BROWN SKIN GIRL
Beyoncé SAINt JHN & Wizkid Lyrics


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Brown skin girl
Your skin just like pearls
The best thing in the world
Never trade you for anybody else
Singin' brown skin girl
Your skin just like pearls
The best thing in the world
I never trade you for anybody else, singin'

She said she really grew up poor like me
Don't believe in nothin' but the Almighty
Just a likkle jeans and a pure white tee
She never did forever be nobody wifey, yeah
So while I may not pretty boy, your heart is amiss
Play it like a villain 'cause she caught in a wave
Tonight I am walkin' away
9 to 5 mind, on the grind, yeah, yeah

Tonight I might fall in love, dependin' on how you hold me
I'm glad that I'm calmin' down, can't let no one come control me
Keep dancin' and call it love, she fightin' but fallin' slowly
If ever you are in doubt, remember what mama told me

Brown skin girl, ya skin just like pearls
Your back against the world
I never trade you for anybody else, say
Brown skin girl, ya skin just like pearls
The best thing inna di world
I never trade you for anybody else, say

Pose like a trophy when Naomis walk in
She need an Oscar for that pretty dark skin
Pretty like Lupita when the cameras close in
Drip broke the levee when my Kellys roll in
I think tonight she might braid her braids
Melanin too dark to throw her shade
She minds her business and wines her waist
Gold like 24k, okay

Tonight I might fall in love, dependin' on how you hold me
I'm glad that I'm calmin' down, can't let no one come control me
Keep dancin' and call it love, she fightin' but fallin' slowly
If ever you are in doubt, remember what mama told me

Brown skin girl, ya skin just like pearls
Your back against the world
I never trade you for anybody else, say
Brown skin girl, ya skin just like pearls
The best thing inna di (about the) world
I never trade you for anybody else, say

Oh, have you looked in the mirror lately? (lately)
Wish you could trade eyes with me ('cause)
There's complexities in complexion
But your skin, it glow like diamonds
Dig me like the earth, you be giving birth
Took everything in life, baby, know your worth
I love everything about you, from your nappy curls
To every single curve, your body natural
Same skin that was broken be the same skin takin' over
Most things out of focus, view
But when you're in the room, they notice you (notice you)
'Cause you're beautiful
Yeah, you're beautiful

The men dem gon' fall in love
With you and all of your glory
Your skin is not only dark, it shines and it tells your story
Keep dancin', they can't control you
They watchin', they all adore you
If ever you are in doubt, remember what mama told you

Brown skin girl (brown skin girl)
Ya skin just like pearls (brown skin girl)
Your back against the world (oh)
I never trade you for anybody else, say (no, no)
Brown skin girl (brown skin girl)
Ya skin just like pearls (brown skin)
The best thing in all the world
I never trade you for anybody else, say

Brown skin girl
Your skin just like pearls




The best thing in the world
I never trade you for anybody else, singin'

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to this song are a powerful tribute to the beauty and strength of women with brown skin, with the repeated refrain of "brown skin girl" driving the message home. The opening lines refer to the beauty of the woman being celebrated, comparing her skin to pearls and making it clear that she is the best thing in the world to the singer. He never wants to trade her for anyone else. As the song goes on, the focus turns to the woman's struggles, with the reference to growing up poor and not believing in anything except for God. But despite these difficulties, she maintains her strength and independence, never becoming "nobody's wifey." The chorus reinforces the message that the singer will never trade this woman for anyone else, and later in the song other men are encouraged to appreciate her beauty and power rather than try to control her.


The song also touches on the complexities of skin color and the way that people with brown skin have been historically marginalized and excluded from power structures. The reference to Naomi and Lupita, two well-known and respected women of color in the entertainment industry, reinforces the message that brown skin can be just as beautiful and deserving of acclaim as any other skin color. The line "there's complexities in complexion" acknowledges the discrimination and prejudice that people with brown skin still face today. But ultimately, the song celebrates the beauty and power of women with brown skin, encouraging them to recognize their own worth and value in the face of those who would try to control or diminish them.


Line by Line Meaning

Brown skin girl
Addressing a person with brown skin.


Your skin just like pearls
Comparing the beauty of brown skin to that of pearls.


The best thing in the world
Expressing the opinion that brown skin is the ultimate beauty.


Never trade you for anybody else
Affirming that brown skin is a unique and priceless beauty.


Singin' brown skin girl
Reaffirmation of appreciation for brown skin.


She said she really grew up poor like me
The singer describes a connection and similarity between themselves and the person they are addressing.


Don't believe in nothin' but the Almighty
The person addressed has strong faith in God.


Just a likkle jeans and a pure white tee
The person addressed values simplicity and minimalism in dress.


She never did forever be nobody wifey, yeah
The person addressed is independent and not determined to be someone's wife.


So while I may not pretty boy, your heart is amiss
Although the artist is not traditionally good-looking, the person addressed is still attracted to them.


Play it like a villain 'cause she caught in a wave
The person addressed may act like a bad person because of the difficult circumstances in which they find themselves.


Tonight I am walkin' away
The artist expresses their decision to leave a situation.


9 to 5 mind, on the grind, yeah, yeah
Hardworking and determined mindset.


Tonight I might fall in love, dependin' on how you hold me
The singer feels open to the possibility of falling in love depending on how they are treated.


I'm glad that I'm calmin' down, can't let no one come control me
The singer is content with being in control of their own life and emotions.


Keep dancin' and call it love, she fightin' but fallin' slowly
The person addressed may feel defensive or resistant, but they may be falling in love slowly.


If ever you are in doubt, remember what mama told me
The artist advises the person addressed to remember their mother's wise words when they are unsure of what to do.


Pose like a trophy when Naomis walk in
The person addressed should carry themselves with pride and confidence when around models such as Naomi Campbell.


She need an Oscar for that pretty dark skin
The person addressed deserves recognition for their beauty despite having dark skin.


Pretty like Lupita when the cameras close in
The person addressed is as beautiful and captivating as Lupita Nyong'o when in front of the camera.


Drip broke the levee when my Kellys roll in
The artist and their group attract attention and admiration when they enter a space.


I think tonight she might braid her braids
The person addressed may change their hairstyle tonight.


Melanin too dark to throw her shade
The person addressed's skin is so dark that they cannot be made to feel inferior or ashamed.


She minds her business and wines her waist
The person addressed is focused on their own affairs and enjoys dancing and having fun.


Gold like 24k, okay
The person addressed is valuable and worthy of respect and admiration.


Oh, have you looked in the mirror lately? (lately)
The singer encourages the person addressed to appreciate their own beauty.


Wish you could trade eyes with me ('cause)
The singer wishes the person addressed could see themselves as they see them.


There's complexities in complexion
The person addressed's beauty is not just physical, but has depth and meaning.


But your skin, it glow like diamonds
The person addressed's skin is so radiant that it shines like diamonds.


Dig me like the earth, you be giving birth
The person addressed is nurturing, sustaining and life-giving like the earth.


Took everything in life, baby, know your worth
The person addressed has endured hardships, but still has great value and worth.


I love everything about you, from your nappy curls
The artist loves every aspect of the person addressed, including their natural, curly hair.


To every single curve, your body natural
The artist also loves the person addressed's natural curves and shape.


Same skin that was broken be the same skin takin' over
Despite having faced oppression or hardship, the person addressed's skin is now a source of strength and pride.


Most things out of focus, view
The person addressed's true worth may not be well-recognized or appreciated by society.


But when you're in the room, they notice you (notice you)
Despite being underestimated, the person addressed commands attention and respect when in a space.


'Cause you're beautiful
The person addressed is beautiful inside and out.


The men dem gon' fall in love
Men will be attracted to the person addressed.


With you and all of your glory
Men will appreciate and admire the person addressed's full beauty and splendor.


Your skin is not only dark, it shines and it tells your story
The person addressed's dark skin has a unique quality of radiance and beauty that reflects their identity and personal journey.


Keep dancin', they can't control you
The person addressed should keep embracing their freedom and individuality, despite attempts to restrain or control them.


They watchin', they all adore you
Others are watching and admiring the person addressed's strength and unique beauty.


If ever you are in doubt, remember what mama told you
The person addressed should always draw upon the wisdom and guidance of their mother when facing uncertainty or difficulty.


The best thing inna di (about the) world
Reiterating that brown skin is the ultimate beauty in the world.


I never trade you for anybody else, say
The person addressed is too precious and unique to be exchanged for anyone else.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Adio Joshua Marchant, Anathi Bhongo Mnyango, Beyonce Gisselle Knowles, Carlos St. John, Michael Uzowuru, Richard Isong Olowaranti Mbuk Isong, Shawn C. Carter, Stacy Barthe

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@materialgowrl5365

The fact that Beyoncé included south Asian women in this just gave me a whole other level of confidence.

@bogusmaterial3228

YESSSSSSS!!!!!!

@kharunavelloo7712

Yes I love this

@Fast_and_Cool

Dark skin south Asians are absolutely beautiful! Please don't let society tell you otherwise.

@ArtsrunKhangeldyan

Yeah babe!

@crazybabysittertwin

YES! I was like, "Forget that Fair & Lovely nonsense! You gonna take all this melanin and you gonna love & respect it!"

360 More Replies...

@TunuNag-br6dw

As an Indian whose grandmother always used to mock because i am brown and she was fair...... I love this ❀
Thank you and i love myself❀ ❀❀

@DavarionMullins

It was Indian in it to she was talking about brown skin also it was south Asian to

@andrewsavoy1881

@@HopeDowlingthe song is about ALL beautiful brown skin ladies. The video features south asian people as well. Uplifting everyone đŸ©·

@shawnni3014

❀❀❀always remember you are beautiful

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