When You Were Mine
Janelle Monáe feat. Prince Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I gave you all of my money
Time after time
You done me wrong
It was just like a dream
You let all my friends come over and meet
And you were so strange
You didn't have the decency to change the sheets
Oh girl, when you were mine
I used to let you wear all my clothes
You were so fine (so fine)
Maybe that's the reason that it hurt me so
I know (I know)
That you're going with another guy
I don't care (don't care)
'Cause I love you, baby, that's no lie
I love you more than I did when you were mine
When you were mine
You were kinda, sorta my best friend
So I was blind (so blind)
I let you fool around
I never cared (didn't care)
I never was the kind to make a fuss
When he was there
Sleeping in between the two of us
I know (I know)
That you're going with another guy
I don't care (don't care)
'Cause I love you, baby, that's no lie
I love you more than I did when you were mine
When you were mine
you were all I ever wanted to do
Now I spend my time
Following him whenever he's with you
I know (I know)
That you're going with another guy
I don't care (don't care)
'Cause I love you, baby, that's no lie
I love you more than I did when you were mine
When you were mine, yeah, oh no
Love you, baby, love you, baby
When you were mine
The song When You Were Mine by Janelle Monáe feat. Prince tells the story of a love triangle where the singer's ex-lover has moved on to another guy, but the singer still loves her and longs for her. The song opens with the singer reminiscing about how much they gave to their ex-lover when they were together. They sang how they gave all their money and allowed their friends to come over to meet her, but the ex didn't appreciate all the sacrifices. The singer sings about how it hurt so much because they were so fine, hence letting them wear all their clothes. However, it didn't stop their ex-lover from cheating on them or even having threesomes.
The pre-chorus of the song talks about how they know their ex-lover is with another guy now but they still love them, which shows how deep the love goes. Even though they let them go, they still can't help but love them more now that they aren't together. The last verse of the song shows the singer's desperation as they spend their time following their ex-lover and the new guy, showing how they can't bear to be away from them.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was originally written by Prince in 1980 for his album Dirty Mind. Another interesting fact is that Janelle Monae's cover of the song was released in 2015 with Prince's permission before his death. Additionally, the song has been covered by various artists, including Cyndi Lauper, Mitch Ryder, and Gus Dapperton, among others. The song has also been included in various films, including Bridesmaids and Marie Antoinette.
Other interesting facts about the song include that it features a live band and was recorded live in a studio instead of overdubbing or using electronic sounds. The song has been described as an anthem for heartbreak due to its relatable lyrics. The song's music video features Janelle Monae wearing a suit reminiscent of Prince's signature look. Finally, the song has a unique mix of genres, including rock, funk, and soul.
Chords:
Verse: G#m, F#, B, E
Pre-Chorus: C#m, F#, B
Chorus: E, B, C#m, A, B, E, B, C#m, A, B.
Note: There are variations of these chords, but these are some common ones that work for the song.
Line by Line Meaning
When you were mine
The singer is reminiscing about a past relationship.
I gave you all of my money
The singer gave their partner financial support.
Time after time
The partner repeatedly betrayed the singer's trust.
You done me wrong
The partner acted cruelly towards the artist.
It was just like a dream
The relationship felt unreal or like a fantasy.
You let all my friends come over and meet
The partner introduced the singer's friends to the relationship.
And you were so strange
The partner acted in a bizarre or unpredictable manner.
You didn't have the decency to change the sheets
The partner was disrespectful by not changing the sheets after sexual activity.
Oh girl, when you were mine
The artist is addressing their former partner directly.
I used to let you wear all my clothes
The artist shared their possessions with their partner.
You were so fine (so fine)
The partner was attractive or desirable.
Maybe that's the reason that it hurt me so
The artist was hurt by the loss of an attractive partner.
I know (I know)
The singer is aware of their partner's infidelity.
That you're going with another guy
The partner is involved with someone else.
I don't care (don't care)
The singer is still in love with and loyal to their partner.
'Cause I love you, baby, that's no lie
The artist still loves their partner despite their actions.
I love you more than I did when you were mine
The artist loves their partner even though they are no longer together.
You were kinda, sorta my best friend
The partner was also the singer's friend, making the betrayal more painful.
So I was blind (so blind)
The singer was unaware of their partner's infidelity and deception.
I let you fool around
The artist allowed their partner to engage in non-monogamous behavior.
I never cared (didn't care)
The artist didn't mind their partner's actions at the time.
I never was the kind to make a fuss
The artist didn't feel the need to cause drama or argue about their partner's behavior.
When he was there
The partner brought another person into the relationship.
Sleeping in between the two of us
The partner had sexual relations with both the artist and the other person at the same time.
you were all I ever wanted to do
The singer was deeply devoted to their partner.
Now I spend my time
The singer's current focus is on their partner and the other person.
Following him whenever he's with you
The singer is tracking the other person's presence around their partner.
Love you, baby, love you, baby
The artist still loves their partner.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, AUSTINTATIOUS TUNES, THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: GENE NELSON, ROBERT BYRNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jayclarke9611
@@SnappingTurtle444
what exactly did she'nail'?
Put the Vid replay on 0.75 slower and watch the out of tune notes light up the night.
A singer singing Out of tune
Is like
A Drummer who can't keep time.
A pitcher who can't throw strikes
A shooter who shoots bricks
@GenZyTheSlumpgoddess
THE DUDE BEHIND PRINCE, I CANT😭😭💀😭💀
@jenniferlord4184
I had to go back and look! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
@theM13256
😲😲 lmao
@flo245
😅😮😮😂😂😂 surprise surprise! Surprise surprise……..
@FireAngel1990
I had to go look....💀💀💀
@kaceymancillas9354
Once I looked I laughed so hard! 🤣 I didn't notice til you said something 🤣
@blackonxy10smith10
Prince was the only man on the planet that could have the same hairstyle and wear the same outfit on as your woman and take her from you. 😂 😝
@batk0427
😂 So true.
@leeleemee
You said everything!!!! 💯😂
@goudachad52287
That is the TRUUUUTH