Keith Sweat was born in Harlem, New York City, to Juanita Thompson, a hairdresser, and Charles Sweat, a factory worker. After Charles Sweat's passing in 1973, Juanita raised their five kids by herself. He worked as a night stock boy at Macy's Department Store, and then a mail room clerk at Paine Webber, a brokerage firm. In just four years he worked his way up to a lucrative brokerage assistant job on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.[2] Sweat also worked as a supervisor for the New York Mercantile Exchange.[1]
Sweat started his musical career as a member of a Harlem band called Jamilah in 1975.[3] With the help of Jamilah, Sweat was able to hone his craft as a lead singer by performing regionally throughout the tri-State area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The group was started by bassist Larry Peoples, guitarist Michael Samuels, and drummer Walter Bradley.[citation needed]
After leaving the group in 1984 to begin a solo career, he sang at nightclubs throughout New York City and landed a chance to record for the independent label, Stadium Records. Sweat recorded only two tunes for Stadium, "Lucky Seven", and "My Mind Is Made Up", which was their third and fourth ever release, but on Stadium's first release, he is credited as co-writer and co-producer of "You Are the One for Me", the last recording ever made by the group GQ. One of GQ's original members is his uncle, Keith "Sabu" Crier.
Later in 1987, Keith Sweat was discovered by Vincent Davis and offered a recording contract with his label, Vintertainment Records, which was founded in 1983 on the foundations of early Hip-Hop and otherwise best known for releasing Joeski Love's "Pee Wee's Dance" in 1985. Vintertainment was distributed by Elektra Records from 1985 until it ceased operations in 1990. On November 24, 1987, Sweat released his debut solo studio album Make It Last Forever, which sold three million copies. The biggest hit from this album was the song that inaugurated the new jack swing era "I Want Her"[5] (No. 1 R&B & No. 5 Pop), which was nominated for the 1989 Soul Train Best R&B/Urban Contemporary Song of the Year award, while the title track from the album hit No. 2 on the R&B charts. Sweat reached the charts again with his second album I'll Give All My Love to You (1990) which hit No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart. He released his third album, Keep It Comin' in 1991, which debuted in the Top 20 of the album chart. He produced soul singer Omar Chandler.
In 1992, Sweat discovered the group Silk, and helped craft their debut album, Lose Control, which hit No. 7 on the Billboard 200 album chart.[6]
The album's single "Freak Me" hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on May 1, 1993. In 1993, Sweat discovered the Atlanta-based female R&B group Kut Klose. Sweat also produced the group's debut album Surrender, which produced their biggest hit single "I Like", peaking to No. 8 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart.
Sweat released his fourth album Get Up on It in the summer of 1994, and his self-titled fifth album in 1996. Both albums reached the top ten on the Billboard 200. The single co/produced and written by Eric McCaine "Twisted" featuring R&B group Kut Klose hit No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and "Nobody" hit No. 3, which made them Sweat's biggest hits to date. "Just A Touch" was a cover of the 1979 song "Just a Touch of Love" by Slave. He produced R&B group Dru Hill in 1996.
In the fall of 1997, Sweat discovered the group Ol' Skool and helped with their self-titled debut. He was on their biggest single, "Am I Dreaming", which featured the R&B group Xscape. Sweat also formed the R&B supergroup LSG with Gerald Levert and Johnny Gill, and released their self-titled debut album Levert.Sweat.Gill in 1997.[7] That album featured "My Body", which became a hit single. The album was certified double platinum and reached No. 4 on the U.S. Billboard 200.
Sweat's sixth album, Still in the Game was released in 1998, hitting No. 6 on the Billboard 200, and No. 2 on the R&B/Hip Hop albums chart. It featured the singles "Come and Get With Me" (which featured Snoop Dogg) (No. 12 Hot 100) and "I'm Not Ready" (No. 16 Hot 100). Sweat's success on the charts started to diminish in 2000, when he released the album Didn't See Me Coming. None of the singles from the album reached the top forty.
On August 13, 2002, Keith Sweat released his eighth album, Rebirth. The single "One on One" reached No. 75 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 44 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart.His 2008 album Just Me included the single, "Love U Better (featuring Keyshia Cole)". Sweat is currently signed to Kedar Records and released his tenth studio album entitled Ridin' Solo on June 22, 2010. The lead single taken from the album is "Test Drive" and featured label-mate Joe. Since 2007, Sweat has been the host of a nationally syndicated radio program based upon the Quiet storm format. The Keith Sweat Hotel (known as The Quiet Storm with Keith Sweat on WBLS in New York City) is syndicated through Premiere Radio Networks.[8]
Sweat is also the host of a nationally syndicated radio show called The Sweat Hotel, which I s produced and distributed to urban adult contemporary and classic soul radio stations across the U.S. by Premiere Networks, a subsidiary of iHeartMedia, Inc.[9]
Why U Treat Me So Cold
Keith Sweat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was doin' what I had to do
And what I did was for me and you
Girl, you know I did my time
All I had was you on my mind
Two years is a long time
I nearly almost lost my mind
Couldn't wait to see the look in your eye
All I thought about was loving you
See a man had to do what a man had to do
Why you treat me cold, cold, cold, cold?
Why you do me wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong?
I was doin' what I had to do
And what I did was for me and you
Why you treat me cold, cold, cold, cold?
Why you do me wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong?
I was doin' what I had to do
And what I did was for me and you
Girl, don't you know that things got hard
I could not stand bein' apart
Questioned whether your love was true
Was somebody else loving you?
Now I'm knockin' at your door
You tellin' me you don't want me no more
What the hell am I to do?
See a man had to do what a man had to do
Why you treat me cold, cold, cold, cold?
Why you do me wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong?
I was doin' what I had to do
And what I did was for me and you
Why you treat me cold, cold, cold, cold?
Why you do me wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong?
I was doin' what I had to do
And what I did was for me and you
Why you treat me cold, cold, cold, cold?
Why you do me wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong?
I was doin' what I had to do
And what I did was for me and you
Girl, can't you see what you're doin' to me?
Is this the way you want things to be?
Gave you everything that I have
You treat me so cold, you treat me so bad
Girl, can't you see you're killin' me?
Is this the way you want things to be?
My mind is so damn confused
Tell me what am I to do?
I was on the grind movin' bricks
You was tryin' to bring me back
To nickels and dimes, you had to quit
I was servin' it
Ready to ride or die behind my partner
Ready to slang that nine at any time
Cuz I'm a rider
Nigga know, Lil' Wayne
Get down and dirty for this cheddar
And for me to let a broad interfere, nigga never
I was taught better than that
Slim and Baby gave me the ropes
And Rabbit taught me the game
And if you think I'm gon' let go
Then you can catch up with your thang
It ain't gon' happen
Why you treat me cold, cold, cold, cold?
Why you do me wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong?
I was doin' what I had to do
And what I did was for me and you
In Keith Sweat's "Why You Treat Me So Cold," the singer is expressing his frustration with his partner's emotionally distant behavior, questioning why she treats him the way she does. He explains that he had to make certain decisions that resulted in their being separated for two years but that it was necessary for both of them. However, upon his return, he is met with coldness and confusion from his partner, leading him to wonder if someone else has taken his place.
Throughout the song, Keith emphasizes that he did what he had to do to provide for both himself and his partner, and questions why he is being treated so poorly after all he's done for her. He pleads for her to see how her treatment is affecting him and asks for her to give him clarity on their relationship. The chorus, which repeats multiple times throughout the song, emphasizes his confusion and frustration with her behavior.
As a whole, "Why You Treat Me So Cold" can be interpreted as Keith Sweat's plea for his partner to reciprocate the love and understanding he has shown her throughout their relationship. He expresses his willingness to do what it takes to keep their love alive, but wonders why his partner is making it so difficult. The song emphasizes the importance of communication and being open with your partner to avoid misunderstandings and hurt feelings in a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Why you do me wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong?
Why are you treating me unfairly?
I was doin' what I had to do
I was doing what was necessary at the time
And what I did was for me and you
My actions were intended to benefit both of us
Girl, you know I did my time
I served my sentence
All I had was you on my mind
You were constantly on my mind
Two years is a long time
I spent a significant amount of time away from you
I nearly almost lost my mind
The time away from you was very difficult for me
Counted every day that went by
I was constantly aware of how much time had passed
Couldn't wait to see the look in your eye
I was eager to see the expression on your face when we were reunited
All I thought about was loving you
My primary focus and desire was to love you
See a man had to do what a man had to do
As a man, I had to do what was necessary
Girl, don't you know that things got hard
Things became difficult for me
I could not stand bein' apart
I could not bear to be away from you
Questioned whether your love was true
I had doubts about the authenticity of your love
Was somebody else loving you?
I wondered if someone else was loving you in my absence
Now I'm knockin' at your door
I have come to see you
You tellin' me you don't want me no more
You are rejecting me
What the hell am I to do?
I am unsure how to proceed
Girl, can't you see what you're doin' to me?
Your actions are causing me pain and distress
Is this the way you want things to be?
Do you want our relationship to be in this state?
Gave you everything that I have
I have given you all that I am capable of giving
You treat me so cold, you treat me so bad
Your treatment of me is cruel and unkind
Girl, can't you see you're killin' me?
Your actions are causing me emotional pain and turmoil
My mind is so damn confused
I am experiencing significant confusion and turmoil
Tell me what am I to do?
I am asking for guidance or direction
I was on the grind movin' bricks
I was engaged in illegal activities
You was tryin' to bring me back
You were attempting to redirect my actions
To nickels and dimes, you had to quit
You wanted me to stop engaging in criminal activity and return to less profitable endeavors
I was servin' it
I was distributing illegal substances
Ready to ride or die behind my partner
I was committed to supporting my criminal partner regardless of the risks
Ready to slang that nine at any time
I was ready to use a firearm at any moment
Cuz I'm a rider
I am committed to a criminal lifestyle
Nigga know, Lil' Wayne
This phrase appears to be a reference to the rapper Lil' Wayne
Get down and dirty for this cheddar
I am willing to engage in illegal activity for financial gain
And for me to let a broad interfere, nigga never
I will never let a woman come between me and my criminal lifestyle
I was taught better than that
I was raised with more respect for myself and my criminal associations
Slim and Baby gave me the ropes
This appears to be a reference to the rappers Slim and Baby who may have provided mentoring or guidance
And Rabbit taught me the game
This appears to be a reference to an individual named Rabbit who may have provided guidance on the criminal lifestyle
And if you think I'm gon' let go
I am not going to abandon my criminal associates or lifestyle
Then you can catch up with your thang
This phrase is unclear in its meaning
It ain't gon' happen
It is not possible or likely to occur
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Steve Huff, Keith Sweat, Keith D. Sweat
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind