Be For Real
Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes Lyrics

Hey, lady, can I say something to you for a minute?
Asking for permission to talk to the person

Please? No, Now before you take your coat off, That's it
Stopping the person from taking off her coat

I got something to tell you
Introducing the main topic of discussion

See, what I have to say is so very important to our relationship
Stressing the significance of the message on the relationship

Why is it that every time we go out on the town, we get around our friends?
Questioning why they always end up with friends

Man, you're always talking about what you got, huh
Pointing out that she always talks about material possessions

Went out and bought for you
Insinuating that the expensive purchases were for her

How much money I make
Boasting about wealth

And what school our children go to
Mentioning the status of their children's education

And all the fancy clothes and big pretty cars
Enumerating material possessions they own

The big diamond rings, and them fantastic mink coats
Describing costly items they own

Is you for real? No, I don't think you are
Questioning the authenticity of the person's character

Sit down, No, no, sit down
Instructing the person to sit down

Now don't say nothing, You see
Telling the person to refrain from responding

Wait a minute, wait a minute, that is your problem
Identifying the main issue at hand

That is your problem, You're always saying the wrong tthing at the right time
Highlighting the person's tendency to say things inappropriately

You see I don't--I don't know how to explain this to you
Admitting difficulty in conveying the message

The best I can tell you is what my mother told me as I was coming up
Recalling advice given by the singer's mother

She used to say, "Son, chances go 'round,"
Quoting what the mother used to say

She said, "The same people that you meet going up
Continuing with the mother's words of advice

They make the same old faces coming down,"
Finishing the mother's quote by warning about the fickleness of people

Heh, tell the truth
Encouraging honesty

You see, people today, they come out there to party
Noting why people come out to socialize

They come out to party, man
Reemphasizing the nature of social events

They didn't come out to hear all that jive mess you talking about
Asserting that people don't want to hear about the things he has and she lacks

You standing up in the corner with a bottle of champagne taking about
Painting a picture of the woman talking about material possessions while drinking champagne

Harry, Joe, and Dick and Bobby and what they ain't got
Enumerating the names of people she's demeaning

And they live down in the lower development homes, and you won't even help
Suggesting that the woman isn't using her wealth to help others in need

Is that any way to meet them?
Asking whether that's an appropriate way to introduce oneself

If you're gonna boast, boast around somebody that has what you have
Suggesting that she should brag to those who can relate to her

Don't make your own brothers and sisters feel bad
Advising the woman not to alienate people she should consider family

You see Listen
Drawing the person's attention back to the message

I know you know what I'm talking about because from time to time
Reasserting that the woman understands the message

I can remember you coming to me putting your head on my shoulder and crying
Recalling a time when she confided in him

"Oh, papa, why? Why? Why don't nobody wanna be my friend?"
Quoting what the woman said in the past about not having friends

You told me a long time ago, You said, "Papa, what am I doing?"
Recalling the woman's question about her actions

I didn't wanna tell you that
Revealing that he withheld the truth

I thought you had sense enough to realize what you're doing, but I see you don't
Explaining why he didn't tell her the truth before

Sit down and listen to me, No, sit down!
Instructing the person to sit down and listen carefully

You see, people are too sensitive today
Noting how easily offended people can be nowadays

They don't wanna hear all that jive you talking back
Reiterating that people have no interest in her material possessions and bragging

You see, they don't wanna hear about what you got
Making it clear that people don't want to hear about her wealth

cause they're trying to get it, too
Explaining why people don't want to hear about it

I can't very much blame her
Acknowledging the reason why people want material possessions

As much as it hurts me, it hurts to see people
Expressing the artist's empathy for others

going around behind our backs saying that
Talking about people talking behind their backs

"This woman this, this woman that," or "she ain't this" or "she ain't that"
Quoting what people are saying about the woman

I wanna be proud of you, mama
Expressing a desire to be proud of the woman

I wanna be proud of you
Reiterating the desire to be proud of her

Listen, as long as you live
Asking her to listen carefully and take note of what is being said

As long as you live whether you're with me or not
Regardless of whether she is with the singer in the future

Be for real, girl
Encouraging the woman to be genuine

Just be for real, yeah, (Be for real)
Repeating the message of the song

Be, be, be for real, yeah, (Be for re-e-e-eal)
Emphasizing the need to be genuine

Be for real
Reiterating the message yet again

You shouldn't have to worry about how you've been living good
Implying that she doesn't have to worry about the facade she is putting on

No, if you're smartly dressed, Hey, baby, Hey, baby
Noting that being dressed well is all that matters

What you should be doing is getting down on your knees every night
Suggesting that gratitude should be expressed every night

And thanking the man above for being blessed right now
Emphasizing the importance of gratitude

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Adding emphasis to the message

If you want your friends to think you're starting with a smile
Suggesting that people should start making friends by being nice

Just be, be for real, (Be for real)
Repeating the message yet again

Be, be for real
Stressing the importance of being genuine

I can't let you go on chasing my friends away
Concerned that the woman's bragging is driving people away

Because of the silly and stupid things you say
Pointing out that her words are inappropriate

Yeah, baby, Yeah, baby, Hey, baby
Addressing the woman affectionately

You better dig yourself there, woman
Encouraging the woman to evaluate her actions

Putting people down is less best to you
Conveying the negative effects of belittling others

It just don't pay, Hey, yeah
Asserting that such behavior has negative consequences

I want people today by starting with a smile
Describing how people should behave today

I know, I know I want you to do is just be for real
Reaffirming the importance of authenticity

(Be for real) Hey, lady, Yeah, baby, Yeah, baby
Repeating the message of the song

(Be for real, girl) Be for real, honey
Encouraging the woman to be genuine and affectionate

Just be, be for real (Be for real)
Reiterating the message once again

I don't want your money, I don't need your money
Emphasizing the importance of behavior rather than wealth

(Be for real, girl) Just be for real, Just be for real, mama
Urging the woman to be genuine and affectionate

Don't do it for me, do it for yourself
Suggesting that the behavior should benefit the woman in the first place

(Be for real) Be for real, honey
Encouraging the woman to be herself and not put up a facade

Yeah, yeah, Tell 'em ' bout it, honey
Applauding the woman for doing the right thing

(Be for real, girl) Be for real, mama, Hey, yeah
Urging the woman to be genuine and affectionate yet again

Just be, be, be for real, (Be for real)
Repeating the song's message one last time