Be Careful
R. Kelly Lyrics

Two years ago, promises is all I heard
The singer was continuously promised a better life and treated well before, but it is not the same anymore.

Wait a minute, let me finish
The singer requests the audience to listen to her completely before jumping to any conclusion.

Out of your mouth
The audience is accused of speaking only empty promises and nothing else.

Now you want to walk away boy
The audience is trying to leave after abandoning and emotionally manipulating the artist.

And tear down the walls in this house
The audience wants to break the relationship and the trust the artist had built.

You used to tell me sweet things
The audience was once genuinely sweet to the singer.

Sweet things in the morning time
The audience used to do sweet things especially in the morning time that has stopped now.

Now all you do is hurt me
The audience keeps on hurting the artist intentionally.

And think that everything is fine
The audience thinks everything is alright just because the artist hasn't reacted negatively.

You better be careful what you say to me
The artist warns the audience to be mindful of what they say to her.

'Cause it might turn around on you
The singer warns that whatever the audience says might end up hurting them too.

You better be careful what you do to me
The artist warns the audience to be cautious of their actions toward her.

'Cause somebody might do it to you
The singer warns that someone else might treat the audience in the same hurtful way.

If the shoe fits, wear it boy (Yea yea yea yea, yea yea yea yea)
The audience is being asked to accept responsibility for their actions and take accountability.

If the shoe fits, wear it girl (Yea yea yea yea, yea yea yea yea)
The audience is being asked to accept responsibility for their actions and take accountability.

Two years ago, didn't know you had male friends
The audience was hiding certain aspects of their life from the artist.

Off up in college
The audience was in college while being in a relationship with the artist, which suggests that they were irresponsible and immature.

I found out you're still reaching out to some of them
The singer found out the audience has still kept in touch with some of these people.

Misses Busy Body
The audience is being referred to as someone who keeps on being active in other people's business.

You used to listen to me
The artist was heard and respected before.

When you were down and lost
The artist used to comfort the audience during their bad times.

But now, you don't even respect me
The audience disrespects the artist now due to a shift in the power dynamic of the relationship.

Ever since I got laid off
The singer believes that the audience started behaving differently after the singer lost their job.

Now who gave you money when your ass was broke, without a dime?
The artist helped the audience financially when they needed help the most.

And even though Little Man is not my child, I made him mine, mm-hmm
The singer is referring to nurturing their mutual child, even though the audience did not father them.

So quick to run to your friends
The audience seeks validation and reassurance by running to other people.

And talk about, what we do in this house
The audience is revealing intimate aspects of their relationship to other people.

And then you want to party all night long
The audience disregards the artist's feelings by partying all night long.