In 1999 Jazz legend Joe Sample collaborated with Lalah on the album The Song Lives On, which became a staple on both Jazz and Smooth R&B radio, as well as topping the Jazz charts. However, it would not be until 2004 that Lalah Hathaway would resurface with her own project. She had her biggest hit single in years with an inspired cover of the late Luther Vandross' Forever, For Always, For Love, topping the Urban AC Chart and reaching Top 40 on Billboards mainstream R&B chart, a feat repeated by Outrun the Sky, Hathaway's first solo album in a decade, which was released late in the year.
If You Want To
Lalah Hathaway Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drama I'm 'a leave it behind
Ooh you can be on my side
If you want to.
Oh it's a beautiful sight
Everybody wanna kick it tonight
Champagne poppin' better keep it on ice
If you want to.
Work week is over
The girls are heading over
I'm takin' the Rover, He said it's alright
I wonder, does he ever truly see me
In all of my glory, And all of my shine
They're at the door to party
Knocking on my door to party
We 'bout to get it started
What cha gonna do
Hair's down I'm ready to party
Lips glossed I'm ready to party
Lookin' good I'm ready to party
What you gonna do
What you wanna do
Came here to get it tonight
Drama I'm 'a leave it behind
Ooh you can be on my side
If you want to.
Oh it's a beautiful sight
Everybody wanna kick it tonight
Champagne poppin' better keep it on ice
If you want to.
Feeling lucky, Body to body
Are you ready to party
Said it's alright, oh oh aye oh aye
This face on my shoulder (takin' me over)
This groove is takin' me over
Come on let me hold you
He said it's alright
Look at everybody party
Check out all the sexy bodies
Dancin' in the mood to party
'Cause it's how we do
Shakin' and feelin' naughty
Move in toward ya honey
Till the sunrises in the mornin'
'Cause it's how we do
Cause that's how we do
Came here to get it tonight
Drama I'm 'a leave it behind
Ooh you can be on my side
If you want to.
Oh it's a beautiful sight
Everybody wanna kick it tonight
Champagne poppin' better keep it on ice
If you want to.
Came here to get it tonight
Drama I'm 'a leave it behind
Ooh you can be by my side
If you want to.
Oh it's a beautiful sight
Everybody wanna kick it tonight
Champagne poppin' better keep it on ice
If you want to.
Came here to get it tonight
Drama I'm 'a leave it behind
I'm into romancin'
I'm into some dancin'
Oh it's a beautiful sight
Everybody wanna kick it tonight
I'm into romancin'
I'm into some dancin'
Came here to get it tonight
Drama I'm 'a leave it behind
I'm into romancin'
I'm into some dancin'
Oh it's a beautiful sight
Everybody wanna kick it tonight
Champagne poppin' better keep it on ice
If you want to
The lyrics of the song "If You Want To" by Lalah Hathaway are about enjoying life and having a good time. The lyrics express the desire to leave the drama behind and just have fun with friends. The singer wants to party, dance, and have some romance, and she will do it without worrying about what other people think. She encourages others to join her, stating that they can be on her side if they want to.
The song talks about the singer's excitement to let loose and have a good time with her friends. She is ready to party and feels lucky to be surrounded by people who want to have fun. The line "the girls are heading over" suggests that it is a girls' night out. The lyrics convey a sense of freedom, joy, and carefreeness that comes from being surrounded by like-minded people who want to have a good time.
Overall, "If You Want To" is an upbeat and energetic song that encourages listeners to let go of their problems and have some fun with their friends. The lyrics celebrate life and the beauty of being in the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Came here to get it tonight
I came here to have fun tonight and enjoy myself.
Drama I'm 'a leave it behind
I'm not interested in any drama, I just want to have a good time.
Ooh you can be on my side
If you want to.
You're welcome to join me and have fun if you want to.
Oh it's a beautiful sight
It's a wonderful and enjoyable scene.
Everybody wanna kick it tonight
Everyone wants to party and have fun tonight.
Champagne poppin' better keep it on ice
If you want to.
Champagne bottles are being opened, but we need to keep them on ice to keep them cold. You can drink it if you want to.
Work week is over
The work week has ended.
The girls are heading over
My female friends are coming over.
I'm takin' the Rover, He said it's alright
I'm taking my car and my partner said it's okay.
I wonder, does he ever truly see me
I'm questioning whether my partner truly sees me for who I am.
In all of my glory, And all of my shine
All my best qualities, attributes and achievements.
They're at the door to party
The guests have arrived to party.
Knocking on my door to party
The guests are knocking on my door to party.
We 'bout to get it started
We're about to start the party.
What cha gonna do
What are you going to do?
Hair's down I'm ready to party
My hair is down and I'm ready to party.
Lips glossed I'm ready to party
I have lip gloss on and I'm ready to party.
Lookin' good I'm ready to party
I'm looking good and I'm ready to party.
What you gonna do
What you wanna do
What are you going to do? What do you want to do?
Feeling lucky, Body to body
Feeling good, close to someone.
Are you ready to party
Are you ready to have fun and enjoy yourself?
Said it's alright, oh oh aye oh aye
My partner says it's okay and everything's good.
This face on my shoulder (takin' me over)
This groove is takin' me over
Being close to someone is really affecting me, and the music is making me want to dance.
Come on let me hold you
He said it's alright
Come over and let me hold you, my partner says it's okay.
Look at everybody party
Check out all the sexy bodies
Observing everyone at the party and appreciating their bodies.
Dancin' in the mood to party
'Cause it's how we do
We're dancing because we're in the mood to party, and that's how we do it.
Shakin' and feelin' naughty
Dancing in a suggestive way and feeling mischievous.
Move in toward ya honey
Till the sunrises in the mornin'
Moving closer to someone and enjoying the party until the sun comes up.
Came here to get it tonight
Drama I'm 'a leave it behind
I'm into romancin'
I'm into some dancin'
I came here to have a good time and enjoy some romance and dancing, and leave any drama behind.
Contributed by Natalie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.