1.) Half Pint (born Lindon Ro… Read Full Bio ↴There are two artists under this name:
1.) Half Pint (born Lindon Roberts) is a Jamaican dancehall, ragga, and reggae singer. He was born in the West Kingston enclave of Rose Lane. He was nicknamed "Half Pint" by a Mr. Brown, who was the father of one of his mother's friends in nearby Waterhouse. Pint's first single, Sally, was released in 1983 followed by Winsome, which went on to be covered by the Rolling Stones in 1987. Other singles by Pint include Mr. Landlord, Level the Vibes, Substitute Lover, and the hit single, Victory. His 1986 single Greetings helped universalize the term raggamuffin. Sublime's 1996 hit What I Got is based on the chorus on Pint's Loving.
2.) Half Pint also refers to a Miami Bass rap artist.
Substitute Lover
Half Pint Lyrics
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steadily readily really and truly - first class
She call my name from coast to coast
telling people that she needs me the most
whenever she passes by she always finds herself
with another guy
she will go as far to say that I'm her superstar
But girl, oh girl
I'm not a substitute lover, oh no
Oh girl
Don't take me for no substitute lover, oh no
Whenever I call you on the telephone
there's someone to say you're not at home
girl you always have an alliby
it seems to me you have another guy
don't pretend that you have a love ladder
are you caught up in your rapture?
you see girl, oh girl
don't take me for no substitute lover, oh no
oh girl, oh girl
I'm not a substitute lover, oh no
Get yourself together and change your act
with your behaviour you might get caught in a trap
sometime I wonder if you love is really true
by ya actions ...?...
oh girl, oh girl
I'm not a substitute lover, oh no
oh girl, oh girl
don't take me for a substitute lover, oh no
Steadily, readily really and truly
don't play me no second fiddle
steadily readily really and truly
first class love is what I need
She call my name from coast to coast
telling people that she needs me the most
whenever she passes by she always finds herself
with another guy
she will go as far to say that I'm her superstar
But girl, oh girl
I'm not a substitute lover, oh no
Oh girl, oh girl
Don't take me for no substitute lover, oh no
Whenever I call you on the telephone
there's someone to say you're not at home
girl you always have an alliby
it seems to me you have another guy
sometimes I wonder if your love is really true
by your actions...?...
oh girl, oh girl
don't take me for no substitute lover, oh no...(fade)
The song "Substitute Lover" by Half Pint is about the singer's frustration with a woman who claims to need him the most but continues to be with other men. He is tired of being her backup plan and wants a committed relationship. He proudly declares that he deserves first-class love and will not settle for being her substitute lover. The lyrics "steadily readily really and truly" emphasize his determination to find real love and not be a second fiddle in someone else's life.
The chorus "oh girl, oh girl, I'm not a substitute lover" is repeated several times to emphasize the singer's point. He confronts the woman about her behavior and urges her to change her ways before it's too late. He questions if her love is really true, and wonders if she is caught up in her own rapture.
Line by Line Meaning
steadily readily really and truly - no second fiddle
I want a serious relationship without being just an option or backup.
steadily readily really and truly - first class
I want a love with commitment, honesty, and loyalty.
She call my name from coast to coast
telling people that she needs me the most
whenever she passes by she always finds herself
with another guy
she will go as far to say that I'm her superstar
She calls me her true love, but she's always seen with other men, and claims that I'm her favorite and most important.
But girl, oh girl
I'm not a substitute lover, oh no
Oh girl
Don't take me for no substitute lover, oh no
I'm not a temporary or backup lover, don't mistake me for one.
Whenever I call you on the telephone
there's someone to say you're not at home
girl you always have an alliby
it seems to me you have another guy
don't pretend that you have a love ladder
are you caught up in your rapture?
Every time I call, you're not there, and I suspect you have another man, don't deny it, are you living in a fantasy?
Get yourself together and change your act
with your behaviour you might get caught in a trap
sometime I wonder if you love is really true
by ya actions ...?...
Get yourself together and be faithful before you end up getting caught in a lie, sometimes I wonder if you truly love me, your actions don't show it.
Steadily, readily really and truly
don't play me no second fiddle
steadily readily really and truly
first class love is what I need
I need a committed and devoted partner, not someone who treats me like a backup option.
oh girl, oh girl
don't take me for no substitute lover, oh no...(fade)
Don't treat me like a temporary lover, be honest and faithful, or we're done.
Writer(s): Robert Lindon, Bobby Dixon, George Michael, Donald Dennis, Estelle Swaray, Paul Crosdale, Lindon Roberts, Bobby Digital Dixon, Melbourne Miller, John Stephens, Wyclef Jean Copyright: Universal Music, Halfpint Music, Crage Publishing Ltd., Dubplate Music Publishers Ltd., Universal Music - Careers
Contributed by Grace I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ernesto Dam
on One In A Million
This is a different text than the song