He graduated from the Cleveland School of the Arts in 1995 where he majored in theater. He is best known for hits such as "Separated" (the remix to which features Kelly Rowland), "My First Love," which one version features Keke Wyatt, and "Read Your Mind" (the remix to which features Snoop Dogg on the extended promo vinyl). He was featured in the remix to the Lloyd Banks song "Karma" from the 2004 album The Hunger for More, and has also had a cameo appearance in the 2004 feature film BarberShop 2: Back in Business.
He also did a remix of The Pussycat Dolls song "Stickwitu." He stated that he refused to cooperate with The Pussycat Dolls at first until they offered him a better contract and to perform it and sing his way for a better single. Avant has also appeared on the Oxygen Network reality TV show Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency when he asked Janice to have models dance with him during the release party of the album Director.
Don't Know How
Avant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I don’t know how to love you
There’s no one here to blame
So you can charge it to the game
But I really wanna love you
But I don’t know how to love you
I was tryna be the different one
It’s so unusual for me to feel this way
‘Cause I like to play the field
Baby this is what it is
I’m caught up, aye
Maybe one day it will change
Only if you choose to stay
But now all I can say
Is I wish that I could love you
But I don’t know how to love you
There’s no one here to blame
So you can charge it to the game
But I really wanna love you
But I don’t know how to love you
Girl I know you’ve been hurt many times before
And relationships appear from love and war
You can act as if it doesn’t exist
But it does
Admit it face to face
Girl, I’m in a different place
Is it worth it?
I don’t wanna let you go
But there’s something you should know
How can I get this through to you?
I wish that I could love you
But I don’t know how to love you
There’s no one here to blame
So you can charge it to the game
But I really wanna love you
But I don’t know how to love you
I’m not the faithful type of guy, can’t help it
I want your cake and some of hers, I’m so selfish girl
I know you’re sick of all my games in my book
I understand how you feel
I wish that I could love you
But I don’t know how to love you (Love you baby)
There’s no one here to blame
So you can charge it to the game
But I really wanna love you
But I don’t know how to love you
I really wanna love you yea
The lyrics to Avant's song Don't Know How describe the internal conflict and struggle of a man who wants to love a woman but doesn't know how to do so. The first verse begins with the man expressing his wish to love the woman, but confessing that he doesn't know how to. He then acknowledges that there's no one to blame for his inability to love and suggests that the woman can consider his situation as just "charging it to the game." He goes on to explain that he likes to play the field and that it's unusual for him to feel this way about a woman. The chorus repeats his wish to love the woman and his admission of not knowing how to do so.
In the second verse, the man acknowledges the woman's past hurt and failure in relationships. He suggests that love is a war and that his feelings are real but also complicated. He asks if it's worth it for the woman to stay with him despite his limitations to love. He emphasizes that he doesn't want to let her go but that there's something she needs to know, which is that he doesn't know how to love her. The bridge repeats his flaws and selfishness, but he still expresses his desire to love the woman.
Overall, the song touches on the struggle of opening up to love and completely surrendering oneself to it. It emphasizes that love is not always easy, and not everyone knows how to express it fully.
Line by Line Meaning
I wish that I could love you
I desire to love you
But I don’t know how to love you
I am incapable of loving you
There’s no one here to blame
No one is responsible for the situation
So you can charge it to the game
Accept the situation as a consequence of life's unpredictable nature
But I really wanna love you
Despite my inability, I still have a strong desire to love you
I was tryna be the different one
I was attempting to be unique and give you the kind of love you deserve
That will give you the kind of love that a woman wants
I wanted to provide you with the love that women long for
It’s so unusual for me to feel this way
This is a rare feeling for me
‘Cause I like to play the field
I usually enjoy being with multiple partners
Baby this is what it is
This is the reality of the situation
I’m caught up, aye
I'm trapped in this situation
Maybe one day it will change
There is a possibility that things may change
Only if you choose to stay
If you decide to be with me
But now all I can say
Currently, my only statement is
Girl I know you’ve been hurt many times before
I understand that you've been through a lot of pain in the past
And relationships appear from love and war
Romantic connections can sometimes come from conflict and battles
You can act as if it doesn’t exist
You may pretend it's not true
But it does
Despite your efforts to disregard this fact, it remains true
Admit it face to face
Confront and acknowledge it directly
Girl, I’m in a different place
I'm currently in a different mindset or situation than you
Is it worth it?
Can we continue despite our differences?
I don’t wanna let you go
I do not want to lose you
But there’s something you should know
However, there is something vital you need to understand
How can I get this through to you?
How can I make you realize this?
I’m not the faithful type of guy, can’t help it
I struggle with being loyal to a single partner
I want your cake and some of hers, I’m so selfish girl
I want to have multiple partners and satisfy my own desires, which makes me selfish
I know you’re sick of all my games in my book
I understand that you are tired of my actions
I understand how you feel
I comprehend your emotions and perspective on this situation
I really wanna love you yea
My desire to love you remains strong
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KRISS JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Roland Choppa
Avant is such an intelligent story teller
That can make a person feel so many different emotions..great artist thats for sure. This is one of my many favorites hope he has many more to share with the world.
deficit1080p
His music is so different and awesome, i'm glad he exists lol
mary jane’s baby
This is an honest song everyone should hear.
Mitchell Ridgeway Sr
Underrated artist who just turn out great songs.
Ashley Norris
so....... Underrated..
abwright414
Most underrated song of its time 🤦🏾♀️
Rita Wiggins
Love this song it never gets old
Alexandra Morales
Caught it playing on Love & Hip Hop. Definitely on repeat. Thx Avant
TheeCourtneyNicolee
Heard this song at his concert with keke Wyatt and Angela winbush on April 8 in Detroit and fell in love!!!!!
Mesi Fran'Shieh
This is underrated. I love this...been banging it for years and still am 2018 going into 2019!