That Dude



Don't mess with that dude

ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh

Don't mess with that dude



If he's too young, some of them guys got a real big problem

Startin' shit they can't finish if you allow them

To get close enough to think you can't live without them



Don't mess with that dude

Say the rule applies to the next type

Insecurity, he's trying to control your life

Tired of feeling scared, somebody gon' come along and treat you right, no



Don't mess with that dude

Cos he's already taken

I don't give a damn what kinda plans you're makin'

Even if the playa says he's plannin on shakin'

Bottom line is he's still takin' so



Don't mess with that dude

And if you're smart you'll leave him alone

He ain't even thinkin' about getting his own

Not a car, not a job, not a place of his own

Comfortable at his mom's tho



Don't mess with that dude

And if he don't wanna pay the bills he have run up then

Don't mess with that dude

And if he lounge at the place while you're workin'I'd a come up here

Don't mess with that dude

And if he lazy, trite, and jealous, and got a wife then

Don't mess with that dude

And if he's all of the above, I'm gonna say it twice then



Don't mess with that dude

Cos it's only a matter of time before he breaks your heart

Don't mess with that dude

And I know it's not easy for ya to play this part but

Don't mess with that dude



If he promise you happiness but he made you cry

Said he'd be true to you but he told you lies

You're willin to work with him but he just won't try



Don't mess with that dude

And when you're on to the next

Good guy, good background, good sex

Kick it for a minute but if he won't take steps

Pause givin you his last name, yet



Don't mess with that dude

If you got a man then his boys are strictly off limits

If they make noise your style will be diminished

Tell him where to go if he's tryin to cash his feelings, yeah



Don't mess with the dude

And if your man's ever weak enough to be hittin' you

Recognize, real, and take in what I've given you

You don't deserve it, you're worth so much more than abuse



Don't mess with the dude

I know the game, I know the rules now

Don't mess with that dude

I heard the lies, I know the truth now

Don't mess with that dude

I've been alone and I been misused

Don't mess with that dude

Now I know what I gotta do, yeah

Don't mess with that dude



Don't mess with that dude

Cos it's only a matter of time before he breaks your heart

Don't mess with that dude

And I know it's not easy for ya to play this part but

Don't mess with that dude