On Halloween 1995 L.L. Cool J. (known to us purists as James Todd Smith) released “Hey Lover”, a rap single that had Boys II Men backing him on the chorus. How do I know this, you may ask yourself? Let’s just say that the Ladies Loved Cool Me, too. Revisiting that track some 15 years later, I hear it more as a warning for her safety from Boys II Men than a romantic seduction planned by Mr. Smith.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym-oHNhp9dk (Lyrics reprinted below)
Juxtopose the words and actions by LL (the rapped verses) to Boyz II Men’s possible warnings to her: He admits to spying on her when she’s out on a date with her significant other. Immediately after commenting on her physical attractiveness, he begins planning to steal her from the man to whom she choose to be romantically involved. Apparently while in the gym working out, lifting weights and exerting large amounts of energy and testosterone, he is obsessing over her image. (and that’s verse one) So after hearing all of this, the Boyz hop in to warn her “this is more than a crush”. Let’s move on to verse two.
He now knows her public transportation routine, even admitting that it’s not the safest means to travel (due to, I assume, predators lurking for attractive women to assault). Give James his due in realizing he is unaturally obsessed with her, as he states not wanting to “violate your relationship”. But he does feel okay to spell out his sexually illicit fantasies that are a major (exclusive?) part to his obsession. Cue the Boyz to jump back in with a Hey,..um…”this is more than a crush”…you know? Are we getting through to you!? Finishing up with verse three.
He’s now in full on stalking mode. While her regular travel patterns to and from work could be predicted without TOO much mental instability, finding her at the mall (assuming she doesn’t work there, but shops there occasionally) is outside a normal routine for her. I’m pretty sure this meets the minimum requirement for a restraining order. While he delves back into professing his fantasies for the two of them, they are a bit more striking in a few details. Swimming in “oceans of love” that the both fell in and go on to kiss with “undying passions that unite our souls” sounds to me, and likely most psychologists, as his wanting to commit murder/suicide in hopes of uniting their souls. An ominous warning ends the verse with LL declaring he’s going to keep these fantasies to himself until “the right time”. At this point, Boyz II Men bear some responsibility to this woman’s safety for only singing the last chorus of warning and not pulling the needle off the record and shouting to her and the authorities “THIS IS MORE THAN A CRUSH!!!!!”
“Hey Lover” LL Cool J feat. Boyz II Men
I’ve been watchin’ you from afar,
for as long as I can remmeber
You are all a real man can need
and ever ask for
this is love
this is more than a crush
It was Harlem at the Rucker
I saw with your man
smiling, huh, a coach bag in your hand
I was laying in the coup with my hat turned back
we caught eyes for a moment, and that was that
so skated off, as you strolled off
looking at them legs, god damn they looked so soft (so fine)
I gotta take ya from your man that’s my mision
If his love is real he got ta handle competition
you only knew about 5 months (that’s right)
besides he drinks too much and smokes too many blunts
and I’ve been working out everyday thinking bout you
looking at my own eyes in the rear view
cathchin flash backs of our eye contact
wish i could lay ya on your stomach and caress your back
i would hold ya in my arms and ease your fears
I can’t believe it, I hadn’t had a crush in years
[Chorus]
Hey lover, hey lover, this is more than a crush
Lover, hey lover, this is more than a crush
hey lover, hey lover, this is more than a crush
I see you at the bus stop waitin everyday
your man must think its safe for you to travel that way
but i don’t want ta violate your relationship
so i lay back in the cut with a crush that’a trip
still he can’t stop me from having day dreams
tounging you down with huh vanilla ice cream
kissing on your thighs in the moonlight
searching your body with my tounge girl all night
I wonder one day could it be, simple dreams turnin into reality
Our love would come down so naturally
we would walk down the isle of destiny
what your man got his hustle on gotcha type scared
break ya off a little chump change to do your hair
that seems to be enough to satisfy your needs
but there’s a deeper level if you just follow my lead
Hey lover
[CHORUS]
Last week I saw ya at the mall
standing at the pay phone bout to make a call
I had a vision it was me on the other end
telling you come by and then you walked in
I touched you gently with my hands
we talked about traveling the distant lands
escaping all the madness out here in the world
becomin my wife no longer my girl
then, you let your dress fall down to the floor
i kissed you softly and you yearned for more
we experienced pleasure unparallel
into an ocean of love we both fell
swimming in the timeless, currents of pure bliss
fantasies interchanging with each kiss
undying passion unities our souls
togehter we swim until the point of no control
but its a fantasy it(that,you) won’t come true
we never even spoke and your man (still) love you
so I’m gonna keep all these feelins inside
keep my dreams alive until the right time
[CHORUS]
