Barnett's debut studio album, LP1 (2014), reached number 16 on the UK Albums Chart and number 30 on the US Billboard 200. It was also nominated for that year's Mercury Prize. She then released the EP M3LL155X (2015) and took a four-year hiatus, after which she released her second studio album, Magdalene (2019). After signing with Atlantic Records, she released the mixtape Caprisongs (2022). Her work has consistently garnered acclaim and has been described as "genre-bending", drawing on various genres including electronic music, trip hop, R&B, and avant-garde.
Give Up
FKA twigs Lyrics
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Tell me that I'll change someday
I'll be the one that can satisfy you
If I can rectify the
The few things I've got to change
The few things in my way
Ok so I've said it before and I won't imply that
You're not too close to the fact
Just nod your head and get up
I'm not gon let you give up babe
Just nod your head and get up
I'm not gon let you give up babe
I know that sometimes you wish I'd go
Away, away
Just nod your head and get up
I'm not gon let you give up babe
Do I get another chance?
Did I make the final stand?
Above the ones that are oh so perfect
Cause they know how to work it
Work it, work it
Looking like I'll keep it now
I made the cut
Ok so I've done it before and you think its an act
But I call this time a wrap
Just nod your head and get up
I'm not gon let you give up babe
Just nod your head and get up
I'm not gon let you give up babe
I know that sometimes you wish I'd go
Away, away
I know that sometimes you wish I'd go
Away, away
But I wish that you would know that I'm here
To stay, to stay
Just nod your head and get up
I'm not gon let you give up babe
Tell me what I've got to do
No no, don't give up
I'll do anything to make it better, babe
I'll do anything thi thi thi
Do you like it like that?
(Do you like it like that?)
Tell me what I've got to do
No no, don't give up
Cause I'll do anything to make you see me, baby
I'll do anything thi thi
I'll make it better
I know that sometimes you wish I'd go
Away, away
I know that sometimes you wish I'd go
Away, away
But I wish that you would know that I'm here
To stay, to stay
Just nod your head and get up
I'm not gon let you give up babe
Just nod your head and get up
I'm not gon let you give up
In "Give Up," FKA twigs sings about a relationship where she feels like she needs to change in order to satisfy her partner. She asks her partner to tell her what she needs to do to change and promises to rectify any issues that may be standing in the way. The chorus, "Just nod your head and get up / I'm not gon let you give up babe," suggests that she is committed to making the relationship work and won't let her partner give up on it.
Throughout the song, FKA twigs questions the nature of the relationship, asking if she will get another chance and if she has made her final stand. She also acknowledges that her partner sometimes wishes she would go away, but she wants them to know she is there to stay.
The bridge of the song is particularly interesting, as FKA twigs asks her partner if they like it like that and promises to do anything to make things better. The repetition of "thi thi thi" adds a playful and flirtatious edge to the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me why I act this way
Explain to me the reason for my behavior
Tell me that I'll change someday
Assure me that I can change in the future
I'll be the one that can satisfy you
I want to be the one who can make you happy
If I can rectify the
If I can fix
The few things I've got to change
The few things I need to improve
The few things in my way
The few things that are stopping me
Ok so I've said it before and I won't imply that
I have expressed this before and I'm not suggesting
You're not too close to the fact
You are not far from the truth
Just nod your head and get up
Just agree with me and keep going
I'm not gon let you give up babe
I won't allow you to quit
I know that sometimes you wish I'd go
I understand that sometimes you want me to leave
Away, away
Far away
Do I get another chance?
Will I have another opportunity?
Did I make the final stand?
Did I give it my all?
Above the ones that are oh so perfect
Better than the ones who act perfect
Cause they know how to work it
Because they know how to manipulate
Looking like I'll keep it now
Looks like I'll succeed now
I made the cut
I've met the standard
Ok so I've done it before and you think its an act
I've achieved this before and you believe it's fake
But I call this time a wrap
But this time I'm done
Tell me what I've got to do
Instruct me on what to do
No no, don't give up
No, don't quit
I'll do anything to make it better, babe
I'll do everything to improve it, baby
Do you like it like that?
Is this the way you prefer it?
Tell me what I've got to do
Tell me what I need to do
Cause I'll do anything to make you see me, baby
Because I'll do anything to make you notice me, baby
I'll make it better
I'll improve it
But I wish that you would know that I'm here
But I want you to understand that I'm here
To stay, to stay
To remain here
Just nod your head and get up
Just agree and keep going
I'm not gon let you give up babe
I won't let you quit
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alejandro Ghersi, Emile Haynie, Tahliah Barnett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind