"I love that sound. I made like a country like Bluegrass type album. A lot of Beatles, a lot of English music. It’s coming, like that’s absolutely coming yeah, I love that sound."
Daniel has experimented more with this style of music, however never released it. By adding it to his third studio album, NEVER ENOUGH (Bonus Version), Daniel steps into a new realm of music.
"‘Please Do Not Lean’ represents a deeper understanding of myself and acknowledging the responsibilities I currently hold, respecting them and knowing my limits of when I can take on more. This is an introduction to the sound and tone of the next chapter in my career."
— via Complex
Please Do Not Lean
Daniel Caesar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just how long will you stand next to me?
For we both know, it's more than a load
For you to bear
It'd break my heart but I'd understand
If you'd leave me for another man
With a little less on his mind, less on his plate
Less in his brain
Please do not lean on me, I'm unstable
You're all you need, I've seen it, you're able
Please do not lean on me, I'm unstable
You're all you need, I've seen it, you're able
Sex in the air, deep in despair
Could you please act like you're unaware?
But we both know I'm just a dog
Chasin' his bone
Please understand, I'm just a man
That's nearly figured out his master plan
Just stick around and you gon' see
I'm worth every pound
Please do not lean on me, I'm unstable
You're all you need, I've seen it, you're able
Please do not lean on me, I'm unstable
You're all you need, I've seen it, you're able
The more that we both try to fight it
The harder it's gon' be
I wish that we could stand united
Instead, we're crumblin'
I know that you gon' always love me
In spite of things you've seen
In spite of things you've heard me say
No matter how obscene
If I am the sky (I am the sky, I am the sky)
You are the sea
Starin' back at me
If I am the sky (I am the sky, I am the sky)
You are the sea
Starin' back at me
If I am the sky (I am the sky, I am the sky)
You are the sea
Starin' back at me
The song "Please Do Not Lean" by Daniel Caesar and Badbadnotgood starts off with a reference to Emily, Caesar’s “bride to be”. From the outset, we can tell that the song has a serious emotional undertone. Caesar is unsure if he is capable of bearing the burden of a relationship with Emily, and it is possible that he is considering ending things between them. The lyrics hint at the fact that Emily may be better suited with someone else, someone with less on their plate, and someone who isn't as troubled. It's apparent that Caesar is going through a tumultuous phase, and he knows that Emily deserves better than an unstable partner.
The chorus contains the refrain, “Please do not lean on me, I’m unstable. You’re all you need, I’ve seen it, you’re able." These lyrics suggest that Caesar is subtly asking Emily to look for another support system – someone more capable of taking care of her needs. The verse that follows contains a reference to sex in the air, and how it’s causing despair, but Caesar feels that he is a dog chasing his bone. It's possible that the reference to sex in the air is alluding to Caesar's guilt that he may not be a good partner to Emily. He sees himself as a man who's nearly figured out his master plan but is yet to come up with a solution that benefits both him and Emily. In the end, Caesar acknowledges that Emily is the sea, and he is the sky, with both staring back at each other, but he knows that he is unable to support her.
Line by Line Meaning
Sweet Emily, my bride to be
Addressing his fiancé with affection.
Just how long will you stand next to me?
Asking how committed she is to their relationship.
For we both know, it's more than a load
Acknowledging that their relationship is not easy.
For you to bear
Recognizing that his fiancé carries a heavy load as his partner.
It'd break my heart but I'd understand
Expressing his willingness to accept if she were to leave him.
If you'd leave me for another man
Hypothetically stating the possibility of her leaving him.
With a little less on his mind, less on his plate
Specifying what her hypothetical new partner may have less of than him.
Less in his brain
Emphasizing what her hypothetical new partner may have less of than him.
Please do not lean on me, I'm unstable
Requesting that his fiancé not depend on him completely as he is not capable of complete stability.
You're all you need, I've seen it, you're able
Encouraging his fiancé to be independent, as he sees potential in her.
Sex in the air, deep in despair
Describing their relationship at a moment of passion but acknowledging underlying negative emotions.
Could you please act like you're unaware?
Asking his fiancé to ignore their problems in that particular moment.
But we both know I'm just a dog
Admitting to being flawed and not in control of their relationship.
Chasin' his bone
Suggesting that he is pursuing something out of his reach.
Please understand, I'm just a man
Clarifying that he is only human and therefore imperfect.
That's nearly figured out his master plan
Implies he has figured out a plan to improve their relationship.
Just stick around and you gon' see
Assuring that it will be worth it to stay with him.
I'm worth every pound
Metaphorical way to say he is worth the effort to be with.
The more that we both try to fight it
Acknowledging that despite their problems, they try to maintain the relationship.
The harder it's gon' be
Suggesting that trying to keep the relationship may be harder than letting it go.
I wish that we could stand united
Expressing a hope for unity in their relationship.
Instead, we're crumblin'
Conveying the current state of their relationship as crumbling apart.
I know that you gon' always love me
A reassurance to his fiancé of his faith in her love.
In spite of things you've seen
Acknowledging that his fiancé has seen the negative aspects of their relationship.
In spite of things you've heard me say
Acknowledging that he has said negative things to his fiancé.
No matter how obscene
Assuring that his love is unconditional, even in times of darkness.
If I am the sky (I am the sky, I am the sky)
Metaphorically comparing himself to the sky.
You are the sea
Metaphorically comparing his fiancé to the sea.
Starin' back at me
Emphasizing that the ocean cannot exist without the sky and vice versa.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alexander Ernewein, Alexander Sowinski, Ashton Dumar Simmonds, Chester Hansen, Jordan Evans, Leland Whitty, Matthew Raymond Burnett, Riley Bell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@yeabsiraendale6183
[Verse 1]
Sweet Emily, my bride, to be
Just how long will you stand next to me?
For we both know, it's more than a load
For you to bear
It'd break my heart but I'd understand if you'd
Leave me for another man with a little
Less on his mind, less on his plate
Less in his brain
[Chorus]
Please do not lean on me, I'm unstable
You're all you need, I've seen it, you're able
Please do not lean on me, I'm unstable
You're all you need, I've seen it, you're able
[Verse 2]
Sex in the air, deep in despair
Could you please act like you're unaware?
But we both know I'm just a dog chasin' his bone
Please understand, I'm just a man that's nearly figured out his master plan
Just stick around and you gon' see
Worth every pound
[Chorus]
Please do not lean on me, I'm unstable
You're all you need, I've seen it, you're able
Please do not lean on me, I'm unstable
You're all you need, I've seen it, you're able
[Verse 3]
The more that we both try to fight it
The harder it's gon' be
I wish that we could stand united, instead we're crumblin'
I know that you gon' always love me
In spite of things you've seen
In spite of things you've heard me say
No matter how obscene
[Outro]
If I am the sky, you are the sea
Starin' back at me
If I am the sky, you are the sea
Starin' back at me
If I am the sky, you are the sea
Starin' back at me
@ssk7669
with every track and album, he has grown. while he has taken a break, he is consistent in that he always makes masterpieces. he deserves all his flowers, he’s a genius.
@rico23rs
He had to take a break for his comments lol
@ixg1297
He’s rly good and talented but y’all throw around the word masterpiece too much lmao
@melissavergara4174
La
@chrisjoncolbert6541
@@melissavergara4174 De da
@nhwalker
@@rico23rs facts tho lol 😂
@jtrix34
Being in love with someone when you're not in love with yourself is painful experience. All you want to do is be the person that the person who loves sees in you. Daniel got me all in my feelings and I'm not okay with it.
@jtrix34
Thanks man. I'm good now. But this song was giving me flashbacks.
@PamMahlangu45
Wow this comment 😭
@LeetAn7hony
@jtrix34 I see your eyes are open also