Guilty
Usher Lyrics

He said
The singer is recounting a conversation.

You swear to tell the truth
The singer is being asked to be honest.

The whole truth
The singer is being asked to give complete and accurate information.

And nothing but the truth?
The artist is being asked not to omit anything or add anything to their account.

I said, yeah man
The artist agreed to the request made of them.

Yeah
The singer confirms their honesty.

Right hand high
The singer performs a gesture of truthfulness.

Never tell a lie
The artist promises to always be truthful and not deceive anyone.

Your honor I didn't know that I hurt her
The artist claims ignorance in causing harm to another person.

I didn't know she was cryin'
The artist claims ignorance of the victim's emotional state.

I didn't know that it was killin' her slow
The singer claims ignorance that their actions were affecting the victim in a negative way.

And, and, your honor she can't say I ain't love her
The artist asserts that they did care for the victim.

Can't say I ain't tried
The singer asserts that they made an effort in the relationship.

But I guess my love wasn't good enough
The singer accepts responsibility for the failure of the relationship.

I guess I'm guilty for wantin' to be up in the club (hey)
The singer feels culpable for having fun and going to clubs.

I guess I'm guilty 'cause girls always wanna show me love (hey)
The artist feels responsible for receiving attention from women and their affection.

I guess I'm guilty for livin' and havin' a little fun
The artist takes the blame for any enjoyment they have had in life.

Girl, I'm guilty
The singer feels responsible for the relationship's failure.

Don't take me to jail (jail)
The singer pleads not to face punishment for their actions.

Don't take me to jail (oh)
The artist pleads not to face punishment for their actions.

(I ain't did nothin' to her)
The artist asserts that they did not intentionally harm the victim.

(Gave everything to her, for that)
The artist claims to have done everything in their power for the relationship.

Don't take me to jail (oh)
The singer pleads not to face punishment for their actions.

Don't take me to jail (take me)
The artist pleads not to face punishment for their actions.

(I ain't gon' cry)
The singer asserts that they will not reveal any emotions during this trial.

(While you make me do the time, oh yeah)
The singer expresses resentment at the prospect of punishment.

Your honor, she accused me of cheating
The singer disputes the victim's accusations against them.

It was all in her thinkin'
The artist asserts that the victim's accusations were unfounded and based on irrational thoughts.

She gon' believe what she want to (want to)
The artist suggests that the victim's beliefs are not rational.

So what the hell am I gon' do (gon' do)
The singer feels helpless in the situation.

Turn my life around ('round), it ain't going down
The singer acknowledges that changing their lifestyle is not an option.

She know 'bout the life that I live, why she crying now?
The artist is perplexed that the victim would be upset about their lifestyle after previously accepting it.

This shit is so silly to me but won't I plead that
The artist is incredulous about the situation and uncertain how to plead.

Let's go
The artist is ready to continue their statement.

Right hand to the sky
The singer makes a gesture of honesty before continuing their statement.

Strike me down if I lie
The artist invokes divine judgement if they are not being truthful.

If she saying she the victim in this case then
The singer questions the victim's role in this situation.

What am I?
The singer does not believe they have done anything wrong and questions why they are in trouble.

If I hurt her I ain't try to
The singer denies any intent to harm the victim.

In the club I may decide to
The artist admits to going out to clubs.

Ride through
The artist does not elaborate on this phrase.

She got proof
The singer acknowledges that the victim has evidence against them.

Well, I got alibi's too
The singer has their own evidence to dispute the victim's claims.

Couple million dollar worth of bags and full of shoes
The artist has expensive possessions and uses them to imply their innocence or reliability.

Seven karat solitaire, Caribbean water blue
The artist has an expensive and unique piece of jewelry and uses it to imply their innocence or reliability.

Range Rover, Porsche Panamera and the Bentley Coupe
The artist lists their valuable cars and uses them to imply their innocence or reliability.

All the shit I did for her and this who you gon' listen to?
The singer feels that the victim's claims are unjust considering all the things the singer did for them.

Her life I submit to you is evidence
The artist implies that the victim's lifestyle is the cause of the relationship's failure.

I never been on bullshit
The singer asserts that they have always been truthful.

She ain't caught me on no Tiger Woods shit
The singer denies being unfaithful to the victim.

Knew what I expected when she met me
The singer feels that the victim should have known about their lifestyle and expectations.

Should have left me then
The artist implies that the victim had an opportunity to leave the relationship if they did not agree with the artist's actions.

Balling against the law, shawty go on arrest me then
The artist acknowledges that their lifestyle is against the law but challenges the victim to punish them if they have proof of their wrongdoing.

Don't take me to jail (oh)
The singer pleads to not face punishment for their actions.

Don't take me to jail (take me)
The singer pleads to not face punishment for their actions.

(If you gon' treat me like a crook)
The artist believes that they are being unfairly treated and are being punished without due cause.

(Put money on my books)
The artist alludes to future punishment and requests that someone put money in their jail account.

(Never mind, forget it)
The artist retracts their request for assistance with their jail account.

Don't take me to jail (oh)
The singer pleads to not face punishment for their actions.

Don't take me to jail (take me)
The artist pleads to not face punishment for their actions.

(Tired of your little games)
The singer feels that they are being manipulated or unfairly treated.

(Fuck it, I'll take the blame, I did it)
The singer accepts responsibility, regardless of whether they actually did anything wrong.

Guilty, yeah
The singer acknowledges their wrongdoing, although it is unclear if they truly believe it.