Back Stabbers
Fred Wesley and the JB's Lyrics

(What they do!)
The following lyrics are describing a type of behavior that is common among some people

(They smile in your face)
These people will pretend to be friendly and act like they are your friend

All the time they want to take your place
But really, they just want to take advantage and benefit from your situation, often at your expense

The back stabbers (back stabbers)
These people are best described as those who will betray you in a sneaky and underhanded way

All you fellows who have someone and you really care, yeah, yeah
This is a warning to guys who are in relationships and care for their partners

Then it's all of you fellows who better beware, yeah yeah
They should be careful because there are those who will try to steal their ladies

Somebody's out to get your lady
There are people who are targeting your girlfriend or wife, and trying to seduce her away from you

A few of your buddies they sure look shady
These individuals might even be your friends or acquaintances, but they are actually untrustworthy and manipulative

Blades are long, clenched tight in their fist
These people are armed and ready to fight, and they will attack you with no warning

Aimin' straight at your back
They will strike you when you are least expecting it

And I don't think they'll miss
These people are calculating and determined, and they will not give up until they achieve their goals

(What they do!)
This is a reminder that these people may be smiling at you, but that doesn't mean you should trust them

(They smile in your face)
These people are skilled actors who can deceive others with their false personas and behavior

I keep gettin' all these visits from my friends, yeah, what they doin to me
The singer is being visited by people who he thought were his friends, but he is beginning to suspect that they are trying to undermine him

They come to my house again and again and again and again, yeah
These visitors are persistent and won't give up until they get what they want

So are they there to see my woman
The artist is worried that these people are trying to steal his girlfriend, and that they are using his friendship as a cover

I don't even be home but they just keep on comin'
Even when the artist is not there, these people continue to visit his house and try to get to his girlfriend

What can I do to get on the right track
The singer is looking for advice or a solution to get out of this tricky situation

I wish they'd take some of these knives off my back
The singer is feeling pressured and attacked by these people, and he wishes they would leave him alone

Low down... dirty...
The artist is expressing his disappointment and disgust with these people, who he now sees as being untrustworthy and vile

(They smile in your face)
This line is repeated to emphasize the main point of the song - that these people are hiding their true intentions behind a false smile and friendly demeanor

Smiling faces... smiling faces sometimes tell lies (Back stabbers)
The artist is reflecting on the fact that people can be deceiving, and that you should always be careful of someone who is overly friendly or charming

(They smile in your face)
This final line is repeated to drive home the fact that these people are not to be trusted, and that you should always be on your guard around them

I don't need... low down, dirty bastards (Back stabbers)
The artist is expressing his anger and frustration with these people and making it clear that he wants nothing to do with them