Bobby Ray Simmons (born November 15, 1988 in Decatur, Georgia, USA), better… Read Full Bio ↴Bobby Ray Simmons (born November 15, 1988 in Decatur, Georgia, USA), better known by his stage name B.o.B, is a Grammy Award-nominated American rapper, singer, producer and conspiracy theorist, signed to T.I.'s Grand Hustle Label and Atlantic Records. In 2007 he released his debut EP, Eastside, and has since released another EP, 12th Dimension, and five mixtapes. His debut album, B.o.B Presents The Adventures of Bobby Ray, was released in April 2010 and debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200. The first single from the album, Nothin' on You featuring Bruno Mars, peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album spawned two further hit singles including international smash airplanes and Billboard hit Magic. The album has since been certified Gold by the RIAA for shipments of over 500,000 copies in the US.

The first single from B.o.B's second album is Strange Clouds. It features Lil Wayne and according to the Strange Clouds Songfacts, it "is 3 minutes 47 seconds of bass heavy bragging.". The song was released on October 3, 2011.

Not Love
B.o.B Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Intro]
Well, this is the story...about Chuck
"everthing's not love"

[Chorus]
Well early in the mornin' when the sun comes up (what's up?)
Kenny's on the corner sellin' meth to Chuck (uh huh)
Now Chuck's headin' back to Los Angeles

Remember everything's not, everything's not
"Thing's not love"
Well early in the mornin' when the sun comes up (what's up?)
Kenny's on the corner sellin' meth to Chuck (uh huh)
Now Chuck's headin' back to Los Angeles
Everything's not
"Things not love"

[Verse One]:
Well every single mornin' down by them tracks (uh huh)
There was a dude name Kenny who was sellin' them sacks (got that work)
Client after client they would come right back (what's up)
He'd give 'em the stuff and they'd give him the cash (yes!0
Now Kenny's on his hustle, yeah, he's on his grind (uh huh)
Money's on his mind, strictly all of the time (get money)
But there was one customer who would come to buy (what's up)
He was lookin' for ice, not nicks, not dimes (okay)
He ain't no his name so he called him Chuck (Chuck)
And he was in the Benz when he pulled up (eerrr)
He wasn't from the hood he just passin' by
Black shoes, black car, black shirt, black tie (what's happenin')
So Chuck pulled off and the po' pulled up
Wasn't no where to go so Kenny was stuck (damn!)
And now he's in the precinct sittin' in cuffs
Just waitin' for the trail date (trail date)

[Chorus]
Well early in the mornin' when the sun comes up (what's up?)
Kenny's on the corner sellin' meth to Chuck (uh huh)
Now Chuck's headin' back to Los Angeles
Remember everything's not, everything's not
"Thing's not love"
Well early in the mornin' when the sun comes up (what's up?)
Kenny's on the corner sellin' meth to Chuck (uh huh)
Now Chuck's headin' back to Los Angeles
Everything's not
"Things not love"

[Verse Two]
Well in the city of L.A. around Beverly Hills (uh huh)
On top of the mountain there's a beautiful crib (uh huh)
A man and his wife and his family lives (uh huh)
He get a decent salary, he payin' the bills (huh)
But everythang just ain't what it seems (naw)
Outside lookin' in, it's the American Dream (uh huh)
Behind closed doors, he's really a fiend (oh)
Addicted to meth and he snorts ?
So one day he pulls up to work (errrp)
Hops out this car and he fixes his shirt
He walks in and the whole room just rises (rise)
The honorable Chuck Blumstein presides (be seated)
Oh, and what a pleasant surprise (huh?)
Kenny sits down right in front of his eyes (ain't that you?)
But he don't hesitate, looks him right in his face
And with three hits of his gavel, he seals his fate

"oooooh yeah"
"everything's not"

"oooooh yeah"
"everything's not love"

Overall Meaning

The song "Not Love" by B.o.B tells a story of two characters - Kenny and Chuck. Kenny is a drug dealer who sells meth to people in the neighborhood, including Chuck. Chuck is a businessman who lives in a big house on top of the mountain in L.A. and appears to have everything in his life well put together. However, as we learn in the second verse, Chuck is a meth addict who struggles to maintain his life behind closed doors.

The lyrics emphasize that not everything is what it seems and that appearances can be deceptive. The chorus repeats the phrase "everything's not love," implying that some of the characters in the story are seeking happiness in the wrong places. The first verse describes Kenny's drug-dealing business and his encounter with Chuck, which ultimately lands Kenny in jail. The second verse reveals Chuck's secret addiction to meth and his double life.

Overall, the song seems to caution against chasing material things or engaging in self-destructive behavior. It suggests that true happiness and fulfillment cannot be found in external factors but rather within ourselves.

Line by Line Meaning

Well, this is the story...about Chuck
This song is about a man named Chuck and the events that happened in his life

Well early in the mornin' when the sun comes up (what's up?) Kenny's on the corner sellin' meth to Chuck (uh huh) Now Chuck's headin' back to Los Angeles Remember everything's not, everything's not "Thing's not love"
Chuck buys meth from Kenny in the morning and then heads back to Los Angeles. The chorus reminds the listener that not everything is love and that Chuck is involved in something he shouldn't be.

Well every single mornin' down by them tracks (uh huh) There was a dude name Kenny who was sellin' them sacks (got that work) Client after client they would come right back (what's up) He'd give 'em the stuff and they'd give him the cash (yes!) Now Kenny's on his hustle, yeah, he's on his grind (uh huh) Money's on his mind, strictly all of the time (get money) But there was one customer who would come to buy (what's up) He was lookin' for ice, not nicks, not dimes (okay) He ain't no his name so he called him Chuck (Chuck) And he was in the Benz when he pulled up (eerrr) He wasn't from the hood he just passin' by Black shoes, black car, black shirt, black tie (what's happenin') So Chuck pulled off and the po' pulled up Wasn't no where to go so Kenny was stuck (damn!) And now he's in the precinct sittin' in cuffs Just waitin' for the trail date (trail date)
The first verse describes Kenny selling meth to various clients and Chuck being one of his clients. Chuck is looking for a specific type of meth and they don't know each other by name. When Chuck pulls off, the police arrest Kenny and he is now in custody waiting for the trial date.

Well in the city of L.A. around Beverly Hills (uh huh) On top of the mountain there's a beautiful crib (uh huh) A man and his wife and his family lives (uh huh) He get a decent salary, he payin' the bills (huh) But everythang just ain't what it seems (naw) Outside lookin' in, it's the American Dream (uh huh) Behind closed doors, he's really a fiend (oh) Addicted to meth and he snorts ? So one day he pulls up to work (errrp) Hops out this car and he fixes his shirt He walks in and the whole room just rises (rise) The honorable Chuck Blumstein presides (be seated) Oh, and what a pleasant surprise (huh?) Kenny sits down right in front of his eyes (ain't that you?) But he don't hesitate, looks him right in his face And with three hits of his gavel, he seals his fate
The second verse is about Chuck, who is actually Chuck Blumstein, a judge in L.A. Chuck has a beautiful home and family, but is secretly addicted to meth. One day, Kenny shows up in front of him in court, and Chuck convicts him with three hits of his gavel, despite the fact that they used to interact as client and dealer.

"oooooh yeah" "everything's not" "oooooh yeah" "everything's not love"
The song ends with the chorus repeating the message that not everything is love, despite what it may seem like.

Contributed by Anthony F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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