"Promiscuous" was released as the first single from Loose in North America in early 2006, and as the second single elsewhere in mid-2006 except in Latin America, where the single was released as the third single in late 2006. The song received positive reviews and became Furtado's first number-one single in United States. It won in the Best Pop Song category at the 2006 Billboard Music Awards, was nominated for the Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals Grammy Award at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards and won Single of the Year at the 2007 Juno Awards. The song got a number 3 on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 2006.
The lyrics of "Promiscuous" describe the two sides of the relationship that the song's protagonist deals with. It was one of the first songs Furtado wrote with labelmate Timothy "Attitude" Clayton. Furtado called their teamwork something she "had never done before" because she saw the writing process as "extremely freeing" because of his different approach and style. Clayton helped Furtado experiment with interpreting the "promiscuous girl" character and the two-sided relationship she is in. Furtado also described that in the process of writing lyrics "we were actually flirting, which is why the song is so playful" and that she and Clayton nicknamed the song "'The BlackBerry Song', because everything we say in the song you could text-message to somebody".
Because of the preponderant musical influence of artists such as Talking Heads, Blondie, Madonna, The Police and Eurythmics, whom producers Timbaland and Danja listened to during the writing of the album, "Promiscuous" takes inspiration from pop music of the 1980s. The sexuality was based on the "strong women in control" of the 1990s, such as Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Yo-Yo, Salt-N-Pepa and TLC.
A reference to basketball player Steve Nash in the song's lyrics led to speculation that he and Furtado were romantically involved, but both deny the link, with Nash commenting, "I'm flattered that she put me in her song, but I'm completely in love with my wife and two little baby girls". Furtado decided to include him because she and Nash are both from Victoria, British Columbia, and due to frequent citations of basketballers in songs, she decided to "give him the props".
In one of the verses Timbaland introduces himself as Thomas Crown. The Thomas Crown Affair is a film about wealthy businessman who plays a cat-and-mouse/flirting game with an insurance investigator.
Timbaland only performed the song live on special occasions, such as Furtado's appearance on Saturday Night Live, and the 2006 MuchMusic Video Awards. Starting with Furtado's show at the 94th Grey Cup on November 19, 2006, and extending into the Get Loose Tour, Timbaland's part is filled in by Canadian rapper Saukrates.
The song's music video was directed by Little X and features cameo appearances by Keri Hilson, Bria Myles and Justin Timberlake. It does not follow a storyline and per Furtado's request, focuses on scenes with dancing and flirting because she wanted to recreate the song's indicative vibe, and took the opportunity to film a club video for the first time. Furtado said of the video, "It's that whole dance that goes on. There's that mystery there, the fun, playful sexiness, the verbal Ping-Pong game". Furtado and Timbaland cannot decide whether they want to begin dating or instead flirt with others on the dance floor. Their single performances are intercut with several scenes of a dancing crowd, and the lighting changes between blue, green, red, and yellow colors.
"Promiscuous" premiered on MTV's Total Request Live on May 3, 2006, where it reached number one after spending twenty-one days on the countdown. After its debut on MuchMusic's Countdown, it ascended to number one for the week of July 28, 2006. At the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards, it was nominated for the Best Dance, Female and Pop Video Awards. The video was parodied by MADtv in a segment entitled "Syphilis Girl"; in the video, Furtado (Nicole Parker) is comically portrayed as having given Timbaland (Jordan Peele) the sexually transmitted disease, as well as on YouTube by the comedic group Train of Thought Sketch Comedy, where the video is parodied by troupe member Kaci and features a puppet version of Timbaland.
Promiscuous
Nelly Furtado feat. Timbaland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nope
Didn't think so
How you doin' young lady
That feelin' that you givin' really drivin' me crazy
You don't have to play about the joke
I was at a loss of words first time that we spoke
If you looking for a girl that'll treat you right
If you lookin' for her in the day time with the light
You might be the type if I play my cards right
I'll find out by the end of the night
You expect me to just let you hit it
But will you still respect me if you get it
All I can do is try, gimme one chance
What's the problem I don't see no ring on your hand
I be the first to admit it
I'm curious about you, you seem so innocent
You wanna get in my world, get lost in it
Boy I'm tired of running, let's walk for a minute
Promiscuous girl, wherever you are
I'm all alone and it's you that I want
Promiscuous boy, you already know
That I'm all yours, what you waiting for?
Promiscuous girl, you're teasing me
You know what I want and I got what you need
Promiscuous boy, let's get to the point
'Cause we're on a roll, are you ready?
Roses are red, some diamonds are blue
Chivalry is dead but you're still kinda cute
Hey, I can't keep my mind off you
Where you at, do you mind if I come through
I'm out of this world come with me to my planet
Get you on my level do you think that you can handle it?
They call me Thomas, last name Crown
Recognize game I'm a lay mine's down
I'm a big girl I can handle myself
But if I get lonely I'ma need your help
Pay attention to me I don't talk for my health
I want you on my team
So does everybody else
Baby, we can keep it on the low
Let your guard down ain't nobody gotta know
If you with it girl I know a place we can go
What kind of girl do you take me for?
Promiscuous girl, wherever you are
I'm all alone and it's you that I want
Promiscuous boy, you already know
That I'm all yours, what you waiting for?
Promiscuous girl, you're teasing me
You know what I want and I got what you need
Promiscuous boy, let's get to the point
'Cause we're on a roll, are you ready?
Don't be mad, don't get mean
Don't get mad, don't be mean
Hey, Don't be mad, don't get mean
Don't get mad, don't be mean
Wait, I don't mean no harm
I can see you with my T-shirt on
I can see you with nothing on
Feeling on me before you bring that on
Bring that on, you know what I mean
Girl, I'm a freak you shouldn't say those things
I'm only trying to get inside your brain
To see if you can work me the way you say
It's okay, it's alright
I got something that you gon' like
Hey, is that the truth or are you talking trash
Is your game M.V.P. like Steve Nash
Promiscuous girl, wherever you are
I'm all alone and it's you that I want
Promiscuous boy, I'm calling your name
But you're driving me crazy the way you're making me wait
Promiscuous girl, you're teasing me
You know what I want and I got what you need
Promiscuous boy, we're one in the same
So we don't gotta play games no more
The lyrics of Nelly Furtado's "Promiscuous" imply that the singer is interested in someone who intrigues her with their appearance and conversational style. She is not afraid of being direct with her intentions, wanting to see where the night will take her as she tries to find her place in the seductive dance of the game of love. She's asking her crush whether they're interested in becoming more intimate without thinking about the consequences that may arise from a promiscuous affair.
The song has been interpreted in various ways, with some suggesting that it advances a feminist perspective through its use of blunt sexual language by a woman. Others view it as merely a sexually provocative song for entertainment purposes. However, the song's thematic gravity in the wider pop culture is tied to its challenge to normative expectations of gender roles. On the surface, it is a song in which an independent woman expresses her desire for a man without fear of societal judgment. Yet the song also highlights how communication difficulties can arise within flirtatious encounters, and gives credence to the argument that both men and women often suffer from miscommunication within relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Am I throwing you off?
Are my words or actions confusing or disturbing you?
How you doin' young lady
Hello, beautiful woman
That feelin' that you givin' really drivin' me crazy
The emotions you're evoking in me are overwhelming
You don't have to play about the joke
You don't have to pretend or joke around
I was at a loss of words first time that we spoke
I didn't know what to say when we first talked
If you looking for a girl that'll treat you right
If you're searching for a woman who will treat you well
If you lookin' for her in the day time with the light
If you're searching for her during the day in well-lit areas
You might be the type if I play my cards right
You might be the type of person I'm interested in, if I approach you in the right way
I'll find out by the end of the night
I'll know for sure by the end of the night
You expect me to just let you hit it
You expect me to have casual sex with you
But will you still respect me if you get it
Will you still treat me with respect even if we have sex?
All I can do is try, gimme one chance
I can only ask for a chance to see how things go
What's the problem I don't see no ring on your hand
What's the issue? I don't see a wedding ring on your finger
I be the first to admit it
I will be the first to confess
I'm curious about you, you seem so innocent
I'm intrigued by you, you appear to be pure and innocent
You wanna get in my world, get lost in it
You want to enter my life and become a part of it
Boy I'm tired of running, let's walk for a minute
I'm tired of playing games, let's take things slow for a moment
Promiscuous girl, wherever you are
A woman who enjoys having casual sex, whoever and wherever she may be
I'm all alone and it's you that I want
I'm alone and I desire to be with you
Promiscuous boy, you already know
A man who enjoys having casual sex, and is already aware of this fact
That I'm all yours, what you waiting for?
I'm yours for the taking, what are you waiting for?
Promiscuous girl, you're teasing me
A woman who enjoys leading men on, sexually and romantically
You know what I want and I got what you need
You understand my desires and I am capable of fulfilling yours
Promiscuous boy, let's get to the point
A man who enjoys leading women on, sexually and romantically, let's not waste time
'Cause we're on a roll, are you ready?
We're making good progress, are you prepared to continue?
Roses are red, some diamonds are blue
This is a cliché and cheesy saying
Chivalry is dead but you're still kinda cute
Gentlemanly behavior is uncommon, but you're still attractive
Hey, I can't keep my mind off you
I'm constantly thinking about you
Where you at, do you mind if I come through
Where are you? Can I come see you?
I'm out of this world come with me to my planet
I'm unique and different, join me in my lifestyle
Get you on my level do you think that you can handle it?
Join me in my lifestyle, do you think you can handle it?
They call me Thomas, last name Crown
My name is Thomas, and my last name is Crown
Recognize game I'm a lay mine's down
Recognize my dominance in this lifestyle, I'll be the one in control
I'm a big girl I can handle myself
I'm an adult and can take care of myself
But if I get lonely I'ma need your help
But if I become lonely, I may need your assistance
Pay attention to me I don't talk for my health
Listen to me, I'm not speaking for no reason
I want you on my team, so does everybody else
I want you on my side, as does everyone else
Baby, we can keep it on the low
We can keep our relationship discreet
Let your guard down ain't nobody gotta know
Relax and be comfortable, nobody has to find out
If you with it girl I know a place we can go
If you're interested, I know a location where we can go
What kind of girl do you take me for?
What type of woman do you think I am?
Promiscuous girl, I'm all alone and it's you that I want
A sexually active woman who enjoys having multiple partners, I desire you
Promiscuous boy, you already know
A sexually active man who enjoys having multiple partners, you're aware of this
That I'm all yours, what you waiting for?
I'm willing to have sex with you, what are you waiting for?
Promiscuous girl, you're teasing me
A sexually active woman who enjoys leading men on, teasing him sexually and romantically
You know what I want and I got what you need
You understand my sexual desires and I am capable of satisfying yours
Promiscuous boy, let's get to the point
A sexually active man who enjoys leading women on, let's stop wasting time and have sex
'Cause we're on a roll, are you ready?
We're making progress towards having sex, are you ready to continue?
Don't be mad, don't get mean
Don't become angry or aggressive
Wait, I don't mean no harm
Hold on, I don't intend to cause any harm
I can see you with my T-shirt on
I can visualize you wearing my clothing
I can see you with nothing on
I can visualize you being naked
Feeling on me before you bring that on
Touching me sexually before initiating sex
Bring that on, you know what I mean
Initiate sex, you understand what I'm saying
Girl, I'm a freak you shouldn't say those things
I'm sexually adventurous, you shouldn't say things that will excite me
I'm only trying to get inside your brain
I'm only trying to understand your thoughts and desires
To see if you can work me the way you say
To determine if you can satisfy me sexually as you claim
It's okay, it's alright
It's acceptable, it's fine
I got something that you gon' like
I have something that you will enjoy
Hey, is that the truth or are you talking trash
Hey, is that the truth or are you just making false claims?
Is your game M.V.P. like Steve Nash
Are you skilled at seducing women like Steve Nash was a skilled basketball player?
Promiscuous girl, you're teasing me
A sexually active woman who enjoys leading men on, teasing him sexually and romantically
You know what I want and I got what you need
You understand my sexual desires and I am capable of satisfying yours
Promiscuous boy, I'm calling your name
A sexually active man who enjoys having multiple partners, I'm calling for your attention
But you're driving me crazy the way you're making me wait
But you're testing my patience with the wait for sex
Promiscuous girl, you're teasing me
A sexually active woman who enjoys leading men on, teasing him sexually and romantically
You know what I want and I got what you need
You understand my sexual desires and I am capable of satisfying yours
Promiscuous boy, we're one in the same
A sexually active man who enjoys having multiple partners, we're alike in our lifestyle
So we don't gotta play games no more
So we don't have to pretend or deceive each other anymore
Contributed by Kaitlyn C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@SuperRaedizzle
Surprised with how fresh this song still sounds
@Queenofblood666x
Hi Rae ❤️❤️❤️❤️
@zoezhong1721
Hi
@artist.lifeart
Hi
@gabygab9608
Hiii rae how are you
@420_Lucifer
Mainly because of TikTok
@SuperRaedizzle
3:34 I had no idea Justin Timberlake was in this video
@anthonyvasquez1259
first
@Home-uv6xg
Lmao the scene he played is so funny tho
@gravejugg
fr