Lyrics
If you got kids back home, I want to know
If the person has children at home, the singer wants to know.
If you don't, I want to know
If the person doesn't have children, the singer wants to know.
If you're straight or you ain't, I want to know
Whether the person is heterosexual or not, the singer wants to know.
If you're broke, I want to know
If the person is financially struggling, the singer wants to know.
I want to know, I want to know, I want to know
Repeated expression of the singer's desire to know various aspects.
I want to know, I want to know, I want to know
-If you want to be with me, I gotta know
If the person wants to be with the singer, the singer needs to know certain details.
What you doin', where you goin', what you havin'
Questions about the person's activities, whereabouts, relationships, and intentions.
Who you love, who you like, who you're seein'
-Before I let you in
-'Cause I learned from my past, oh yes I did
The singer has learned from past experiences.
Met a guy that I liked, he was my type
Narrative about a past relationship where the person lied about being married and tried to deceive the singer.
But he lied 'bout his wife
-And he tried to play me, play me
-(Now all alone, was he gone)
Reflection on being left alone by the person.
Way before he told me 'bout that
Realization of being deceived and regret for not knowing certain things earlier.
I can't believe he did me like that
-Something I shoulda known, oh yeah
-(But I've learned my lesson)
Acknowledgment of learning a lesson from the past.
Not again will I be naive
Commitment not to be naive again.
I need to know the secrets y'all keep
The singer emphasizes the importance of knowing the secrets people keep.
'Cause what I don't know could come back on me
Awareness that not knowing certain things could have consequences.
If you got kids back home, I want to know
Repetition of the desire to know various details about the person.
If you don't, I want to know
-If you're straight or you ain't, I want to know
-If you're broke, I want to know
-I want to know, I want to know, I want to know
-I want to know, I want to know, I want to know
-If you want to fall in love, gotta be aware
Advises being aware of the past life of a potential lover to avoid future problems.
'Bout the life that your lover's been leadin'
-So you know if you're gonna be schemin'
-Or if she gonna dog you out
-'Cause I know I've had my share, oh yes I did
Personal experience of being wronged by a partner who was cheating in a different way.
Did me wrong, stayin' at some woman's place
-I'm scared he was not a closet case
-Still was cheatin' but not that way
-(Now all alone, was he gone)
Reflection on the consequences of not knowing certain details in a relationship.
Way before he told me 'bout that
-I can't believe he did me like that
-Something I shoulda known, oh yeah
-(But I've learned my lesson)
-Not again will I be naive
-I need to know the secrets y'all keep
-'Cause what I don't know could come back on me
-If you got kids back home, I want to know
Repetition of the desire to know various details about the person.
If you don't, I want to know
-If you're straight or you ain't, I want to know
-If you're broke, I want to know
-I want to know, I want to know, I want to know
-I want to know, I want to know, I want to know
-Ladies, oh ladies
Advice for women to know their partner's history to avoid later disappointment.
Gotta know the partners he's had
-So later on, you won't be mad
-Findin' out what you don't know
-And fellas, oh fellas
Advice for men to check certain physical features to avoid surprises.
Check for that Adam's Apple
-So you won't be on no talk show
-Findin' out what you don't know
-If you got kids back home, I want to know
Final repetition of the desire to know various details about the person.
If you don't, I want to know
-If you're straight or you ain't, I want to know
-If you're broke, I want to know
-I want to know, I want to know, I want to know
-I want to know, I want to know, I want to know
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