Keyshia Myeshia Cole (born October 15, 1981) better known as Keyshia Cole … Read Full Bio ↴Keyshia Myeshia Cole (born October 15, 1981) better known as Keyshia Cole is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and television personality. She was born in Oakland, California. Her career began when she met MC Hammer at the age of 12, and later met rapper 2pac. At the age of 18, she moved to Los Angeles and was later introduced to A&M Records.

In 2005, she released her debut album The Way It Is. It sold over 1.6 million copies and spawned the hit singles I Changed My Mind, I Should Have Cheated, and Love.

After A&M folded, Cole released her second album Just like You (2007) under Geffen Records. Supported by the hit singles Let It Go, Shoulda Let You Go, I Remember, and Heaven Sent, Just Like You sold 1.7 million copies in the United States, becoming Cole's best-selling album.

Cole released her third album, A Different Me in 2008. It was certified platinum by the RIAA and spawned three hit singles: Playa Cardz Right, You Complete Me, and Trust, a duet with fellow female urban R&B singer Monica.

Cole's fourth album Calling All Hearts was released on December 21, 2010. The album debuted at number 9 on the US Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales of 128,000 copies. It also entered at number five on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and number fourteen on the Digital Albums chart. Singles released included I Ain't Thru and Take Me Way.

Woman to Woman Cole, fifth studio album, was released on November 19, 2012. Supported by singles Enough of No Love, Trust and Believe, and I Choose You, the album debuted at number ten on the US Billboard 200 chart, with first week sales of 96,000 copies.

Cole's sixth studio album, Point of No Return, was released on October 7, 2014 by Interscope Records, her final release with the label. The album debuted at number 9 on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 26,000 copies during its first week.

11:11 Reset, the singer's seventh studio album, was released on October 20, 2017 by Epic Records. The album was preceded by the release of two singles, You and Incapable. The album debuted at number thirty-seven on the Billboard 200, with first-week sales of 13,377 units (9,420 in album sales) in the United States.

Along with her music, Cole has ventured into reality television. She signed to a reality/documentary series Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is which aired on BET from 2006 until 2008, giving viewers a closer look into Cole's career and family life with her biological mother and sister. Her second reality show, Family First premiered on October 9, 2012. Her third reality show Keyshia Cole: All In premiered on February 24, 2015.

In 2010, Cole gave birth to a son, Daniel Gibson Jr. with former husband, NBA player Daniel Gibson.

Cole cites Mary J. Blige as her greatest musical inspiration, along with R&B singers Brandy and Monica.

Didn't I Tell You
Keyshia Cole Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey Keyshia
This yo big homie $hort dog from the town
I know you big balling baby
And I don't wanna get no phone calls talking bout,
Keyshia at the house curled up crying with her heart broke
You know you wasn't raised like that
You need to hit a club or something
You going out, Keyshia

So while you going out having your fun, I should sit here waiting for you
All this time I've invested in you baby,
Now you kicking yo dubs and making yo runs and popping yo drank and having your fun
But see its OK, cause what goes around comes around and its always been that way

Didn't I tell ya I was gonna be the one
Be the one and when its all done boy
She cant love you like I do
Didn't I tell ya boy
Didn't I tell you, didn't I tell you, didn't I tell you
Didn't I tell ya boy

So now the sun coming at ya won't change, but I ain't sitting out there crying and shit
So while you rolling out doing yo thing, I be popping my bottles,
Rolling on dubs, hanging with my girls, I be having my fun
Cause I don't deserve all the games you play
Now you coming back this way

Didn't I tell ya I was gonna be the one
Be the one and when its all done boy
She cant love you like I do
Didn't I tell ya boy
Didn't I tell you, didn't I tell you, didn't I tell you
Didn't I tell ya boy

You going out knowing everybody's watching (hey player)
But she could never be me and ya know it baby (she got the game)
The proof is in the putting ain't no way to hide it
Didn't I tell ya boy (I know she told you)

You think you got her stuck you must be smoking
She got a lot of money too she ain't no joke man
We raised her good she got the game before the fame
You should call, ain't nothing changed you know her name
See her riding something clean looking hella fly
I know you first should change your mind I'm bout to tell ya why
She ain't staying at the house she goin out
To some exclusive shit, that you don't know about
Knew she wouldn't be curled up, crying with a broke heart
She bout to get chased and go hard
And if you wanna run the streets, chasing hoes dude
She'll be out chilling cause you ain't doing what you suppose to

Didn't I tell ya I was gonna be the one
Be the one and when its all done boy
She cant love you like I do
Didn't I tell ya boy

Didn't I tell you, didn't I tell you, didn't I tell you
Didn't I tell ya boy

Overall Meaning

The song "Didn't I Tell You" by Keyshia Cole speaks about a relationship gone wrong. It features an intro by rapper Too $hort, who advises Cole to move on and not let the heartbreak bring her down. The lyrics of the song then follow Cole's perspective as she questions her partner's loyalty and commitment to her. She feels like she invested a lot of time and love into the relationship, but her partner is out having fun while she's left waiting. However, she decides to also move on and have her own fun without her partner. The chorus of the song emphasizes how Cole warned her partner that she would be the one for him, but he did not listen and now there are consequences to his actions. Cole's assertiveness and self-love come across powerfully in the lyrics.

The song has a strong message about self-worth and independence, as Cole stands up for herself and refuses to be treated poorly. The lyrics also demonstrate the consequences of not listening to someone's warnings, and how actions have consequences. The use of Too $hort's intro adds an interesting dynamic and emphasizes the theme of moving on and not letting heartbreak consume you.

Line by Line Meaning

Hey Keyshia
Opening line to grab Keyshia's attention

This yo big homie $hort dog from the town
Introducing himself as a mentor from the same area

I know you big balling baby
Acknowledging Keyshia's success and lavish lifestyle

And I don't wanna get no phone calls talking bout, Keyshia at the house curled up crying with her heart broke
Expressing concern for Keyshia and warning about the consequences of her actions

You know you wasn't raised like that
Reminding Keyshia of her upbringing and values

You need to hit a club or something
Suggesting Keyshia should go out and have some fun instead of wallowing in her emotions

You going out, Keyshia
Encouraging Keyshia to go out and enjoy herself

So while you going out having your fun, I should sit here waiting for you
Expressing frustration with Keyshia's behavior and feeling neglected

All this time I've invested in you baby
Emphasizing the effort and care put into the relationship

Now you kicking yo dubs and making yo runs and popping yo drank and having your fun
Observing Keyshia's indulgent lifestyle and partying habits

But see its OK, cause what goes around comes around and its always been that way
Believing in the concept of karma and that actions have consequences

Didn't I tell ya I was gonna be the one
Reiterating a past claim of being the ideal partner for Keyshia

Be the one and when its all done boy
Asserting confidence in being the right choice for Keyshia

She cant love you like I do
Comparing the depth and intensity of Keyshia's love for her ex- to the singer's love for her

So now the sun coming at ya won't change, but I ain't sitting out there crying and shit
Acknowledging that time marches on and that the singer is not dwelling on the past

So while you rolling out doing yo thing, I be popping my bottles, Rolling on dubs, hanging with my girls, I be having my fun
Positively contrasting Keyshia's partying with her own lack of regret and busy lifestyle

Cause I don't deserve all the games you play
Declaring a lack of patience for Keyshia's games and unfaithfulness

Now you coming back this way
Hinting at a desire for reconciliation with Keyshia's ex-

You going out knowing everybody's watching (hey player)
Calling out Keyshia's ex- for being a player and seeking attention

But she could never be me and ya know it baby (she got the game)
Comparing Keyshia's ex-'s new partner to the artist and emphasizing the artist's superior understanding of relationships

The proof is in the putting ain't no way to hide it
Asserting that evidence speaks for itself and is irrefutable

You think you got her stuck you must be smoking
Challenging Keyshia's ex-'s belief that he has control over his new partner

She got a lot of money too she ain't no joke man
Highlighting Keyshia's ex-'s new partner's financial success and independence

We raised her good she got the game before the fame
Attributing Keyshia's ex-'s new partner's savvy to her upbringing

You should call, ain't nothing changed you know her name
Encouraging Keyshia's ex- to reach out to his new partner

See her riding something clean looking hella fly
Describing Keyshia's ex-'s new partner's sleek and impressive appearance

I know you first should change your mind I'm bout to tell ya why
Insisting that Keyshia's ex- needs to correct his behavior and explaining why it is necessary

She ain't staying at the house she goin out
Revealing that Keyshia's ex-'s new partner is a social and active person

To some exclusive shit, that you don't know about
Implying that Keyshia's ex- is no longer in the loop and has not kept up with his new partner's life

Knew she wouldn't be curled up, crying with a broke heart
Asserting that Keyshia's ex-'s new partner is emotionally strong and independent

She bout to get chased and go hard
Predicting that Keyshia's ex-'s new partner has ambitious plans and is determined to succeed

And if you wanna run the streets, chasing hoes dude
Condemning Keyshia's ex-'s promiscuous behavior and unsavory past

She'll be out chilling cause you ain't doing what you suppose to
Emphasizing Keyshia's ex-'s failure to behave properly in the relationship and noting that he will be alone in his reckless choices

Didn't I tell ya I was gonna be the one
Reiterating a past claim of being the ideal partner for Keyshia

Be the one and when its all done boy
Asserting confidence in being the right choice for Keyshia

She cant love you like I do
Comparing the depth and intensity of Keyshia's love for her ex- to the artist's love for her

Didn't I tell ya boy
Repeating the question of whether the ex- should have listened to the singer

Didn't I tell you, didn't I tell you, didn't I tell you
Further emphasizing that the singer had warned the ex- in the past

Didn't I tell ya boy
Reiterating the question of whether the ex- should have heeded the singer's advice

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDREW HARR, JERMAINE JACKSON, KEYSHIA COLE, TODD SHAW

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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