That's Not Love
Keb' Mo' Lyrics


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It ain't you
No it ain't me
That's not the way
Love's supposed to be

And it's just no good
No it ain't right
For you to be sitting all alone
Crying every night

You're down on your knees
Scared he's gonna leave
But if you really wanna know
You're gonna have to let go

'Cause that's not love
Love don't feel that bad
That's not love
It don't feel that sad
No that's not love
'Cause you don't feel good inside
I don't know what it is
But that's not love

Inside your heart
It's always raining
And you're oh so tired
Tired of your own complaining

This is for real
It ain't no game




You can't measure your love
By the depths of your pain

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Keb' Mo''s song "That's Not Love" is a poignant message about the wrong and unhealthy aspects of love. The opening lines of the song declare how love should be, but it's not the way it is between the singer and his partner. The song acknowledges the pain in the relationship that has been clouded with tears and loneliness. The song advises that it's time to move on from these bad feelings and release ourselves from our suffering. Love is not supposed to make us feel this way. The verses further describe how the singer's partner is seemingly in a constant state of sadness and despair. She is scared that he will leave, but it's not love if it makes us feel this bad.


The chorus of the song reinforces the message that this cannot be love because love doesn't make us feel those negative emotions of pain and sadness. The lines "No, that's not love 'cause you don't feel good inside, I don't know what it is, but that's not love" emphasize that the feeling she is experiencing may not be love at all, but something else. The song concludes with the notion that genuine love is not about misery and heartache. Rather, love should be about feeling happy, peaceful, and blissful. That's not what she feels, thus it's not love.


Line by Line Meaning

It ain't you
The problem isn't with you


No it ain't me
The problem isn't with me either


That's not the way Love's supposed to be
Love isn't supposed to be like this


And it's just no good No it ain't right
This situation is not healthy or right


For you to be sitting all alone Crying every night
It's not ok for you to be sitting alone, crying every night


You're down on your knees Scared he's gonna leave
You're begging and scared that your partner is going to leave


But if you really wanna know You're gonna have to let go
In order to know the truth, you need to let go of this situation


'Cause that's not love Love don't feel that bad
This isn't what love feels like; love isn't supposed to be this painful


That's not love It don't feel that sad No that's not love 'Cause you don't feel good inside I don't know what it is But that's not love
This is not what love should make you feel; it's not making you feel happy or fulfilled. We're not sure what it is, but it's not love.


Inside your heart It's always raining And you're oh so tired Tired of your own complaining
You're always unhappy and complaining to yourself, feeling exhausted and hopeless


This is for real It ain't no game You can't measure your love By the depths of your pain
This is a serious situation, not a game. You can't judge the level of someone's love for you by how much pain they cause you.




Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Georgina M. Graper, Kevin R. Moore

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@dianacrow7509

He has an undeniable presence on stage that simplifies real emotions. Simply....elegant!
Thank you; Mr. Keb Mo! <<โ™ก>>

@marcelodanielnasberg7935

Keb Mo you are the best in decades!!! and your musicians astounding

@cynthiaanne2704

Absolutely love this song ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ’”

@lastbluesplayer

I purchased three KEB MO Cds and got hooked. I love the blues and the song writing is outstanding..

@hanserikkratholmrasmussen6623

In just about a month I will experience Kebยด live in Denmark. To be honest he has gone under my radar for years, but better late than never. I really look forward to seeing him live.

@mikebaird8648

I enjoy Kem Mo each and everytime I listen to him. He's evaded me as far as a live but I'll catch up with em...

@dianereed8597

Luv This with Very Awesome and Relaxing Music and Special Times For Sure!

@metalheadmalta

Too cool... awesome talent...

@wazungus

In 1997 to 1999, I was very fortunate to have lived on the beautiful island of Guam in the western Pacific. Whilst there, I heard this song being played on one of the many radio stations, and this song takes me back.....

@sereanaduwai8313

One of the greats in Blues

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