The three original members of Brownstone were Nicole "Nicci" Gilbert, Charmayne "Maxee" Maxwell and Monica "Mimi" Doby. The group was founded in Los Angeles after the three singers met each other after going to different auditions around the city. They formed the group, and less than a year later were signed to Michael Jackson's MJJ Music Record Label. They recorded their debut album, From the Bottom Up which spawned the hit "If You Love Me". In 1995 the band was rewarded with a Grammy nomination and a Billboard Music Award.
After extensive touring around the globe, Doby left the group after what was released in the media. In an interview with BET Video Soul host Donnie Simpson Doby cited a medical problem of bronchitis, but was later revealed to be because of internal strife with the other two members of the group[citation needed]. She was replaced by Kina Cosper and after a difficult transition period where their audience was not very receptive to the change, Brownstone had a brief showing with "5 Miles to Empty". However, the group never regained their popularity, and their subsequent albums were considered commercial failures.
Since the group broke up Nicole "Nicci" Gilbert has acted in the 1998 film Woo, staring Jada Pinkett Smith and Dave Chappelle, as well as television shows Living Single, Sister, Sister, New York Undercover, and Martin and the 2004 Tyler Perry play Meet the Browns as Aunt Vera.
I Can't Tell You Why
Brownstone Lyrics
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Up all night
Tearing the love apart
Aren't we the same two
People who lived through the years
In the dark
Oh no
Every time I try to walk away
And I can't tell you why
No baby I can't tell you why
I can't tell you why
Oh no
No baby
When we're crazy
It just ain't right
Cause baby I get lonely too
You don't have to worry
Baby hold on tight
You've got to know I'll always love you
Nothing's wrong as far as I can see
You make it harder than it has to be
And I can't tell you why
No I can't tell you why
I can't tell you why
Every time I try to walk away
Something makes me turn around and stay
It's your love
And it makes me feel real good
So I can't tell you
So I can't tell you
I can't
I can't
I can't tell you
No I can't tell you
[repeat] I can't tell you why
I love you
Love you, love you
I need your love baby
And so
Won't you help me
Won't you help me
I've gotta tell you why
I've gotta tell you why
I wanna be your only thing
I wanna be your only thing
Tell me why
Tell me why
Somebody tell me why
Somebody tell me why
Tell me why
Please tell me why
I can't tell you baby
In Brownstone's song "I Can't Tell You Why," the lyrics recount the story of a couple that has been through ups and downs in their relationships over the years. The song opens with the two of them up all night, unable to sleep because of the strife they are experiencing in their relationship. Despite the struggles they've faced, the couple seems to have a deep connection that keeps them together. Each time one of them tries to walk away, they feel something drawing them back in, unable to explain why.
The chorus of the song is particularly powerful as it expresses the couple's feelings of confusion and frustration. They can feel everything they need to say about their love for each other in their hearts, but they can't find the words to verbalize it. The singer repeatedly sings, "I can't tell you why," conveying the idea that sometimes there are no words that can fully express the depths of our emotions.
The song's bridge highlights the singer's desperation to hold onto her relationship despite the odds against her, begging her partner to help her stay together. The song is a beautiful ballad that captures the difficulties and complexities of romantic relationships, and Brownstone's soulful vocals bring the lyrics to life.
Line by Line Meaning
Look at us baby
Let's take a moment to observe ourselves as a couple.
Up all night
We spend our nights arguing over our love.
Tearing the love apart
We are destroying the very thing that brought us together, our love.
Aren't we the same two People who lived through the years In the dark
Aren't we the exact same people who have been in a toxic relationship for years without resolution?
Oh no
I am starting to realize the gravity of our situation.
Every time I try to walk away
Every time I contemplate leaving, something always draws me back in.
Something makes me turn around and stay
An emotional attachment to you always compels me to stay.
And I can't tell you why
I am confused even myself about why I seem powerless to leave you.
No baby I can't tell you why
I don't even have a compelling reason myself, so how can I tell you?
When we're crazyIt just ain't right
Our unhealthy behavior towards each other is unacceptable.
Cause baby I get lonely too
I am equally vulnerable to loneliness and the need for companionship.
You don't have to worryBaby hold on tight
I want to reassure you that I'm not going anywhere.
You've got to know I'll always love you
I hope you realize that my love for you is unconditional.
Nothing's wrong as far as I can see
I can't find any reason to justify our fragile relationship.
You make it harder than it has to be
We complicate things by constantly arguing instead of trying to be understanding and compassionate towards each other.
It's your loveAnd it makes me feel real good
I admit that your love does make me feel good, but I cannot ignore our problems either.
So I can't tell youSo I can't tell youI can'tI can'tI can't tell youNo I can't tell you[repeat] I can't tell you why
I really don't know why I cannot tell you the reason behind my constant indecision and emotional attachment to you.
I love youLove you, love youI need your love babyAnd soWon't you help me
Despite our troubles, I still love you and need your love, so please, let's work on our relationship together.
Won't you help meI've gotta tell you whyI've gotta tell you why
I need your help to find the right words to explain why I can't let go of our relationship, and why I need to make it work.
I wanna be your only thingI wanna be your only thing
I want to be the only thing that matters to you, and to have a relationship built on mutual respect, trust, and love.
Tell me whyTell me whySomebody tell me whySomebody tell me whyTell me whyPlease tell me whyI can't tell you baby
I am consumed by confusion and indecision over our relationship, and I'm uncertain if I can ever tell you why.
Lyrics © EB MUSIC SERVICES, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DON HENLEY, TIMOTHY B. SCHMIT, GLENN LEWIS FREY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind