I Want You Back
Janelle Monae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I didn't want you around
Those pretty faces always made you
Stand out in a crowd
But someone picked you from the bunch
One glance was all it took
Now it's much too late for me
To take second look
Oh baby give me one more chance
To show you that I love you
Won't you please send me back in your heart
Oh darlin' I was blind to let you go
But now since I see you in his arms
I want you back
Yes I do now
I want you back
Ooh ooh baby
Yeah yeah, naw
Trying to live without your love
Is one long sleepless night
Let me show you girl
That I know wrong from right
Every street you walk on
I leave tear stains on the ground
Following the girl
I didn't even want around
Oh baby give me one more chance
To show you that I love you
Won't you please send me back in your heart
Abuh buh buh buh
All I want!
Abuh buh buh buh
All I need!
Abuh buh buh buh
The lyrics to Janelle Monáe's song "I Want You Back" tells the story of a person who didn't appreciate their significant other while they were together. The opening lines reveal that the person didn't want their partner around when they had them to themselves. They didn't appreciate the beauty of their partner and how they stood out in a crowd. However, after their partner was picked by someone else, the person realizes that they made a mistake and that they want them back.
The chorus of the song is an emotional plea for a second chance. The singer wants to show their partner that they love them and they want to be back in their heart. They acknowledge that they were blind to let their partner go and they regret their actions. The second verse sees the singer trying to live without their partner, and it's not easy. They leave tear stains on the ground as they follow their ex-partner around. However, they want to show them that they know wrong from right, and they want another chance at love.
Overall, the lyrics of "I Want You Back" are about regret and seeking a second chance at love. The person singing the song didn't realize how special their partner was until it was too late. They want another chance to show them that they love them and that they won't make the same mistake twice.
Line by Line Meaning
When I had you to myself
When we were together and you were mine exclusively
I didn't want you around
I took you for granted and didn't appreciate you
Those pretty faces always made you
Your attractiveness made you stand out
Stand out in a crowd
You were noticed by many and sought after by others
But someone picked you from the bunch
Someone else showed interest in you and pursued you
One glance was all it took
You were swept off your feet easily
Now it's much too late for me
I missed my chance with you and it's now too late
To take second look
To reconsider and try to win you back
Oh baby give me one more chance
Please let me try again and show you how much I love you
To show you that I love you
To prove my affection to you
Won't you please send me back in your heart
Please allow me to be in your heart and love you again
Oh darlin' I was blind to let you go
I foolishly let you slip away and didn't appreciate your worth
But now since I see you in his arms
Now that I see you with someone else, I realize my mistake
I want you back
I want us to be together again
Yes I do now
I truly mean it
Ooh ooh baby
An expression of affection and longing
Trying to live without your love
My life feels incomplete and empty without you
Is one long sleepless night
I am tormented with thoughts of you and can't sleep
Let me show you girl
Allow me to prove to you
That I know wrong from right
That I have learned from my mistakes and will treat you better this time
Every street you walk on
Everywhere you go
I leave tear stains on the ground
I cry and am emotional thinking about you
Following the girl
Chasing after you
I didn't even want around
Despite not showing it at the time, I truly did want you in my life
Contributed by Samantha J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
dark_days88
Can we enjoy one musicians talent without tearing down another. I'm a fan of both Janet Jackson and Janelle Monae and believe they both have their own role in the musical landscape.
FS
I wish this was on Spotify 😥 it's such a beautiful cover
Ebony Phillips
I actually love the way it sound.. sweet and sincere.
Tara 2daG
I love Janelle Monae's cover!! I have just heard it an hour ago when I had let my newly purchased cd The Electric Lady play while I was driving. Thank you for posting. :)
VaughnesN
I have never heard a finer cover. Of any song I think. Something about this version brings out both the utter joy of the original orchestration and the vulnerability behind the lyrics. The really quiet introduction and reintroduction of the refrains throughout the song. It's a really smart way to interpret Motown.
Paulxl
I love the original recording of this song. I love Janelle. I love this cover. That's all I have to say about this video.
R J
love her voice
MusicalPassion
This is beautiful! I hope they make this song available for download. I already bought the first release of Electric Lady, but I want this particular track. <3
Christopher Phan
i have this vinyl and it's a beautiful album, but I'm devastated to find out that my copy isnt deluxe and is missing this track
Jakoej Christophe
She is such a treasure. <3