3 Words
Ashanti Lyrics


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I wish I could turn my body inside out
So you could see every piece of me
My heart can't contain this, my mouth don't explain it
It ain't enough to tell you what I mean
There's only so many words I could use to tell you what you do to me
Using me sexually penetrating my immunity

I just can't explain it, Picasso couldn't paint it
But these 3 words say all; I love you
I love you

I hate that you got this power over me
You came and took possession of my soul
Now you're so in my system, my vital signs missin'
When you ain't here so I can't let you go
And they don't understand why I still be here while you be out, oh
I'm staring in the mirror saying "damn, I really love him"

I just can't explain it, Picasso couldn't paint it
But these 3 words say all; I hate you
I hate you

I don't why it really hurts me
I'm still here and why do I love him through these tears?
Maybe cause we been together all these years
And maybe being alone in this, my one true fear
I know I can't change him so why am I complaining?
I know it sounds insane, but I'm still staying
Cause deep inside I love him and deep inside I hate him

And these 3 words say it all; I love you





I love, I hate, I love, I hate, I love, I hate, I love
I hate, I love I hate, I love, I hate, I love, I hate, I love you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Ashanti's "3 Words" describe the complexity of the singer's emotions towards their partner. The first stanza expresses the desire to be completely transparent and vulnerable to their partner, but feeling limited in their capacity to convey their feelings. The line "using me sexually penetrating my immunity" suggests that the singer feels exposed and exploited by their partner's sexual advances, yet still desires them. The chorus provides a simple and powerful expression of love that seems to outweigh and overpower the singer's conflicting emotions.


In the second stanza, the singer acknowledges their partner's power over them, possessing their soul and affecting their physical and emotional health. The lines "I'm staring in the mirror saying 'damn, I really love him'" and "And these 3 words say it all; I hate you" express a deep sense of internal conflict and confusion. The final stanza suggests that the singer stays with their partner despite knowing that they cannot change them and that being alone is their greatest fear. The repetition of "I love, I hate" illustrates the push and pull of their emotions.


Line by Line Meaning

I wish I could turn my body inside out
I want you to see every part of me, even the parts that I keep hidden


So you could see every piece of me
I want to be completely vulnerable with you


My heart can't contain this, my mouth don't explain it
I have such strong emotions for you that I can't properly express in words


It ain't enough to tell you what I mean
Words alone can't fully convey how I feel for you


There's only so many words I could use to tell you what you do to me
Even if I tried, there aren't enough words in the world to describe how much you mean to me


Using me sexually penetrating my immunity
You have such a strong hold on me that it feels like you are physically penetrating my being


I just can't explain it, Picasso couldn't paint it
My feelings for you are indescribable and even the greatest artist in the world couldn't capture what I feel


But these 3 words say all; I love you
Despite my inability to express myself, these three words encapsulate all the emotions I have for you


I hate that you got this power over me
I resent the fact that you have control over my emotions


You came and took possession of my soul
You have such a strong influence over me that it feels like you own a part of me


Now you're so in my system, my vital signs missin'
You have become such a part of me that I feel incomplete when you're not around


When you ain't here so I can't let you go
I can't shake my feelings for you, even when you're not physically present


And they don't understand why I still be here while you be out, oh
Others may not understand why I continue to love someone who is not always present


I'm staring in the mirror saying ''damn, I really love him''
I reflect on my feelings for you and realize how deep they run


But these 3 words say all; I hate you
Even though I love you, there are times when I feel such anger and hatred towards you


I don't why it really hurts me
I don't understand why my love for you causes me so much pain


I'm still here and why do I love him through these tears?
Even when I cry over you, my love for you remains strong


Maybe cause we been together all these years
Perhaps our history together is what keeps me connected to you


And maybe being alone in this, my one true fear
My fear of being alone may be what keeps me staying with you


I know I can't change him so why am I complaining?
I acknowledge that I can't change you, yet I still express my frustrations


I know it sounds insane, but I'm still staying
Others may think my actions are crazy, but I can't help my love for you


Cause deep inside I love him and deep inside I hate him
My feelings for you are complex and conflicting


I love, I hate, I love, I hate, I love, I hate, I love
My emotions towards you are constantly shifting


I hate, I love I hate, I love, I hate, I love, I hate, I love you
Despite the love-hate nature of our relationship, I can't help but love you




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: LENTON HUTTON, ASHANTI DOUGLAS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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