Like A Boy

Written by Ciara, Candice Nelson, Balewa Muhammad, J. Que, Ezekiel Lewis, and Calvin Kenon, "Like A Boy" was the second single released from her sophomore album The Evolution. The release was confirmed in a MTV News article and chosen before polling ended for Ciara's second single on her Official Myspace page, being picked over "That's Right" and "Can't Leave 'Em Alone". Although the single was a moderate hit, it failed to match the success of its North American predecessor. "Like a Boy" details about double standards in society of how men in relationships can do certain things, but when women do the same it is looked down upon. According to Ciara, "it's a record for my women" and she had "a lot of girl talks". Ciara wanted to know what it would be like if "the roles were reversed". "It's a female-empowerment record". The protagonist wishes to "act like a boy". The song is notable for its mixture of synthesized orchestral strings and hard-pounding hip-hop instrumental. Ciara also co-produced the song along with The Evolution track "My Love".

[Intro] C-I-A-R-A [Verse 1] Pull up your pants (Just like em') Take out the trash (Just like em') Getting ya cash like 'em, fast like 'em Girl, you outta act like ya dig (What I'm talkin' bout') Security codes on everything On vibrate so your phone don't ever ring (Joint account) And another one he don't know about [Pre-Chorus] Wish we could switch up the roles And I could be that Tell you I love you, but when you call, I never get back Would you ask them questions like me? Like where you be at? 'Cause I'm out four in the morning On the corner, rolling, doing my own thing, oh [Chorus] What if I Had a thing on the side? Made ya cry? Would the rules change up Or would they still apply? If I played you like a toy Sometimes I wish I could act like a boy [Post-Corus] Can't be getting mad What you mad? Can't handle that! Can't be getting mad What you mad? Can't handle that [Verse 2] Girl, go 'head and be (Just like 'em) Go run the streets (Just like 'em) Come home and sleep like em' Creep like em' Front with ya friends Act hard when you're with em' like em' (What?) Keep a straight face when ya tell a lie Always keep an air-tight alibi (Keep him in the dark) What he don't know won't break his heart [Pre-Chorus] Wish we could switch up the roles And I could be that Tell you I love you, but when you call, I never get back Would you ask them questions like me? Like where you be at? 'Cause I'm out four in the morning On the corner, rolling, doing my own thing, oh [Chorus] What if I Had a thing on the side? Made ya cry? Would the rules change up Or would they still apply? If I played you like a toy Sometimes I wish I could act like a boy [Post-Chorus] Can't be getting mad What you mad? Can't handle that Can't be getting mad What you mad? Can't handle that Can't be getting mad What you mad? Can't handle that Can't be getting mad What you mad? Can't handle that [Bridge] If I was always gone With the sun getting home (Would ya like that?) Told you I was with my crew When I knew it wasn't true (Would ya like that?) If I act like you Walk A mile off in yo shoes (Would ya like that?) I'm messing with your head again Dose of your own medicine [Chorus] What if I Had a thing on the side? (What if I?) Made ya cry? Would the rules change up Or would they still apply? If I played you like a toy Sometimes I wish I could act like a boy [Post-Chorus] Can't be getting mad What you mad? Can't handle that Can't be getting mad What you mad? Can't handle that Can't be getting mad What you mad? Can't handle that Can't be getting mad What you mad? Can't handle that [Interlude] R-A It's The Clutch If I played you (It's Ciara, ha ha) Would yo like that? Had friends... Would you like that? (It's Ciara, ha ha) Never call? Would you like that? (Another one) Hell naw You wouldn't like that No! [Pre-Chorus] What you mad? Can't handle that (What if I made you cry?) Why you getting mad? What you mad? Can't handle that Would they still apply? [Chorus] What if I If I, played you like a toy Made ya cry? Sometimes I wish I could act like a boy Can't handle that