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.
Second Time Around
Gerald Levert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She was saying all the right things
She was like a fashion show
From head to toe
Something came over me
Something I couldn't see
I said that four letter word
L-O-V-E
First time shoulda been the last time
I shoulda stayed away
Being in love wasn't my thing
But uh oh, looks like another love TKO
Bit off more than I can chew
I done fell in love with you, yeah
1 - Look what I done stuck my foot in
Turned around, fell in love again
Hope love don't let me down
Second time around
Look what I done stuck my foot in
Turned around, fell in love again
Hope love don't let me down
The second time around
Oh, hope love won't let me down, no, no
(Second time around)
Second time around, second time around oh, no, no
I don't mind calling your baby mine, yeah
And I'll pay the bills
You can spend your dough at will, yeah
And it don't make sense
'cause you know I swore off the days, yeah
But you're a rare precious jewel
And I don't mind playing the fool for you
Repeat 1
Hey look what I done look what I done
(Second time around)
Stuck my foot in, yeah
Look what I done done
Baby I wasn't even chasin', I was being patient
Me and my prostration, feet solid on the ground, yeah yeah
Then you came around, came around came around
Dealin' with the drama from my baby mama
Tryin to keep my karma
You were my only friend, I had to let you in
Look what I done stuck my foot in
Repeat 1
I said I'd never love the sun no more
'cause the pain of breakin' up just make me so
She'd never loved me quite the way you did
God sent you to me and I'mma try it again
My friends think I'm crazy
Don't want me to forget
That the first of every month
I'm just writing out checks
And checks and checks and checks
I done fell in love baby
In "Second Time Around," Gerald Levert speaks about falling in love again despite having sworn off it after his previous failed relationship. He talks about how the first time should have been the last time, and he should have stayed away. But love draws him back, and he ends up falling for this woman who came into his life unexpectedly. He admits to being hesitant at first and not looking for a relationship, but after falling deeply in love with her, he hopes love won't let him down the second time around. He admits to being smitten with this woman and how he doesn't mind being called her baby.
The lyrics of "Second Time Around" convey a sense of vulnerability that many people can relate to. It's about falling in love and trying to make it work despite past failures. It's about taking a second chance on love and hoping that it won't disappoint you again. Gerald Levert's soulful vocal delivery lends emotional depth to the lyrics and captures the essence of the song's message.
Line by Line Meaning
She was saying all the right things
She was speaking to me in a way that seemed perfect.
She was like a fashion show
She dressed beautifully from head to toe.
From head to toe
She was flawlessly put together.
Something came over me
I don't know what happened to me.
Something I couldn't see
Whatever it was that happened to me, I was unaware of it.
I said that four letter word
I said 'love.'
L-O-V-E
I spelled out the word 'love.'
First time shoulda been the last time
The first time we got together should have been the last time.
I shoulda stayed away
I should have avoided getting involved with her again.
Being in love wasn't my thing
I didn't think I was the type to fall in love.
But uh oh, looks like another love TKO
But now it seems as though I've been hit with another 'technical knockout' from love.
Bit off more than I can chew
I've gotten myself into more than I can handle.
I done fell in love with you, yeah
I've fallen in love with you, and I don't know what to do about it.
Look what I done stuck my foot in
I've made a bad decision by getting involved with you again.
Turned around, fell in love again
I've fallen in love with you again, despite my better judgment.
Hope love don't let me down
I hope that my newfound love doesn't disappoint me.
Second time around
This is the second time I've fallen in love with you.
Oh, hope love won't let me down, no, no
I really don't want to be let down by love again.
I don't mind calling your baby mine, yeah
I'm okay with calling you my girl.
And I'll pay the bills
I'll take care of the finances.
You can spend your dough at will, yeah
You can spend money as you please.
And it don't make sense
It doesn't make logical sense for me to love you again.
'cause you know I swore off the days, yeah
Because I said I would never fall in love again.
But you're a rare precious jewel
You're special and one-of-a-kind.
And I don't mind playing the fool for you
I don't mind making a mistake for you.
Hey look what I done look what I done
I see now that I've made a mistake.
Stuck my foot in, yeah
I've gotten involved with you again, to my own detriment.
Baby I wasn't even chasin', I was being patient
I wasn't looking for love, but it found me when I wasn't expecting it.
Me and my prostration, feet solid on the ground, yeah yeah
I was focused on my own problems and wasn't looking for anyone else.
Then you came around, came around came around
But then you came into my life.
Dealin' with the drama from my baby mama
I was dealing with my ex-girlfriend, who has a child with me.
Tryin to keep my karma
I was trying to keep my situation positive.
You were my only friend, I had to let you in
You were the only person I felt I could trust, so I let you into my life and my heart.
I said I'd never love the sun no more
I said I would never fall in love again.
'cause the pain of breakin' up just make me so
The pain of ending a relationship is just too much for me to bear.
She'd never loved me quite the way you did
No one has ever loved me the way you do.
God sent you to me and I'mma try it again
I feel as though God has brought us together, and I want to see where this relationship goes.
My friends think I'm crazy
My friends don't understand why I've fallen in love with you again.
Don't want me to forget
They don't want me to forget about the pain I've experienced in the past.
That the first of every month
This is likely a reference to paying bills or rent.
I'm just writing out checks
I'm paying bills.
And checks and checks and checks
I'm paying a lot of bills.
I done fell in love baby
I've fallen in love with you, and there's nothing I can do about it.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TONY NICHOLAS, GERALD LEVERT, SERENA WINN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind