Over the years, rumors have always swirled about unreleased Aaliyah songs that were leftover from when she was still with us. Unfortunately, over a decade since her passing, we still don’t have many of the tracks we’ve heard about. One of those songs was “CEO”, which until now all we had was a title. If you read the feature we did on Aaliyah’s final album, you will know that “CEO” was a song leftover from her sessions in Australia for the “Aaliyah” album. Static Major wrote the song, and the producer Bud’da was kind enough to share some insight into it for us:

Bud’da: “Aaliyah was super close to [finishing] the song. We cut the hook and Static finished a couple of other things on there and then we ran out of time, and then she just never got back around to cutting it. I think that was a big song though. It was a girl empowerment song. It was pretty cocky honestly, but the way it was done was great.”

Although we don’t have the clearance to release any music, we hope by providing you these lyrics, you can get a glimpse of exactly what Aaliyah was trying to do here. With a female empowerment song like this, she could have definitely changed the game. Without further ado, we bring you the lyrics to “CEO”:

CEO Lyrics

Verse 1

Being in love is hard (it’s like a job)
That’s why I make it a point to step to, each issue we go through (it’s always something new)
I gotta keep up my guard (being in charge)
Can’t let no one give me heart breaks
It’s one thing when you explain (minds do change)

Pre-hook

Who you fussing with?
I’m the only boss that can boss around here
I’m the CEO, Stay on your job, Or you can be replaced
Don’t you order me, Cuz I’m calling the shots that go on around here
You can’t tell me no, I send you home
Thought I’d let you know that

Chorus

I’ll be running the show, I’m CEO, I’m in control, that’s how it rolls
If you didn’t know the scenario, I run the show
I’ll be running the show, I’m CEO, I’m in control, that’s how it rolls
If you didn’t know the scenario, I run the show

Verse 2

I’ve got to wear the pants in a true romance,
That’s the only way we’ll ever stand a chance
So I ain’t taking orders from a man, You got to understand
See I can work with you, long as you are true
Change out the blue and I’ll start taking interviews
Let me give you a list of my demands, never raise your hand

Pre-hook

Who you fussing with?
I’m the only boss that can boss around here
I’m the CEO, Stay on your job, Or you can be replaced
Don’t you order me, Cuz I’m calling the shots that go on around here
You can’t tell me no, I send you home
Thought I’d let you know that

Chorus

I’ll be running the show, I’m CEO, I’m in control, that’s how it rolls
If you didn’t know the scenario, I run the show
I’ll be running the show, I’m CEO, I’m in control, that’s how it rolls
If you didn’t know the scenario, I run the show
I’ll be running the show, I’m CEO, I’m in control, that’s how it rolls
If you didn’t know the scenario, I run the show
I’ll be running the show, I’m CEO, I’m in control, that’s how it rolls
If you didn’t know the scenario, I run the show

Bridge

I’m gonna keep handling my business baby
Cuz I’m a real lady
And I hope you take care of your business baby
I wanna be your lady