I'd Rather Be Alone
Karyn White Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Mmm...mmm...
I don't wanna be a fool, I don't wanna be a fool for love
No, no, I won't, no
Hey, no, ooh...

I know that people do go through changes, yeah
But this just don't make no damn sense
If we're gonna keep sayin' we love one another, yeah, yeah
Well, then we better stop fightin' and arguin'

?Cause baby, I've heard ?I'm sorry? too many, many times before
Now I know better
It hurts to hold on to this kind of love even more
No, I'm not crazy

I won't be a fool, a fool for love
?Cause I know I'd rather be alone than be here unhappy
I'm not gonna choose, choose for you
?Cause I know I'd rather be alone than be here unhappy

I know it's time to go when I feel lonely
When I'm layin' in your arms and it don't feel right, oh
?Cause every time I feelin' up you try to bring me down
So I feel good knowin' I don't need you around

?Cause I know, I know that I can feel this bad all by myself, hoo, yeah
And maybe that's my best bet
Startin' this time I'm gonna think selfishly
And never depend on someone else for keepin' me happy, oh, no, no

I won't be a fool, a fool for love
?Cause I know I'd rather be alone than be here unhappy, oh, no
I'm not gonna choose, choose for you
?Cause I know I'd rather be alone than be here unhappy, oh...

I-I-I-I won't be a fool, a fool for love
?Cause I know I'd rather be alone than be here unhappy
I'm not gonna choose, choose for you
?Cause I know I'd rather be alone than be here unhappy, ooh, yeah

I'm never gonna be a fool for love
I'd rather be alone, just give it up
Don't make no sense to be in love
And be here unhappy, oh, no

It might feel good on a lonely night
But layin' in your arms today ain't right
I'd rather lose you than lose my mind
And be here unhappy with you, baby

Ho...no, no, no, no, no, no




I don't wanna be a fool, no, no, no
I don't want to be a fool

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Karyn White's "I'd Rather Be Alone" convey a message of strength and self-preservation in the face of a troubled relationship. The song revolves around the theme of choosing to be alone rather than staying in a relationship where one is unhappy. The opening lines establish this sentiment clearly, "I don't wanna be a fool, I don't wanna be a fool for love. No, no, I won't, no."


Karyn White understands that relationships can be challenging and people do go through changes, but she recognizes that staying in an unhappy relationship does not make sense. She appeals to her partner to stop fighting and arguing in the name of love as it would not benefit them in any way. She has also learned the hard way that hearing "I'm sorry" too many times before does not necessarily mean the situation will improve, and it is not worth holding on to that kind of love.


As the song progresses, Karyn White asserts her independence and decision to choose her own happiness over being dependent on someone else to keep her happy. She acknowledges that it is painful to let go of love and be alone, but she would rather do that than stay in a relationship where she is unhappy. The chorus repeats this sentiment, "I won't be a fool for love, 'cause I know I'd rather be alone than be here unhappy."


Overall, "I'd Rather Be Alone" is a powerful and empowering song that encourages listeners to prioritize their own happiness and be unafraid to leave toxic situations, even if it means being alone.


Line by Line Meaning

Mmm...mmm...
Expressing a non-verbal sentiment of dissatisfaction or uncertainty


I don't wanna be a fool, I don't wanna be a fool for love
I don't want to be taken for granted or hurt by love


No, no, I won't, no
Assuring oneself that they won't make a mistake again


Hey, no, ooh...
Making a sound to convey a sense of defiance


I know that people do go through changes, yeah
Acknowledging that people naturally grow and evolve


But this just don't make no damn sense
Expressing confusion and frustration that the relationship is going downhill


If we're gonna keep sayin' we love one another, yeah, yeah
If there is still love in the relationship, it should be shown through actions not just words


Well, then we better stop fightin' and arguin'
The constant fighting is causing harm to the relationship


?Cause baby, I've heard ?I'm sorry? too many, many times before
The apologies are becoming insincere and meaningless


Now I know better
Learning from past mistakes and not repeating them


It hurts to hold on to this kind of love even more
The pain of trying to hold on to a failing love is greater than the pain of letting go


No, I'm not crazy
Asserting oneself that they are not irrational for wanting to end the relationship


I won't be a fool, a fool for love
I refuse to be blinded by love and make foolish choices


?Cause I know I'd rather be alone than be here unhappy
I value my happiness more than being in a dissatisfying relationship


I'm not gonna choose, choose for you
I am taking control of my own life and not allowing others to dictate my choices


I know it's time to go when I feel lonely
Feeling disconnected from a partner is a sign that it's time to end the relationship


When I'm layin' in your arms and it don't feel right, oh
Feeling uncomfortable and unhappy in the presence of a partner


?Cause every time I feelin' up you try to bring me down
Feeling that one's partner is always trying to sabotage or diminish their happiness


So I feel good knowin' I don't need you around
Realizing that being alone is better than feeling unhappy with a partner


?Cause I know, I know that I can feel this bad all by myself, hoo, yeah
Being alone may be painful, but it's better than being in a toxic relationship


And maybe that's my best bet
Coming to the conclusion that being alone is the best option


Startin' this time I'm gonna think selfishly
Making oneself the top priority instead of sacrificing happiness for a partner


And never depend on someone else for keepin' me happy, oh, no, no
Taking control of one's own happiness instead of relying on others to provide it


I'm never gonna be a fool for love
Making a promise to oneself to never be taken for granted in a relationship again


I'd rather be alone, just give it up
Choosing to end the relationship and be alone instead of settling for an unhappy partnership


Don't make no sense to be in love
It doesn't make sense to stay in a loveless relationship


And be here unhappy, oh, no
The relationship is causing unhappiness and it's time to end it


It might feel good on a lonely night
Short-term companionship may seem comforting, but it's not sustainable for the long term


But layin' in your arms today ain't right
Feeling that the relationship is no longer fulfilling, even physically


I'd rather lose you than lose my mind
Choosing to end the relationship to maintain mental and emotional stability


And be here unhappy with you, baby
Staying in the relationship will only lead to continued unhappiness


Ho...no, no, no, no, no, no
Making a sound to assert oneself and stand firm in one's decisions


I don't wanna be a fool, no, no, no
Refusing to be taken for granted or emotionally hurt again


I don't want to be a fool
Standing up for oneself and setting boundaries to avoid being taken for granted




Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, O/B/O DistroKid, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES SAMUEL III HARRIS, JAMES HARRIS III, STANLEY HOWARD, STANLEY ERIC HOWARD, GARRY JOHNSON, GARY JOHNSON, TERRY LEWIS, KARYN L WHITE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

Kim Sanderson

Love me some Karyn WhiteπŸ’–πŸ’– who's still listening in 2020?

Lizzy Moiloa

2021 m still here...

Verlene joseph

2021

Joseph Nichol

Me

Kurt Ewald

Me loved the eighties and nineties

Shawn Vigor

πŸ‘‹πŸΎ

15 More Replies...

Kingsley Mola

A lonely heart is better than a broken one, I love it I love it

Zodwa Mahlangu

@Pandora's Box fbdhpbsgsb

Leota Dataram

So true.

A Frank

Yes. Don't need no one bringing misery into your life.

More Comments

More Versions