If You
The Jacksons Lyrics


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If you don't know me by now
You will never, never, never know me

All the things that we've been through
You should understand me
Like I understand you
Now baby I know the difference
Between right and wrong
I ain't gonna do nothin'
To upset our happy home
Oh, don't get so excited
When I come home a little late at night
Cause we only act like children
When we argue, fuss and fight

If you don't know me by now
You will never, never, never know me

We all got our own funny moods
I've got mine
Woman, you got yours too
Just trust in me
Like I trust in you
As long as we've been together
That should be so easy to do
Just get yourself together
Or we might as well say good-bye
What good is a love affair
When we can't see eye-to-eye





If you don't know me by now
You will never, never, never know me

Overall Meaning

The Jacksons' song If You is about the complexities of a long-term relationship. The song starts with the singer saying that if the person they are singing to does not know them by now, they probably never will. The singer goes on to say that they have been through a lot together and that the person they are singing to should understand them. The singer makes it clear that they know the difference between right and wrong and that they are not going to do anything to upset their happy home.


The song continues with the singer asking the person they are singing to not to get so excited when they come home a little late at night. The singer reminds the person that all couples argue and fight but that they should not let those fights get in the way of their love for each other. The song ends with the singer saying that if the person they are singing to does not know them by now, they probably never will.


Line by Line Meaning

If you don't know me by now
If the time we've spent together hasn't made you understand me


You will never, never, never know me
You will never truly know who I am


All the things that we've been through
We have been through a lot together


You should understand me
You should be able to comprehend my feelings


Like I understand you
Just as I understand your own feelings


Now baby I know the difference
I am aware of what is right and wrong


Between right and wrong
The distinction between the appropriate and the inappropriate behavior


I ain't gonna do nothin' to upset our happy home
I won't do anything that could spoil our joyful relationship


Oh, don't get so excited
Please, don't overreact


When I come home a little late at night
Whenever I return home somewhat late in the evening


Cause we only act like children
It's just that we behave like immature children


When we argue, fuss and fight
In moments of arguing, grumbling and fighting


We all got our own funny moods
We all have our own peculiar temperament


I've got mine
As have I


Woman, you got yours too
Just like you have yours


Just trust in me
Just have faith in me


Like I trust in you
As I trust in you


As long as we've been together
Given the amount of time we've been together


That should be so easy to do
You would think that would be an easy thing to do


Just get yourself together
Get yourself organized


Or we might as well say goodbye
Otherwise, we may as well part ways


What good is a love affair
What's the point of being in a romantic relationship


When we can't see eye-to-eye
If we can't agree on things




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GENE MCFADDEN, LINDA A. VITALI, DOUG BOOTH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@LittleBastard1814

Such an underrated album... What a beautiful way to end a record. Jermaine's voice is so smooth and crystal clear. Love the whole composition of that song.

@ultimatedarkknight4835

Underrated Album by The Gifted Acclimated First Family of Music . . . . Michael or not this is A true song of love , faith and inspiration . . . Sending Love to Everyone who needs Hope or Jusr a Friend to say its gonna be ok . As long as we work together we can stand United, Love Conquers All and Faith always defeats fear . . . . Just Believe ✊✊✊✊✊

@robertfollett6084

Amen to that you are so very right. Pray for peace between Russia and Ukraine 🇺🇦🙏. Like titos new songs say we need to love one another 🙏. Peace to you as well today.

@marzieli

I need Michael's voice for this beautiful song 💖

@musicman9914

Jermaine did an excellent vocal.

@marzieli

@The Jacksons Live! i watched it before :)

@eprince1388

No you dont.

@Lancehendrix813

@@eprince1388 yes

@Roooooo433

He sang a portion of it at the Jackson honors

@dubidellegodi5548

Would you look at what we have right now? All things will come to us in time...if you'd only believe. Thank you for a beautiful song...

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