A former member of British lovers rock trio Brown Sugar (along with former … Read Full Bio ↴A former member of British lovers rock trio Brown Sugar (along with former Soul II Soul member Caron Wheeler), Kofi emerges on her own here with a confident, crisp lovers album. This is how lovers rock should be done: the music (courtesy of Mad Professor) is buttery smooth, Kofi's vocals are similarly mellow -- yet with a sultry power that demands your attention -- and the melodies are supple enough to fit into any R&B radio station's nightly "Quiet Storm" programming. Unlike some lovers rock, the material here never treads into the pop realm to a disgusting degree (although there is an R&B remake of Midnight Star's classic "Curious."). But her lyrics don't always stick to pure lovers content. "Big John," for instance, is a poignant tale of a sympathetic killer, while "Black Pride" focuses on, well, black pride. Nevertheless, Kofi's soothing lovers style is consistent, no matter what the lyrical content. Along with the previously mentioned tracks, "There Must Be," "Didn't I," and "Reggae Starship" are especially strong, but all of the cuts on Black...With Sugar come together to set a mood that is hard to resist.

That's Why
Kofi Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You gon need somebody else to buy you what you want
Prada for your problems
Warm your heart with Louboutin
I do think you love me
You in love with St Laurent
My love ain't never got you what you want

You gon need somebody else to buy you what you need

Sometimes I like to spoil you more than I got to breathe
Baby girl I'm dying got my heart up on my sleeve
Loving you ain't really what I need

Yeah I don't love you like I'm used to
but you are the one that Im used to
You know that I don't wanna take you back
But I will
and that's why

Im loving you while you loving my pockets I'm in the stu while you in the club thottin
Im in the field treat me like a slave
You picking fights like I'm picking cotton
I know you bad for me
Nah I ain't stopping
I know the fruits of our love have gone rotten
You say you need space

I don't think this a waste of my time but I'd be lying if I said I don't think I'm better off alone
It's just something about you
I can't move on

Yeah I don't love you like I'm used to
but you are the one that Im used to
You know that I don't wanna take you back

But I will
and that's why

Overall Meaning

In the song "That's Why" by Kofi, the artist expresses complex emotions and conflicts in a relationship where material possessions seem to outweigh genuine love and emotional connection. The lyrics suggest a sense of disillusionment as the singer realizes that their efforts to satisfy their partner's desires have not brought them true happiness. The imagery of luxury brands like Prada, Louboutin, and St Laurent symbolize the singer's futile attempts to fulfill their partner's needs, while questioning if love can truly be bought or if it's simply superficial.

The second paragraph delves deeper into the internal struggle of the singer, who feels torn between their desire to spoil their partner and the realization that their love is unreciprocated. Despite feeling deeply for their partner, the singer acknowledges that love alone may not be enough to sustain a healthy relationship. The vulnerability expressed in the line "Baby girl I'm dying got my heart up on my sleeve" reveals the emotional toll of loving someone who may not appreciate or reciprocate that love fully.

As the song progresses, the tone shifts to a more critical view of the relationship dynamics. The singer describes feeling neglected and taken for granted, juxtaposing their commitment to hard work with their partner's frivolous behavior. The reference to being treated like a slave and the insinuation of emotional manipulation through fights highlights the imbalance of power and emotional labor within the relationship. Despite acknowledging the toxicity of the situation, the singer struggles to let go, possibly due to familiarity or a fear of being alone.

The final verse captures the conflict between holding onto a relationship out of comfort or habit, and recognizing that it may not be healthy or fulfilling. The repetition of "I don't love you like I'm used to" suggests a resignation to the situation, while the conflicting sentiment of "you are the one that I'm used to" reflects the difficulty of breaking free from familiarity and routine. The refrain "and that's why" serves as a somber acceptance of the complicated nature of love and relationships, hinting at a cycle of longing, disappointment, and reluctant reconciliation. Overall, the lyrics of "That's Why" convey a poignant reflection on navigating the complexities of love, desire, and self-worth in a tumultuous relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

You gon need somebody else to buy you what you want
You will have to rely on someone else to buy you material possessions

Prada for your problems
Using luxury goods to distract from your issues

Warm your heart with Louboutin
Seeking emotional fulfillment through expensive shoes

I do think you love me
I believe you have feelings for me

You in love with St Laurent
You are infatuated with high-end fashion brands

My love ain't never got you what you want
My affection has not provided you with true fulfillment

You gon need somebody else to buy you what you need
You will need someone else to provide for your necessities

Sometimes I like to spoil you more than I got to breathe
Occasionally, I pamper you excessively at the expense of my well-being

Baby girl I'm dying got my heart up on my sleeve
I am emotionally vulnerable and invested in this relationship

Loving you ain't really what I need
My love for you may not be what is truly beneficial for me

Yeah I don't love you like I'm used to
My feelings for you have changed over time

but you are the one that Im used to
You have become a familiar presence in my life

You know that I don't wanna take you back
I am hesitant to reconcile with you

But I will
Despite my reservations, I may still choose to do so

and that's why
This is the reason for my actions

Im loving you while you loving my pockets I'm in the stu while you in the club thottin
I prioritize our relationship while you value material gain and partying

Im in the field treat me like a slave
I feel devalued and mistreated in this situation

You picking fights like I'm picking cotton
Engaging in unnecessary conflict, likened to historical oppression

I know you bad for me
I understand that you may not be good for my well-being

Nah I ain't stopping
Despite knowing the potential harm, I am unwilling to end things

I know the fruits of our love have gone rotten
The positive aspects of our relationship have deteriorated

You say you need space
You express a desire for distance in the relationship

I don't think this a waste of my time but I'd be lying if I said I don't think I'm better off alone
I do not view this as a waste of time, but deep down, I know I may be better off alone

It's just something about you
There is an unexplainable allure about you

I can't move on
I find it difficult to let go and move forward

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Benjamin McGregor Wilson, Daenan Kofi Gyimah, David Marcus

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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