"Bluff" navigates the intricacies of a relationship filled with doubt, vuln… Read Full Bio ↴"Bluff" navigates the intricacies of a relationship filled with doubt, vulnerability, and the urgency to prove one's worth and intentions. It's a deeply personal and introspective work that resonates with anyone who has experienced the complexities and challenges of love. Through her evocative lyrics and captivating vocals, Kelela effortlessly captures the emotional rollercoaster of a relationship on the brink, leaving the listener captivated and introspective.

Bluff
Kelela Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm calling your bluff
There's no way that you really leavin'
One word, and you on the defense
I'm calling because
You're already taken a beating
And all that you need is
Just a bit of this love

There you go
Holding on to something
I'm gonna prove you wrong
I'm gonna prove you wrong
Here we go
Jumping in the deep end
I'm gonna prove you wrong
I'm gonna prove you wrong

I'm calling your bluff
I'm calling your bluff

Overall Meaning

Kelela's song Bluff is about calling someone's bluff when they claim to be leaving her. The lyrics are straightforward and blunt. The opening line “I'm calling your bluff” sets off the tone of the song. She believes that the person in question is bluffing about leaving her, and she is not convinced. She trusts that one word will quickly put them on the defensive. Kelela knows this person is in need of love because they have already taken a beating before. In this instance, they are probably not actually leaving her, as they claim to be. She is confident that the love she has for them is everything they need.

In the chorus, Kelela encourages them to release themselves of any doubt or hesitation they may have. By holding on to something, she implies that the person is trying to protect themselves from getting hurt again. She advises them to jump in the deep end, trusting that her love will keep them afloat. In the end, she seeks to prove them wrong by removing their doubts and showing them that her love is the real deal.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm calling your bluff
I don't believe you're really going to leave me, and I'm going to call your bluff

There's no way that you really leavin'
I don't think you have the intention of leaving at all

One word, and you're on the defense
Whenever I bring up the topic of you leaving, you immediately become defensive

I'm calling because
I'm making this call to confront you about your bluff

You already taken a beating
You've been hurt before, and that's why you're using this bluff as a defense mechanism

And all that you need is
What you really need is love and compassion

Just a bit of this love
I'm willing to give you the love and care you need, to help you drop your bluff

There you go
I see you grasping onto something that isn't real

Holding on to something
You're clinging onto the idea of leaving to protect yourself from getting hurt again

I'm gonna prove you wrong
I'm going to show you that you don't need to rely on your bluff as a defense mechanism

Here we go
Let's do this

Jumping in the deep end
We're diving into this challenge and facing it head-on

I'm gonna prove you wrong
I'm confident that I can show you that love and vulnerability are the real strength

I'm calling your bluff
I'm calling out your fear-based bluff and showing you that there's a better way to approach relationships

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Kelela Mizanekristos, Will Boston

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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