Down Low
Jerry Duplessis/R. Kelly/Wyclef Jean Lyrics


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Listen girl, you want me but he needs you
Yet you're tellin' me that everything is cool
Tryin' to convince me baby to do as you say
Just go along and see things your way

And keep it on the down low, whispering nobody has to know (nobody, nobody)
We can keep it on the down low (yeah), whispering nobody has to know (nobody knows)
Secret lovers is what you wanna be (yeah)
While making love to him, girl you're silently calling on me
What is a man to do in a situation like this? (I don't know, I don't know)
I feel there is something that I don't wanna miss (yeah)

And keep it on the down low(down low), girl nobody, nobody has to know
We can keep it on the down low (you better keep it, keep it), nobody has to know (nobody knows)

Beautiful you are but you're his by far
Comin' by my way drivin' his fancy car
Making plans to be in my life forever
Tell me, tell me that we'll always be together

And keep it on the down low, nobody has to know (no, no)
We can keep it on the down low (on the down low), nobody has to know (nobody has to know)

Listen babe I won't whisper a word
Nobody, nobody
How can you go so low so low
Keep it on the down low
No, no, no nobody nobody nobody
Keep it on the down low




On the down low baby
Nobody has to know

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song "Down Low" by Jerry Duplessis, R. Kelly, and Wyclef Jean are a conversation between two people who are potentially having an affair. The woman in the relationship is torn between the man she is with and the man she wants to be with. She is asking the man she wants to be with to keep their relationship a secret and keep it on the "down low," meaning nobody should know about it. The man is hesitant at first but ends up agreeing to keep it a secret.


The lyrics are powerful because they deal with a topic that is controversial and taboo. Affairs are rarely talked about in popular music, and by writing about it, the songwriters are showing a level of vulnerability and honesty. The lyrics are also poetic, and they use metaphors and imagery to describe the situation, which amplifies the emotions behind the story.


Line by Line Meaning

Listen girl, you want me but he needs you
You are interested in me, but you are in a relationship with someone who depends on you.


Yet you're tellin' me that everything is cool
You are trying to convince me that your current situation is satisfactory.


Tryin' to convince me baby to do as you say
You are attempting to manipulate me into conforming to your desires.


Just go along and see things your way
You want me to ignore my own feelings and do what pleases you.


And keep it on the down low, whispering nobody has to know
Let's keep our relationship hidden so that no one else finds out.


We can keep it on the down low (yeah), whispering nobody has to know (nobody knows)
We will only share our relationship with each other.


Secret lovers is what you wanna be (yeah)
You desire a hidden romantic relationship.


While making love to him, girl you're silently calling on me
Even when you are physically intimate with your partner, you are still thinking of me.


What is a man to do in a situation like this? (I don't know, I don't know)
I am uncertain about how to handle this complicated situation.


I feel there is something that I don't wanna miss (yeah)
I do not want to miss out on a potential relationship with you.


And keep it on the down low(down low), girl nobody, nobody has to know
Again, let's keep our relationship secret from everyone else.


We can keep it on the down low (you better keep it, keep it), nobody has to know (nobody knows)
Our romantic relationship is solely between us and no one else.


Beautiful you are but you're his by far
You are beautiful, but you are already in a committed relationship.


Comin' by my way drivin' his fancy car
You use your partner's resources to visit me.


Making plans to be in my life forever
You want a long-term relationship with me.


Tell me, tell me that we'll always be together
You want reassurance that our relationship will be permanent.


And keep it on the down low, nobody has to know (no, no)
Once again, let's keep our relationship private, so it remains confined to us.


We can keep it on the down low (on the down low), nobody has to know (nobody has to know)
Our romantic entanglement should remain a secret, known only to us.


Listen babe I won't whisper a word
I will keep the secrecy of our relationship.


How can you go so low so low
You are doing something that is morally dubious, and you are trying to keep it hidden.


Keep it on the down low
Please keep our romance away from the public eye.


No, no, no nobody nobody nobody
We must refrain from revealing our relationship to anyone else.


Keep it on the down low
Please maintain our relationship a private affair.


On the down low baby
Just between us, we must ensure that our romance is kept out of everyone else's knowledge.


Nobody has to know
Let's make the effort to conceal our love from the world.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Robert S. Kelly

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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