The song "Lady" by Joss Stone conveys a story of a woman who is being pursued by someone who is trying to tempt her into a physical relationship. However, she is determined to maintain her dignity and keep her boundaries intact. In the lyrics, she acknowledges the attraction and compliments the person's looks, but asserts that her mind won't allow her to give in to their advances. She compares the intensity of the desire to the heat of melting chocolate. The woman recognizes that there are limitations to what a lady should do, implying that she values her self-respect and won't compromise it. Though torn between her desires and societal expectations, she resists getting closer to the person and rejects their offerings. She warns them that their actions will only lead to trouble and states that it is not right for her to indulge in such behavior. Her body may be saying yes, but she wants to maintain her ladylike demeanor. The chorus emphasizes her struggle to keep her composure and hold onto her sense of propriety. She acknowledges that she is trying to preserve her dignity and integrity as a lady, despite the temptations and desires she may be feeling. However, her body continues to send signals that contradict her intentions. Throughout the song, she questions why she is feeling drawn towards this person when she knows the door to a relationship with them is already closed. She labels the person a "naughty boy" who refuses to listen to her warnings. She states that she cannot allow them to touch her or do things that are inappropriate. Despite their attractiveness, she knows it would be a sin to give in to their advances. The bridge reveals that the woman is aware of her own abilities and desires. She can "teach" the person things they may have never known, fulfilling their dreams and desires. However, in order to protect her dignity and "keep her lady," she will refrain from engaging in those activities. She emphasizes that it is acceptable to be sassy and even express desire, but she will never lower herself to being trashy or losing her classiness. She urges the person not to forget that she is a lady, asserting her values and self-worth. Overall, "Lady" tells the story of a woman who remains strong-willed and determined to preserve her dignity and maintain her status as a lady, despite being tempted by someone's advances. She recognizes the power of her desires but chooses to prioritize her self-respect above all else.
