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No Substitute Love
Estelle Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

You know who it is, oh boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover (said I'm not)
Said I'm not, oh no
Said boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no

I know it would have been nice
If I could have had your body
Knowing that everybody ain't been with you (ain't been with you)
But you told me lies
You made me give my heart away
But now I know the games you play (no way)
So I'm through with you (so I'm through with you

Listen boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover
Oh no
Said boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no

You know there's gonna be a fight
If these chicks keep calling you at night
I seen that text you're tryin' to hide, y'see I know the truth
Must be outta your mind
You thought you'd never see the day
You thought I'd let a player play but I'ma upgrade you

Listen boy, oh boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no
Said boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no

You see there's not much you can say
He said he's done changed and I finished today
'Cause I can't do it no more
I won't be there when you call
So you best to move on, move on
'Cause I couldn't be your, your substitute more
No, no, no, no, no, no
Listen, listen yo, listen

I said you can't call my name like I'm going out of fashion
And turn around and act like nothin' ain't happen
Like no, I'm not as cracking
Only when you need a chick
Only when you think about this hotness, you get the itch
That's when you get the itch
Baby, let me be your bitch
Boy, who you think it is? Bad gal nar tek dis
Actin like a little boy, play me like a decoy
You need to grow a couple, boy, you ain't got nothin' boy

So boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no
Said boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no (if you're sick of these boots)
(Try cheatin' like a substitute)
(Ladies, if you know this song, I want you sing along)
Oh boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no
Said boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no

Overall Meaning

In Estelle's song "No Substitute Love," she delivers a message to a former flame that she's not interested in being someone's backup option. She refuses to be his "substitute lover" anymore, as he continues to play games and lie to her. The lyrics reveal that Estelle was initially interested in this person but became disillusioned with his ways. She has had enough of being his second choice and is ready to move on.


This song also touches on issues of trust and honesty in relationships. Estelle has discovered her partner's lies and attempts to conceal them, which leads to a lack of trust between them. She calls him out on his behavior, and in return, he attempts to convince her that he has changed, but she isn't falling for it. The song is not only a declaration of self-love and confidence but also critiques the notion of settling for less than you deserve in a relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

You know who it is, oh boy, oh boy
The singer is clearly addressing her ex-boyfriend who knows who she is.


I'm not your substitute lover (said I'm not)
The singer confirms that she is not willing to be a substitute lover.


Said I'm not, oh no
The singer repeats that she is not willing to be a substitute lover.


Said boy, oh boy
The singer is addressing her ex-boyfriend again and repeating his name.


I'm not your substitute lover, oh no
The singer is once again confirming that she is not willing to be a substitute lover.


I know it would have been nice
The singer acknowledges that it would have been nice to be with her ex-boyfriend.


If I could have had your body
The singer would have liked to be physically close to her ex-boyfriend.


Knowing that everybody ain't been with you (ain't been with you)
The singer reminds her ex-boyfriend that not everyone has been with him.


But you told me lies
The singer is upset that her ex-boyfriend lied to her.


You made me give my heart away
The singer gave her heart to her ex-boyfriend because she believed him.


But now I know the games you play (no way)
The singer now knows that her ex-boyfriend was playing games with her and is not interested in him anymore.


So I'm through with you (so I'm through with you)
The singer has moved on and is no longer interested in her ex-boyfriend.


Listen boy, oh boy
The singer is addressing her ex-boyfriend again, repeating his name.


You know there's gonna be a fight
The singer suspects that there will be a fight if her ex-boyfriend continues to talk to other women.


If these chicks keep calling you at night
The singer is referring to other women who are calling her ex-boyfriend at night.


I seen that text you're tryin' to hide, y'see I know the truth
The singer found a text that her ex-boyfriend was trying to hide and knows what is really going on.


Must be outta your mind
The singer thinks her ex-boyfriend is crazy to think that she would put up with his behavior.


You thought you'd never see the day
The singer's ex-boyfriend thought that she would never leave him.


You thought I'd let a player play but I'ma upgrade you
The singer is letting her ex-boyfriend know that she is moving on to someone better.


You see there's not much you can say
The singer knows that her ex-boyfriend doesn't have much to say in his defense.


He said he's done changed and I finished today
The singer's ex-boyfriend has claimed to have changed, but she knows it's too late and she's breaking up with him today.


'Cause I can't do it no more
The singer is tired of her ex-boyfriend's behavior and can no longer be with him.


I won't be there when you call
The singer is letting her ex-boyfriend know that she will not be available for him anymore.


So you best to move on, move on
The singer is telling her ex-boyfriend that he needs to move on with his life as well.


'Cause I couldn't be your, your substitute more
The singer couldn't continue to be her ex-boyfriend's substitute lover anymore.


No, no, no, no, no, no
The singer repeats that she cannot be his substitute lover anymore and she is done with him.


I said you can't call my name like I'm going out of fashion
The singer is telling her ex-boyfriend that he cannot use her name whenever he feels like it.


And turn around and act like nothin' ain't happen
The singer is upset that her ex-boyfriend acts like nothing has happened between them.


Like no, I'm not as cracking
The singer is not willing to be treated badly by her ex-boyfriend anymore.


Only when you need a chick
The singer is calling out her ex-boyfriend for only contacting her when he needs something from her.


Only when you think about this hotness, you get the itch
The singer thinks her ex-boyfriend is only interested in her physically and does not care about her feelings.


That's when you get the itch
The singer is calling out her ex-boyfriend for being shallow and only caring about her looks.


Baby, let me be your bitch
The singer is telling her ex-boyfriend that she will no longer be his substitute lover.


Boy, who you think it is? Bad gal nar tek dis
The singer is letting her ex-boyfriend know that she is a strong and independent woman who will not tolerate being treated badly.


Actin like a little boy, play me like a decoy
The singer is calling out her ex-boyfriend for acting like a child and using her as a pawn in his games.


You need to grow a couple, boy, you ain't got nothin' boy
The singer is calling out her ex-boyfriend for being immature and having nothing to offer in a relationship.


(if you're sick of these boots)
The singer is addressing her female audience, asking them to join her in singing along if they are tired of being treated as substitute lovers.


(Try cheatin' like a substitute)
The singer is playfully suggesting that her ex-boyfriend should try finding another substitute lover to cheat with.


(Ladies, if you know this song, I want you sing along)
The singer is calling out to her female audience to join her in singing along to this song.


Oh boy, oh boy
The singer is addressing her ex-boyfriend again.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Melbourne Miller, Paul Crosdale, Donald Dennis, Bobby Dixon, Estelle Swaray, George Michael, Wyclef Jean, John Stephens, Robert Lindon

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@imanali4463

You know who it is
Oh boy Oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover (said I'm not)
Said boy I'm not your substitute lover

I know it would have been nice if I could have had your body
Knowing that everybody aint been with you
But you told me lies you made me give my heart away
But now I know the games you play
So I'm thru with you

Oh boy oh boy
I'm not your substitue lover oh no
Said boy oh boy I'm not your sub lover oh no

You know there's gonna be a fight if these chicks keep calling you at night
I see that text your tryin to hide see I know the truth
Must be outta your mind you thought you'd never see the day
You thought I'd let a player play but ima upgrade you, listen boy

Oh boy oh boy,
I'm not your substitue lover oh no
Said boy oh boy I'm not your sub lover oh no

See there's not much you can say
He said he's done changed and I finished today
Cus I can't do it no more I will be there when you call
So you besta move on (move on)
Because I couldn't be your sub anymore

Listen, I see you called my name like I'm
Goin otta fashion
And turn around and act like nuttin anit happen
Like nar nuttins crackin

Only when you need a chick
Only when you think about this hotness you get itch
That's when you get the itch, baby, let me be your bitch
Boy, who you think is bad gal, naa take this

Actin like a little boy play me like a decoy
You need to grow a couple boy
You aint bout nuttin boy

Oh boy oh boy,
I'm not your substitue lover oh no
Said boy oh boy I'm not your sub lover oh no(x2)



All comments from YouTube:

@richardp7665

This song deserves the same amount of hype as “American Boy”. It’s so good.

@manu52dain13

It's even better

@jonmcknlegg

Shine album deserves more attention. In The Rain is my personal favorite.

@byronjohnson1790

estelle is wayy underrated. her whole album shine was one where u didnt need to skipp a single track.

@elisioduarte7954

Sou apaixonado por essa música... o tempo passa, até esqueço dela, aí depois de um tempo eu lembro e fico viciado novamente. Grande Estelle!!

@Marcos12244

eu tbm

@JanaFSilva2

Tbm

@rodrigorodruddy2628

MINHA FAVORITA. É NOTÁVEL O TALENTO DELA, REALMENTE INCRÍVEL. 2018 BRAZIL

@w.davidholland7228

Estelle reminds of R&B from the 90s. Love her.

@w.davidholland7228

Shes heavily influenced by 90s music. Awesome.

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