If you want me to stay I'll be around today
To be available for you to see
I'm about to go there then you'll know
For me to stay here I've got to be me

You'll never be in doubt that's what it's all about
You can't take me for granted and smile
Count the days I'm gone
Forget reachin' me by phone
'Cause I promise I'll be gone for a while

And when you see me again I hope that you have been
The kind of person that you really are now
You got to get it straight
How could I ever be late
When you're my woman taking up my time

Oh how could I ever allow
I guess I wonder how
I could get out a pocket for fun
When you know that you're never number two
Number one's gonna be number one

I'll be good I wish I could get this message over to you now

When you see me again I hope that you have been
The kind of person that you really are now
I'll be so good I wish I could

Get this message over to you now
Get this message over to you now
I'll be so good I wish I could


Lyrics submitted by PrismPuck, edited by Mellow_Harsher

If You Want Me To Stay Lyrics as written by Sylvester Stewart

Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Sentric Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

If You Want Me to Stay (Sly and the Family Stone cover) song meanings
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20 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    i absolutely love the way anthony sings this. hes jus so funky and fabulous.

    redhedrockeron April 25, 2004   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation

    This song is about a strange proof of love that the protagonist in this story considers doing.

    He is in a dilemma. His loved one doubts his love. So how does he show her that he really loves her? He thinks he has to leave her to convince her of his love when he returns: "You'll never be in doubt that's what it's all about". This line tells us that he just wants to eliminate her doubt. He wants to make her see that she will always be his number one.

    And even though he loves her dearly, he is willing to take the risk and leave her for a while (this is what makes it a proof of love). He really wants her to get the message. But if he will be succeeding? We just don't know how it all turns out.

    StoriesinSongs.comon October 22, 2020   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This definitely a great song. I think it is about a guy who feels that he's not appreciated. He is leaving his woman for a while

    wiseoneon April 19, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    yeah its a great song, but anthony didn't write it.

    poton June 05, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    yeah, pot's right. I think it was done originally by Sly and the Family Stone, or maybe it was some other funk band from the 70's

    Brunoblueon June 22, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    yeah, sly it was. good song to relax with

    suckmykisson July 01, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    did i mentoin i love this song? i cant stop listening to it...anthonys voice is awesome!

    redhedrockeron April 30, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think its about a guy leaving his number one girlfriend and going to see his other girl for a while til number one really gets the message that shes the one. Oh and sly and the family stone did this but the chili peppers always have a way of making a song their own.

    Bldsgrsxmgon June 19, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    awesome song, awesome trumpet, awesomw bassline and awesome lyrics. i think this song is about a man who leaves his girl giving her the advice that he'll be probably be back to her. i didn't know that anthony didn't write it!

    LPS-pepperson April 12, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    they did a great job on this song..it's such a great cover this song is nice..makes me happy

    venicequeeenon May 17, 2005   Link

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