Kelly has also produced and performed in many tracks by other R&B and hip-hop artists. In 1994, Kelly produced and wrote the debut album of R&B singer Aaliyah and in 1995, Kelly co-produced and wrote the song "You Are Not Alone" for Michael Jackson, which was included on Jackson's album, HIStory. Kelly has sung the hooks for many notable hip-hop songs, such as "Fuckin' You Tonight" by The Notorious B.I.G., "We Thuggin'" by Fat Joe, "Gigolo" by Nick Cannon, and "Go Getta" by Young Jeezy, and has collaborated for two albums with Jay-Z.
I Don't Mean It
R. Kelly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I ain't, ya know what
I'm not tryin' to say things to hurt you
You know what I'm saying
I don't wanna hurt you, baby
Just sometimes you do things
That push me to say things I don't wanna say
You know what I'm saying?
You know I care about you
This time, you just brought it on yourself
Yo, check it out
Now I shoulda been more man
About the way things went down
Especially since we been dealin'
For like seven years now
I've been slowly, slowly bringing you down
No conversation, no good sex in a while
But still you search and find a way
To love me somehow
Even though I ride, you still trust me somehow
Got my faces, some ice and a tie
Slowly, slowly, slowly, slowly goin' down
(I don't mean it) When I hollar at you
(I don't mean it) When I say that we're through
(I don't mean it) What I'm takin' you through
(I don't mean it) Baby
(I don't mean it) Said I'm sorry
(I don't mean it) Can you find a way to forgive me
(I don't mean it) Said I went to church this morning
(I don't mean it) I don't mean it
Running around here talking about
How I'm a big player now
Hidden in corners, blinging out our share
Kelly makin' hits now
Thinking about this industry
And how I put it out
You were there for me
When I used dish rags for ties
There's times that I didn't hear you
I was talkin' too loud
When I didn't come home
I was hanging with the crowd
Whenever we fight I try to win every round
Can you find a way to forgive me now
(I don't mean it) Cuz I don't mean it
(I don't mean it) When I hollar at you
(I don't mean it) Whenever I say we're through
(I don't mean it) Whoa
(I don't mean it) Can you find a way to forgive
(I don't mean it) Ooh baby, I
(I don't mean it) I went to church this mornin'
(I don't mean it) Ooh I don't mean it
[R.] Father, can you help me?
[Priest]What do you need from me?
[R.] I broke up with my girl and I'm feelin' kinda lonely
[Priest]I been watching you from Heaven, Kelly
You been so demanding
You need to read my word, son
And get some understanding
[R.] But I been busy with my music
[Priest]Stop making excuses
Recognize the love she gives
And try not to abuse it
[R.] Is it too late to get her back?
[Priest]Not as long as I'm a fact
[R.] Well father, show me a sign
That will make her mine
(I don't mean it) I don't mean it
(I don't mean it) Whenever I say we're through
(I don't mean it) Or whenever I hollar at you
(I don't mean it) Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
(I don't mean it) Ooh baby, ooh baby
(I don't mean it) See what was straight is now stone
(I don't mean it) Because I took you for granted, oh
(I don't mean it) Whoa
(I don't mean it) Whoa you should know I don't mean it
(I don't mean it) I put it on my life
(I don't mean it) Believe me I pay the price
(I don't mean it) When I was down and out
(I don't mean it) You reached out your hand
(I don't mean it) I've learned it takes a good woman
(I don't mean it) To raise a man
(I don't mean it) Oh, I love you baby
(I don't mean it) Oh oh oh I love you baby
The song “I Don't Mean It” by R. Kelly is a confession of sorts to his partner that he didn't mean to hurt her with his words and actions. The song highlights his flaws while also accentuating the love and care that he has for her. At the beginning of the song, he clarifies that he doesn't intend to hurt his partner and he acknowledges that it is he who does things that push him to do so. Although he loves and cares for her, he mentions how the couple has drifted apart, and he feels that she is still holding on even though the passion in the relationship has disappeared. He talks about his music career, which has blinded him to the love and care that she had been giving him all these years, resulting in him taking her for granted. In the end, he goes to a church and asks for forgiveness and a sign to help him get his girl back.
One of the most interesting elements of the song "I Don't Mean It" is that it is part of R. Kelly's album "Double Up," which addresses his sexual assault charges. Furthermore, the song has been analyzed extensively due to its connection with his personal issues. The song mainly features Kelly's vocals, but the lyrics of the song were co-written by James Smith and released in 2007 as the sixth track on the album. The song speaks to Kelly's R&B sensibility as it can be a perfect slow jam to dance to. The song was able to peak at number one on the US Billboard chart in 2007 and became a fan favorite. The song has not been performed live since 2008, as Kelly stopped performing it after his sexual assault allegations.
Chords: The chords for this song are not known.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, like I was saying
I'm reiterating my intention to explain my thoughts about our issues
I ain't, ya know what
I don't want to hurt you
I'm not tryin' to say things to hurt you
I don't want to say anything that will hurt your feelings
You know what I'm saying
You understand what I'm trying to say
I don't wanna hurt you, baby
I don't want to cause any pain to you, my love
Just sometimes you do things
On some occasions, you do things
That push me to say things I don't wanna say
That makes me say things I don't intend to say
You know I love you
I love you unconditionally
You know I care about you
I deeply care about you
This time, you just brought it on yourself
This time it was your actions that led to our problems
Yo, check it out
Listen carefully to what I'm about to say
Now I shoulda been more man
I should have acted like a true man
About the way things went down
About how our relationship took a wrong turn
Especially since we been dealin'
Especially considering the long time we've been together
For like seven years now
For a duration of about seven years
I've been slowly, slowly bringing you down
I've been gradually diminishing your worth and esteem
No conversation, no good sex in a while
We've not had decent communication or engaging sexual experience in some time
But still you search and find a way
Yet, you keep looking for ways to keep our love alive
To love me somehow
To still love me despite everything
Even though I ride, you still trust me somehow
Although I'm unfaithful, you still have faith in me
Got my faces, some ice and a tie
Wearing my expensive attire and jewelry
Slowly, slowly, slowly, slowly goin' down
Gradually losing everything despite my flashy looks
(I don't mean it) When I hollar at you
I'm sorry for yelling at you
(I don't mean it) When I say that we're through
I don't mean it when I threaten to end our relationship
(I don't mean it) What I'm takin' you through
I don't intend to put you through our current issues
(I don't mean it) Baby
I'm sorry, love
(I don't mean it) Said I'm sorry
I apologize
(I don't mean it) Can you find a way to forgive me
Can you please forgive me?
(I don't mean it) Said I went to church this morning
I attended church earlier today
(I don't mean it) I don't mean it
I'm sorry, I didn't mean it
Running around here talking about
Going around, bragging about
How I'm a big player now
How I'm a successful player in the music industry
Hidden in corners, blinging out our share
Hiding in corners and displaying our share of wealth
Kelly makin' hits now
I, R. Kelly, am making hits now
Thinking about this industry
Reflecting on the music industry
And how I put it out
And how I gained prominence in the industry
You were there for me
You supported me throughout
When I used dish rags for ties
When I was using raggedy ties
There's times that I didn't hear you
There are times when I failed to listen to you
I was talkin' too loud
I was speaking too loudly
When I didn't come home
When I didn't return home
I was hanging with the crowd
I was hanging out with friends
Whenever we fight I try to win every round
Whenever we quarrel, I always try to come out as the winner
Can you find a way to forgive me now
Can you please forgive me right now?
(I don't mean it) Cuz I don't mean it
I'm only apologizing for my mistakes
(I don't mean it) Whenever I say we're through
I don't really want us to break up
(I don't mean it) Whoa
I'm sorry, I didn't intend to upset you
(I don't mean it) Can you find a way to forgive
Can you please find it in your heart to forgive me?
(I don't mean it) Ooh baby, I
I'm sorry, my love
(I don't mean it) See what was straight is now stone
What was once easy and uncomplicated is now hard and difficult
(I don't mean it) Because I took you for granted, oh
It's because I didn't value you enough, my love
(I don't mean it) Whoa
I'm sorry for any pain I've caused
(I don't mean it) Whoa you should know I don't mean it
Please believe me when I say I'm sorry
(I don't mean it) I put it on my life
I swear on my life that I'm sorry
(I don't mean it) Believe me I pay the price
Please believe that I genuinely regret my actions
(I don't mean it) When I was down and out
When I was going through a rough patch
(I don't mean it) You reached out your hand
You extended your hand to help me
(I don't mean it) I've learned it takes a good woman
I've realized that it takes a virtuous woman
(I don't mean it) To raise a man
To bring up a man
(I don't mean it) Oh, I love you baby
I love you very much, my love
(I don't mean it) Oh oh oh I love you baby
I really love you, my love
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBERT S. KELLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Don Perfecto Manfinini
on when a man loves a women
beautiful song