When I became of age, my mother called me to her side
She said, "Son, you're growing up now
Pretty soon you'll take a bride"
And then she said

Just because you've become a young man now
There's still somethings that you don't understand now
Before you ask some girl for her hand now
Keep your freedom for as long as you can now

My mama told me, you better shop around (shop, shop around, uh-huh-huh)
Whoa yeah, you better shop around (shop, shop around)

Oh, there's some things that I want you to know now
Just as sure as the winds gonna blow now
The women come and the women gonna go now
Before you tell 'em that you love 'em so now

My mama told me, you better shop around (shop, shop around, uh-huh-huh)
Whoa yeah, you better shop around (shop, shop around)

Try to get yourself a bargain, son
Don't be sold on the very first one
Now pretty girls come a dime a dozen
Try to find one who's gonna give you true loving

Before you take a girl and say "I do" now
Make sure she's in love with you now
My mama told me, you better shop around

Oh, hey

Try to get yourself a bargain, son
Don't be sold on the very first one
Pretty girls come a dime a dozen
Try to find one who's gonna give you true loving

Before you take a girl and say "I do" now
Make sure she's in love with you now
Make sure that her love is true now
I'd hate to see you feeling sad and blue now

My mama told me, you better shop around (shop, shop around, uh-huh-huh)

Uh-huh, don't let the first one get you
Oh no, 'cause I don't wanna see her with you
Uh-huh, before you let her hold you tight
Oh yeah, yeah, make sure she's alright
Uh-huh, before you let her take your hand, my son
Understand, my son, be a man, my son
I know you can, my son, I love you

Copyright: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Writer(s): Berry Gordy Jr, William Robinson Jr.