Green Light
John Legend featuring Andre 3000 Lyrics

Give me the green light, give me just one night
Requesting permission to proceed with a one-time romantic encounter.

I'm ready to go right now, I'm ready to go right now
Expressing readiness and eagerness to engage in the aforementioned encounter.

I see you move, I'm checking your smile
Taking notice of the person's physical movements and facial expressions.

Working your back like it's going out of style
Marveling at the person's dance moves.

Shake just a little bit faster
Encouraging the person to dance more energetically.

Shake just a little now girl
Further urging the person to dance.

Dying to meet you, so let's mess around
Expressing a strong desire to engage in romantic intimacy.

I've got an obsession of us getting down
Revealing a preoccupation with the idea of having sex.

Come just a little bit closer
Asking the person to move closer to start physical contact.

I just need permission so just
Stressing the necessity of consent before proceeding.

We can go all night, give me the green light
Implying a willingness to engage in a long-lasting sexual encounter.

One two three green light, but if it's what it seems like
Using the metaphor of a traffic light to indicate a willingness to engage.

The you moving baby, lets me know it's gon' be right
Suggesting that the person's dancing and body language indicates a readiness to engage in intimacy.

One two three red light, I wanna see what you dance like
Using the traffic light metaphor to express curiosity about the person's dancing.

But if I can be your buddy, help you study and get your head right
Offering to be a supportive friend and help the person with their education and well-being.

Do I have a girlfriend, technically no.
Admitting to being single and not committed to anyone.

If you'll be my girlfriend then I'll make it so
Proposing a romantic relationship with the person.

No competition, no others
Assuring the person that they will be the only romantic interest.

Baby it's just the thrill of the chase
Admitting that the pursuit of the person is exciting.

But I've got a feeling that I'm winning this race!
Expressing confidence in ultimately winning the person over.

So I went hard like Medusa staring at me
Describing a bold and assertive approach to the person.

I told her let's go, let's blow this lame nigga factory
Suggesting that they leave a boring situation and go somewhere more exciting.

She said, What type of girl do you think I are
Questioning the singer's intentions and expectations.

The kind that you meet in a bar
Clarifying that the encounter is not just a casual one-night stand.

You think you can get whatever you want cause you some kinda star
Challenging the singer's assumption of entitlement.

No I'm a comet, I just want you woman
Explaining that the singer is simply interested in the person.

Hey, If I were you then It would be me that I go home with
Flattering the person by suggesting that they would be interested in the singer if they were in each other's shoes.

Three, the one and only, one thing you ain't considered
Referring to himself as special and hinting that the person might be missing out on an opportunity.

I heard you when you told your girl "ooh he can get it" admit it,
Suggesting that the person is interested in the artist and has discussed it with a friend.

You did it let's hop a cab and split it
Proposing that they leave together to hook up.

I'm kiddin' we both going to where you livin'
Jokingly pretending to change the original suggestion, but still indicating that they will be going home together.

Ha, I got you gigglin' like I'm piglet
Noticing that the person is amused by the artist's flirtatiousness.

Oh that's the ticket, I hope you are more like Anita Baker than Robin Givens
Expressing a preference for a certain type of woman (a talented singer like Baker vs. a controversial figure like Givens).

No, I don't know that lady so let me quit it
Clarifying that the comparison was not meant as an insult.

I'm just style freein', freestylin' with y'all seldom do
Acknowledging that the earlier lines were improvised and not rehearsed.

This is what I'm telling you
Reiterating the main message of the song: a desire for intimacy.

To the bed I'm nailing you
Explicitly stating a desire for sex and using a crude metaphor.

Like I've been in jail for two
Emphasizing the singer's sexual hunger with a vivid comparison.

Years and then they let me loose
Suggesting a buildup of sexual energy that is now being unleashed.