During the 1980s and early 1990s, Levert scored big hits with "Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop (Goes My Mind)", "Casanova", and "ABC-123" (not to be confused with the Jackson Five hit of the same name). As a solo artist, Gerald's hits included "I'd Give Anything (to Fall in Love)", "You Got That Love", and "Mr. Too Damn Good to You".
Gerald and Eddie collaborated together on many different occasions, and they recorded an album called Father and Son together.
Gerald Levert also sang the chorus on the Chris Rock spoken-word comedy piece, "No Sex (In the Champagne Room)".
In 2005, Levert's daughter Carlysia was featured on an episode of MTV's My Super Sweet Sixteen.
Levert passed away due to an apparent heart attack on November 10, 2006. Sister 2 Sister magazine reported that Gerald and his father had just returned from a 10-day trip to South Africa where they had met with Nelson Mandela and were treated like royalty. Upon Gerald's return, he was excited about his upcoming album, which is due early in 2007. Gerald died in his sleep.
How many times
Gerald Levert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you keep telling me
That he hurt you again
I must be some kind of man
To sit here and listen to you cry
Knowing if he apologizes
You'd be right back with him again
And I wish that you could see
See if you really really really
Want to know the truth about it
You should be right here with me baby
[Chorus:]
How many times will you accept
His apology when I'm telling you
You'll never hear lies from me
How many times will you accept
His apology when I'm telling you
You'll never hear lies from me
If you want to know the truth
I think that he's a fool
To hurt a beautiful woman
Someone as lovely as you
See no matter how much I say I love you
You go running back
For all the love I give
I give and all
The things that he lacks
And girl you know
You're all that I hope for
And I wish that you could see baby
Oh see if you really really really want to
Know
Really want to know the truth about it
You should be right here you should be
Right here
With me and I want you to know baby
[Chorus:]
Why won't you let me
Take away the pain
Girl it makes me so sad
When you call out his name
'Cause I'm the one
Who make ya grey skie blue
I never perpetrate love
Like he's done to you
[Chorus: Repeat 2X]
The song "How Many Times" by Gerald Levert is a passionate plea to a woman who seems to always forgive her partner for hurting her repeatedly. The singer of the song is in love with her and is frustrated by her tendency to take her partner back even when he doesn't change his behavior. The song starts with the singer expressing his feelings for the woman and acknowledging her pain caused by her partner's infidelity. He seems to be a good listener and comforter for her. However, he knows that if the partner apologized, she would go back to him again.
In the chorus, the singer questions the woman's tendency to always forgive her partner. He wonders how many times she will accept his apology and suggests that she won't hear lies from him. He implies that if she were with him, she would not have to go through the cycle of pain caused by her partner's unfaithfulness. He thinks of her partner as a fool who would hurt a beautiful woman like her.
In the second verse, he continues to express how much he cares for her and how frustrating it is that she goes back to her partner. He believes that he gives her all the love she needs while her partner lacks important things. The bridge of the song has him trying to convince her that he is the one who can take away her pain and not her partner. In the end, the chorus is repeated twice.
Line by Line Meaning
You know how I feel about you
I have expressed my feelings to you, and you are aware of them.
And you keep telling me
Despite the fact that you know how I feel, you continue to confide in me about your relationship issues.
That he hurt you again
You have been hurt by him on multiple occasions, which has caused you pain and anguish.
I must be some kind of man
I am questioning my worth as a man because I am allowing you to be hurt repeatedly.
To sit here and listen to you cry
I am being patient and understanding by being present for you while you express your emotions.
Knowing if he apologizes
I am aware that if he were to apologize, you would likely return to him despite his past behavior.
You'd be right back with him again
You have a pattern of forgiving him and returning to the relationship despite his mistreatment of you.
And girl you know you're all that I hope for
You possess all the qualities I value in a partner, and I believe we could have a great relationship together.
And I wish that you could see
I hope you recognize my value and give me a fair chance to show you love and affection.
See if you really really really
If you truly want to understand the situation and seek the truth,
Want to know the truth about it
If you are seeking the truth about how I feel and how I would treat you,
You should be right here with me baby
You should be near me and allowing me to treat you with the respect, honesty, and love you deserve.
How many times will you accept
How many times are you willing to forgive him and return despite his past behavior?
His apology when I'm telling you
Despite his apologies, I am telling you that he is likely to repeat his mistreatment of you.
You'll never hear lies from me
I am a truthful and honest person, and I will never deceive you or betray your trust.
If you want to know the truth
If you want to be sure of what I am saying is true,
I think that he's a fool
I believe he is foolish for causing you harm and risking losing someone as wonderful as you.
To hurt a beautiful woman
It is a terrible thing to inflict pain on someone as kind and lovely as you.
Someone as lovely as you
You are an amazing person with many admirable qualities that make me feel lucky to know you.
See no matter how much I say I love you
I can express my love for you often, but it doesn't always mean you believe it or feel the same.
You go running back
You have a tendency to return to him, despite any progress or promises made to you.
For all the love I give
I provide you with love and care that he is not
I give and all
I give you my all and my best efforts to make you happy.
The things that he lacks
I try to compensate for the aspects of your relationship he doesn't fulfill or appreciate.
And girl you know
You are aware based on our previous conversations and interactions.
You're all that I hope for
You possess everything I could hope for in a partner, and I long to be in a relationship with you.
Oh see if you really really really want to
If you truly want to understand the situation and the truth,
Know
Be aware and knowledgeable of the facts and emotions at play between us and within your current relationship.
You should be right here you should be
You should be present and engaged in dialogue with me right now.
Right here
Near me, so we can talk and bond over mutual respect and appreciation.
With me and I want you to know baby
With me, and I hope you feel loved, appreciated, and treasured as my partner.
Why won't you let me
Why won't you allow me to be there for you and show you genuine love and compassion.
Take away the pain
I want to ease your pain and help you heal from the trauma he has caused you.
Girl it makes me so sad
It hurts me to see you in so much pain, and I genuinely want to lighten your emotional burden.
When you call out his name
Even when you call out his name, you know my name well and are familiar with my feelings towards you.
'Cause I'm the one
Because I am the one who can offer you real and authentic love.
Who make ya grey skie blue
I have the ability to improve your mood and outlook on life through our interactions and time spent together.
I never perpetrate love
I always give and practice real love, unlike his unhealthy behaviors that only cause pain and dysfunction.
Like he's done to you
He has inflicted many damaging and harmful experiences onto you that have resulted in significant dissonance, pain, and sadness.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: EDWIN LAMAR NICHOLAS, GERALD EDWARD LEVERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind