Today’s song of the day is “Hey Lover” by LL Cool J featuring Boyz II Men. The song was released on October 31, 1995, with lyrics from LL Cool J and Rod Temperton.  

Fun Facts:

• It was produced by Def Jam and Island (UK) record labels.
• The song’s B-Side is “I Shot Ya.” 
• LL Cool J officially goes by the name James Todd Smith and was born on January 14, 1968, in Bay Shore, Islip, New York, U.S.
• At the age of 4, LL Cool J saw his dad shoot both his mom and his grandpa. They both survived after nearly dying. Both were supportive of his musical career and bought him instruments. 
• LL Cool J began rapping at the age of 10, and by 16, he was creating demo tapes and sending them to producers, including Def Jam. 
• If you listen closely to the song, you may notice a few notes and lyrics from Michael Jackson’s “The Lady in My Life” from his 1982 album Thriller.
• The only reason Rod Temperton is given credit as a writer for the lyrics to the song is that lyrics from Michael Jackson’s songs were used.
• “Hey Lover” was released as part of LL Cool’s Mr.Smith album. The album was the sixth of LL Cool J’s 13 studio albums.
• “Hey Lover” also features a few vocals from the legendary R&B Boyz II Men.
• The hit single became the most successful single from Mr. Smith’s album. It sold over 900,000 copies in its first year alone.
• The hit single was certified platinum in January 1996 by the Recording Industry Association of America.
• LL Cool J was put on VH1’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time in 2010. He was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021. 

Lyrics 

I’ve been watchin’ you from afar

For as long as I can remember

You’re all a real man can need

And ever ask for

This is love, girl

This is more than a crush

Yeah

It was Harlem at the Ruckers, I saw with your man

Smilin’, huh, a Coach bag in your hand

I was layin’ in the coupe with my hat turned back

We caught eyes for a moment, and that was that

So I skated off, as you strolled off

Lookin’ at them legs, god-damn they looked so soft (so fine)

I gotta take ya from your man that’s my mission

If his love is real, he got ta handle competition

You only knew him five months (that’s right)

Besides, he drinks too much and smoke too many blunts

And I be workin’ out everyday thinkin’ ’bout you

Looking at my own eyes in the rearview

Catchin’ flashbacks 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

Hey lover

Hey lover, hey lover, this is more than a crush

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 it’s 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’s a trip

Still, he can’t stop me from having daydreams

Tonguin’ you down with, uh, vanilla ice cream

Kissing on your thighs in the moonlight

Searchin’ your body with my tongue, girl, all night

I wonder one day could it be (how I wonder), simple dreams turnin’ into reality

Our love would come down so naturally

We would walk down the aisle 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

Hey lover, hey lover, this is more than a crush

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

Last week I saw ya at the mall

Standin’ at the pay phone ’bout to make a call

I had a vision it was me on the other end

Tellin’ you come by and then you walked in

I touched you gently with my hands

We talked about travelin’ the distant lands

Escapin’ 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

Swimmin’ in the timeless, currents of pure bliss

Fantasies interchangin’ with each kiss

Undyin’ passion unities our souls

Together we swim until the point of no control, but

It’s a fantasy it (that, you) won’t come true

We never even spoke, and your man swear he love you

So I’m a keep all these feelin’s inside (that’s right)

Keep my dreams alive until the right time

Hey lover, hey lover, this is more than a crush

Hey lover, hey lover, this is more than a crush

Lover, hey lover, this is more than a crush

Hey lover, hey lover (check it), this is more than a crush (think of me)

Hey lover, hey lover, this is more than a crush

Hey lover, hey lover, this is more than a crush

Lover, hey lover, baby this is more than a crush

Hey lover, hey lover, this is more than a crush (ain’t nothing like a fantasy kid) (word up)

Hey lover, hey lover, hey lover (la-la la la)

This is more than a crush (la-la-la, la-la-la)

Hey lover, hey lover, hey lover

This is more than a crush (I want you to come with me)

Hey lover, hey lover, hey lover (han)

This is more than a crush (I need you)

Hey lover (han), hey lover (han), hey lover (han)

This is more than a crush (hey lover) (la-la la la)

You don’t deserve it, baby (la-la-la, la-la-la)