[Jay-Z:]
I mean
Ush, is this what it comes to man?
This how we gon’ do it?
I mean, even grass grow, baby, you know?
Seeds become plants, boys become men
What we gon’ do? Let’s lead the way

Uh, wrapped around all girls like Pashminas
What’s my demeanor? The grass is always greener
On the other side, there’s bigger lies, can’t give a ring up
I couldn’t give a fuck, how could I give a finger?
Let alone half bath and closets
So claustrophobic, in fear of close objects
Now it’s sort of like two-car garages
It’s like two broads menagin’, you’re the best, mama

[Usher:]
Is there any chance that you remember me being more than just a horrible man?
And would you consider pulling this trigger and taking a second shot at romance? Aw baby
I groomed the days when you were my girl
And I was your man, though I took you for granted
But it wasn’t ’til now I see

How much I missed you
Girl, I’m sorry that I ran the streets acting like a damn fool
But for once, here goes the truth
I can’t be fake, I can’t be phony
Acting all hard, that’s for homies that’s lonely
I try to flex, but I confess
That when you left, you took the very best thing

The best thing that ever happened to me
You took the best thing
The best thing that I ever seen
You took the best thing
The best thing that I ever had
And now all I feel is stress
‘Cause, baby, when you left, you took the very best

Remember Mimi or Vita? Remember Iesha or Eva? (I ain’t got ’em no more)
Hey, it’s for Naomi and Jenny, was the same outcome as Chilli
(Girl, I let ’em all go)
Ooh, no more tricking and kissing miscellaneous chicks acting like a jerk
Woman, I been to church and I talked to the bishop
And he wanted me to share this with you

How much I missed you
I’m so sorry that I ran the streets acting like a damn fool
But for once, here goes the truth
I can’t be fake, I can’t be phony
Acting all hard, that’s for homies that’s lonely
I try to flex, but I confess
That when you left, you took the very best thing

The best thing that ever happened to me
You took the best thing
The best thing that I ever seen
You took the best thing
The best thing that I ever had
And now all I feel is stress
‘Cause, baby, when you left, you took the very best

[Jay-Z:]
Momma try to told me, “Hovi Hov to slow it down
You gon’ lose your best thing if you keep getting ’round.”
Like Pop need a partner when you old to hold you down
Ma, forever young, was forever numb
Sorry Stacy, sorry Dawn, Amil-lion and all of them
All of them was for their time, it wasn’t you, it was him
School me once, school me twice, three times, I was dumb
Now it’s so plain to see to me I got the one
You’re the best, mama

[Usher:]
I can’t be fake, I can’t be phony
Acting all hard, that’s for homies that’s lonely
I try to flex, but I confess
That when you left, you took the very best thing

The best thing that ever happened to me
You took the best thing
The best thing that I ever seen
You took the best thing
The best thing that I ever had
And now all I feel is stress
‘Cause, baby, when you left, you took the very best