Kenny "Dope" Gonzales loaned out the name Masters At Work to Todd Terry who released two singles (Alright Alright and Dum Dum Cry) in 1987 under this moniker.
Are You Using Me
Masters at Work Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let's try something different
This is Luther
With the masters at work
Last night I had some trouble sleeping..
Are you, are you, are you using me?
Are you, are you, are you using me?
Are you, are you, are you using me?
No more will I let it be
You called his name out in your sleep
You're doing things so suspiciously
And I think that you're using me, yeah
Don't hang on me for security
Love is never free
Are you using me?
Are you, are you, are you using me?
Are you, are you, are you using me?
Are you, are you, are you using me?
Are you, are you, are you using me?
You pretended like we were friends
I was blinded by sentiment
You complicated what love should be
And I could swear that you're using me
I keep seeing things I shouldn't see
I've been watchin' you
Are you using me?
Are you, are you
Are you using me?
Listen, talk to me, talk to me, talk to me
Ooh, come on now and talk to me, talk to me
Hey talk to me, talk to me
Hey talk to me, talk to me
For my money, for my money
For my money, for my money
For my money, for my money
(Tell the truth)
For my money, for my money
Are you, are you, are you using me?
Are you, are you, are you using me?
Are you, are you, are you using me?
Are you, are you, are you using me?
For my body, for my body
For my body, for my body
For my body, for my body
For my body, for my body
Don't hang on to me for security
Love is never free, tell me are you
Using, using me, using, are you using me
Using, using me, using, are you using me?
I keep seeing things I should not see
I've been watching you, are you using me?
One time, one time (one time, one time)
One time, one time (one time, one time)
One time, one time (one time, tell me)
One time, one time (It's my desire)
Don't be such a liar
The song "Are You Using Me" by Masters at Work featuring Luther Vandross is about a relationship that is not working out, and the singer suspects that they are being used. The lyrics speak to the feeling of unease when we suspect that someone we love is manipulating us, or when we try to confront someone about their intentions but they refuse to communicate.
In the first verse, Luther Vandross sings about his insomnia, and how he suspects his partner is using him. He mentions that he heard his partner calling someone else's name in their sleep, which made him feel uneasy. He then asks his partner if they are using him. In the next verse, he confronts his partner about pretending that they are just friends, when he knows there is something more going on. Throughout the song, Luther insists that he wants the truth, and that he won't settle for lies or half-truths.
The chorus repeats the question "Are you using me?" which emphasizes the doubt and mistrust he feels towards his partner. He asks them to talk to him and tell him the truth. The bridge then mentions that love is never free and suggests that he is willing to give up his body and money for his partner, but only if they are truthful with him.
Overall, the song is an emotional expression of fear and distrust in a romantic relationship. The choice of Luther Vandross as the singer adds to the emotional depth of the song, as he was known for his soulful and heartfelt voice.
Line by Line Meaning
Wait a minute
Hold on for minute
Let's try something different
Let's do something new and unique
This is Luther
Luther Vandross is singing this song
With the masters at work
Masters at Work produced and performed the song
Last night I had some trouble sleeping..
The artist had difficulty sleeping last night
Are you, are you, are you using me?
Asking if the person is taking advantage of the singer
No more will I let it be
The singer won't let the situation continue
You called his name out in your sleep
The person said someone else's name while sleeping
You're doing things so suspiciously
The person's actions seem suspect to the artist
And I think that you're using me, yeah
The artist suspects that the person is using them
Don't hang on me for security
The person shouldn't rely solely on the singer for security
Love is never free
Love always comes with a cost
Are you using me?
Asking again if the person is taking advantage
You pretended like we were friends
The person acts like a friend
I was blinded by sentiment
The singer was too emotional to see the truth
You complicated what love should be
The person made love more difficult than it should be
And I could swear that you're using me
The artist is almost certain the person is using them
I keep seeing things I shouldn't see
The singer sees things they don't want to
I've been watchin' you
The singer has been observing the person's actions
Listen, talk to me, talk to me, talk to me
Asking the person to communicate with the artist
Ooh, come on now and talk to me, talk to me
Urging the person to talk
Hey talk to me, talk to me
Asking again for communication
For my money, for my money
Wishing to know the truth
(Tell the truth)
Asking for honesty
Are you using me?
Again, questioning whether the person is taking advantage
For my body, for my body
Wishing to know the truth regarding physical attraction
Don't hang on to me for security
Reiterated that the person shouldn't rely solely on the singer
Love is never free, tell me are you
Love comes with a cost, so is the person taking advantage?
Using, using me, using, are you using me
Clearly stating that the person might be taking advantage
I keep seeing things I should not see
Again, seeing things the singer doesn't want to see
I've been watching you, are you using me?
Asking for the umpteenth time if the person is taking advantage
One time, one time (one time, one time)
The artist will only ask this question one more time
(It's my desire) Don't be such a liar
Expressing desire for honesty rather than lies
Lyrics © Ultra Tunes, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: FONZI THORNTON, KENNETH GONZALEZ, LUIS VEGA, LUTHER VANDROSS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DavidJohnson-ow2mt
I'm shocked haven't heard this before..what a tune big up Luther
@charlesperez5213
Who wouldn’t love Luther, sorry It will NEVER BE , another Luther, a Voice , a Producer and Song Writer a TOTAL PACKAGE , ABOVE AND BEYOND , and this song 🎵 Oh my lord it’s a MASTERPIECE, Love You Luther and you may always REST IN PEACE ☮️🙏💟✝️
@danicaabboud
Such an under rated song for Luther love it so much 🎶👌❤️
@edmessing
Kenny and Louie come together with the greatest voice.... stone cold dancefloor classic, what an absolute STUNNER
@jamaalcalloway8026
Nothing left to be said one of the greatest voices of all time
@laurencer7558
R.I.P. Luther
One of your many great tracks. Thank you for lending your talent to the World.
@tracyrussell4626
no one can hold a candle to luther! RIP xo
@kimcham9949
@Tracy Russel: No one.
@rev.d.t.paredes9060
This is a "KILLER TRACK!"
GREAT for a Drive on the
Open Road!
@harrow177
I listened to this tune when I was driving home. I had to crank this up. Makes you feel uplifted.