Ex-Factor
Ms. Lauryn Hill Lyrics

It could all be so simple
This relationship between us could be easy and uncomplicated.

But you'd rather make it hard
However, you choose to make things between us difficult and complicated.

Loving you is like a battle
Being in love with you is a constant struggle and challenge for me.

And we both end up with scars
And as a result, we both end up emotionally hurt and scarred.

Tell me, who I have to be
Please tell me what I need to do or change, so we can have a proper reciprocal relationship.

To get some reciprocity
To have a mutual and equal exchange of love, respect, and care.

No one loves you more than me
No one else will ever love you more than I do.

And no one ever will
You will never find anyone who loves you more than I do.

Is this just a silly game
Are we just playing a meaningless and foolish game with each other's feelings?

That forces you to act this way?
That compels you to behave this way towards me?

Forces you to scream my name
Makes you call out my name in anger or passion.

Then pretend that you can't stay
Only to pretend later that you cannot be with me.

No matter how I think we grow
No matter how much I think we are progressing and evolving in our relationship.

You always seem to let me know
You always find a way to remind me that we are not moving forward.

It ain't workin', It ain't workin' (No, it ain't workin')
Our relationship is not working, it's not functioning properly.

And when I try to walk away
Whenever I try to leave this relationship behind.

You'd hurt yourself to make me stay
You would rather hurt yourself just to make me stay with you.

This is crazy, this is crazy (This is crazy, uh-huh)
This situation is insane, it's not rational or healthy for either of us.

I keep letting you back in
I keep allowing you to come back into my life and heart.

How can I explain myself?
How can I justify or rationalize why I keep allowing you back in?

As painful as this thing has been
Even though this relationship has been extremely painful and hurtful for me.

I just can't be with no one else
I just cannot be with anyone else but you.

See I know what we've got to do
I understand what we need to do in order to fix our relationship.

You let go, and I'll let go too
You need to let go of your negative behaviors and attitudes, and I will forgive and let go of any hurt you've caused me.

'Cause no one's hurt me more than you
Because there is no one else who has hurt me more than you have in this relationship.

No matter how I think we grow
Despite how much growth I think we are experiencing in our relationship,

You always seem to let me know
You always manage to show me that we are not progressing forward.

It ain't workin', It ain't workin' (It ain't workin')
Our relationship is not working, no matter how much we try or hope it does.

And when I try to walk away
And no matter how much I try to move on from this toxic relationship.

You'd hurt yourself to make me stay
You would rather cause harm to yourself just to keep me in this detrimental relationship.

This is crazy, this is crazy
This is an illogical and insane thing to do for both of us.

Care for me, care for me
Please take care of my emotional needs and well-being.

I know you care for me
I know that you care about me.

There for me, there for me
Please be there for me when I need you.

Said you'd be there for me
You promised that you would always be there for me.

Cry for me, cry for me
Please show me your vulnerability and care by crying with me.

You said you'd die for me
You said that you are willing to die for me, which is a profound declaration of love and commitment.

Give to me, give to me
Please give me your love, attention, and affection.

Why won't you live for me?
Why won't you show me your love and commitment through your actions and not just words?