This Could B Us
Prince Lyrics

You ready?
Asking if the listener is ready for a commitment

Naw, you ain't ready (no you ain't ready)
The listener is not ready for a commitment

I mean ready for us
Asking if the listener is ready for a commitment with the singer

You know you want me like a new pair of shoes
The listener desires the singer like they desire a new pair of shoes

Ooh uh, this could be us
This could be a committed relationship between the listener and the singer

But you be playin'
The listener is not taking the opportunity to commit seriously

But you keep on foolin' around
The listener is not ready to commit and is wasting time

You're the cage to my dove
The listener is holding the singer back from flying free

I'm just saying
The singer is only making an observation

Forever and ever in love
The singer desires a long-lasting, committed relationship with the listener

Oh baby yeah, this could be us
The singer is emphasizing the possibility for a committed relationship with the listener

(This could be, us)
Reiterating that this could be the listener and singer's chance for a committed relationship

You, you say you ain't ready
The listener has stated they are not ready for a commitment

Ready to go steady
Asking if the listener is ready for a committed relationship

Ain't ready for us (no)
The listener is not ready for a committed relationship with the singer

'Cause what I got make you weak in in the knees
The singer's love and affection make the listener feel weak and overwhelmed

Take your energy (oh baby)
The singer makes the listener feel exhausted with their love and passion

Make you sleep all week
The listener will be so entranced by the singer that they will be unable to function normally

Sex with me ain't enough
The singer is not interested in just a physical relationship

That's why we gotta do it metaphysically
The singer believes that their relationship should be more than just physical

(This could be, us)
Reiterating the possibility for a committed relationship between the listener and singer

You, you know you're loving your freedom
The listener is enjoying being single and not tied down to a commitment

'Cause yo freedom (freedom) is payin' yo bills? (Oh funky dolla?)
The listener is able to support themselves financially and they enjoy their independence

Yes it is
Affirming that the listener's freedom supports them financially

Boyfriends, you think you don't need 'em
The listener believes they don't need a committed relationship to be happy

But in the middle of the cold, cold night
The listener will feel lonely and may regret not having a committed relationship

I think you will (sho' you right)
The singer confirms that the listener will experience loneliness in the future

We, we come up on a crossroad
The singer and the listener are at a critical point in their relationship

And we got to decide (got to decide)
The singer and listener must choose what direction to take their relationship

Which way to turn,
The singer and listener must make a decision about their relationship

(Which way yes which way to turn)
The singer emphasizes that a choice needs to be made

Are we gonna go (are we gonna go) Go (are we gonna)
Asking whether the listener and singer are going to take the next step in their relationship

Over the bridge (over the bridge, over the bridge)
The metaphorical bridge represents the transformation into a committed relationship

Before, before it burns
The singer is urging the listener to commit before it's too late

(Don't you let it burn, let it burn, baby)
The singer is emphasizing that they don't want the relationship to fade away

Everybody knows, everybody knows
Many people understand the importance of a committed relationship

That a woman needs love, L-O-V-E (love)
Women need love in a committed relationship

(Like a river flow, like a river flow) inside
Love should flow freely in a committed relationship

If its good that's all she thinking of
Women prioritize love in committed relationships

(Metaphysical)
The singer believes that their relationship should be more than just physical

Sleep alone if you wanna (nothing mystical xxxxx)
The listener can choose to be single and lonely

But like a new pair of shoes
If the listener commits to the singer, they will make them feel new and special

(And after that) You gonna wanna show me off to your friends (can't believe my purple psychedelic pimp slap)
The listener will be proud to introduce the singer as their partner

When I ooohhh
The singer and listener will have a strong and deep connection

This right here
The singer is referring to the listener and the relationship between them

This cloud be us
Reiterating that the listener and singer could be in a committed relationship

Can't you see it baby
The singer is urging the listener to see the potential for a committed relationship

Only one I been dreaming of
The singer has been dreaming of a committed relationship with the listener

(But you don't have time for me no more)
The listener is no longer prioritizing the singer and their relationship