Smooth
D’Angelo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How do you retain your cool,
Seems you love breaks all the rules,
You may think that I'm a pro,
But I can never seem to keep my control.
How can you stand to take things so slow.
Bridge
Look at you, You're so smooth,
Repeat 1 time
2nd verse
I'm so used to getting what I want
When I want it, and where I want it.
But in your field I"m inexperienced,
So inexperienced, Baby I'm delirious
Chorus
Look at you, You're so smooth.
When I'm around you, I can't keep my cool
Repeat 2 times
BridgeI can't keep my cool
When you're around, I won't be the fool
You may that I don't know
But all the things I want are in my control
The lyrics to D’Angelo’s song “Smooth” explore the idea of losing control and how it contrasts with someone who seems to effortlessly maintain their composure. The first verse poses a question to the subject of the song regarding their ability to remain calm despite their willingness to break the rules when it comes to love. The singer admits that despite being perceived as a “pro,” they struggle to maintain control. The bridge hones in on the subject’s smoothness and how the singer feels drawn to them, but can’t seem to keep their cool. The second verse speaks to the singer’s usual state of being able to have whatever they want when they want it, but how being inexperienced in the subject’s field of expertise has caused them to feel delirious. The chorus repeats the sentiment of the bridge, reinforcing how the subject’s smoothness has a profound effect on the singer.
One interpretation of the lyrics is that the singer is experiencing a sense of powerlessness when it comes to their attraction to someone who seems to have the upper hand. The repeated line “Look at you, You’re so smooth” reinforces how the subject of the song has a handle on the situation, making the singer feel out of control. Yet, the choice to repeat the line “I can’t keep my cool,” implies that there is something alluring about this lack of control that the subject of the song provides. Ultimately, the lyrics express a desire to have the same level of confidence and self-assuredness as the subject of the song, while acknowledging that this is currently unattainable for the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
How do you retain your cool,
How do you manage to stay calm and collected?
Seems you love breaks all the rules,
It appears that you enjoy breaking norms and traditions.
You may think that I'm a pro,
Perhaps you believe that I'm skilled and experienced.
But I can never seem to keep my control.
However, I always seem to lose my composure.
How can you stand to take things so slow.
How can you tolerate such a leisurely pace?
Look at you, You're so smooth,
You are incredibly composed and effortlessly suave.
When I'm around you, I can't keep my cool
Being in your presence makes me lose my composure.
I'm so used to getting what I want
I am accustomed to always getting my way.
When I want it, and where I want it.
Whenever and wherever I desire.
But in your field I'm inexperienced,
However, in your area of expertise, I lack experience.
So inexperienced, Baby I'm delirious
So inexperienced, my mind is clouded and chaotic.
Look at you, You're so smooth.
Once again, you are incredibly composed and effortlessly suave.
When I'm around you, I can't keep my cool
Being in your presence makes me lose my composure.
I can't keep my cool
I can't remain calm and collected.
When you're around, I won't be the fool
I don't want to embarrass myself in your presence.
You may that I don't know
You might believe that I'm clueless about certain things.
But all the things I want are in my control
However, I am still in command of my desires.
Writer(s): Luther Archer, Michael D'Angelo Archer
Contributed by Jason O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.