[Female Vocalist][melisma]
(Verse 1)
Everybody got advice for me
Sayin’ love don’t pay no bills, baby
“Use that man, don’t fall too deep”
Like my heart ain’t part of me
They tell me keep it casual
Never let him get too close
Take the gifts, take the ride
But never give him your soul
I hear ’em loud every night
Like I’m wrong for dreamin’ right
Why I gotta choose one side?
Why can’t love and goals align?
---
(Pre-Chorus)
I don’t wanna fake affection
Just to feel protected
I don’t wanna lose myself
Tryna gain direction
If it’s real, let it be real
I ain’t tryna play pretend
Tell me why the world keeps sayin’
Love and power can’t blend
---
(Chorus)
“Just use that man to get ahead”
That’s what everybody tells me
That’s what everybody tells me
“Don’t go lookin’ for love from him”
That’s what everybody tells me
That’s what everybody tells me
Entrapped where love hurts
’Cause they swear it’s easier with two
But that ain’t the life I wanna live
Why can’t I love and get ahead too?
---
(Verse 2)
Seen too many girls lose faith
Turn romance into exchange
Smilin’ through the compromise
While somethin’ inside them changed
I could wear the diamonds nice
Take vacations, post the life
But what’s the point of all that shine
If I can’t sleep good at night?
I still want somebody real
Who sees more than sex appeal
Someone who don’t make me feel
Like ambition kills the deal
---
(Pre-Chorus)
I don’t wanna fake affection
Just to feel protected
I don’t wanna dim my light
Just to feel accepted
If he loves me, let it be
Without conditions tied to it
Why they act like bein’ loved
Means I gotta sacrifice a piece?
---
(Chorus)
“Just use that man to get ahead”
That’s what everybody tells me
That’s what everybody tells me
“Don’t go lookin’ for love from him”
That’s what everybody tells me
That’s what everybody tells me
Entrapped where love hurts
’Cause they swear it’s easier with two
But that ain’t the life I wanna live
Why can’t I love and get ahead too?
---
(Bridge)
Maybe I’m naive
Maybe I still believe
There’s somebody out there
Who won’t compete with me
Ain’t tryna be saved
Ain’t tryna be owned
Just want a real connection
While I build my own
Can’t that be enough?
Can’t that just be love?
---
(Final Chorus / Outro)
“Just use that man to get ahead”
No, I don’t want that for me
No, I don’t want that for me
I still believe in love again
Even if nobody gets me
Even if nobody gets me
Yeah, love can hurt
But so can livin’ untrue
And that’s not the life I wanna live
So I’ma love and get ahead too
Oh, I’ma love and get ahead too.
And then I heard em say,
[Soft]
Don’t blame Mister Charlie,
Mister Charlie is just a man,
And hE——is doing the best he can,
So don’t blame Misses Charlie,
Misses Charlie’s gone stand by her man,
And WE! Are going to get ahead
Heartsoul
