One Night
Mariah Carey Lyrics


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Baby
Don't you know that life is sweet
It swiftly goes, so I just gotta know
That it's more than lust (so in love)
That you're worth my trust (so in love)
You gotta search inside yourself and purely open up to me

Before I'll be with you, you
You gotta give me something sacred
More than merely physical (so in love)
One night's not enough
Gotta be certain I'm so in love with you, you

It's just another Saturday evening
He's watching all the girls go by
He finds your body kind of appealing
So he hits you with his favorite line, yes
He's looking you over
He whispers, "Let's get to know each other better, baby"
He's moving in closer
But what you see may not be the entirety, so be wary

He's just out for the one night (hey)
He just wants you 'til he gets his way now, baby-baby
So don't gamble with your life
It don't pay (no)
No, no, no, no
(No) No, no, no, no

You see her standing there on the corner
Sashaying as the cars go by
You casually look over your shoulder
As she winks at you and bats her eyes, yes
You're thinking about it
Your conscience tells you to go
But something's in the way now
The prospect's arousing
You think just this once can't hurt none
But you might have another thing coming

You're just out for a good time, baby (yeah, oh yeah)
So later you'll forget her name now, baby-baby (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
So don't gamble with your life (no, no)
It don't pay (no)
No, no
Don't-don't (no), no it surely don't, hey
Woo, ohh
Just a little advice now, baby baby
Said you better think twice, now

You're just out for the one night
But it's more than just a little game now, baby-baby
(It's more, more, yeah, yeah)
So don't gamble with your life (oh, no, no)
It don't pay

Yeah, yeah, no, no, no, no (it don't pay)
Don't pay (it don't pay)
No, no, no, no, (oh), no it don't (it don't pay)
Woo, oh, no, it don't, no, it don't (it don't pay)
No, it don't, baby
Oh, yeah (it don't pay, no)
Oh, yeah-yeah (it don't pay)
(No, no) Yeah, yeah




(It don't pay) Yeah, yeah
(It don't pay)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Mariah Carey's "One Night" explore themes of self-worth, trust, and the consequences of casual encounters. The opening verse conveys a sense of urgency and a desire for depth in relationships, emphasizing the need for emotional connection and genuine openness rather than superficial attraction. The singer expresses a reluctance to engage in fleeting physical encounters and seeks something more meaningful and sacred.


The second verse shifts focus to a scene where a man is making advances on a woman, with intentions that are not genuine or lasting. The lyrics caution against falling for smooth talk and temporary pleasures, highlighting the importance of being cautious and aware of the true intentions of others. The repeated refrain of "One night's not enough" reinforces the idea that true love and trust require more than just a brief encounter.


The third verse introduces a different perspective, where a woman is seen as the one enticing another with flirtatious gestures. The internal struggle of the person being tempted is portrayed, illustrating the conflict between desire and conscience. Despite the temptation, the lyrics advise against recklessly pursuing fleeting pleasures and the potential consequences that may result from such actions.


The chorus reiterates the message of not gambling with one's life by engaging in fleeting and insincere encounters. The repeated warnings and insistence that "it don't pay" serve as a cautionary tale against falling for the allure of temporary gratification and emphasizing the importance of making wise decisions in matters of the heart. Overall, the song delivers a powerful message about the value of genuine connection, trust, and emotional intimacy in relationships, urging listeners to prioritize these qualities over transient pleasures.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jermaine Dupri, Mariah Carey

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@DAT415

she literally checked off every wishful thinkings on my list!

acknowledged slipping away, melt away, and everything fades away (okay i just realized they all ended with away 😂) by singing snippets on her tour

released the original loverboy

found the music vid for underneath the stars

but most of all, gave us things we never thought we'd go crazy for! the grunge album and the music vid for the r&b version of anytime you need a friend!



All comments from YouTube:

@caseymccollum575

This has to be THE MOST BEAUTIFUL INTRO OF ALL TIME. I don’t even care if you disagree.

@jyphua3760

Im almost a bit mad the beat came in...

@hueysaroo7593

@@jyphua3760 it took me a few days to forgive Mariah for bringing in that beat. Cause an entire song of that intro would've been 🔥

@jyphua3760

@@hueysaroo7593 straight facts!

@melissaa.8803

@@hueysaroo7593 me too 😂😂😂

@edwinadrianta9455

I disagree.... *kidding that intro is superb ❤️❤️❤️

12 More Replies...

@sl8472

Her “rejected” tracks have so much quality that’s some other “artist”’s best can’t achieve! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🦋🦋🦋👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

@bitchienasty3839

rejected? didnt she write her own song?🤷‍♀️

@MrTurtledove1981

@@bitchienasty3839hence the double quotation

@kwaziness

@@bitchienasty3839 the label tends to choose some of the songs that don't make the cut, as was the case with Slipping Away

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