Her classic, critically acclaimed debut album Miseducation of Lauryn Hill went outside of the box for female rappers of her kind, making listeners think about greater causes in their community and how to be a powerful female without selling yourself short. The album also proved to be a huge landmark in rap, as it combined rap, r&b and neo-soul into a unique and beautiful mixture, full of different religious stories and concepts.
Although she retired after the success of her debut, mostly due to her child, Lauryn continued to make appearances at different shows (including at a concert with Drake in 2014). Shortly after announcing her official retirement, Lauryn returned to the scene to release MTV Unplugged 2.0, a live album where she explored with folk, departing from her rap/neo-soul style. Hill is also set to perform tracks from Miseducation in 2018 on its 20th Anniversary.
In a world where sex sells, Lauryn proved that her brand of empowering and soulful music is everlasting.
I Used to Love Him
Ms. Lauryn Hill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The type of life that I've lived
How many things I pray the father will forgive
One situation involved a young man
He was the ocean and I was the sand
He stole my heart like a thief in the night
Dulled my senses blurred my sight
I used to love him but now I don't
I chose a road of passion and pain
Sacrificed too much and waited in vain
Gave up my power ceased being queen
Addicted to love like the drug of a fiend
Torn and confused wasted and used
Reached the crossroad which path would I choose
Stuck and frustrated I waited, debated
For something to happen that just wasn't fated
Thought what I wanted was something I needed
When momma said no I just should have heeded
Misled I bled till the poison was gone
And out of the darkness arrived the sweet dawn
I used to love him but now I don't
I used to love him but now I don't
Father you saved me and showed me that life
Was much more than being some foolish man's wife
Showed me that love was respect and devotion
Greater than planets deeper than oceans
My soul was weary but now it's replenished
Content because that part of my life is finished
I see him sometimes and the look in his eye
Is one of a man who's lost treasures untold
But my heart is gold I took back my soul
And totally let my creator control
The life which was his to begin with
I used to love him but now I don't
In the song "I Used to Love Him" by Ms. Lauryn Hill, she reflects on a past relationship that she now realizes was not healthy or fulfilling. She acknowledges that she made mistakes and is asking for forgiveness from God. One of the situations she refers to is with a young man who stole her heart and ended up leaving her lost and confused.
Throughout the song, Hill recounts the pain and sacrifices she made for love, and the struggle she faced in learning to let go. She explains how she thought she needed love but now understands that it was just an addiction that she needed to overcome. She emphasizes that true love is built on respect and devotion, and that it's important to let God take control of one's life. She concludes by expressing her peace and contentment in leaving that part of her life behind and moving forward.
This song is a powerful testament to the healing process of finding one's self-worth and learning to move on. It teaches us that sometimes, we need to go through emotional turmoil and mistakes in order to grow and become stronger. Hill's powerful voice and soulful lyrics touch on themes of love, self-forgiveness, and spirituality that resonate with many listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
As I look at what I've done
Reflecting on my past and my actions
The type of life that I've lived
The way I've lived has affected me
How many things I pray the father will forgive
I hope God forgives me for everything I've done
One situation involved a young man
There was a specific man in my life
He was the ocean and I was the sand
He was intense and I was malleable
He stole my heart like a thief in the night
He captured my emotions without me realizing it
Dulled my senses blurred my sight
He clouded my thoughts and judgment
I used to love him but now I don't
I don't love him anymore
I chose a road of passion and pain
I took a path of strong emotions and hurt
Sacrificed too much and waited in vain
I gave up too much and it was all for nothing
Gave up my power ceased being queen
I lost control and gave up my authority
Addicted to love like the drug of a fiend
I was addicted to love like a drug addict
Torn and confused wasted and used
I was emotionally torn apart and spent
Reached the crossroad which path would I choose
I came to a difficult decision point
Stuck and frustrated I waited, debated
I was stuck and annoyed as I weighed my options
For something to happen that just wasn't fated
I waited for something that wasn't meant to be
Thought what I wanted was something I needed
I confused my wants with my needs
When momma said no I just should have heeded
I should have listened to my mother's advice
Misled I bled till the poison was gone
I was misled and hurt until the pain subsided
And out of the darkness arrived the sweet dawn
A significant event brought positive change into my life
Father you saved me and showed me that life
Thank you, God, for saving me and teaching me about life
Was much more than being some foolish man's wife
Life has more value than just being a man's companion
Showed me that love was respect and devotion
God showed me that love is about respect and commitment
Greater than planets deeper than oceans
Love is profound and boundless
My soul was weary but now it's replenished
My soul was tired but now it's revitalized
Content because that part of my life is finished
I'm satisfied because that chapter of my life is over
I see him sometimes and the look in his eye
I sometimes encounter that man and notice his expression
Is one of a man who's lost treasures untold
He looks like someone who has lost something valuable
But my heart is gold I took back my soul
But I'm strong and reclaimed control of my life
And totally let my creator control
I've entrusted my life to God
The life which was his to begin with
It was always God's job to guide my life
I used to love him but now I don't
I don't love that man anymore
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: D.J. Rogers, Lauryn Hill
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind