Poison
Down & Dirty Lyrics


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It was summer
When I met you
But she was the one I was chasing
That mid August heat
And the sweet way
That you tasted
Boy three years ago
If I'd only know
How much of my black self I hated
Boy three years ago
If I'd only know
How much of my black self I hated

Let me just apologize
For everything I'm not
Let's just watch the sunrise

Let me just apologize
For everything I'm not
Let's just watch the sunrise

Hold me tight while I
I fade out like the dark
Oh I wonder
Now that I lost you
Lost myself in the hell of a daydream
Those long empty nights
She's so mean
Can you save me?
Boy three years ago
If I'd only know
How much of my black self I hated
Yeah three years ago
If I'd only know
How much of my soul she'd be taking

Let me just apologize
For everything I'm not
Let's just watch the sunrise

Let me just apologize




For everything I'm not
Let's just watch the sunrise

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Poison" by Down & Dirty reflect the regrets and self-loathing of the singer who, three years ago, was chasing after someone who didn't reciprocate their feelings while ignoring someone who did. The singer realizes that back then, they didn't appreciate their own worth and instead tried to change themselves in order to be accepted by someone else. The line "How much of my black self I hated" can be interpreted as the singer feeling ashamed of their race and wanting to assimilate into a white-dominated culture. The regretful tone of the lyrics is emphasized by the repeated refrain of "Let me just apologize for everything I'm not" as the singer acknowledges the mistakes they made.


The second half of the song shifts to the aftermath of losing the person they were chasing after and realizing that they'd lost a part of themselves in the process. The line "Can you save me?" could be interpreted as the singer asking for help in finding themselves again. The last lines of the song "Let's just watch the sunrise" can be seen as a symbol of hope for a new beginning and a fresh start after the regret and pain expressed throughout the rest of the song.


Line by Line Meaning

It was summer
The time of year when the events of the song occurred.


When I met you
The moment in time when the singer met someone important.


But she was the one I was chasing
Despite meeting someone new, the singer was still focused on another person.


That mid August heat
Describing the weather during the time period of the song.


And the sweet way
A positive aspect of the person the artist encountered.


That you tasted
A metaphorical description of the connection between the singer and the person they met.


Boy three years ago
An indication of when the events took place in relation to the present time.


If I'd only know
Regret over past decisions or lack of knowledge.


How much of my black self I hated
The artist struggled with self-hatred based on their racial identity at the time of the events in the song.


Let me just apologize
An offer of contrition or remorse.


For everything I'm not
The singer recognizes their own shortcomings or flaws.


Let's just watch the sunrise
A call for a peaceful moment or reflection of the present moment.


Hold me tight while I
A request for comfort or support.


I fade out like the dark
Comparing the singer's emotional state to darkness or night.


Oh I wonder
Expressing curiosity or uncertainty.


Now that I lost you
The artist has experienced a loss of the person they were chasing earlier in the song.


Lost myself in the hell of a daydream
The artist has become lost in their own imagination or unrealistic desires.


Those long empty nights
Describing a feeling of loneliness or isolation.


She's so mean
A negative aspect of the person the singer was chasing earlier in the song.


Can you save me?
A desperate plea for help or rescue.


Yeah three years ago
Reiterating the time period of the events in the song.


If I'd only know
Reflecting on a missed opportunity or mistake made in the past.


How much of my soul she'd be taking
The person the singer was chasing earlier in the song has had a negative impact on their emotional well-being.




Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Everon Clarke

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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