Anyway
Keb\' Mo\' Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And isn't it all so strange
But you look at me with a lovers eyes
And a mind that can't be changed
You and I are distant
To share a lifetime or two
But we're obviously different
And I don't have a nickel to my name
But I love you anyway
On my way to clean the restrooms
And lock up all the doors
I saw your diamond earring
Bouncing lightly on the floor
And I picked it up so gently
And I placed it in your hand
You politely thanked me
And put it back on your [Incomprehensible]
But I don't have a nickel to my name
But I love you anyway
Well, I probably never touch you
Or even hold your hand
But one of these eternities
I'd love to be your man
Thoughts that I am thinking
Words I dare not say
And I can't deny my feelings
But there's all this bullshit in vain
But I don't have a nickel to my name
But I love you anyway
But I don't have a nickel to my name
But I love you anyway
The song Anyway by Keb' Mo' seems to be about the paradoxical nature of love, and how it can be both wonderful and strange. The first verse describes this feeling of being lucky and strange at the same time, and how the singer's love interest looks at him with "lovers eyes" but has a "mind that can't be changed." This sets up a tension that continues throughout the song, as the singer and their love interest are described as being "distant" and "obviously different," but unable to resist their feelings for each other.
The second verse continues this theme, as the singer finds a diamond earring belonging to their love interest while cleaning up after everyone else has gone home. They return the earring and are politely thanked, but there is an underlying tension that suggests that things are not as simple as they seem. The final verse brings all of this to a head, as the singer knows that they will probably never touch their love interest or even hold their hand, but they still want to be with them "one of these eternities." There is a feeling of frustration and denial mixed in with the love, as the singer acknowledges that there is "all this bullshit in vain" but still loves them anyway, even though they "don't have a nickel to [their] name."
Overall, the song seems to be about the complicated nature of love, and how it can make even the simplest things feel like a struggle. The lines "But I don't have a nickel to my name / But I love you anyway" encapsulate this paradox perfectly, as the singer's lack of material wealth is contrasted with the depth of their emotional attachment to their love interest.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh, ain't we lucky
Expressing gratitude and acknowledging how fortunate we are in life
And isn't it all so strange
Reflecting on the unpredictable nature of life and how unexpected circumstances can arise
But you look at me with a lovers eyes
Noticing the affection in the other person’s gaze and feeling loved
And a mind that can't be changed
Recognizing the other person’s fixed mindset and inability to change
You and I are distant
Perceiving a distance and lack of closeness between the two people
To share a lifetime or two
Acknowledging the unlikely possibility of a long-term relationship between the two people
But we're obviously different
Noticing differences and contrasting qualities between the two people
And we don't know what to do
Feeling uncertain about how to proceed in the relationship
And I don't have a nickel to my name
Acknowledging a lack of wealth or resources
But I love you anyway
Expressing the depth of love despite a lack of material possessions
On my way to clean the restrooms
Describing a mundane task as part of everyday life
And lock up all the doors
Completing a routine task before leaving for the day
I saw your diamond earring
Noticing a small, but significant detail
Bouncing lightly on the floor
Describing the movement of the earring
And I picked it up so gently
Handling the item delicately and with care
And I placed it in your hand
Returning the lost item to its rightful owner
You politely thanked me
Acknowledging the gesture with gratitude and good manners
And put it back on your [Incomprehensible]
Returning the earring to its original location
Well, I probably never touch you
Accepting the lack of physical intimacy
Or even hold your hand
Describing a simple act of affection that may not occur
But one of these eternities
Expressing the hope for a future where a long-term relationship is possible
I'd love to be your man
Expressing a desire to be in a committed relationship
Thoughts that I am thinking
Describing the internal thoughts and emotions
Words I dare not say
Hiding true feelings and emotions
And I can't deny my feelings
Admitting to the existence of strong emotions
But there's all this bullshit in vain
Feeling frustrated with external factors that hinder progress in the relationship
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KEVIN (KEB' MO') MOORE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind