Blackstreet was an American R&B group founded in 1994 by Teddy Riley, a New… Read Full Bio ↴Blackstreet was an American R&B group founded in 1994 by Teddy Riley, a New Jack Swing pioneer known for his work as a member of Guy. The band members were: Teddy Riley, Chauncey Hannibal, Eric Williams, and Terrell Philips (and formerly Joe Stonestreet, Levi Little, David Hollister, and Mark Middleton). Their debut album, Blackstreet, was a moderate success due to the singles "Booti Call" and "Before I Let You Go", both Top 40 hits ("Before" hit the Top 10). The follow-up, 1996's Another Level was a breakthrough success due to the top single "No Diggity" (with Dr. Dre), which was a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in November 1996, and won the 1998 Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, along with the Top 40 hit "Don't Leave Me". Another Level eventually went four times platinum in the United States and peaked at #3 on the Billboard chart. "No Diggity" is ranked at #91 on Rolling Stone and MTV: 100 Greatest Pop Songs, while Blackstreet comes in at #214 of the Top 500 Pop Artists of the Past 25 Years.

Blackstreet has also collaborated with Jay-Z on his single "The City is Mine". With the help of the Janet Jackson single "Girlfriend", Blackstreet finally had a top ten album with Finally. But personnel shifts wracked the group and contributed to the relative failure of Finally in 1999, and Blackstreet soon broke up. After rumors of legal action and a preemptive countersuit, the group reformed and released Level II in 2003.

Bygones
Blackstreet Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

When will this ever end? I thought that you forgave me then
So, why do we argue so, I want to know
Listen, we both made some mistakes that caused our hearts to break
But we must learn to forgive and love again yeah

There are some things I wish that I could change, oh yes I do
But if we're going to move forward let bygones be bygones, so long
I don't want to talk about it, let bygones be bygones, so long

I don't want to talk about it, let bygones be bygones, bygones, oh yeah

Now I will be the first to say, sorry for treating you that way
But that was so long ago you gotta let it go, yeah yeah yeah yeah
There are some things I wish that I could change, oh yes I do

But if we're going to move forward let bygones be bygones, so long
I don't want to talk about it let bygones be bygones, so long
I don't want to talk about it let bygones be bygones, yeah yeah yeah yeah

We should be living for today
Can't let our past get in our way

Let bygones be bygones, so long
I don't want to talk about it let bygones be bygones, bygones, so long
I don't want to talk about it let bygones be bygones, yeah
I don't want to talk about it let bygones be bygones

can't you hear me say, so long
I don't want to talk about it let bygones be bygones, so long

Overall Meaning

"Bygones" by Blackstreet is a song about forgiveness and moving on from past mistakes in a relationship. The song begins with the singer wondering why he and his partner still argue if forgiveness had already been granted. He emphasizes the need to let go of the past and learn to love and forgive again. He acknowledges his own mistakes and expresses regret over them while urging his partner to do the same. He also asserts that living in the past is preventing them from moving forward and enjoying the present, stressing the importance of leaving the past behind and looking ahead to the future.

The chorus, "let bygones be bygones," serves as a mantra for the singer as he strives to convince his partner to forgive and forget the past. He repeats this phrase multiple times, emphasizing that dwelling on past mistakes only impedes their relationship's progress. The tone of the song is apologetic, hopeful, and tender. The singer admits his mistakes, but he also desires reconciliation and a brighter future.

Overall, "Bygones" is a song that encourages forgiveness and moving on from the past. It's a reminder that we all make mistakes, but the key to a healthy relationship is being able to forgive and let go of past hurts.

Line by Line Meaning

When will it ever end? I thought that you forgave me then
Wondering when the argument will be over since forgiveness was already given

So, why do we argue so, I want to know
Questioning the reason for current arguments

Listen, we both made some mistakes that caused our hearts to break
Acknowledging that both parties have hurt each other in the past

But we must learn to forgive and love again yeah
Encouraging forgiveness and the continuation of the relationship

There are some things I wish that I could change, oh yes I do
Admitting regrets and wanting to fix the past

But if we're going to move forward let bygones be bygones, so long
In order to progress, we must leave the past behind

I don't want to talk about it, let bygones be bygones, so long
Refusing to discuss past mistakes and moving on

Now I will be the first to say, sorry for treating you that way
Apologizing for past actions

But that was so long ago you gotta let it go, yeah yeah yeah yeah
Asking for forgiveness and urging to move forward

We should be living for today
Emphasizing the importance of focusing on the present

Can't let our past get in our way
Past mistakes should not impede progress

I don't want to talk about it let bygones be bygones, bygones, so long
Still determined not to discuss the past and move on

I don't want to talk about it let bygones be bygones, yeah yeah yeah yeah
Continuing to refuse to discuss past mistakes

can't you hear me say, so long
Saying goodbye to the past and moving on

I don't want to talk about it let bygones be bygones, so long
Finalizing the decision to leave the past behind and move on

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ANDREAO SHAUNEE HEARD, EDWARD THEODORE RILEY, JERRY BARNES, SHERROD BARNES, Andreao Heard, Teddy Riley

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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