No sleep at all, runnin’ a lie
Doing you wrong, proving you right each time
That’s a (That’s a), that’s a double negative, oh
Showing up late, draggin’ along
Won’t pick up the phone while I’ll be gone
Can’t deny it
It’s a double negative
Oh, double negative
‘Nother jet, ‘nother day in the sky
Fly in another direction from you
Wish I could FedEx my heart
And show up to your door
Signed, sealed, delivered
Gonna make you cry, let you down
More than likely from across town
Double shame on me
Double shame, oh
No sleep at all, runnin’ a lie
Doing you wrong, proving you right each time
That’s a (That’s a), that’s a double negative, oh
Showing up late, draggin’ along
Won’t pick up the phone while I’ll be gone
Can’t deny it
It’s a double negative
Oh, double negative
Seems like he ain’t got no boundaries
And he ain’t got no patience
Seems like he never got nothing planned
So you’ll never get anxious
Look in your mind
Keep wonderin’ if you’re too high-maintenance
Look in your mind
Keep wonderin’ if I’m just too famous, uh
Can I shake the negative energy?
And with the karma, karma right back on me
In a moment of clarity
And metaphorically, it seems like Heaven
No sleep at all, runnin’ a lie (Runnin’ a lie)
Doing you wrong, proving you right each time
That’s a (It’s so messed up), that’s a double negative (Ooh, a double negative, ah-ooh), oh
Showing up late, dragging along (Dragging along)
Won’t pick up the phone while I’ll be gone (No, no, no, no, no)
Can’t deny it (Ooh, I won’t deny it)
It’s a double negative (Oh)
Oh (Oh), double negative
Oh, yeah (Yeah, yeah)
Oh-oh (Oh-oh)
Oh, double negative (Double negative, ooh)
Never meant the negativity
Oh, no, no
No, oh
Oh-oh, woah
Woah-woah, yeah
Exploring the Contradictions in “Double Negative”
Chris Brown’s “Double Negative” delves into the emotional complexities of a strained relationship, where actions and intentions often contradict each other. The lyrics paint a picture of regret and self-awareness, as the protagonist recognizes his own shortcomings—being absent, unresponsive, and caught up in a fast-paced lifestyle. The phrase “double negative” cleverly underscores these repeated mistakes and the paradox of wanting to do right while continuously doing wrong. Brown uses vivid imagery, like wishing he could “FedEx his heart,” to express longing and the difficulty of bridging emotional distance. The song resonates with anyone who has experienced the push-and-pull of love mixed with personal flaws, highlighting the struggle between intent and behavior.
Song Credits
Artist: Chris Brown
Release Year: 2024