I Did It For Love
BoA Ft. Sean Garrett Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I did it for love.
I did it for love.
I did it for love.
I did it for love.

What's hard for me,
I saw your game, but yet, and still you got me,
You touched the deepest part of me,

You got my heart, it's jumpin'.
I told you all of my secrets, didn't see betrayal,
One year, two months, and now it's over,
Didn't think we'd fail.

Lovin' you is causin' me to change,
And it hurts so bad, it don't feel the same.
And now my friends are askin' me what did I do,
I done hurt myself over loving you.

I, I, I, I, did it, did it, did it for love.
I, I, I, I, did it, did it, did it for love.
I, I, I, I, did it, did it, did it for love.
I, I, I, I, did it, did it, did it for love.

I know that I did you wrong.
Please forgive me, baby girl, I'm sorry.
You know that you did me wrong.
Why you cryin', baby girl, I'm sorry.
I know that I did you wrong.
Heaven knows I don't mean to hurt nobody.
You know that you did me wrong.
Let me take this time to say I'm sorry.

Lovin' you is causin' me to change,
And it hurts so bad, it don't feel the same.
And now my friends are askin' me what did I do,
I done hurt myself over loving you.
Oh, I

I, I, I, I, did it, did it, did it for love.
I, I, I, I, did it, did it, did it for love.
I, I, I, I, did it, did it, did it for love.
I, I, I, I, did it, did it, did it for love.

I had some intentions, baby, but not on hurting you.
(I I I)I wanna make it up to you.
Did you see it in my heart?
I can't trust it anymore.
(I I I)I wanna make it up to you.
(I I I)I wanna make it up to you.
Did you see it in my heart?
I can't trust it anymore.

I, I, I, I, did it, did it, did it for love.
I, I, I, I, did it, did it, did it for love.
I, I, I, I, did it, did it, did it for love.
I, I, I, I, did it, did it, did it for love.

I, I, I, I, did it, did it, did it for love.
I, I, I, I, did it, did it, did it for love.
I, I, I, I, did it, did it, did it for love.
I, I, I, I, did it, did it, did it for love.

Did it for love
Did it for love

Did it for love
Did it, did it, did it for love

Overall Meaning

In BoA Ft. Sean Garrett's song "I Did It For Love," the lyrics talk about a relationship that had gone sour. At the beginning of the song, BoA expresses that she had done everything for love, but it had brought her pain instead. She had fallen hard for someone who had deceived her despite unveiling all her vulnerabilities to him. She acknowledges that loving someone has made her change, and it hurts so bad that the love does not feel the same anymore. Her friends start asking her what she did, but she can only respond that she hurt herself by loving him.

The chorus repeats several times with a much more profound meaning in each repetition. The second verse sees Sean Garrett apologizing to BoA that he knows he did her wrong, just as she did. He shows unbearable remorse for crying and hurting her, and he says he doesn't mean to hurt anyone even though that seems to be the situation. He wants to correct his mistakes and make amends, but after all the damage, he doesn't trust himself anymore.

In summary, the song's lyrics talk about two lovers who can't sustain a healthy relationship despite doing everything for love. They recognize that they have hurt each other and want to make amends, but trust issues and the pain of failed love make it hard for them to do so.

Line by Line Meaning

I did it for love.
The actions I took were motivated by my love for you.

I know that I did you wrong. Please forgive me, baby girl, I'm sorry. You know that you did me wrong. Why you cryin', baby girl, I'm sorry. I know that I did you wrong. Heaven knows I don't mean to hurt nobody. You know that you did me wrong. Let me take this time to say I'm sorry.
We have both hurt each other and I apologize for my part in it.

What's hard for me, I saw your game, but yet, and still you got me, You touched the deepest part of me, You got my heart, it's jumpin'. I told you all of my secrets, didn't see betrayal, One year, two months, and now it's over, Didn't think we'd fail.
Despite seeing through your actions, you still managed to break through my barriers and deeply touch me. I trusted you with my secrets and was surprised by the end of our relationship.

Lovin' you is causin' me to change, And it hurts so bad, it don't feel the same. And now my friends are askin' me what did I do, I done hurt myself over loving you.
My love for you has caused me to change, and not in a good way. It's hurting me and my loved ones are seeing it.

I had some intentions, baby, but not on hurting you. (I I I)I wanna make it up to you. Did you see it in my heart? I can't trust it anymore. (I I I)I wanna make it up to you. (I I I)I wanna make it up to you. Did you see it in my heart? I can't trust it anymore.
My intentions were not to hurt you, and I want to make it up to you. However, my heart has been broken and I'm not sure if I can trust myself or anyone else.

I, I, I, I, did it, did it, did it for love. I, I, I, I, did it, did it, did it for love. I, I, I, I, did it, did it, did it for love. I, I, I, I, did it, did it, did it for love.
I want to emphasize that everything I did, I did it for love.

Did it for love Did it for love Did it for love Did it, did it, did it for love
I did everything with the intention of showing my love for you.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SEAN GARRETT, MATTHEW IRBY, MELVIN K. WATSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@Aja-Christian

4y↑413

I'm so sorry American audiences weren't ready for the genius that is The Queen of K-Pop.

@Kiwcha

3y↑18

This song has been with me forever im just now finding out that she is the Queen of KPop. This is equivalent to not hearing from a homie in a long time and u see them doing extremely well. I was wonder why she wasn't big over here this song video its all here. Knew bou this song when it first came out haven't stop listening. Sorry I have no friends to Boa out with lol

@williamsturgell3776

3y↑4

Love Boa ! Corpus Christi, Texas.

@stephenheart1916

3y↑8

She really was the blueprint.

@BBarNavi

3y↑3

You mean the Creator Goddess.

@1718Dance

2y↑5

Preach they weren’t ready for snsd either

15 More Replies...

@ARMORXV

8y↑438

After all these years, the choreo STILL blows my mind. The cane, the cane trick with the chair, the chair choreo, and ESPECIALLY the fans!!!!

@memelord8808

7y↑13

it kind of reminds me of Britney Spears- Stronger

@eps3154

6y↑5

The choreography/MV is this really bizarre rehash of Britney, Janet Jackson, and TLC... The hair and make up is all wrong for her face. Also, she has such a good voice -- even if it was the trend at the time the music and autotune is pretty awful. I honestly don't think she was marketed right here.

@didacus3461

6y↑6

@Elle P the dancing was definitely not a rehash of anything Britney. Michael was her idol (hence the hat pose) & artists have been dancing with chairs & canes since the musicals in the 40's

@LunaAmour

4y↑4

memelord That might be because the vid and Britney’s “Stronger” were directed by the same person, Joseph Kahn.

@TheoRae8289

@EPS Hello from 2023! Check out some of Aaliyah's biggest videos. I think she used the same choreographer.

@SarahKimbts

8y↑785

Man it's such a shame that BoA's American debut totally flopped. She worked so hard and didn't get even 1% of the recognition she deserved.

@bigpynk

8y↑77

flopped? She got up to no.9 on the charts and was all over TV. I wouldn't exactly call that a flop.

@CLee-wn7bz

8y↑30

one of the most prejudiced people American people, the number of foreign books Americans read a year or the number of foreign movies Americans see a year is close to zero

@meyshen4782

8y↑6

compares to other american singers, she still has a long long long way to go. starting with her voice.

@KiNgJoKeRSiNgH

7y↑14

eccentric4u if the album was anything like this song... it was in trouble then. korean and Japanese boa clearly is a legend. she should try making a come back again she is so talented!!

@KiNgJoKeRSiNgH

7y↑15

The One and Only I would her album was nothing compared to all the new upcoming artists of that generations and the veterans. BOA is a veteran but a rookie in american pop music the album failed to leave a mark or recognition for her to american audience.

26 More Replies...

@chaela140

2y↑45

I found her when I was 14 and I was obsessed with K-Pop. I’m 25 now and it sucks people in the US didn’t get to collectively experience her.. but I’m glad I did 😌

@AsanpiCh

8y↑214

Honestly, I don't really mind the auto-tuning, since it seems more "styled to the song" than "making your voice sound better." BOA's unedited voice is amazing, as many of us probably agree. I think since this is such a techno-y song, she had a techno-y voice to accompany it.

@idolshe

8y↑12

I'm pretty sure it was auto-tuned a great deal to edit out her accent as well.

@Chino-Kafu

It was voice sythenized

@rikoshi1

10y↑295

Really wish, she would have gained popularity in US. Be nice to see a semi normal pop star for once.

@didacus3461

6y↑2

Lol EXACTLY

@AmazingAutist

4y↑3

"Normal" pop star?

@koriandr22

3y↑42

I was obsessed with her English album. The dance, the beat ugh all of it was so good.
Really should’ve been more famous in the US considering this was the exact same type of music that was popular at the time.

@TumiYukii

4y↑23

this should've been way bigger. Utada and BoA deserved HUGE success, they're goddesses in Asia. america is so close minded when it comes to music, but their labels should've marketed them harder here

@hurricanevenuss6045

6y↑86

years later and I still cant believe people payed this (and her entire English album) TO DUST. the choreo, the song, this look in the vid, everything is perfect. and yet, no recognition at all. damn shame.

@hurricanevenuss6045

5y↑7

You know a year ago I was tight abt this and a year later I still am.

@hit8000

5y↑3

@hurricanevenuss i agree with you. This should've blown up

@jeffreyconnor9441

4y↑4

I got the deluxe edition of this album and it's straight fire

@veganprincess666

4y↑1

It's because she's Asian, if she was an American girl , with those skills she would have been no.1 , sadly she's not as big as I would love her to be :/

@AmazingAutist

4y↑4

I just come across this literally a couple days ago. If this were her debut song, I can kind of see how people could be unimpressed without seeing the music video. The choreographer free is mind-blowing, but if you're hearing this on the radio as you're driving to work one day you're not going to be that impressed. Now the music video? H O L Y S H I T, f l a m e s. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

@stephenheart1916

3y↑22

The freaking fan choreography. What an icon. We weren't ready for her :(

@ilikepieyes1

2y↑16

I cannot believe she was so slept on. She could’ve RUN the American pop industry

@andreamoscoso4065

8y↑84

She should have definitely made it here in the US. Forever a fan

@TheSupremacy6148

8y↑8

the US would ruin her. US is looking for an image not talent, which is sad.

@Ireland511

14y↑8

BoA is absolute poetry in motion! Her style is cutting edge but fluid and graceful at the same time. She moves her body like she was born to dance. What an extraordinary talent! Next to MJ, she is the best dancer I have ever seen. The level of her skill is so high, she put all the other background dancers in this video to shame. BoA is also a gifted singer. I am in awe and I hope she makes another album here in the US soon.

@ronche8121

8y↑103

That lean with the cane in the end though

@SarukeXTv

2y↑2

The vibe of music at these times were the best growing up on it man I’m in 2022 bout to be 2023 and this song still goes hard

@ClintonJRTR

9y↑177

the choreography is soooo fucking sick omg...especially the cane stuff

@ClintonJRTR

8y↑2

+TheMichikoMalandro yeah I don't get it either shes quite talented indeed but the American market isn't easy for international acts. but I think she does have a following here in the Asian community

@whyyoutrippindeebo3514

8y↑4

The paper fans did it for me, and the rain part. Dope.

@wolfyenriquez9504

7y↑5

I guess she is not as talent as American pop singers thanks to racism, she doesn't show skin as American female singers do, and her songs doesn't talk about sex.

@delandpete

8y↑34

Just heard this song on Pandora on my kpop channel. Had to come see the vid. ABSOLUTELY BLOWN AWAY. Fantastic video. Choreo in this is so tight, so sick. Great video effects. Awesome song. How is she not more famous? There have been one hit wonders in the US that are FAR worse than this song!!! SEPT 2016!!! How did I not know? Glad I found this today!!!

@sixguns

8y↑107

Damn-the Choreographer did their homework

@jameshiaconcrete3968

Obviously

@bc96905

4y↑29

I remember finding this on MusicChoice on OnDemand and was so obsessed with it, I learned the whole choreography. I’m 23 now and still know it lol

@squeallymaniac

3y↑1

Omg literally me (even the age)

@MultiKev123

omgggg same

@aminajennings760

6y↑12

This lil black girl here is still bumping this in 2018 ! Love me some BOA !! This choreo is everything !!!!! And the song....Issa bop okayyy. 💙💙💙💙

@josh2263

3y↑17

When she pulled out the fan and did the fan choreography, careers ended. BoA is THAT girl. Don't ever get it confused. Still reigning.

@spaingirl87

That was always my favorite part

@wapd_ssl

4y↑22

I went down into a rabbit hole during the quarantine and landed here. Who else's here?

@BlazinNSoul

4y↑1

Rabbit Hole goes far and deep my friend I'm still stuck in it lol. 😷

@yuhmentos2803

3y↑2

@BlazinNSoul same 2021

@Bloooooooooopp

me in 2021

@cinnamonchic22

8y↑48

I miss this era 😞

@weirdchick216

10y↑43

I bought this and played the hell out of this album.

@darylrichardson1591

8y↑26

i'm just discovering BOA now and i'm so glad..she is so talented and beautiful

@rayevans3071

9y↑44

The fan part and the solo scene kick in the rain was hot

@FenikMori

3y↑7

I grew up listening to this song in my moms car all the time but I never knew the artist. I just remembered this song and I'm so happy I found the artist.

@haha22350

awwww

@satsujinxtenryu

14y↑17

I don't think she looks old, I don't think she's a sell-out. I believe she's an artist that's willing to take on a new perspective with her medium and that she is willing to give anything a shot. I admire how she is willing to experiment and not try to please every single fan out there. Can't win'em all.

@velvet8859

4y↑8

forever iconic. can't believe people are sleeping on this

@iluvaznstuff

9y↑25

dayum the choreo was sick in this from cane to chair to hat and to fans! :D BoA is <3

@zaneel9962

2y↑3

She is still doing her thing too. This Queen rocks so hard! She is legendary.

@maxinekanner5434

46w↑1

This and Energetic should have been huge hits in the US

@user-rl4tz2gz4z

15w

I still listen to BoA. I love her music. I'm American and love listening to her music so much.

@xavibabys

3y↑7

one of her best songs to date

@engemini3989

9y↑14

I'm speechless. ..it was THAT great

@LovingSoul61

7y↑13

Found her when I was in middle school damn the nostalgia. This song just randomly came back into my head

@iceecrystal09

8y↑12

The real queen of kpop. She is one of the most influential kpop artist in the world! She needs to make a comeback soon.

@TrueFan4EverBACK

13y↑1

Still the best dance video I have seen! I've seen her live in the US and she would be amazing for award shows! Her dancing is incredible!!

@nathanboyer7739

1y↑1

I will always remember BoA performing live for American audiences LIVE on YouTube and dancing/singing her heart out for us and I even got my wish to have Energy as a single. Loved that song, wish BoA got more turntable time at the dance clubs!!

@milimilii1751

3y↑6

BOA PAVED THE WAY BISHES

@obliviouscandybar

13y↑1

I think what I enjoy the most about Korean singers is the dancing. I'm always impressed with the steps they memorize. <3 BOA.

@saralectric

14y↑4

I LOVE her tribute to MJ. Can I just say that when it comes to dancing, she is every bit as talented as MJ was and I wish the world would notice that. IMO, she can outdance *any* current American pop star.

@Sakkime840

3y↑7

This song still plays on the kpop station at my job! I love it

@majandess

5y↑1

BoA - You were ahead of the times. I absolutely love this album, but the US wasn't ready for you.

@kuethao2372

9y↑13

Love her dances! I'm jealous!

@AlizMari23

Still loving this song (and album) in 2023. By far her best dancing in any of her videos (in my opinion).

@Lazan89

12y↑1

Still can't believe how good a dancer she is....I've always just heard of her slow music over the years...GOOD JOB B.O.A!!!

@HellaKatty

8y↑2

Why this song isn't on Spotify is beyond me. It's so good, and has that timbaland sound to it. #throwback!

@Aquarian231990

8y↑18

listening in 2016 and beyond love it

@Bubblegumzpopz

14y↑1

BOA's dancing, outfits, and even her voice are all spectacular!!

@ChibiKawaii3

13y↑1

I have loved BoA for everrrr. And I remember when I was at home ( I live in the US) and this video came on TV I jumped like, 10 feet in the air with exciment! She definitely needs more credit in the US.

@Vitressountien

13y↑1

I always love it when they sing and dance in that simulated rain/flood...love the splashes!!!

@dd1ee2vv3oo4nn5

12y

No one in this music industry is that pure. Everybody has skeletons in there closet and under there bed and if you think differently than you probably live in a fantasy world.

@remyc29

11w↑1

I am getting some serious (this is probably too old for most people reading this) Paula Abdul vibes from this choreography. She was the dance queen of the 80s and early 90s. BoA is such a goddess and I can see her paying a little homage to another strong dancing woman.

@xxGwynLovesYouxx

9y↑9

I remember for years i thought she was Japanese and I followed her for a bulk of childhood and she inspired me to dance. Now i'm an avid fan of Kpop. Thank you my awesome gateway queen!

@jummpingboasince0741

YEEE.... She is Korean... She sings in Korean, Japanese, Chinese & English.

@GardenhoesATL

13y

idk y ppl dont like this i love it ppl just connect to the lyrics and love the beat dance in the dark to this song.give it a chance.

@ohmsmichelle

12y

:44. . Girl can dance. So glad i found her! Why isnt she famous in the US yet?!

@TheMariposaloca

14y

The dance sequence with the fans is awesome!

@juzzbee929

3y↑1

The US wasn't ready for BoA.

@Immortalluv96

10y↑37

In this video she reminds Me of an Asian Janet Jackson

@dirtyjawa8353

10y↑7

Did the MJ kick give it off? :P

Also I get a girl version of Ne-yo kinda vibe, i guess

@JanuaryPunchofficial

11y↑1

I love how stylized K Pop videos are. Boa is one of my favorite K Pop artists and I love watching all of her videos!

@hottielattie

14y

wow this girl can DANCE!!!!!!!! i'm not korean but i can see that by far she is best dancer i've seen ever. i live in the u.s.a. and not yet has i seen a great GIRL dancer like her. WOW!

@Shaheen164

16w↑2

I bet if she came back to the US today she'd be HUGE now that the KPOP market is major here

@MaskedViolinist07

12y

The dancing here is ridiculously amazing! BOA has unbelievable talent both vocally and artistically!

@KXV237

8y↑7

Still listening to this in 2016!

@Ireland511

14y↑2

When I look at BoA, I don't see an Asian. I see a beautiful, supremely talented human being. If anybody can break through the barrier, she can. BoA has all the rare elements found in superstardom. Her charisma and energy are almost electric, and she moves her body like she was born to dance. She flows effortlessly from one move into the next. Given the proper exposure to all the right people, she has the potential to go supernova.

@narutofoxpuppy

14y

Boa doesn't get the credit she deserves. She needs to get advertised more be heard on the radio. Cause honestly people like this type of music.

@Minx81

12y

Love her dancing. No one dances like this here in America anymore. Real talk, if u want to see dancing like this, check out korean and japanese pop/hip hop artists and groups.

@chowda121

14y

b.o.a.'s dancing is CRAZY! my friends and i have tried learning it, but its sooooo hard! love her :)

@graysongore7322

This woman deserves more.

@skamzkistroomzi3862

5y↑5

She looks way younger :o
2019 she's growing. Pray for BoA

@adriarose778

This is brilliant, creative, and captivating! This is what music and dance choreography should be! BOA started a a whole new trend in incorporating grace, allure, and resolve in her music videos and performances. The US music industries should really look for more artists like her. I'm not impressed at all with today's music videos that come off as risque, undignified, and abominable.

@dxu6569

13y↑1

I love how she just randomly pull out the fans from nowhere

@dd1ee2vv3oo4nn5

12y

Lastly Americans stop complaining about the negative comments people write about our artist because we know that the majority of what we see from other nations musically originated from the United States. Our music is not as creative as it used to be but R&B, hiphop, rock and most of pop all came from America so to me when I see these videos it is a compliment to what we created. Its just the world showing us love. Hi haters

@myfriendisaac

24w↑1

She DID IT alright 💣🔥💯

@sooksNJ

13y

She is killing it, she has her dancers looking sluggish. the fact that she isn't bigger in the U.S. is a damn shame

@dominiclombardi5305

3y↑7

It saddens me she couldn't break out into the American market. I listened this album to death!

@DegrassiInstantStar

14y

I have to give her props, she's an insane dancer.

@xxAnna808xx

14y↑1

Shes the best singer I've ever known. I mean, she can and have sang a lot of songs in many interesting languages. Like English, Korean, and Japanese. I'm a BIG fan and I really love her music. I think she deserves to have more fans because shes really amazing.

@sedusa.x

6y↑1

I genuinely hope she doesn't give up trying to be the "Best of America" too! I'm reeeeeeally looking for more from her

@dannywizz

14y

Don't forget this is a very good song. I listen to it all the time.

@bigbangfreakz

11y

dude... those dance moves are sick!!!!!

@loviesanders7563

8y↑9

BoA is a fuckin legend

@mizuxsion

14y

Damn, BoA is ridiculously AMAZING when she DANCES.

@BizarreAndrogynous

12y

I feel that way sometimes too. I am an American and I adore all kinds of foreign musicians but we do also have great American musicians as well that people often fail to take account for. :/

@jonnybryce

This is the best dance music video I've ever seen from the fan to the cane to her dancing like a crazy person

@navyluvr08

14y

i luv the way they put the dancing in this!

@RainaTB

13y

The back up dancer lost and earring!!! :) Professional to keep going!

@MariaRodriguez-vf1sj

3y↑4

Who is watching this 2020, 2021?????

@Deeviiouss

@zpinkieisback

14y

she reminds me so much of janet jackson! she's going to do so well on US charts! can't wait <3

@Sapphiirex

14y

her dancing skills are amazing and so is this video =)

@Skylance87

Man i cant believe this didnt just take off back then. I got hooked on BoA off these and kept up with her for a good while. Re-discovering these songs I don't get why they didn't get huge

@Goldblood0

14y

She makes it look so easy, damn BoA I love love the dance move.

@auraoptics

This was the banger and l loved the MJ references in the choreography

@jonnybryce

9y↑157

Such an amazing dancer these pop girls in America today are so lazy

@riceman3221

8y↑5

Lol true

@angelofpurity1992

8y↑10

They're lazy because they don't dance???

@robertsrashad

14y

I've been a BoA fan since 04' and that's NEVER going to change. She's a hardworking genius, just like Michael Jackson. She's always so tired during interviews, live shows, etc. Have you critizing people seen her vids when she's like 12 and she's dancing, having voice lessons and learning Japanese almost all at the same time? She's earned the right to do whatever she wants with HER music, period!