The song "If You Ever Want My Lovin'" by Sara Evans is a playful and assertive love song. The lyrics depict a situation where the narrator's love interest is not reciprocating their feelings openly. However, the narrator sets out certain requirements for their love to be earned. The song starts by stating that if the love interest wants to receive the narrator's affection, they need to do a few things. These actions include bringing the narrator coffee in the early morning and giving them roses in the afternoon. These gestures are symbolic of care and thoughtfulness that display a genuine desire for a loving relationship. The chorus reinforces the idea that if the love interest wants the narrator's love, they need to consistently prove it every day. Even if the love interest is uncertain or hesitant, they will still receive the narrator's love anyway. This suggests that the narrator is willing to give love unconditionally, regardless of the love interest's actions. The second verse reveals that the love interest is trying to make the narrator jealous by dancing with other people. Despite feeling ignored, the narrator remains confident and understands the love interest's strategy. They state that they have the love interest's number, indicating that they are aware of their true intentions. The narrator sees through the love interest's strategy of playing hard to get and remains unfazed. The bridge of the song addresses the love interest's reluctance to admit their feelings for the narrator to their friends. The narrator finds it endearing that the love interest is trying to act tough, but they also feel that the game has gone on long enough. It implies that the narrator desires more open acknowledgment of their affection from the love interest. Overall, "If You Ever Want My Lovin'" is a light-hearted song about the narrator's assertiveness in expressing their requirements for love. It portrays a give-and-take dynamic in a relationship, where the narrator expects consistent gestures of love and genuine acknowledgment from their love interest.
