Sullivan followed this with her second studio album, Love Me Back, in 2010, which was received favorably by critics. After taking a three-year break, Sullivan signed with RCA Records and released her first studio album under the label, Reality Show (2015). In 2021, she released her critically acclaimed first EP, Heaux Tales which has the single "Pick Up Your Feelings".
Sullivan has received two Grammy Awards, a Billboard Women in Music Award, two Soul Train Music Awards, three NAACP Image Awards, and two BET Awards over the course of her career. In 2022, Time placed her on their list of the 100 Most Influential People.
Best Of Me
Jazmine Sullivan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Break the chains that trap me in, and let him go
Why can't I... just break free?
Can't explain what kind of hold he has on me
(I wanna say no) I wanna say No, but all I say is Yes
(I wanna move on) I wanna move on, and not second guess
(I wanna let go) I wanna let go, but he just gets the best of me
What is this, that makes me weak and fall?
Even tho, it ain't no good at all
What is this, that keeps me here?
When it's brought me so much pain through the years
(I wanna say no) I wanna say no, but all I say is yes
(I wanna move on) I wanna move on, and not second guess
(I wanna let go) I wanna let go, but he just gets the best of me
(Best of me, best of me)
(Don't why, why I stay)
It should be a crime what your doin' to me
(And how u keep, keep me comin' back)
And I don't understand how u do me like that
(But all I do is love you)
When all I should do is leave
But it ain't easy when he's got the best of me
(I wanna say no) I wanna say no, but all I say is yes
(I wanna move on) I wanna move on, and not second guess
(I wanna let go) I wanna let go, but he just gets the best of me
(Best of me, best of me)
(I wanna say no) I wanna say no, but all I say is yes
(I wanna move on) I wanna move on, and not second guess
(I wanna let go) I wanna let go, but he just gets the best of me
(Oh yeah)
In Jazmine Sullivan's song "Best Of Me," the singer reflects on her inability to leave a toxic relationship. She questions why she can't break free and move on from the hold that her partner has on her. The lyrics express the internal struggle that she goes through as she wants to say no, move on, and let go, but finds herself saying yes, second-guessing, and being unable to break away from her partner's grip.
The line, "What is this, that makes me weak and fall? Even tho, it ain't no good at all," shows her recognition of the harmful nature of the relationship but her inability to resist it. She acknowledges the pain that it has caused her over the years, yet she still finds herself in the same position, unable to say no to her partner.
The chorus repeats the desire to say no and move on, but the partner continues to get the best of her, highlighting the strength of the hold that he has on her. The final lines express how she does not understand why she loves him despite the harm he causes, and how leaving is not easy when he has the best of her. These lyrics underline the sentiments of those trapped in abusive and controlling situations and touch on the emotional turmoil and helplessness that they experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Why can't I, leave him alone?
I am struggling to end this toxic relationship, even though I know I should.
Break the chains that trap me in, and let him go
I want to break free from the emotional hold he has on me and end the relationship.
Why can't I... just break free?
I am having a hard time breaking away from this relationship, even though I know it's not good for me.
Can't explain what kind of hold he has on me
I don't understand why I am so attached to him, even though he brings me so much pain.
(I wanna say no) I wanna say No, but all I say is Yes
I know I should say no to him, but I keep saying yes to his toxic behavior.
(I wanna move on) I wanna move on, and not second guess
I want to move on and end this relationship without second-guessing my decision.
(I wanna let go) I wanna let go, but he just gets the best of me
I want to let go of him, but he has such a hold on me that I can't seem to break away.
What is this, that makes me weak and fall?
I don't understand what about him makes me so vulnerable and unable to resist him.
Even tho, it ain't no good at all
Even though I know this relationship is not good for me, I still can't seem to end it.
What is this, that keeps me here?
I don't understand why I am still in this relationship, even though it hurts me.
When it's brought me so much pain through the years
This relationship has caused me so much pain for so many years, and yet I can't seem to leave.
(Don't why, why I stay)
I don't know why I am still in this relationship when it's so unhealthy for me.
It should be a crime what your doin' to me
The way he treats me is so wrong that it should be illegal.
And how u keep, keep me comin' back
He has a way of reeling me back in, even when I try to leave.
And I don't understand how u do me like that
I don't understand how he can treat me so poorly and yet I still feel attached to him.
(But all I do is love you)
Despite everything, I still love him and find it hard to let go of that love.
(Oh yeah)
This repeated phrase serves as a vocal expression of the emotional turmoil and confusion the singer is feeling.
Contributed by Matthew E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ivory Williams
I always gotta come back because I swear this is her best song! Sheās a beast vocally but this song for some reason is my favorite out of everything sheās done š. Idk if itās the rasp or the harmonies š©
Benicia Burton
@St john š¢š
St john
For me it's the rasp, I miss the rasp in her voice. She's still a vocal beast, but I miss her sounding like this. She's still my girl though.
Snookie
wish this song was in spotify
Promise Lewinski
this is my jam.....why she didn't put this on an album
yolanda jones
Yesss Lord my Theme Songš
Aiesha the Artist
I thought this was a bonus track from Fearless?
Whitney Spencer
For years I was looking for this song! I freaking love this song ! Got tears when it came on š©ššš¾šš¾šš¾šš¾
Whitney Spencer
Omg ā š©
iamiconic
This song stuck on repeat!!!