Released: October 25, 1994

Featuring: Meshell Ndegéocello

Songwriter: Shep Pettibone Christopher Jasper The Isley Brothers Dave “Jam” Hall Madonna

Producer: Dave “Jam” Hall Madonna

[Chorus: Madonna]
I could be your sister, I could be your mother
We could be friends, I'd even be your brother
But I'd rather be your lover
That's right
I'd rather be your lover

[Verse 1: Madonna]
I don't know where I stand with you
I never ever make any plans with you
I don't know what I mean to you
The only thing I know is I dream of you

[Pre-Chorus: Madonna]
And all that I know (All that I know)
Is I just don't understand (Just don't understand)
Why my, mmmm, happiness
Always lies in the palm of your hand, but

[Chorus: Madonna]
I could be your sister, I could be your mother
We could be friends, I'd even be your brother
But I'd rather be your lover
That's right
I'd rather be your lover

[Verse 2: Madonna]
Sometimes, I know what you're thinking next
But wouldn't it be better if I loved you less?
Sometimes, I think that I made you up
But wouldn't it be better if I gave you up?

[Pre-Chorus: Madonna]
And all that I know (All that I know)
Is I just don't understand (Just don't understand)
Why my, mmmm, happiness
Always lies in the palm of your hand, but

[Chorus: Madonna]
I could be your sister, I could be your mother
We could be friends, I'd even be your brother
But I'd rather be your lover
That's right
I'd rather be your lover
Are you surprised?

[Verse 3: Meshell Ndegéocello]
Tell me, what do you want, tell me, what do you need?
Tell me, what do you want, tell me, what do you need?
I, I bet you I, I give you what do you need
Take a walk within me, venture through the dark sea
Can't you see, I need you beside me?
Don't you see, I want you to want me?

[Pre-Chorus: Madonna, Meshell Ndegéocello]
And all that I know (Tell me, what do you want, tell me, what do you need?)
Is I just don't understand (Just don't understand)
Why my, mmmm, happiness (Tell me, what do you want, tell me, what do you need)
Always lies in the palm of your hand (This ain't a chorus)

[Chorus: Madonna]
Now, I could be your sister, I could be your mother
We could be friends, I'd even be your brother
But I'd rather be your lover
That's right
I'd rather be your lover
Now, I could be your sister, I could be your mother
We could be friends, I'd even be your brother
But I'd rather be your lover
That's right
I'd rather be your lover
Are you surprised?
I could be your sister, 'cause I could be your mother
We could be friends, I'd even be your brother
But I, I'd rather be your lover
That's right
I'd rather be your lover (Are you surprised?)
Are you?

Madonna

With more than 300 million copies of her albums sold, Madonna is the most successful female artist of all time.

Her career as a singer, songwriter, producer and entertainer has spanned almost 40 years, with the release of 14 studio albums, making her impact on pop culture undeniable, inspiring almost every big female act to come up after her.

An activist for LGBT and women’s rights through almost all of her career, she has brought up several controversial topics to the pop music scene such as abortion, sexual freedom, female empowerment and the search for fame.