Lyrics

Verse 1

We started cool, just friends, no lines crossed,
Dinner with your man, laughin’ like we both the boss.
But lately you been callin’ late at night,
Sayin’ you lonely, that he don’t treat you right.

You say I make you smile when the pressure gets heavy,
Talkin’ like your heart’s free and ready.
But I ain’t that same young dude no more,
I know what it costs when you open that door.


Chorus

Girl, I can’t burn your house down, then come save you from the flame,
You playin’ with fire, and love don’t work that way.
When the smoke clears, somebody’s gotta pay,
And what’s gone is gone — you can’t fix it in one day.

No, I can’t burn your house down and try to save you from it,
If I strike that match, we both gon’ lose somethin’.
It’s hard to walk away, but I gotta stay true,
’Cause a real man don’t build love from what he burned through.



Verse 2

Fifteen years back, yeah, I’d have took that ride,
You’d be tangled in these sheets by the morning light.
But I’ve been scarred, I done learned my pain,
Now I love one woman, and I’m stayin’ in my lane.

See, I done chased that thrill before,
Left me broke, heart-tired, and sore.
Now I got peace, I ain’t givin’ it up,
For a one-night spark that’ll burn too much.


Chorus

Girl, I can’t burn your house down, then come save you from the flame,
You playin’ with fire, and love don’t work that way.
When the smoke clears, somebody’s gotta pay,
And what’s gone is gone — you can’t fix it in one day.

No, I can’t burn your house down and try to save you from it,
If I strike that match, we both gon’ lose somethin’.
It’s hard to walk away, but I gotta stay true,
’Cause a real man don’t build love from what he burned through.

Bridge
You say you tired of cryin’, but he’s still your man,
You say you need somebody, but I just can’t.
’Cause once that fire start, it don’t die slow,
It burns through your truth before you even know.

Spoken Breakdown (Bobby Rush Style)
“See, baby, temptation feel good for a minute,
But it don’t stay long.
That fire’ll make you sweat — but it’ll also take your home.
And I ain’t buildin’ love outta ashes no more.”


Vamp

Hold on, girl — don’t let it burn,
That kinda heat don’t ever return.
Hold on, girl — walk away clean,
Don’t set your soul on fire for a midnight dream.

’Cause I can’t burn your house down… and save you from it.
No, I can’t burn your house down… and save you from it.

Chorus

Girl, I can’t burn your house down, then come save you from the flame,
You playin’ with fire, and love don’t work that way.
When the smoke clears, somebody’s gotta pay,
And what’s gone is gone — you can’t fix it in one day.

No, I can’t burn your house down and try to save you from it,
If I strike that match, we both gon’ lose somethin’.
It’s hard to walk away, but I gotta stay true,
’Cause a real man don’t build love from what he burned through.