He Say She Say feat. Gemi
Lupe Fiasco Lyrics

I can't, I won't, I can't, I won't
Refusal to let go of a loved one

Let you leave
The singer is afraid of losing the loved one

I don't know what you want
The singer is confused and uncertain about the needs of their partner

You want more from me?
The singer is questioning their partner's demands or expectations of them

I want you to be a father
The first speaker wants the other to take on the role of a father for their son

He's your little boy and you don't even bother
The first speaker is expressing frustration and disappointment about the other's lack of involvement in their son's life

Like 'brother' without the 'r'
The first speaker is using wordplay to emphasize the importance of the father-son relationship

And he's starting to harbor cool and food for thought
The son is developing deep thoughts and is becoming emotionally distant due to his father's absence

But for you he's a starver
The son is not receiving the emotional and mental nourishment he needs from his father

Starting to use red markers on his work
The son is beginning to act out as a result of his father's absence

His teacher say they know he's much smarter, but he's hurt
The son has potential and intelligence, but is emotionally impacted by his father's absence

Used to hand his homework in first, like he was the classroom starter
The son was once an eager and bright student

Burst to tears
The son has become emotional and distressed due to his father's lack of presence

Let them know she see us
The mother wants to make sure that their family is seen and heard

Now he's fighting in class
The son is acting out due to his emotional pain

Got a note last week that say he might not pass
The son's academic performance is suffering as a result of his father's absence

Ask me if his daddy was sick of us, 'cause you ain't never pick him up
The son is confused and is questioning why his father never shows up to be with him

You see what his problem is? He don't know where his poppa is
The son's emotional pain is due to his father's physical absence

No positive male role model, to play football and build railroad models
The son is lacking a father figure to bond with and learn from

It's making a hole you've been digging it, 'cause you ain't been kicking it
The father's absence is having a negative impact on the son

Since he was old enough to hold bottles
The father has been absent for a long time in the son's life

Wasn't supposed to get introduced to that
The son was not supposed to be exposed to the pain of having an absent father

He don't deserve to get used to that
The son should not have to become accustomed to the pain of his father's absence

Now I ain't asking you for money or to come back to me
The first speaker is not seeking any material compensation or a romantic relationship with the other

Some days it ain't sunny but it ain't so hard
The first speaker is expressing that despite the hardships, they are still hopeful and resilient

Just breaks my heart, when I try to provide and he say, "Mommy that ain't your job"
The son's rejection of the mother's attempts to provide emotional support demonstrates the heartbreak and frustration that come with being a single parent

To be a man, I try to make him understand that I'm his number one fan
The mother is trying to teach her son what it means to be a mature and responsible adult, and that she is his biggest supporter

But its like he born from the stands
The son feels abandoned and alone

You know the world is out to get him, so why don't you give him a chance?
The first speaker is appealing to the other's sense of responsibility to give their son a fair shot at success and happiness