Love And War
Banks & Steelz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You could've been mine but
You could've been mine but
You putting me in line
If all is fair in love and war
If all is fair in love and war
All is fair in love and war
What are you keeping score for?
Yo, ayo
She fucked around and cut up my rhyme books to shreds
She caught me fucking her friend in our bed
I used to try to tell her stop talking to the fellas
Come around with that short ass dress and short [?]
Zigliani shit, D to the crib
Balenciaga wrist, a gift from the kid
But we stay beefin, boo with no broccoli
Every time I come in the crib I'm in a hot seat
Breaking all my watches, gold plate Versace
You said you didn't mean that shit cause you was toxic
Probably argue everyday as a hobby
We used to be like Claire and Bill Cosby
So what the hell, we held hands on the regular
Writing "I love you" on napkins on the table, love
Capiche, depends on the season
Cause as soon as June July hit, we beastin'
Not speaking, it increases
Feel like my love had to depletion
Then we get back together, that's decent
But last week you keep my Benz and that's recent
She's bitching, I'm bitching
She's switching, I'm switching
She's talking, I'm not listening
I'm bitching about her in the kitchen
If all is fair in love and war
If all is fair in love and war
All is fair in love and war
What are you keeping score for?
She's high maintainence, she lacks patience
But for her love there's no replacement
Face to face, waste to brace and men chase to taste it
Most will get strung for the first engagement
I met her on the downtown streets down east
Now it seems she's always around me
And our love has astounded me, bounded me
There's no way I can break free
A servant to her will, I'm emerging to her feel
I pour my heart out and she let my love spill
Out on the floor when love change to war
Both tryna win, tryna claim galore
Infatuation, walking fabrication
Kept alive through imagination
Opposite sides attract and collided
The collision was a bad decision
Two lovers trapped in one prison
Tryna separate like nuclear fission
She's bitching, I'm bitching
She's switching, I'm switching
She's talking, I'm not listening
I'm bitching about her in the kitchen
If all is fair in love and war
If all is fair in love and war
If all is fair in love and war
What are you keeping score for?
If all is fair in love and war
If all is fair in love
If all is fair in love and war
You best secure your borders
You could've been mine but
You could've been mine but
You could've been mine but
You put me in line
You could've been mine but
You could've been mine but
You could've been mine but
You put me in line
The lyrics to "Love and War" by Banks & Steelz revolve around a tumultuous relationship between two people who are constantly fighting and hurting each other. The opening lines, "You could've been mine but / You putting me in line" suggest that the singer had wanted to have a romantic relationship with the subject of the song, but their behavior is making it difficult for them to get close. The repeated refrain, "If all is fair in love and war / What are you keeping score for?" speaks to the destructive nature of their relationship, as the two are constantly competing with each other and keeping track of each other's mistakes.
The verses continue to paint a picture of a relationship that is dysfunctional and full of drama. The first verse describes the singer's partner damaging their belongings and catching them cheating. The second verse discusses the couple's arguments and breakups, and the fact that they keep getting back together despite the fact that they're not always happy. The bridge acknowledges that the two are still drawn to each other despite all their problems, and that their love for each other is what's keeping them trapped in the relationship.
Overall, the lyrics to "Love and War" capture the ups and downs of a relationship that is both passionate and toxic. The repeated refrain speaks to the fact that the two are so caught up in their own power struggles that they're missing the point of the relationship itself.
Line by Line Meaning
You could've been mine but
The singer regrets not having a romantic relationship with the person they're addressing.
You putting me in line
The person is controlling the singer's actions or behavior.
If all is fair in love and war
Anything goes when dealing with matters of the heart.
What are you keeping score for?
The person is questioning why their actions in the relationship are being kept track of or tallied up.
She caught me fucking her friend in our bed
The artist cheated on their partner with their friend, resulting in betrayal and hurt.
I used to try to tell her stop talking to the fellas
The singer was jealous of the attention their partner gave to other men.
Every time I come in the crib I'm in a hot seat
The singer is always under scrutiny or being questioned by their partner.
Breaking all my watches, gold plate Versace
The partner is destroying the artist's material possessions out of anger.
Probably argue everyday as a hobby
The relationship is filled with constant arguments and disagreements.
Feel like my love had to depletion
The artist's love for their partner has diminished over time.
Most will get strung for the first engagement
Many people will fall for the false promise of love during their first serious relationship.
There's no way I can break free
The artist is trapped in the toxic relationship and cannot seem to leave it.
Infatuation, walking fabrication
The love between the singer and their partner is based on a false sense of reality.
Opposite sides attract and collided
The singer and their partner are vastly different and their differences are causing conflict.
Two lovers trapped in one prison
The relationship is constricting and suffocating, trapping both people involved.
Tryna separate like nuclear fission
The artist and their partner are trying to separate, but it is as difficult and explosive as nuclear fission.
You best secure your borders
The artist is warning the person to protect themselves and their heart from potential hurt in the future.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group
Written by: ROBERT F. DIGGS, PAUL JULIAN BANKS, DENNIS D. COLES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Trazynn
Just proves that Paul and RZA would be awesome in a movie together.
@nikkidimples2035
I just learned about this collaboration and I am thoroughly enjoying the music. I just purchased the full album and it's amazing!!! I've always loved Rza's take on music and now I'm becoming a fan of Paul Banks.
@brapbrapbrapbrapbrapbrapbrap
I fully expected Paul Banks not to say a word during the video
@NW23Champ
that was perfect in every way i had hoped.
@rippedupmagazine
the yakuza, paul, and dancing? this mv is the whole package
@sercanakgul486
just what i needed this days to listen again and again
@geojose1872
Paul banks is a creative genius! I love his hook. This song is one of those that you have to put on repeat & the video is very well directed!
@dano6857
Why isn't this a Netflix series yet?
@GeoffBernard
The Wu Tang Clam show on Hulu was pretty cool though...
@ed-edd-n-eddy
I'm not surprised as most people by this collaboration. Paul Banks has always stated old school hip-hop, such as Wu-Tang, has been a big influence on his music. I can't wait until they tour ✌