After Hours (Cater 2 U Mix) Lyrics – Kehlani

[Intro]
Why don’t you stay?
(Oh, woah-woah, oh, woah-woah)
Tell your friends to go, you can stay for a little while, oh
(Oh, woah-woah, oh, woah-woah)
(Oh, woah-woah, oh, woah-woah)
Tell your friends to go, you can stay for a little while, oh
(Oh, woah-woah, oh, woah-woah)

[Verse 1]
We don’t gotta take it slow
I’ma hit the gas if you ready to go
I wanna feel the sweat, breathing through your clothes
The way you touch my neck got me ready to fold
[Refrain]
I wanna make magic (Magic)
I want you to feel me (Feel me)
I want you to grab me (Grab me)
I want you to steal me (Steal me)
If you want it, you can have it (Have it)
I want you to free me (Free me)
I’m not tryna lock you down

[Pre-Chorus]
You came here on your own (Own), own (Own), own (Own)
Caught up in your zone (Zone), zone (Zone), zone (Zone, zone)
In a room full of strangers, different faces, yeah
It feels like we’re alone (‘Lone), alone (‘Lone), alone

[Chorus]
Why don’t you stay?
Stay here after hours
I know you don’t wanna leave
Stay here after hours
After hours, we can—

[Verse 2]
We ain’t gotta check the time
Even when it ends, it’s still you and I
We ain’t even know they turned on the lights
We missed the last call riding on a high (Oh, oh, oh, oh)

[Refrain]
It’s more than a moment (Moment)
This can’t be a memory (Memory)
The party is over (Over)
You wanna come with me (With me)
My home never closes (Closes)
Just want you to feel free (Feel free)
I’m not tryna lock you down

[Pre-Chorus]
You came here on your own (Own), own (Own), own (Own)
Caught up in your zone (Zone), zone (Zone), zone (Zone, zone)
In a room full of strangers, different faces, yeah
It feels like we’re alone (‘Lone), alone (‘Lone), alone

[Chorus]
Why don’t you stay? (Why don’t you stay?)
Stay here after hours (After hours)
I know you don’t wanna leave (You don’t wanna leave)
Stay here after hours (After hours)
After hours, we can—

[Bridge]
(Oh, woah-woah, oh, woah-woah)
Oh, tell your friends to go, you can stay for a little while
(Oh, woah-woah, oh, woah-woah)
(Oh, woah-woah, oh, woah-woah)
Mm, mm, if you wanna stay, you can stay for a little while
(Oh, woah-woah, oh, woah-woah)

[Chorus]
Why don’t you stay? (Why don’t you stay?)
Stay here after hours (Why don’t you stay?)
I know you don’t wanna leave (You don’t wanna leave, oh)
Stay here after hours (After hours)
After hours, we can—
Stay (Why don’t you stay?)
Stay here after hours (Why don’t you stay?)
I know you don’t wanna leave (You don’t wanna leave, oh)
Stay here after hours (After hours)
After hours, we can—

[Outro]
(Oh, woah-woah, oh, woah-woah)
Tell your friends to go, you can stay for a little while, oh
(Oh, woah-woah, oh, woah-woah)
(Oh, woah-woah, oh, woah-woah)
You ain’t gotta go, you can stay for a little while
(Oh, woah-woah, oh, woah-woah)
(Oh, woah-woah, oh, woah-woah)
Tell your friends to go, you can stay for a little while, oh
(Oh, woah-woah, oh, woah-woah)
(Oh, woah-woah, oh, woah-woah)
You ain’t gotta go, you can stay for a little while, oh
(Oh, woah-woah, oh, woah-woah)

[Intro]
The intro sets the tone for the song, echoing a desire for the subject to linger longer, amidst an atmosphere of anticipation and longing. The repetition of the invitation to stay, coupled with the rhythmic “woah-woahs,” creates a sense of urgency and intimacy, suggesting a desire to extend a fleeting moment into something more meaningful.

[Verse 1]
This verse expresses a readiness to abandon inhibitions and dive headfirst into passion. The urgency is palpable, with the speaker eager to accelerate the pace and delve into the intensity of the moment. The imagery of feeling sweat and the physical sensation of touch evoke a visceral experience, heightening the anticipation and desire for connection.

[Refrain]
The refrain delves into the speaker’s desires, emphasizing a craving for intimacy and connection. The repetition of phrases like “I want you to feel me” and “I’m not tryna lock you down” underscores a desire for mutual understanding and freedom within the relationship. It’s a plea for reciprocity and authenticity, emphasizing the importance of shared passion and emotional liberation.

[Pre-Chorus]
Here, the pre-chorus paints a picture of isolation within a crowded space, where the speaker and their partner are enveloped in their own world. Amidst the sea of strangers, their connection stands out, creating a sense of intimacy and exclusivity. The repetition of feeling “alone” amidst the crowd underscores the intensity of their bond and the desire to extend their shared moment.

[Chorus]
The chorus serves as a direct plea for the subject to stay, encapsulating the essence of the song’s longing and desire for prolonged connection. It’s a declaration of the speaker’s reluctance to let go of the moment, urging their partner to remain and continue exploring the depths of their connection beyond the confines of time.

[Verse 2]
In this verse, the speaker emphasizes the timeless nature of their connection, suggesting that even as time passes, their bond remains unchanged. The imagery of missing the last call and being consumed by a sense of euphoria highlights the transcendental quality of their experience, where temporal constraints fade away in the face of their intense connection.

[Refrain (Repeated)]
The repeated refrain further reinforces the themes of desire, liberation, and authenticity introduced earlier in the song. It’s a reaffirmation of the speaker’s intentions, emphasizing the importance of mutual understanding and emotional freedom within the relationship.

[Pre-Chorus (Repeated)]
The repetition of the pre-chorus once again highlights the sense of intimacy and exclusivity within the speaker’s relationship. Despite being surrounded by others, they feel a profound sense of connection and belonging with their partner, creating a sanctuary amidst the chaos of the outside world.

[Chorus (Repeated)]
The repeated chorus reinforces the song’s central theme of longing and desire for extended connection. It’s a heartfelt plea for the subject to remain, echoing the speaker’s reluctance to let go of the moment and their eagerness to continue exploring the depths of their relationship beyond the confines of time.

[Bridge]
The bridge serves as a transition, echoing the sentiment of the intro and reinforcing the invitation for the subject to stay a little longer. The melodic “woah-woahs” create a sense of nostalgia and longing, underscoring the speaker’s desire to extend the moment and savor the intimacy shared with their partner.

[Outro]
In the outro, the repetition of the invitation to stay echoes the longing expressed throughout the song. It’s a final plea for the subject to linger, emphasizing the speaker’s reluctance to let go of the moment and their desire to prolong the intimacy shared with their partner for just a little while longer.

1. “Why don’t you stay?”
This phrase encapsulates the central theme of the song, which is a plea for the subject to prolong their presence and intimacy. It reflects the speaker’s desire for their partner to remain with them, highlighting a reluctance to let go of the moment and a longing for continued connection.

2. “I wanna make magic”
Here, “magic” symbolizes the transformative power of love and intimacy. It expresses the speaker’s desire to create something extraordinary and unforgettable with their partner, emphasizing the profound impact of their connection and the potential for shared experiences that transcend the ordinary.

3. “We ain’t gotta check the time”
This phrase signifies a disregard for temporal constraints and a focus on living in the present moment. It reflects the speaker’s desire to immerse themselves fully in the experience without being bound by external factors like time, suggesting a willingness to let go of worries and simply enjoy the intimacy shared with their partner.

4. “It’s more than a moment”
This statement underscores the significance of the connection between the speaker and their partner, emphasizing that their relationship transcends fleeting moments and casual encounters. It reflects a desire for depth and authenticity, suggesting that what they share goes beyond surface-level interactions and holds the potential for lasting impact and significance.

5. “You ain’t gotta go, you can stay for a little while”
This line serves as a reassurance to the subject, conveying the speaker’s willingness to accommodate their presence and extend the moment of intimacy. It reflects a desire to create a space where their partner feels welcomed and valued, emphasizing a sense of hospitality and openness to further connection and exploration.