actions.
The song is a relatable story about the difficulties of navigating relationships when people are not honest about their intentions. Beyoncé's initial interest in the man and her willingness to share personal details with him shows the vulnerability that people experience when opening themselves up to potential partners. The chorus, where the group asks why the man is acting as though he doesn't know them after the time they spent together, highlights the frustration and hurt felt by people who feel they were misled in their relationships.
The song's perspective shifting technique emphasizes the universality of the story, and each member's unique voice blends well with the others, showcasing the group's harmonious strength. The song's catchy beat and hook make it a memorable R&B classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Chapter one
LAX departure
Flight 1106 he sat right next to me
We met on a flight to Los Angeles
Chapter two
He was cute so I asked him if he had a lucky lady claiming him
I hit on him, and asked if he was taken
Chapter three
He made it clear that he was single
And he was searching for a partner just like me
He said he was single, and looking for someone like me
Chapter four
We landed and he said we just can't end it
Cause he needed a little more time wit me
He didn't want our conversation to end when the flight landed, and he wanted to spend more time with me
Weeks later we datin'
Taking me all kinda places
Showing me thing I never seen
It was kinda crazy
I'm relating to this man so I gave him
Every hidden secret part of me
We started dating and he showed me new things. I felt a strong connection with him, and opened up about everything to him
Oh oh then it switched
What is this overheard your messages
When I questioned you, you said she's a friend
Now it's funny that I'm runnin' into you is that your group
Nigga tell her I'm your main event
I overheard him talking to another girl, and when I confronted him he said she was just a friend. But now I see him with her and I'm wondering if she's part of his group. I want him to confirm that I'm his main priority
[Chorus]
Why you actin' like you don't know
Who I am
After all the trips, all time we spent
Now you act like we weren't doing it
Why you actin' like you don't know
Girl I know your man
I drove his whip, I bought his rims
And I know its gone hurt you proving it
Why you actin' like you don't know
Who I am
After all the trips, all time we spent
You gone act like we weren't doing it
Why you actin' like you don't know
Girl I know your man
After all the trips, all time we spent
And I know its gone hurt you proving it
Why are you acting like you don't know who I am, and denying our time together? I know your man and have spent a lot of time with him, even buying him things. You're going to be hurt if you try to deny it
[Kelly:]
Think I'm lying
His Mama, Mrs. Parker
And I sat down in the den and watched Comic View
Think I'm lying
His boxers
He likes to wear Calvin Klein
With the open front fly design size 32
Think I'm lying
I never could describe his birth mark
If I never did let him hit and get into this
Think I'm lying
I can even tell you your size
Cause you left your bra behind in his bathroom
I'm not lying about knowing your man. I've met his mother and even watched TV with her. I know intimate details like the brand of boxers he wears and his birthmark. I even found your bra in his bathroom
Weeks later we datin'
Taking me all kinda places
Showing me thing I never seen
It was kinda crazy
I'm relating to this man so I gave him
Every little secret part of me
We continued dating and he showed me even more new things. I was still strongly connected to him, and shared every little secret with him
Oh oh then it switched
What is this overheard your messages
And I questioned you, you said she's a friend
Now it's funny that I'm runnin' into you is that your group
Partner tell her I'm your main event
Again, I overheard him talking to another girl and he claimed she was just a friend. I'm skeptical now that I'm seeing them together again. I want him to acknowledge that I'm his main priority, in front of her
[Chorus]
You're still denying everything and pretending not to know me, even though we've spent a lot of time together. I know your man and we've had something going on. You'll only be hurt if you try to pretend it's not true
[Michelle:]
See you makin' it harder
For the other man
When a real woman
Try to let you in
Now she lookin' at me
Thinkin' I disrespect
But that's not my way girl 'cause I wasn't raised like that
You accusing me
Should be checking him
Insecure of me
'cause I dealt wit him
Woman to woman I ain't got time for foolishness
I'm out the door
This is my cue
I can't go through with this
You're making it difficult for me and other women who try to be with your man. You're accusing me of disrespecting you, but that's not how I was raised. You should be checking him instead of attacking me. I don't have time for this foolishness and I'm leaving
[Chorus]
You continue to act like you don't know me, and it's causing pain for everyone involved. We've spent too much time together for you to pretend like it wasn't real. You're only going to hurt yourself if you keep denying it
Why you actin' like you don't know
Why you actin' like you don't know
Why you actin' like you don't know
Why you actin' like you don't know
Why you actin' like you don't know
Girl I know your man
After all the trips, all time we spent
I know its gone hurt you proving it
Why are you continuing to deny what we had? I know your man and we've spent a lot of time together. You're only going to hurt yourself if you try to deny it
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BEYONCE KNOWLES, SEAN GARRETT, KELLY ROWLAND, MICHELLE WILLIAMS, PAUL ALLEN, JAMES MOSS, WALTER KEARNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ayan H
I get so exited when I find new destinys child songs!!
bad bitch
me to
music lover1984
@bad bitch same here although I already knew about this song years ago it was on the import.
I Dazzler
OK?!🤯💗 A simple “Lose My Breath” Wikipedia search lead me here🥰
Jay Hilliard
Came back to this because of Michelle being on the Masked Singer... Remembering how she bodied her verse on this song. Sad to know that she dealt with what she dealt with internally, but she was just as great a singer as Kelly and Bey.... Never need to feel insecure... She was right... "YOU GOT THIS"!!!
music lover1984
Damn right I always loved her.
theofficialhenryguion
Wait did she sing this on the show?
Jay Hilliard
@theofficialhenryguion nah she didn't. But this is one of the DC songs where she sang her a$$ off!!!
April Lawrence
Love this song it never gets old
Ursula Denise
I'm in love with Michelle's verse