Yeah man, these folks think just cause I won some American Idol show, everythang ain't the same. Man you kno they see me on
T.v. or up in da crib every week. And you think everything is all good. I mean, it really is all good man. Keep
Securcurcurcurcure.

From hangin out late in the Elma, to Beverly Hills, California. From hea-tin up the leftovers,to becomin a restaurant
Owner.
From a litle block, from a little hood, to the whole world and it's all good. And if ya didn't know, I was a star before
The show, but if it was....

[hook]
No block, No Ruben
No hood, No Ruben
No boulevards, No Ruben
No cornerspots, No Ruben
No stayin up late nights, tellin mama everything gone be alright.
And if it wansn't no yoouuu...
There would be no Ruben.

From wearin my big brother's clothes, to buyin him a new wardrobe (yes I did) From listenin to Fred Hammond, to hangin out
Wit Fred Hammond. From a little block from a little hood, to the whole world and it's all goood, and if ya didn't know I
Was a star (was a star) before the show (before the show) but if it waas...

[hook]
No block, No Ruben
No hood, No Ruben
No boulevards, No Ruben
No cornerspots, No Ruben
No stayin up late nights, tellin mama everything gone be alright.
And if it wansn't no yoouuu...
There would be no Ruben.

Aaaaahaaaaaheeey
This goes out to the barbershops, the black man's country club.
And this goes out to the single mothers, at the laundry mat fooldin covers. Your my inspiration, and you've been my
Motivation. And that's whhyyyy,I had to do this dedication cause if it waaaaaaas...

[hook]
No block, No Ruben
No hood, No Ruben
No boulevards, No Ruben
No cornerspots, No Ruben
No stayin up late nights, tellin mama everything gone be alright.
And if it wansn't no yoouuu...
There would be no Ruben. [Repeat]

Hey Ruben let's take em to church...
If it wasn't for the block (No Ruben)
If it wasn't for the hood (No Ruben)
If it wasn't for the boulevards (No Ruben)
And and the cornerspots (Nooo Ruben)
Stayin up (late nights) late nights (tellin mama) tellin mama (everything gone beee) all right (heeeyy)
And if it wasn't for yoouuu... there would be, there would be, No Ruben. Ay Ruben I don't think they heard you let's tell
Em again. [repeat]

Writer : LILLY, HAROLD SPENCER JR/COLEMAN, MELVIN
Copyright : Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing