In 1964, at the age of 11, Khan formed her first musical group, the Crystalettes. While still in high school, she joined the Afro-Arts Theater, a group which toured with Motown great Mary Wells; a few years later, she adopted the African name Chaka Khan while working on the Black Panthers' breakfast program. After quitting high school in 1969, Khan joined the group Lyfe, soon exiting to join another dance band, the Babysitters — neither was on the fast track to success, but her fortunes changed when she teamed with ex-American Breed member Kevin Murphy and Andre Fisher to form Rufus.
Debuting in 1973 with a self-titled effort on the ABC label, Rufus was among the preeminent funk groups of the decade. Distinguished by Khan's dynamic vocals, the group earned half a dozen gold or platinum albums.
While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career. Her signature hits, both with Rufus and solo, include "Tell Me Something Good", "Sweet Thing", "Ain't Nobody", "I'm Every Woman", "I Feel for You" and "Through the Fire".
Spoon
Chaka Khan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Not all that good lookin'
He's mighty sweet to me
That's how he's keepin' me
I ain't worried 'bout the future
The here and now is lookin' cuter
I like his recipe
You are just like my favorite spoon
'Cause you stir me up
I'm as full as a harvest moon
Still I need more in my cup
And only you can give it to me
Am I happy?
(I think so)
Don't be so emotional
(I can't help it, no)
Will he be there?
(I think so)
It's one thing that I do know
This I know
Everybody needs to feel it
Can't beg, borrow or steal it
Love is all about lovin'
When it's hot like an oven
I ain't worried 'bout the future
The here and now is lookin' cuter
Got plenty o' time for sortin'
'Cause Mama's little baby loves her shortnin' bread
You are just like my favorite spoon
'Cause you stir me up
I'm as full as a harvest moon
Still I need more in my cup
And only you can give it to me
The song "Spoon" by Chaka Khan is an upbeat and playful love song with double entendres that compare her lover to a spoon. She sings about how her lover may not be the most attractive person, but he makes up for it with his sweetness and his love for her. The lyrics "He's mighty sweet to me, that's how he's keepin' me" show that she is content and fulfilled with the love she is receiving from him. She is not concerned about the future and is living in the moment with him, enjoying the present. The repetition of the lines "You are just like my favorite spoon, 'cause you stir me up" signifies the pivotal role her lover plays in her life since a spoon is a necessary tool in stirring up ingredients or things.
Throughout the song, Chaka Khan expresses her love for her partner in a sensual way, using cooking and spoon metaphors. The lyrics “I got me some cookin', Not all that good lookin'" suggest that the love she is receiving from her partner is more important than external appearance or superficial things. The repetition of the phrase "I ain't worried 'bout the future, the here and now is lookin' cuter" highlights her carefree attitude towards the future and her focus on enjoying the present moment with her lover.
Overall, "Spoon" is a catchy and upbeat song that celebrates the importance of love and the small things in life that bring us joy.
Line by Line Meaning
I got me some cookin'
I have found myself a man
Not all that good lookin'
He may not be the most physically attractive but that's okay
He's mighty sweet to me
He is very kind to me
That's how he's keepin' me
His sweetness is what is keeping me interested in him
I ain't worried 'bout the future
I am not concerned with what the future holds
The here and now is lookin' cuter
I am enjoying the present and it is looking good
I like his recipe
I enjoy being with him
That's why I'm layin'
That's why I am staying with him
You are just like my favorite spoon
You are like my favorite tool because you help me mix things up
'Cause you stir me up
You excite me
I'm as full as a harvest moon
I am content with my current situation
Still I need more in my cup
However, I want more from life
And only you can give it to me
But I feel that only he can provide that for me
Am I happy?
Am I content with my life?
(I think so)
Yes, I believe that I am
Don't be so emotional
Don't be so sensitive
(I can't help it, no)
But I cannot help the way that I feel
Will he be there?
Will he be by my side?
(I think so)
Yes, I think that he will be
It's one thing that I do know
That is one thing that I am certain of
Everybody needs to feel it
Everyone needs to experience love
Can't beg, borrow or steal it
It cannot be acquired by force
Love is all about lovin'
Love is all about giving and receiving affection
When it's hot like an oven
When love is passionate
Got plenty o' time for sortin'
I have plenty of time to figure things out
'Cause Mama's little baby loves her shortnin' bread
Because I am happy with my current situation and I love my partner
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: CHAKA KHAN, HOWARD MCCREARY, ROBERT DONALD PALMER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
redfred45able
Man, this is the funkiest...don't understand why this didn't blow up...Funky Grooves forever and ever.
John Parks
It didn't get much radio play. Kinda hated that. I thought this sounded a whole lot better than what they were playing back then. Airways had no love for Chaka!!!
TheKoolkanadian
It was amazing when Ain't Nobody, then I Feel For You forced radio to re-evaluate what they were 'letting in', huh? #IFeelForYou = game changer ... period. :) ~K
TheKoolkanadian
She'd just left Warner Bros. Records after 19(?) yrs and without that kind of distribution arm, her company, EarthSong & Prince's NPG would have A LOT or work to duplicate the kind of ground Warners covered in the promotion end. The entire album is quite the opus.
Barney Brown
To me this was Chaka's greatest album. I'm so surprised so few people know about it.
Anselmo Carlos Spinelli
I love this album!
JacoZawinul
Produced by Prince.
Egon Gefferie
Good home work , ayyy the breakk.
Brian Edwards
it was released as a single Bertoboy41. more for promotion than anything else and she sang it on Chris Rock's show that he used to have on HBO!!! she was just as fierce there also!!!
Willie Alston
Prince signature is all over this track.