After finishing high school, Kem dealt with homelessness, addiction, and isolation from his family. He did not overcome these issues until he turned to spirituality and music, as he has said, "My career didn't take off until I connected with my spirituality. That's why I take time on stage and on the album to administer spirituality to people. That's one of the things that I am most proud of." He has also stated that he does not create music marketed to the mainstream hip-hop-dominated R&B crowd but to people who enjoy his soul/jazz adult contemporary sound and lyrical content. He wrote, produced, and financed his self-released debut album, Kemistry, by singing in a wedding band and waiting tables. He was later signed by Motown Records, who re-released the album on February 25, 2003. The album's first single, "Love Calls", became a hit at urban adult contemporary and smooth jazz radio. He followed his debut release with a sophomore album, Album II, released May 17, 2005. It included the hit single "I Can't Stop Loving You", a #1 at urban adult contemporary radio, and the song "You Might Win" featuring Stevie Wonder on harmonica.
Love Calls
Kem Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And all that you mean to me
I used to think I would never fall in love again
I guess I was wrong
When your heart was broken
When your wounded pride was laid to rest, baby
You'll never open your heart to anyone else, you said
You see your mind might be made up, mmm
But your heart has got its own plans
There's no one to blame the false pride, tellin' lies, tryin' to hide
From feelin' the pain, I know you don't wanna feel
There's nowhere to hide when love is callin' your name, yeah
From the dark, nowhere to hide, baby, yeah
There's nowhere to hide, so let love have its way with your heart
When love calls, love calls, love calls your name
It's on my lips
And I wish that you were still here
To take me away with your kiss
And take me away from all this crazy, crazy
'Cause too many words have been spoken
Too many lies have been told, baby
You'll never do it again, you tell yourself over and over and over
But you're wrong, dead wrong, babe, yeah
There's nowhere to hide, mmm, when love is callin' your name
From the dark, baby, nowhere to run, girl
There's no where to hide, yeah
So let love have its way, girl, with your heart, babe
Love calls, love calls
There's nowhere to hide, yeah, when love is callin' your name
You fall apart, baby [Incomprehensible]
Nowhere to hide, nowhere to run, when love is on its way, girl
To your heart, baby, when love calls, love calls your name, babe
[Incomprehensible] love's callin' your name, hey hey
It's callin' out for you, callin' out for me, babe
Love's on its way, baby, yeah, yeah
I'm sittin' here thinkin' about you tonight and how you make me feel
The sweetness of your touch, the softness of your voice
You make me wanna be a better man, baby
And I wanna thank you for calling me into your life
Into your arms, into your love
The lyrics of Kem's song "Love Calls" describe the feelings of a man who is contemplating his love for someone special to him. He begins by stating that he is thinking about this person on this particular night, and how much she means to him. He admits that he once believed he would never fall in love again, but he realizes he was wrong. The individual he is singing about has apparently suffered heartbreak in the past and claimed they would never give their heart to anyone again; however, Kem seems to know that this is a lie.
He goes on to explain that the mind may be made up, but the heart has its own plans, and there is no one to blame for the false pride and lies that keep them from feeling the pain they don't want to feel. Kem then tells the person that they cannot hide from love and urges them to allow it to have its way with their heart. He concludes by expressing gratitude to this person for bringing him into their life and making him a better man, and thanks them for their love.
The song's overall message is that love is powerful enough to break down even the most stubborn, guarded heart. It encourages people to open themselves up to the possibility of love and let it guide them to be more compassionate, loving individuals.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm sittin' here thinkin' about you tonight
I am pondering about you tonight
And all that you mean to me
Everything that you represent to me
I used to think I would never fall in love again
In the past, I presumed I would not ever love again
I guess I was wrong
I was mistaken
When your heart was broken
During the time your heart was shattered
When your wounded pride was laid to rest, baby
When your ego was hurt and you got over it
You'll never open your heart to anyone else, you said
You claimed to never open up to anyone else
But you lied, I know you're lyin', babe
You fibbed; I am aware that you are being untruthful
You see your mind might be made up, mmm
You understand that your decision is firm
But your heart has got its own plans
However, your heart has its individual strategies
There's no one to blame the false pride, tellin' lies, tryin' to hide
No one is at fault for the fake egotism, dishonesty, and concealment
From feelin' the pain, I know you don't wanna feel
To escape pain, I realize that you do not wish to sense
There's nowhere to hide when love is callin' your name, yeah
It is impossible to escape when love is summoning you
From the dark, nowhere to hide, baby, yeah
There is no place to protect oneself, even in the shadows
There's nowhere to hide, so let love have its way with your heart
Since there is no escape, allow love to take its course
When love calls, love calls, love calls your name
When love beckons, it calls your name
It's on my lips
It is on the tip of my tongue
And I wish that you were still here
I desire that you were still present
To take me away with your kiss
To transport me away with your kiss
And take me away from all this crazy, crazy
And lead me far from all this madness
'Cause too many words have been spoken
Since too many expressions have been stated
Too many lies have been told, baby
Several lies have been told
You'll never do it again, you tell yourself over and over and over
You repeat to yourself that you will never do it again
But you're wrong, dead wrong, babe, yeah
However, you are incorrect, totally incorrect
There's nowhere to hide, mmm, when love is callin' your name
When love summons you, concealment is impossible
From the dark, baby, nowhere to run, girl
In the darkness, it is impossible to flee, woman
There's no where to hide, yeah
There is no escape, yes
So let love have its way, girl, with your heart, babe
Such that, allow love to influence your heart, girl
Love calls, love calls
Love beckons
There's nowhere to hide, yeah, when love is callin' your name
When love lures you, there is no escape
You fall apart, baby [Incomprehensible]
You disintegrate, baby
Nowhere to hide, nowhere to run, when love is on its way, girl
It is impossible to protect oneself or run when love is approaching, girl
To your heart, baby, when love calls, love calls your name, babe
To your heart, darling, when love beckons, it calls your name
[Incomprehensible] love's callin' your name, hey hey
Love is summoning you, hey hey
It's callin' out for you, callin' out for me, babe
It is summoning both me and you, darling
Love's on its way, baby, yeah, yeah
Love is coming, baby
I'm sittin' here thinkin' about you tonight and how you make me feel
I am reflecting about you tonight and how you make me perceive
The sweetness of your touch, the softness of your voice
The tenderness of your contact, the gentleness of your tone
You make me wanna be a better man, baby
You inspire me to be a better person, darling
And I wanna thank you for calling me into your life
I want to show appreciation for you inviting me into your existence
Into your arms, into your love
Into your embrace and affection
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KIM L. OWENS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind