Assembled by the production team of Gamble & Huff, MFSB was the house band for their Philadelphia International Records label and provided the signature smooth Philadelphia sound for many acts including the O'Jays, The Spinners and Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes.
In 1974, Philadelphia International released an instrumental track which had been recorded by the band as the theme for the television show Soul Train as a single. The record, titled "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)", featuring The Three Degrees, was a hit on both the pop and R&B charts, and launched a recording career for the band under their own name. MFSB albums and singles were released for the rest of the decade, and their material later served as ample material for sampling by hip-hop musicians.
Another popular MFSB number, "Love Is the Message", has been a favorite of dance/disco DJs since its release; countless remixes, both official and unofficial, exist of the song. On September 20, 2004 the record became among the first to be inducted into the newly formed Dance Music Hall of Fame. The song has also enjoyed a boost of popularity since it was featured on the in-game soundtrack of the 2004 video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. It was not released on the official boxset with the game, however.
Tell Me Why
MFSB Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If this is goodbye
Was there something I did wrong
To make you feel
you don't belong with me
Let me know
if you have to go
to do that really
meant a lot to you
do I stand accused unfairly in you
I really want to know
I wanna know why you say you're leaving
there must be a reason why
tell me why
How can I
Make you change your mind
Is there anything that I can do
To show my love for you is real
Baby what went wrong
If this is too long
Tell me was it my mistake
That made you take your love
Away from me
Baby please
Think before you leave
Are you really sure
That this is all there is
To be for me and you
I can never make it up to you
If you just walk away
But if you stay
You'll never once regret it
I'm gonna love you more than before
Tell me why
If this is goodbye
Was there something I did wrong
To make you feel
You don't belong with me
With me...
Uhhh... Uhhh
The lyrics of MFSB & Carla Benson's song "Tell Me Why" express the singer's confusion and hurt over the impending end of a relationship. The singer is seeking answers from their partner, asking whether there was something they did wrong to cause them to leave. They are willing to make amends and show their love, but feel unfairly accused and in need of clarification about what went wrong.
The song tackles themes of heartbreak, remorse, and a desire to understand and be understood. The singer is vulnerable and open, pleading for their partner not to go without explanation. They acknowledge their own mistakes and shortcomings, but still hope for the chance to make things right.
Overall, "Tell Me Why" is a poignant and relatable expression of the pain and confusion that often accompany the end of a relationship. It encourages communication and understanding in the face of difficult emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me why
Requesting an explanation for the reason behind the breakup
If this is goodbye
Acknowledging the possibility that the person is indeed leaving
Was there something I did wrong
Questioning whether one's actions contributed to the breakup
To make you feel
Trying to understand the root cause of the person's feelings
you don't belong with me
Sensing a lack of connection or chemistry between the two people
Let me know
Asking the person to communicate their intentions clearly
if you have to go
Accepting that the person may have made up their mind to leave
was it something I forgot
Questioning whether anything was overlooked or neglected
to do that really
Wondering if there was something significant that was not done
meant a lot to you
Asking if there was anything that mattered deeply to the person
do I stand accused unfairly in you
Inquiring if the person is placing undue blame on the singer
I really want to know
Expressing genuine curiosity and interest in finding out the truth
I wanna know why you say you're leaving
Seeking clarification on the person's reasons for leaving
there must be a reason why
Expressing conviction that there is a logical explanation for the situation
tell me why
Reiterating the desire for an honest and thorough explanation
How can I
Contemplating how one can change the situation
Make you change your mind
Asking for advice or guidance in persuading the person to stay
Is there anything that I can do
Acknowledging the possibility that there might be a way to fix things
To show my love for you is real
Offering a gesture of love or commitment to prove sincerity
Baby what went wrong
Expressing concern about the cause of the breakup
If this is too long
Asking if the relationship has run its course
Tell me was it my mistake
Asking if there was anything one did to contribute to the discord
That made you take your love
Wondering if the person's feelings changed due to one's actions
Away from me
Noting that the person has withdrawn their love and affection
Baby please
Making an emotional plea for the person to stay
Think before you leave
Asking the person to consider their decision carefully
Are you really sure
Challenging the person to reconsider their choice
That this is all there is
Indicating that there might be more to the relationship than currently perceived
To be for me and you
Acknowledging that the relationship might be over if the person leaves for good
I can never make it up to you
Realizing that some mistakes cannot be undone or rectified
If you just walk away
Highlighting the gravity of the decision to leave
But if you stay
Expressing hope that the relationship can be salvaged
You'll never once regret it
Assuring the person that staying would be the right choice
I'm gonna love you more than before
Promising to double down on love and affection if the person stays
Was there something I did wrong
Repeating the central query of the song
To make you feel
Emphasizing the desire to understand why the person is leaving
You don't belong with me
Reiterating the feeling that a fundamental incompatibility exists between the two people
With me...
Closing the song on a plaintive note
Writer(s): Dexter Wansel, Cynthia de Mari Biggs
Contributed by Gianna V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Vlaram connamory
I still love this album here.
DT NA
I know old '70s-'80s R&B very well. And I can't believe I've never heard this song before. What a gem!!!
jonet santos
I LOVE IT SINCE I WAS IN COLLEGE
Mr Sheep
Soothing 👌
Chris Griffin
"Sweet yet seemingly innocent" vocals by Ms. Carla Benson
jude gabriel
I was looking for this song for the longest time, i even thought that this song was just a product of my imagination, I hummed it to google and Voila! I am not crazy😅
jazzlovah
This song should be a perfect companion to Tina Charles’ “Why”
Homicidal Maniac
The refreshing Carla Benson on vocals.
Roosevelt McCarter
Was it taken from The Gamble-Huff Orchestra, Universal Love or Mysteries Of The World by MFSB?
Joselito Gonzales
😥😥🌷🌷