It's Not Right But It's Okay
Whitney Houston feat. George Michael Lyrics


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Friday night you and your boys went out to eat
Then they hung out, but you came home around three
If six of y'all went out
Then four of you were really cheap
'Cause only two of you had dinner
I found your credit card receipt

It's not right but it's okay
I'm gonna make it anyway
Pack your bags up and leave
And don't you dare come running back to me

It's not right but it's okay
I'm gonna make it anyway
Close the door behind you leave your key
I'd rather be alone than unhappy

I pack your bags so you can leave town for a week (yes I am)
The phone rings and then you look at me (Why'd you turn and look at me)
You said it was one of your friends, down on 54th Street (boy)
So why did 213 show up on your caller ID

I've been through all this before
So how could you think
That I would stand around and take some more
Things are gonna change
'Cause I won't be your fool anymore
That's why you have to leave
So don't turn around to see my face
There's no more tears left here for you to see

Was it really worth you going out like that
See I'm moving on and I refuse to turn back
See all of this time I thought I had somebody down for Whitney
It turns out, you were making a fool of me

It's not right, but it's okay
I'm gonna make it anyway
Pack your bags up and leave
And don't you dare come running back to me

It's not right, but it's okay
I'm gonna make it anyway
Close the door behind you leave your key
I'd rather be alone than unhappy

It's not right, but it's okay
I'm gonna make it anyway
Pack your bags up and leave
And don't you dare come running back to me

It's not right, but it's okay
I'm gonna make it anyway
Close the door behind you leave your key
I'd rather be alone than unhappy

It's not right, but it's okay
I'm gonna make it anyway
Pack your bags up and leave
And don't you dare come running back to me

It's not right, but it's okay
I'm gonna make it anyway
Close the door behind you leave your key
I'd rather be alone than unhappy

It's not right, but it's okay
I'm gonna make it anyway
Pack your bags up and leave
And don't you dare come running back to me

It's not right, but it's okay
I'm gonna make it anyway
Close the door behind you leave your key
I'd rather be alone than unhappy

It's not right, but it's okay




I'm gonna make it anyway
Pack your bags up and leave

Overall Meaning

The song "It's Not Right But It's Okay" tells the story of a woman who discovers that her partner has been unfaithful to her. It is a tale of a woman who has had enough of her cheating partner and decides to leave him. The first verse of the song sets the scene, describing how the singer found her partner's credit card receipt, indicating that he was out with friends and only two of them had dinner, while the others were "cheap." The chorus is a bold declaration that she is going to make it alone, even though it may not be right. In the second verse, the singer packs the cheater's bags and tells him to leave, as she has had enough; she is going to be alone, but at least she won't be unhappy. The chorus repeats multiple times throughout the song, emphasizing the singer's decision to leave her cheating partner.


The song is an anthem of empowerment and courage in the face of betrayal. Although it may not be right to break up with someone, the singer knows that it is the best decision for her mental and emotional wellbeing. Whitney Houston's powerful vocals and the song's catchy melody create a memorable and timeless track.


Line by Line Meaning

Friday night you and your boys went out to eat
You went out with your friends on Friday night.


Then they hung out, but you came home around three
Your friends kept hanging out, but you came home late.


If six of y'all went out
If six of you went out with your friends.


Then four of you were really cheap
Four of you didn't pay for dinner.


'Cause only two of you had dinner
Only two of you paid for dinner.


I found your credit card receipt
I found your credit card receipt, revealing that you only paid for two dinners.


It's not right but it's okay
What you did wasn't right, but I can handle it.


I'm gonna make it anyway
I'll be alright without you.


Pack your bags up and leave
Get your things and leave.


And don't you dare come running back to me
Don't try to come back to me.


Close the door behind you leave your key
As you leave, close the door and leave your key.


I'd rather be alone than unhappy
I'd rather be alone than unhappy in a relationship.


I pack your bags so you can leave town for a week (yes I am)
I'm packing your bags so you can leave town for a week.


The phone rings and then you look at me (Why'd you turn and look at me)
The phone rings and you look at me, suspiciously.


You said it was one of your friends, down on 54th Street (boy)
You say it's one of your friends from 54th street.


So why did 213 show up on your caller ID
But your caller ID shows a different number.


I've been through all this before
I've been through similar experiences before.


So how could you think
Why would you think that I would put up with this again?


That I would stand around and take some more
That I would just stand by and let you mistreat me again.


Things are gonna change
Things are going to be different from now on.


'Cause I won't be your fool anymore
Because I won't let you take advantage of me anymore.


That's why you have to leave
That's why you need to leave.


So don't turn around to see my face
As you leave, don't bother staring at me.


There's no more tears left here for you to see
I've already cried enough tears over you.


Was it really worth you going out like that
Was it really worth it for you to go out and cheat on me?


See I'm moving on and I refuse to turn back
I'm moving on from this and won't look back.


See all of this time I thought I had somebody down for Whitney
I thought you were a good partner to me all this time.


It turns out, you were making a fool of me
But it turns out you were just making a fool out of me.


I'd rather be alone than unhappy
I'm better off being alone than being unhappy in a relationship.


It's not right, but it's okay
Your behavior wasn't right, but I can handle it.


I'm gonna make it anyway
I'll be fine on my own.


Pack your bags up and leave
Leave and take your things with you.


And don't you dare come running back to me
Don't try to come back to me.


Close the door behind you leave your key
Close the door and leave your key as you go.


I'd rather be alone than unhappy
I'm better off being alone than being unhappy in a relationship.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: FRED JERKINS III, LASHAWN AMEEN DANIELS, RODNEY JERKINS, ISAAC PHILLIPS, TONI ESTES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@misshealth2

Now tell me how you'd feel
If I told you that I
Have feelings for you
And would it be so wrong to say
What's on my mind
I'm sorry I have to
We were friends but with time
What I feel inside for you has changed
But I'd give up on love
If I thought that it was untrue for you

If I told you that
I wanted to see you
And if I told you that
I'd beg to please you
If I told you that
I'll always keep you
What would you say
If I told you that

I know that we're just friends
But what if I decide to bring something in
I hope it won't offend the trust
We have cause I don't want this to end
If you think that we'll lose what we have
Then I'd just rather stay (rather stay) the same
(I'd rather stay the same)
'Cause I don't want to choose
Between two of the most precious things to me
(Tell me)

If I told you that
I wanted to see you
And if I told you that
I'd beg to please you
If I told you that
I'll always keep you
What would you say
If I told you that

If we take this chance
And extend to each other romance
I hope it would be
The right thing for you and me

If I told you that
I wanted to see you
And if I told you that
I'd beg to please you
If I told you that
I'll always keep you
What would you say
If I told you that

Would you be there for me
Could you dare to hold me
Will my feelings leave me
Lonely if I told you

If I told you that
I wanted to see you
And if I told you that
I'd beg to please you
If I told you that
I'll always keep you
What would you say
If I told you that



@misshealth2

Meaning of "If I Told You That (Duet)" by Whitney Houston (Ft. George Michael)

"If I Told You That" by Whitney Houston is a duet with George Michael that explores the feelings of two friends who may have deeper romantic feelings for each other.

Houston's character confesses that she has feelings for her friend and wonders how he would react if she told him. She hopes that he would reciprocate her feelings and enjoy spending time together, fulfilling each other's needs. However, she is also cautious about the possible risk of losing their friendship if they pursue a romantic relationship.

The chorus repeats the same question, "What would you say if I told you that?" emphasizing the uncertainty and vulnerability she feels in confessing her feelings.

The song's lyrics suggest that the message is meant for a romantic partner, but the context of the duet with George Michael adds a layer of ambiguity to the relationship, playing with the idea of a romantic relationship between two friends.

Overall, "If I Told You That" is a reflection on the complexity and uncertainty of relationships, especially when feelings are involved.



All comments from YouTube:

@TheJellymonty

I'm one of the background dancers. My cousin was the lighting director of this video so I begged him to let the director sneak me in as a background extra and it was so much fun! George and Whitney were so hilarious and easy going and their chemistry was off the charts. At one point I remember George joking during takes and he said "She's gonna un-gay me in a minute!" and Whitney responded, "Boy pls I un-gayed u the moment you laid eyes on me!" And everybody just died of laughter! Miss them both. Hope they still jiving like this up there. RIP both of yous.

@dimanshediamond6347

I love this! It just sounds like something they’d both say!!!,😊

@Boomboxss-fu3ic

Wow, that's an awesome story, thank you :)

@cordelia81

This made me think, whats eternal and whats limited ....

@taneeshathomas2090

Such an awesome memory I'm glad u got to experience that

@toniebee2239

Thank you for sharing that beautiful memory.

353 More Replies...

@Cali5556

George Michael: sang a duet with THE Aretha Franklin and THE Whitney Houston, and stood his fucking own. Absolute legend.

@BestBecky78

And Mary J!!! 🤩🤩

@KayJay7000

All three duets were great but I think this one is the best and it looks like Whitney and George were having fun making the video too. Charming!

@pamelaa.mankowski212

Thank you ! Ppl need to look at themselves quit judging least you be judged .. thank you God for allowing me to hear these two angels .. and thank you Mary J. And Aretha Franklin .. RIP our angels

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