If You Can Afford Me

Interesting, she set the first verse up like she was a gold digger and destroyed that conception in the second verse.

A cursory listen to this song makes it sound like she's setting herself up to be a whore. That she only cares about a man for what he can spend on her. But after reading the lyrics and listening closer, she is saying that the currency she is looking for is a good heart. Still, with the album art that comes with the CD, you'd think she's whoring herself out...

I like what Jayemel said. In a literary sense, the song makes you think you know where it's going. She leads you in with the first verse, that it's all about the money, "you're going to break the bank" etc. But the real point of the song is in the second verse: "I’m not a piece of ass, a one night stand" "But I don’t need your dollar bills I just want something real." Anyone can put their best foot forward, pay for the nice dinner, the movie, wear their best shirt, and $95 jeans. But it's all pretense. That's not WHO a person is. A girl who falls for that really is just a one-nighter. Katy apparently is looking for an ACTUAL RELATIONSHIP (GASP!) It's mindblowing to think a girl would want someone who actually cares for them and is willing to give up something once in a while. God forbid you make a sacrifice to make the relationship work. Selfish relationships never last.

She's not litterally selling herself. She's using money as a metaphore for love. She says she's "Cause some dont have the patience, some call me high-maintenance." she wants someone who can put up with her, not someone to actually buy her things of material value. this is clear in the line "But I don't need your dollar bills I just want something real." She wants real love!

While many people may think the song makes her sound like a gold digger, she could mean the exact opposite (as in she doesn't care about his money at all) The lines "If you want me, it takes more than a wink, And more than a drink and more than you think." and "If you want me, I�m not a piece of ass, a one night stand, a storage ship" could actually mean that she CANT be bought with money, and that it takes more than money to be with her, like actual love.

And the lines "If you want me you�re gonna have to break the bank, tonight." and "If you wanna ride, just name your price don�t play cheap, with your heart" could actually mean, she wants him to give her all his love and without holding back (she doesn't just want some)

Also "Cause some don�t have the patience, some call me high-maintenance But you pay the bill, cause, that�s the deal." could mean that she Knows she's not exactly perfect, but he'll have to deal with some things she cant change, cause that's what love is. And by 'high-maintenace' she could mean the amount of effort and not the amount of money.

"If you want me, then stop begging I don�t put out for charity If you want me there�s no discount price tonight" could mean that she's not going to comprise for anything less than love.

and the lines"But I don�t need your dollar bills I just want something real Cause, nothing�s free, except a lovin� me" clearly indicate that she's not after his money.

"Don�t make a bet if you can�t write the check, for me, for me" could mmean don't promise her something you can't give her.

and finally "Cause I can be bought, but you�ll pay the cost If you can afford me" could mean she's available but only if he's willing to do all the above mentioned things.

sthe meaning could be completely different from what you first think when you hear it.

OR this could just be a Very positive interpretation of the song and Katy could actually be a whore. =/ (which she is NOT)

I personally think this song is about someone who wants real love in their relationship. "Don't make a bet, if you can't write the check" to me means don't start this relationship if you can't commit to it. And the correct lyrics are "storage shed."

I'm pretty sure the right words are "More than a wink, more than a drink more than you think."

not prostitution. just another good girl power song. real girl power, not girls fucking boys while simultaneously promoting girl power (Spice Girls)

the album artwork on the cover of "one of the boys" is a remake of a photo of her idol, "Lolita."

but yeah, she could be whoring herself. i don't really take many of her songs seriously though...

this song is amazing :) sooo cute. its just about how she wants a real relationship, one to last. not "hooking up" or "one night stands", you know :)