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".
Sweet Thing
Chaka Khan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Even if you cannot stay
I think you are the one for me
Here is where you ought to be
I just want to satisfy you
Though you're not mine
I can't deny you
Don't you hear me talking baby?
Oh sweet thing
Don't you know you're my everything?
Oh sweet thing
Don't you know you're my everything?
Yes, you are
I wish you were my lover
But you act so undercover
To love you child my whole life long
Be it right, or be it wrong
I'm only what you make me, baby
Don't walk away, don't be so shady
Don't want your mind, don't want your money
These words I say, they may sound funny, but
Oh sweet thing
Don't you know you're my everything?
Oh sweet thing
Don't you know you're my everything?
Yes, you are, yes you are
You are my heat
You are my fire
You make me weak with strong desire
To love you child my whole life long
Be it right, or be it wrong
I just want to satisfy you
Though you're not mine
I can't deny you
Don't you hear me talking baby
Love me now or I'll go crazy
You're the heat, you are the fire
You're not mine, I can't deny ya
Don't you hear me talking, baby?
Love me now, or I'll go crazy
You're the heat, you are the fire
You're not mine, I can't deny ya
Don't you hear me talking, baby?
Love me now, or I'll go crazy
You're the heat, you are the fire
You're not mine, I can't deny ya
Don't you hear me talking, baby?
Love me now, or I'll go crazy
You're the heat, you are the fire
You're not mine, I can't deny ya
Don't you hear me talking, baby?
Love me now
The lyrics to Chaka Khan's "Sweet Thing" express a bittersweet sentiment of loving someone who cannot be fully had. She knows that the one she loves might not stay, but she loves them anyway. She expresses her desire to satisfy them and how they are everything to her. She wishes that they were her lover, but they act undercover, making her unsure of their feelings towards her. Despite this, she is willing to love them for her whole life, even if it's right or wrong. The lyrics convey a sense of desperation in her pleading for them to love her now before she goes crazy.
Furthermore, the repetition of "sweet thing" throughout the song emphasizes the singer's intense feeling of affection for the person she loves. There is an undeniable passion and desire in the lyrics, as well as a sense of sadness and longing. The singer knows that they cannot have what they want, but they cannot help their feelings. The lyrics showcase the complexities of love and the pain that sometimes comes with it.
Overall, "Sweet Thing" is a powerful love ballad that captures the pain, passion, and longing that often comes with falling in love with someone who cannot be fully had.
Line by Line Meaning
I will love you anyway
I will continue to love you despite the fact that our relationship may not last
Even if you cannot stay
Even if you can’t be with me for long, I’ll still love you
I think you are the one for me
I believe that you are my soulmate
Here is where you ought to be
You belong with me and nowhere else
I just want to satisfy you
All I want is to make you happy
Though you're not mine
Even though we’re not in a committed relationship
I can't deny you
I can’t ignore my feelings for you
Don't you hear me talking baby?
Are you listening to what I’m saying, my love?
Love me now or I'll go crazy
Please love me now or I’ll lose my mind
Oh sweet thing
My darling
Don't you know you're my everything?
Don’t you realize how important you are to me?
Yes, you are
You certainly are everything to me
I wish you were my lover
I would love it if we were in a romantic relationship
But you act so undercover
You’re very closed off and secretive
To love you child my whole life long
I will love you for the rest of my life
Be it right, or be it wrong
Whether it’s the right thing or not, I’ll love you
I'm only what you make me, baby
I’ll be whatever you need me to be, my love
Don't walk away, don't be so shady
Please don’t leave me and be honest with me
Don't want your mind, don't want your money
I don’t care about your wealth or intellect
These words I say, they may sound funny, but
These words might sound strange, but they come from my heart
You are my heat
You ignite passion in me
You are my fire
You create intense desire within me
You make me weak with strong desire
Your presence makes me feel both vulnerable and passionate
You're the heat, you are the fire
You are the source of my passion and desire
You're not mine, I can't deny ya
Even though we’re not together, I can’t help but be drawn to you
Love me now, or I'll go crazy
Please love me now or I’ll lose my mind
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Chaka Khan, Tony Maiden
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@papapapapauu
I will love you anyway
Even if you cannot stay
I think you are the one for me
Here is where you ought to be
I just want to satisfy you
Though you're not mine
I can't deny you
Don't you hear me talking baby?
Love me now or I'll go crazy
Oh sweet thing
Don't you know you're my everything?
Oh sweet thing
Don't you know you're my everything?
Yes, you are
I wish you were my lover
But you act so undercover
To love you child my whole life long
Be it right, or be it wrong
I'm only what you make me, baby
Don't walk away, don't be so shady
Don't want your mind, don't want your money
These words I say, they may sound funny, but
Oh sweet thing
Don't you know you're my everything?
Oh sweet thing
Don't you know you're my everything?
Yes, you are, yes you are
You are my heat
You are my fire
You make me weak with strong desire
To love you child my whole life long
Be it right, or be it wrong
I just want to satisfy you
Though you're not mine
I can't deny you
Don't you hear me talking baby
Love me now or I'll go crazy
You're the heat, you are the fire
You're not mine, I can't deny ya
Don't you hear me talking, baby?
Love me now, or I'll go crazy
You're the heat, you are the fire
You're not mine, I can't deny ya
Don't you hear me talking, baby?
Love me now, or I'll go crazy
You're the heat, you are the fire
You're not mine, I can't deny ya
Don't you hear me talking, baby?
Love me now, or I'll go crazy
You're the heat, you are the fire
You're not mine, I can't deny ya
Don't you hear me talking, baby?
Love me now
@ericengbloom3857
I never knew about this
Song, just found it!
I've been A fan since the 70s! ....
I'm a disabled vet your BEAUTY AND THAT ANGELIC VOICE TAKES ME TO PLACES VERY FEW CAN !
OH, YOU CAN MAKE NE FLOAT N DREAM,
NOT FEEL THE PAIN!
NOT THE DEPRESSION
NOT THE WILL TO NOT TO WANT TO LIVE ANY LONGER, YOU STEVIE,
GLADYS, MARVIN, MJ,
PRINCE, DIANA,
NATALIE, VANESSA,
ITS SO HARD MINUTE BY MINUTE ; HOUR BY HOUR; day by day!
People cann't compute!
Your beautiful voice and face is like turning a page, opening a window, making up up and past that horizon!
It's just like after you've prayed and really felt really good afterwards!
@TiasEmporium
Who else is here grooving to this classic in 2024? 🎉😊❤ I send this to the love of my life and so should you 😍👌💯❤️❤️❤️👑
@1939frankmills
We’re here 🤞🏽2024 +
@Twonineeighteight
Me
@djaspire9035
my wife brought me here, we here in the kitchen grooving :)
@legreatness7642
I love being black.
@jesseramos9091
Tahn Ture I Love me some Black loving, Brenda but you asked
@nynurse2
Tahn Ture well, Im not Black and I have loved Rufus and Chaka forever! And tons of black artists over the years!.. Since I was a teen..
@sadiesiren7333
We alpha I love my black skin ❤️❤️❤️❤️
@lisabartholomew105
I'm not black, Tahn, but Chaka has been in my heart and soul for 40 years. God bless you.
@rudyortiz4946
u got the best comment for the rest of 2018