Joe is an American R&B singer. Born and raised in Columbus, Georgia, he lat… Read Full Bio ↴Joe is an American R&B singer. Born and raised in Columbus, Georgia, he later relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, and signed a record deal with Polygram Records in 1992. He rose to prominence after releasing his debut album Everything the following year. He followed it with a series of successful albums under Jive Records, including All That I Am (1997), the international bestseller My Name Is Joe (2000) as well as the multi-certified albums Better Days (2001) and And Then... (2003). Several songs from these albums became hit singles on the pop and R&B record charts, including the number-one hit "Stutter", the top ten entries "All the Things (Your Man Won't Do)", "Don't Wanna Be a Player", and "I Wanna Know" as well as his collaborations "Faded Pictures", "Thank God I Found You" and "Still Not a Player".

If Loving You Is Wrong
Joe Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If loving you is wrong, baby
I don't wanna be right
If loving you is wrong, baby
I don't wanna be right

If bearing the way I feel for you
Is committing a crime am I breaking the law
Devoting myself to you?

You are the hope my dreams are built on
The reason for my happiness
You're my everything and so much more
You're the air I breath my fantasy

I couldn't see myself without 'cha
What an emptiness I'd feel
A void would be there in my heart
You're worth the price of any sentence
For what a treasure in you I've found
You're my everything and so much more
You're the air I breathe my fantasy

I'm holding on and I won't let go
I love you girl, I want you to know

Overall Meaning

The song 'If Loving You Is Wrong' by Joe is a love ballad about the powerful, all-consuming feelings the singer has for his partner. He suggests that he is well aware that society may view their love as wrong or unacceptable, but he is willing to face any potential consequences and stigma surrounding it. The chorus emphasizes this point, with Joe repeating that he is willing to be considered ‘wrong’ for loving this person.

The lyrics also express the idea that he would not be able to cope without his partner, and that they are worth any punishment or sentence he may receive for loving them. Joe muses on how his partner brings meaning to his life and that their connection is the foundation of all his happiness. He also acknowledges the fantastical and almost unreal nature of his feelings towards them, referring to them as his ‘fantasy’ and acknowledging that they are the air he breathes.

Overall, the song is a declaration of unconditional, all-consuming love and the lengths someone may go to for it, despite potential societal condemnation or personal sacrifice.

Line by Line Meaning

If loving you is wrong, baby
Questioning whether his love for the listener is ethically correct

I don't wanna be right
Preferring to maintain his love despite any potential societal consequences

I don't wanna be right
Reiterating his emotional attachment to the listener

If bearing the way I feel for you
Considering the implications of openly expressing his love for the listener

Is committing a crime
Acknowledging that societal norms may prohibit his feelings

Am I breaking the law
Questioning whether his love for the listener is legally prohibited

Devoting myself to you?
Wondering if his love for the listener is a worthwhile pursuit

You are the hope my dreams are built on
Viewing the listener as the foundation for his hopes and aspirations

The reason for my happiness
Crediting the listener for the happiness he feels in his life

You're my everything and so much more
Expressing the depth of his love and devotion to the listener

You're the air I breath
Describing the listener's importance in his life

My fantasy
Highlighting the idealized nature of his love for the listener

I couldn't see myself without 'cha
Admitting his dependence on the listener for emotional fulfillment

What an emptiness I'd feel
Imagining the emotional toll of losing the listener

A void would be there
Describing the emotional hole that would be created without the listener

In my heart
Specifically locating the void in his emotional center

You're worth the price of any sentence
Asserting that his love for the listener is worth any punishment or sacrifice

For what a treasure in you I've found
Recognizing the unique value of the listener

I'm holding on
Claiming that he is not giving up on his love for the listener

And I won't let go
Vowing to maintain his emotional attachment to the listener

I love you
Expressing his feelings for the listener

Girl, I want you to know
Informing the listener that his love for them is genuine and important

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOE L. THOMAS, KEITH MILLER, DENVIL TRACEY GERRELL, NOEL E. GORING

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS