YOU CAN’T SHOW YOUR TEETH TO EVERYBODY Southern Soul / Blues [Intro – Spoken] Auntie Betty used to tell us… “Baby, being friendly is one thing… But you can’t show your teeth to every man you meet.” I didn’t understand it back then… But I sho’ understand it now. [Verse 1] You say you’re only being friendly, That’s just the way you are, Smiling at every man you meet, Whether near or far. But Auntie Betty told us, Some smiles can be misunderstood, Everybody smiling in your face Ain’t coming with intentions good. [Pre-Chorus] She said, “Keep your heart kind, But baby, know your worth. Everybody don’t deserve That sunshine that you serve.” [Chorus] You can’t show your teeth to every guy you meet, Some will take a little smile And think your heart is free. You can be polite, You can speak when you pass by, But Auntie Betty taught us, You ain’t gotta smile at every guy. You can’t show your teeth to everybody, Everybody ain’t your friend. Some folks see an open door When you were only letting sunshine in. [Verse 2] Nowadays they call it flirting, Back then Betty called it sense, She said, “Watch how you entertain ’em, And baby, keep your fence.” You don’t have to act stuck-up, You don’t have to treat nobody wrong, Just know when conversation’s over And keep yourself moving along. [Bridge – Spoken / Call & Response] Auntie Betty said— “Quit showing all them teeth!” But Auntie, I’m just being nice! “I know what YOU doing… I’m worried ’bout what HE thinking!” [Breakdown] Friendly ain’t flirting, Kindness ain’t consent, But everybody you meet Won’t know what you meant. So keep your standards high, And let your boundaries speak— ’Cause you can’t show your teeth To every guy you meet. [Final Chorus] You can’t show your teeth to everybody, That’s what Auntie Betty said. Some lessons sound funny when you’re young, But they stick inside your head. Keep your heart warm, But don’t let everybody get a seat— Auntie Betty taught us: “You can’t show your teeth to every guy you meet!” [Outro – Spoken] Rest of y’all can call it old-fashioned… We call it Auntie Betty wisdom.
