Credits
PERFORMING ARTISTS
Jaheim
Lead Vocals
Balewa Muhammad
Background Vocals
Clifton Lighty
Background Vocals
Mary Brown
Background Vocals
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Balewa Muhammad
Songwriter
Clifton Lighty
Songwriter
Mary Brown
Songwriter
Osborne Bingham
Songwriter
William Bell
Songwriter
Booker T. Jones
Songwriter
Jaheim Hoagland
Songwriter
Kier Gist
Songwriter
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Kay-Gee
Executive Producer
Adam Kudzin
Mixing Engineer
Dinky Bingham
Producer
Dave Kutch
Mastering Engineer
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
If they gleam in the sun while they spin and they
Fit on my truck, then (I could remember)
And if it came in a sack, no stems
No seeds in the bag, then (I could remember)
[Verse 2]
And if they drip from my wrist
And it looked like it shined like new, then (I could remember)
But, oh, oh, oh-oh, girl
I forgot to be your lover
[Verse 3]
If it wasn't for the 9 to 5
Double up, overtime, then (I could remember)
If it wasn't for the Sunday
All-Star Weekend game, girl (I could remember)
[Verse 4]
And if wasn't the dough, gettin' fifty G's a show
Girl, you know that (I could remember)
[PreChorus]
But silly me, silly me, oh
Tell me, how could I ever forget to be your lover?
Now, I realize that you need love, too (Oh, yeah)
Spend my life makin' up to you
Oh, girl
Oh, I forgot to be your lover
[Chorus]
When she starts bringin' up old dirt
And the fights keep getting worse
Finding numbers in her purse
Better put that woman first
And you notice she ain't wearin' her ring
And she starts playin' little games
Comin' in late from work
You better put that woman first
[Verse 5]
If it wasn't for the make up on my shirt
Still, out there chasin' skirts, then (I could remember)
And if wasn't for that fight last night
You smashin' out my headlights, then (I could remember)
[Verse 6]
If it wasn't for parole
Steady duckin' my P.O., girl, you know (I could remember)
[PreChorus]
But silly me, silly me, babe
Tell me, how could I ever forget to be your lover?
Now, I realize that you need love, too
Spend my life, makin' up to you
Oh, girl
Oh, I forgot to be your lover
[Chorus]
When she starts bringin' up old dirt
And the fights keep getting worse
Finding numbers in her purse
Better put that woman first
And you notice she ain't wearin' her ring
And she starts playin' little games
Comin' in late from work
You better put that woman first
[Bridge]
(So many times) Actin' like it wasn't really nothin'
(So many ways) Kept to myself, always runnin'
(So many games) All that I sin
(In so many words) I need you to stay
(Always came first) Even though sometimes, felt like second
(Care 'bout no love) You know I had to learn a lesson
(Spendin' some time) Put in some work
(And for better or worse) Always put that woman first
[Chorus]
When she starts bringin' up old dirt
And the fights keep getting worse
Finding numbers in her purse
Better put that woman first
And you notice she ain't wearin' her ring
And she starts playin' little games
Comin' in late from work
You better put that woman first
[Outro]
When she starts bringin' up old dirt
And the fights keep getting worse
Finding numbers in her purse
Better put that woman first
And you notice she ain't wearin' her ring
And she starts playin' little games
Comin' in late from work
You better put that woman first
Written by: Balewa Muhammad, Booker T. Jones, Clifton Lighty, Jaheim Hoagland, Keir Lamont Gist, Mary Brown, Osborne Bingham, William Bell