Black Coffee
Mel Lewis Thad Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tastes like toffee
She kissed me slowly, she
Held me softly
Got too close and she
Backed up off me
Left me stone cold sober just
Like black coffee
Coffee
She told me that she'd always
Be thinkin' of me
She said she wanted me to know
That she really did love me
She said she never put no one
Else above me
Except her monkey, she's
Like a junkie
Just like a junkie, just
Like a junkie
It was April 25th, it's
Up around 80
Found a spot out in the park
Where the grass is shady
She said her mom's from Jamaica
Said her father's from Haiti
Such a pretty lady, she's
Such a lady
She smelled like flowers, she
Tastes like toffee
She kissed me slowly, she
Held me softly
Got too close and she
Backed up off me
She left me stone cold sober
Just like black coffee
Just like black coffee, just like
Black coffee, just like black coffee
The song "Black Coffee" is a love song, but it has a melancholic tone to it. It tells the story of a man meeting a woman and being drawn to her immediately. She seems perfect to him - smelling like flowers, tasting like toffee, kissing him slowly, and holding him softly. However, she's also slightly elusive and hesitant to get too close. Despite this, she tells him that she loves him and that no one else comes before him. The two spend a sunny day together in the park, talking about their backgrounds and enjoying each other's company. However, the encounter ends with the man feeling abandoned, like he's been left "stone cold sober" - just like black coffee.
The lyrics of "Black Coffee" convey a sense of sweetness mixed with sadness. On the surface, the encounter between the man and the woman seems idyllic, but there's an undercurrent of something darker that hints at their relationship not being meant to last. The use of sensory details like the smell of flowers and the taste of toffee add an extra layer of nuance to the song, highlighting the intensity of the man's attraction to the woman. Similarly, the reference to her being "like a junkie" adds to the sense of uncertainty and the possibility of the relationship being destructive.
Line by Line Meaning
She smelled like flowers, she
The girl had a sweet and appealing fragrance to her body, just like flowers.
Tastes like toffee
Her lips had a sweet flavor to them, similar to that of toffee.
She kissed me slowly, she
The girl planted a slow and passionate kiss on his lips, conveying her genuine emotions.
Held me softly
During the kiss, she held him with a soft grip, radiating her affectionate nature.
Got too close and she
When the artist got too close to the girl, she pulled back and distanced herself from him.
Backed up off me
The girl stepped back from the singer to maintain a safe distance between them.
Left me stone cold sober just
Her departure made him feel sober and alert, as if he hadn't consumed any alcohol.
Like black coffee
The girl's sudden exit from his life was like a strong and unsweetened cup of black coffee that jolts one's senses.
She told me that she'd always
The girl expressed her commitment to always think of him, no matter where she goes in life.
Be thinkin' of me
She made it clear that he was always going to be in her thoughts, even if she wasn't physically present around him.
She said she wanted me to know
The girl was honest about her feelings and declared her love for him.
That she really did love me
She emphasized the fact that she truly did care for him and held sincere love for him.
She said she never put no one
The girl reassured him that she never thinks of anyone else but him, and he holds a special place in her heart.
Else above me
The singer was her top priority, and she placed him superior to anyone else in her life.
Except her monkey, she's
Despite her affection for the singer, she still had one thing that was dear to her, just like how a monkey has its favorite stuff.
Like a junkie
The girl was overwhelmed with her obsession for something, it made her feel like an addict who couldn't help being addicted to a substance or attitude.
It was April 25th, it's
The artist remembered the date with utmost clarity; it was April 25th, and the weather was unusually warm.
Up around 80
The temperature was around 80 degrees Celsius, which the singer describes as hot.
Found a spot out in the park
The pair spent time in a park, enjoying the fresh air and greenery around them.
Where the grass is shady
They sat under the shade of a tree on the grass, to cool down from the hot weather.
She said her mom's from Jamaica
The girl revealed that her mother is from Jamaica, indicating her parents' diverse cultural heritage.
Said her father's from Haiti
Her father was born and raised in Haiti, adding to the richness of her family's heritage.
Such a pretty lady, she's
The singer appreciated the girl's beauty and charm as she radiated elegance and grace.
Such a lady
The artist admired how the girl conducted herself like a mature and classy lady.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, GUY WEBSTER/WEBSTER MUSIC
Written by: J. FRANCIS BURKE, PAUL FRANCIS WEBSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind