lovers and friends
Usher Lyrics

Yeah man, once again it's on (it's on)
The song is starting anew just like their friendship.

You know we had to do it again right?
Their collaboration has proven successful before and they know this one will be too.

(We had to do it again boy!)
Echoes their idea that they must recreate their previous success again.

Uh-huh, uh, yeah
Standard 'yeah man' introduction to the opening phrase.

(I want you to sin' to these ladies man)
Introducing themselves as performers by requesting the ladies to listen to them while they sing.

Uh, oh-oh-oh
Suggests to pay attention to a sound or an event which is occurring instantly.

I guess I'm up first, let me at 'em
Usher proclaims he's at the front and wants to perform for the audience.

Check me out, let's get it
Usher is daring the audience to witness how well he can perform.

Baby, how you doin'? Hope that you're fine
A classic pick-up line and he hopes the lady is in a good mood and receptive to him.

Want to know what you got in mind and I
Usher wants to know what the lady wants to do tonight and he's suggesting they are compatible.

Got me feenin' like Jodeci, girl I can't leave you alone
Usher is unable to resist the lady he's talking to and has an intense desire to keep her company.

Take a shot of this here Patrón and it's gon' be on
He offers the drink to the woman to act as a mutual relaxant before they start their night.

V.I.P done got way too crowded
The VIP room is now too crowded for Usher and his friend, so they are looking for something else to do.

I'm about to end up callin' it a night
Usher is planning on leaving if this next move doesn't go according to plan.

She should holla at your girl tell her that you're shakin' the scene
He's telling her to tell her friend to come to the party, as he will make things exciting.

Pulled off, beep-beep, shotgun in the GT with me
Usher is implying that the lady should join him in the car as she is now part of his team.

She said, "Oh, I'm ready to ride" (I was like) Yeah
The lady has committed to join him, and Usher accepts her instantly, relieved and excited.

'Cause once you get inside, you can't change your mind
Joining Usher implies making a commitment to him for the night, which he's now enforcing.

Don't mean to sound impatient, but you gotta promise baby, oh
He indicates an understanding of possible hesitations from the lady, so he asks for her promise to assure him.

Tell me again (tell me again, my baby), That we'll be lovers and friends (oh, I gotta know baby, oh yeah)
He seeks confirmation of her willingness to make a commitment for the night and to disclose if there's any hidden ambitions.

Tell me again (make sure you're right, oh before we began), That we'll be lovers and friends (oh, oh it's a good look baby)
Again, he requests that she confirms this commitment before accepting anything further.

It's a really good look baby, look here
Confirming that he appreciates and enjoys this sentiment in the lady and suggests that they're both making good choices.

Sometime wanna be your lover, sometime wanna be your friend
He's stating multiple scenarios that he would like to play out, depending on what the lady wants, to stay in control.

Sometime wanna hug you, hold hands slow dance while the record spins
He has lots of different scenarios that he can place her in depending on her mood.

Opened up your heart 'cause you said I made you feel so comfortable
He had convinced the lady that she feels at ease with him so that she's comfortable showing her affection towards him.

Used to play back then now you all grown up like Rudy Huxtable
The lady has grown up since Usher previously knew her when she was younger, implying she is growing into herself sexually and emotionally.

I could be your bud you could beat me up
Usher offers to be a platonic friend but can also endure any physical play, suggesting he can handle being challenged.

Play fightin' in the dark then we both make up
He wants to have intimate and inclusive interactions with the lady, including play fighting and learning about each other's physical desires.

I do, anythin' just to feel yo' butt
He's expressing an unfiltered sexual impulse, and looking for mutual satisfaction with the lady.

Why you, got me so messed up?
The lady has confused him, because he doesn't fully understand all of her motivations and intentions.

I don't know but you gotta stop trippin'
He is curious about her behavior, and is urging her to drop her trifling illusions while signaling that he's willing to be a part of it.

Be a good girl now turn around and get these whippings
He's trying to assert his dominance over her while at the same time exhibiting affection in his sexual ways.

You know you like it like that
He presupposes the lady's arousal and attraction, and suggests she should stop pretending otherwise.

You don't have to fight back
He's urging her surrender to his sexual advances.

Here's a pillow, bite that
He is offering a suggestion for the lady to quiet herself while still enjoying the sexual experience.

And I'll be settin' separate plays So on all these separate days Your legs can go they separate ways
He's suggesting that he will enjoy various sexual encounters with the lady over time, and she can still leave after each encounter unattached.

I's been knowin' you for a long time (shawty)
He's telling the lady that he's known her for an extended period of time since they were children.

But fuckin' never crossed my mind (shawty)
He previously didn't think about her in a sexual sense.

But tonight I seen somethin' in you (shawty)
But tonight, he's seen through her actions and demeanor a desire for something sexual as well.

That made me wanna get with you (shawty)
This newly realized sexual attraction between them is spurring on a hookup.

You ain't been nothin' but a friend to me (shawty)
Previously they were just friends, with no sexualized tension between them.

And a nigga never ever dreamed we'd be (shawty)
He never imagined that they would reach this stage of sexual liberation together.

Up in here kissin', huggin', squeezin', touchin' (shawty)
They're now sharing passionate physical affection with each other.

Up in the bathtub rub-a-dubbin' (shawty)
They're now having sex in a very comfortable and home-like setting.

Are you sure you wanna go this route (shawty)
He's checking in with her to confirm she's ready and willing to engage in these physical acts with him.

Let a nigga know before I pull it out (shawty)
He's warning her that he is going to initiate something he considers significant and is waiting for confirmation before he does so.

I would never ever cross the line (shawty)
He's reassuring her that he's not going to break the bond of their friendship by doing anything to dishonor it.

Shawty let me hear you tell me one more time
Requesting her adamant and passionate repetition of her earlier confirmation to have sexual relations.

Please tell your lovers and friends That Ursher, Jon, and Luda had to do it again (hey!) Uh, please tell your lovers and friends That Ursher, Jon, and Luda had to do it again (hey!) That's right, yeah, please tell your lovers and friends That Ursher, Jon, and Luda had to do it again (hey!)
The three performers are creating a controversial song and are anticipating its reception. They ask that the audience spread the word about the new release.