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".
The Drama
Chaka Khan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where things become unfurled
And tethered
Like a lioness in her pride
I was gonna stay by your side
Forever
As a planet keeps her moon
And taken
And if this love can't come to pass
Then I would be alas
Forsaken
[Chorus:]
The drama of the chase
The look upon your face
Make up your mind
It would be a waste
If you didn't love me
It would be the drama of all time
If I'm not good enough for you
What else could I do?
I could change
You know, they say like wine
You get better with passin' time
How strange :.
I wish that in your eyes
You saw me like the others
See me
I could never say enough
Darlin' just how much I
Wish you'd keep me
[Chorus]
Drama, drama of all time
It's been ten long years
Since I fell in love so dear
It's got to be the drama of all time
Called you on the telephone
And wondered if you were alone
It's got to be the drama of all time
When I called you back, it was busy
What was that?
It's a drama, drama of all time
Who were you with last night?
Busy, busy, you must be busier
Than a one-legged man in a kick fight
Got to be the drama of all time
Drama, drama of all time
The song "The Drama" by Chaka Khan is about a turbulent relationship, where the singer is deeply in love with someone who is unsure about their own feelings. She compares her love to a planet and its moon, indicating that she assumes that the other person's love is a constant force in her life. The lyrics suggest that the person she loves is a bit wishy-washy, as they can't seem to make up their mind about their feelings. Despite this, the singer remains steadfast in her devotion, even suggesting that she would change herself to suit her partner better. She wishes that the other person could see her the way others do, and that they would keep her close. However, the overall mood of the song is one of sadness and heartbreak, as it seems that her intense feelings are unrequited.
The chorus of the song underscores this feeling, as Khan sings about the drama of the chase and the look on her partner's face. She pleads with them to make up their mind, as it would be a waste if they didn't love her. The drama, she suggests, would be the worst thing of all time. The lyrics in the second verse underline the futility of the singer's situation, as she suggests that she has been in love with the same person for ten years, but they still can't seem to make a decision about their future together. The final lines of the song suggest that the singer suspects her partner of being unfaithful, as she calls them and only gets a busy signal. The drama, she says, is the worst she's ever experienced.
Overall, the song is a poignant exploration of the agony of being in love with someone who isn't sure about their feelings for you. It's a painful reminder that sometimes, despite our best efforts, we're simply not meant to be with the people we love.
Line by Line Meaning
In this ever-changing world
The world is always changing and unpredictable.
Where things become unfurled
Things can unravel and become chaotic.
And tethered
Yet despite the chaos, we are still bound to things and people.
Like a lioness in her pride
I am like a strong and proud lioness.
I was gonna stay by your side
I had planned to remain loyal to you.
Forever
For all eternity.
As a planet keeps her moon
I thought our love was as strong and constant as the gravitational pull between a planet and its moon.
Your love I had assumed
I had taken for granted that you loved me.
And taken
I had believed that your love was mine to keep.
And if this love can't come to pass
But if our love cannot thrive and succeed…
Then I would be alas
Then I would be heartbroken and regretful.
Forsaken
Completely abandoned and alone.
The drama of the chase
The emotional ups and downs of pursuing someone.
The look upon your face
The expression on your face when you're unsure.
Make up your mind
Please decide firmly and confidently.
It would be a waste
It would be disappointing and a loss.
If you didn't love me
If you didn't have romantic feelings for me.
It would be the drama of all time
It would be the most intense and dramatic situation.
If I'm not good enough for you
If I don't meet your expectations or needs…
What else could I do?
What actions or changes should I make?
I could change
Perhaps I could improve myself.
You know, they say like wine
People often say that age makes things better.
You get better with passin' time
In fact, aging improves and refines things.
How strange
It's an odd phenomenon.
I wish that in your eyes
I hope that you see me as…
You saw me like the others
… others see me with value and worth.
See me
Recognize me for who I truly am.
I could never say enough
I cannot express in words how strongly I feel…
Darlin' just how much I
… and how much I truly need you.
Wish you'd keep me
I wish you would hold onto me tightly.
It's been ten long years
It has been a decade since…
Since I fell in love so dear
… I fell deeply in love.
Called you on the telephone
I dialed your number.
And wondered if you were alone
And I hoped that you were not with anyone else.
When I called you back, it was busy
When I attempted to call again, there was no answer.
What was that?
What is the reason for the lack of response?
Who were you with last night?
Who were you spending time with the previous evening?
Busy, busy, you must be busier
It seems that you are always occupied and unavailable.
Than a one-legged man in a kick fight
You must be busier than someone who is handicapped in a fight.
Got to be the drama of all time
This must be the most dramatic and emotional situation.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Spider2099Wireless
In this ever-changing world
Where things become unfurled
And tethered
Like a lioness in her pride
I was gonna stay by your side
Forever
As a planet keeps her moon
Your love I had assumed
And taken
And if this love can't come to pass
Then I would be alas
Forsaken
The drama of the chase
The look upon your face
Make up your mind
It would be a waste
If you didn't love me
It would be the drama of all time
If I'm not good enough for you
What else could I do?
I could change
You know, they say like wine
You get better with passin' time
How strange ?.
I wish that in your eyes
You saw me like the others
See me
I could never say enough
Darlin' just how much I
Wish you'd keep me
Drama, the drama of all time
It's been ten long years
Since I fell in love so dear
It's got to be the drama of all time
Called you on the telephone
And wondered if you were alone
It's got to be the drama of all time
When I called you back, it was busy
What was that?
It's a drama, drama of all time
Who were you with last night?
Busy, busy, you must be busier
Than a one-legged man in a kick fight
Got to be the drama of all time
Drama, drama of all time
EmDilla
BEST SONG ON THE ALBUM!!!! Had it on repeat for a month when it came out! Lol.
Hamid X
Indeed!!!.....
Darrell Baker
What album is this on?
L B
I have been a Chaka Khan fan going back to her RUFUS days....HOW DID I MISS THIS SONG?????
E and E with S
It’s on the Come to my house album She said she is gonna re-release it hopefully SOON ☺️
Spider2099Wireless
In this ever-changing world
Where things become unfurled
And tethered
Like a lioness in her pride
I was gonna stay by your side
Forever
As a planet keeps her moon
Your love I had assumed
And taken
And if this love can't come to pass
Then I would be alas
Forsaken
The drama of the chase
The look upon your face
Make up your mind
It would be a waste
If you didn't love me
It would be the drama of all time
If I'm not good enough for you
What else could I do?
I could change
You know, they say like wine
You get better with passin' time
How strange ?.
I wish that in your eyes
You saw me like the others
See me
I could never say enough
Darlin' just how much I
Wish you'd keep me
Drama, the drama of all time
It's been ten long years
Since I fell in love so dear
It's got to be the drama of all time
Called you on the telephone
And wondered if you were alone
It's got to be the drama of all time
When I called you back, it was busy
What was that?
It's a drama, drama of all time
Who were you with last night?
Busy, busy, you must be busier
Than a one-legged man in a kick fight
Got to be the drama of all time
Drama, drama of all time
ROCKNROLLFAN
Prince did a excellent job producing this song......
King Tutt
Prince didn't produce this song. The song was produced by Kirk Johnson.
ROCKNROLLFAN
there should have been a music video for this song, it's so good.....
Jah La Dream
It is beautiful!
An instrumental it should be. I have loved Chaka ALL my life. Every time I'd buy her music, somebody in my house when I was a little girl; and in my car when I started driving, would steal it. Family and friends. Smh!
True story.