Selfish
John Legend Lyrics

I'm callin' (yeah maybe I'm selfish)
I'm reaching out to you, but I'm aware that my desire to have you for myself may come off as selfish.

Out to (I want you to myself I can't help it)
My desire for you is overwhelming - I want you all to myself even though I can't always help it.

All my (yeah maybe I'm selfish)
I'm not just calling out to one person, but to all the women I desire - I know it sounds selfish, but I can't help it.

Y'all my ladies and I can't (maybe I'm selfish)
I view all of you as my own, but I recognize that this might be selfish.

(I can't) Let you (let you)
I don't have the capacity to allow you to be with anyone but me.

(I want you to myself I can't help it)
I'm reiterating my desire to be with you alone.

Be with (yeah) no one (yeah) but me (yeah) baby
I want you to be with no one but me, and I'm emphasizing this as a term of endearment.

To my thick chicks down in Texas
I'm giving a shoutout to all the curvy women in Texas.

All the way to New Orleans where the girls cook catfish
I'm also greeting the girls of New Orleans known for their culinary skills.

And in LA every chick's an actress
I'm acknowledging the fame and glamour in LA; where even regular women aspire to be like Hollywood actresses.

Hollywood status with the shaded glasses
I'm appreciating the celebrities walking around LA in their shades making them look like superstars alongside other people with high status.

To Detroit, yeah the place that I rest
I'm giving a shoutout to Detroit, the place I call home.

Where the ladies got ass to sell a lot sex
I'm acknowledging the attractive physique of women in Detroit and the fact that they can use it to lure men in.

And Hot Atlanta y'all is one of the best
I'm showing love to Atlanta for being one of the best places with its unique cultural and social aspects that make it widely appreciated.

Where they speak southern and slang and smoke la cess
I'm acknowledging the Southern dialect and slang in Atlanta and the fact that they enjoy smoking marijuana.

And New York women are way too fresh
I'm giving props to the women in New York who are well dressed and stylish.

Too much on your mind let me ease that stress
If you're stressed or having a lot on your mind, I'm willing to help ease that.

I wish you all were mine it's so selfish
It may sound self-centered, but I wish I have all of you, to myself.

Maybe I'm feelin' myself too much I guess
I might be overestimating my own worth, but that's how much I desire you all.

But, to my ladies all across the globe
This is not just about U.S. cities, it applies to women all over the world.

In small towns that I don't even know
I'm acknowledging the women in small towns I haven't even visited.

To all local international codes
I'm acknowledging that women come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and cultures.

Whether you see me in streets or catch me at shows, I'm callin'
Regardless of how you know me or if you've seen me perform, I'm reaching out to you.

Uh! And I'll be tryin to come around my girl actin like Mr. Friendly
Sometimes I might act like I'm being friendly with my girl, but I might have other intentions.

And steal the spotlight like Mr. Bentley
I'm making a reference to Mr. Bentley, who was Diddy's personal assistant and also a comedic performer. I might try to hog the spotlight like him.

I spotted her like Spud McKenzie
I'm comparing my ability to locate women to the mascot of the light beer company Bud Light.

And for them fake boobies I payed them Benjies
I might even be willing to spend money on fake breasts.

Get your own, I got Paris he got Nicky he tried to get 'em a clone
I'm telling other guys to get their own women instead of trying to clone (i.e., get someone similar to) my girl or any of my women.

He said yeah you know you got extra hoes
Another guy might have told me I already have more than enough women.

And everything you do is extra cold
Regardless of what anyone else thinks of me, I know I'm incredibly cool.

From the Polo fleece to the Jesus piece
There's nothing I wear that's not cool, whether it be a Polo fleece or a Jesus piece.

I got family in high places like Jesus' niece
I have important connections just like the family of the very important figure Jesus.

Can I please, say my peace
Can I have a moment to speak my mind?

If y'all fresh to death, then I'm deceased
If all of you are epitomes of coolness, then I must be dead.

And this one here, is a heat rocks
This song I'm singing right now is very hot.

Spit like a beat box, the way the beat rocks
My rap style is like a beatbox and my lyrics blend perfectly with the beat.

New version of Pete Rock
I'm introducing a new and improved version of the hip hop producer Pete Rock.

But for that Benz I get CL love
I might receive more love or attention simply because I drive a Mercedes Benz CL.

So I switch my girls around like 3L-dub
I might switch around the women I date frequently, just like I might switch out cars.

What up Pam how your little man doin' in New Jersey
I'm checking in with Pam and how her child is doing.

Last I heard he caught the flu and you was worried
The last update I got from Pam was that her son had the flu and she was concerned.

Hope he feels better, and thanks Jonetta from Cleveland
I'm hoping her son feels better soon and thanking Jonetta from Cleveland.

For that good head in your Jetta better believe it
I'm thanking Jonetta for her sexual abilities.

Shanice you're my piece from Compton
I'm giving a shoutout to Shanice from Compton.

Before I mark the plane make sure you cop them trees to spark up
Before I leave, I'm telling Shanice to make sure she gets some weed to smoke.

Danielle ATL got them pictures in the mail
I'm acknowledging Danielle from Atlanta for sending me some photos via mail.

You sealed with a kiss and you send it with Chanel
Not only did she send me photos, but she also sealed them with a kiss and put them in a Chanel package.

You lookin' good in that one showin off your body
I'm complimenting Danielle on looking good in one of the photos.

Had a Beverly Hills mami that would buy me Cardi's
I'm reminiscing about a woman I knew from Beverly Hills who would buy me luxury clothing items.

Take me to after parties her name was Carrie
I'm recalling going to after-parties with a woman named Carrie.

And it sucks that we didn't keep in touch I'm sorry
It's unfortunate that I lost contact with her and I'm expressing remorse about this.

But, hey Kim how's Minneapolis?
I'm checking in with Kim about how things are in Minneapolis.

You so pretty hate to show off your titties for silly classes
I think Kim is pretty and I don't want her to have to take her clothes off for money.

'Cause I love you girls though you ain't mine
I'm acknowledging my love and admiration for all the women I've mentioned even though none of them are mine.

I wish my arms was long enough to hug you all of the same time
I have so much love and appreciation for all the women, and I wish I could hug them all at once.

I'm callin' (yeah maybe I'm selfish)
I'm reaching out to you, but I'm aware that my desire to have you for myself may come off as selfish.

Out to (I want you to myself I can't help it)
My desire for you is overwhelming - I want you all to myself even though I can't always help it.

All my (yeah maybe I'm selfish)
I'm not just calling out to one person, but to all the women I desire - I know it sounds selfish, but I can't help it.

Y'all my ladies and I can't (maybe I'm selfish)
I view all of you as my own, but I recognize that this might be selfish.

(I can't) Let you (let you)
I don't have the capacity to allow you to be with anyone but me.

(I want you to myself I can't help it)
I'm reiterating my desire to be with you alone.

Be with (yeah) no one (yeah) but me (yeah) baby
I want you to be with no one but me, and I'm emphasizing this as a term of endearment.