DeVaughn's musical story began with his mother's vinyl collection. "I always loved music so I would sneak into her record collection when she wasn't around and play her stuff." DeVaughn's father, noted jazz musician Abdul Wadud was also an influence. DeVaughn knew at an early age that he would become an entertainer.
DeVaughn graduated from High Point High School in Beltsville, Maryland; then headed to nearby Coppin State. It was the first day of college that changed the course of his life. "I saw a group of guys standing outside singing, Boyz II Men style," remembers DeVaughn. "I just went up there and started harmonizing with them. Before I knew what was going on, I was in a group, cutting class to write lyrics and record." After winning $2,000.00 in a talent show at Bar None, a Washington D.C. nightclub, DeVaughn decided to go for broke and invested all of his winnings into a CD burner. Several independent releases led to a showcase with Jive Records, and the career was on it's way.
Black and Blue
Raheem DeVaughn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To a friend in need
I hope you get this
Love ain't pain love ain't fear
Love ain't bruises love ain't tears
Love ain't two in the morning phone call, phone call to 911
Love ain't fear for your life day and night
And I know it ain't make up to cover your scars
Compromising who you are
So tell me (tell me)
What type of love is that to you (to love you)
To love you till you're black and blue (oh no woman)
That's something I would never do (no)
I'd never put my hands on you
Love ain't ? love ain't shame
Love ain't callin' you out your name
Love ain't leavin' you blue and black
Love is a man who has your back
Love won't knock you to the ground
Love ain't designed to bring you down
Love don't beat you or mistreat you
Or only loves you when he needs to
So tell me (tell me yeah yeah)
What type of love is that to you (what type of love is that)
To love you till you're black and blue (black and blue)
That's something I would never do (I would never ever ever ever)
I'd never put my hands on you
(Love is)
Love is courage love is hope
Love is facing all your fears
Love is strength in seeking help
Love is the joy inside your tears
Love is help to lend a hand
Being loved by a real man
Love is this, from me to you
'Cause I would never put my hands on you
Tell me
What type of love is that to you (what type of love)
To love you till you're black and blue
(what man would leave you black and blue)
That's something I would never do (no)
I would never put my hands on you (never put my hands on you)
Tell me
What type of love is that to you (yeah what type of love)
To love you till you're black and blue (that's something I would never do)
That's something I would never do
(I would never never never never put my hands on you)
I would never put my hands on you
[Repeat: x8]
(Only) only love you, only kiss you only hug you, only love you
In Raheem DeVaughn's song "Black & Blue," the artist speaks directly to a friend who is currently in an abusive relationship. The lyrics emphasize that love should not be painful or damaging, and that true love should never involve physical or emotional abuse. Instead, love is defined as hope, courage, and strength. Love is also described as supportive and protective, with the implication that the singer would always be there for his friend in need.
The lyrics use vivid imagery to convey the message. "Love ain't bruises love ain't tears," for example, conveys that love should not involve physical harm or emotional hurt. "Love ain't fear for your life day and night, isolated from your loved ones," emphasizes that true love should not make someone feel trapped, alone, or scared. The repetition of the question "what type of love is that to you?" underlines the idea that abusive relationships are not love at all.
Overall, "Black & Blue" is a powerful plea for anyone experiencing abuse to recognize that they deserve to be treated with love and respect. The song aims to empower individuals to seek help and to find the courage to leave harmful relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
I just wanna speak from the heart right now
I want to express myself honestly
To a friend in need
To someone who requires assistance
I hope you get this
I hope you understand what I'm saying
Love ain't pain love ain't fear
True love doesn't involve hurting or fearing each other
Love ain't bruises love ain't tears
Love doesn't cause physical or emotional pain
Love ain't two in the morning phone call, phone call to 911
Love doesn't involve calling emergency services due to conflict
Love ain't fear for your life day and night
Real love does not make you scared for life
Isolated from your loved ones
Being made to stay away from people you love
And I know it ain't make up to cover your scars
Covering up physical scars with makeup is not love
Compromising who you are
Changing yourself to please someone you love is not healthy
So tell me (tell me)
Explain to me
What type of love is that to you (to love you)
What kind of love do you consider is happening
To love you till you're black and blue (oh no woman)
To love someone until they are physically hurt is wrong
That's something I would never do (no)
I would never harm you
I'd never put my hands on you
I will not use physical violence on you
Love ain't ? love ain't shame
Love does not involve causing or feeling ashamed
Love ain't callin' you out your name
Love doesn't involve insulting each other
Love ain't leavin' you blue and black
Love doesn't cause physical damage
Love is a man who has your back
Love involves emotional and physical support
Love won't knock you to the ground
Love doesn't knock you down, literally or figuratively
Love ain't designed to bring you down
Love should pick you up, not bring you down
Love don't beat you or mistreat you
True love is not violent
Or only loves you when he needs to
Love must be unconditional
Tell me (tell me yeah yeah)
Explain to me
What type of love is that to you (what type of love is that)
What kind of love is this that you are experiencing
To love you till you're black and blue (black and blue)
To continue loving you even after you are physically hurt
That's something I would never do (I would never ever ever ever)
I would never hurt you, under any circumstances
Love is courage love is hope
Love gives us the courage to hope
Love is facing all your fears
True love will help you deal with your fears
Love is strength in seeking help
Loving someone means having the strength to seek help
Love is the joy inside your tears
Love makes us happy even when crying
Love is help to lend a hand
Love is offering to assist when needed
Being loved by a real man
Being loved by an honest, trustworthy man
Love is this, from me to you
This is what love truly is, from me to you
'Cause I would never put my hands on you
I will always treat you with respect and never hit you
To love you till you're black and blue
To continue loving you even after you are physically hurt
(what man would leave you black and blue)
No respectable man would physically hurt you
Tell me (yeah what type of love)
Explain to me what's going on
That's something I would never do
I would never cause you pain
(I would never never never never put my hands on you)
I will never use violence against you
Only love you, only kiss you only hug you, only love you
My love for you involves respecting and showing affection without hurting you
Lyrics © Ultra Tunes, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RONNIE JACKSON, PATRICK HAYES, RAHEEM S. DEVAUGHN, PHILLIP CORNISH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DaniReddz
This is his BEST CD to date....Luv All The Songs.....
@TantraGal
I am madly in love with this song! REPEAT REPEAT REPEAT!
@q17prelude
Our young women these days really need to listen to this CD. Some of the things I see these ladies dealing with astonishes me...... and I'm 26 saying this.
@laveetaalexander6337
This still sounds good, I remember playing this and it made me cry thinking about my ex I'm so glad I left...
@tonettewilks780
How cute! A nice piece by him, again...so smooth. He got me with this one!
@nicoleperry1157
Still here in 2023 Raheem is jamming!❤❤❤❤❤😊
@monifah1981
Only to love you only to kiss you only to hug you ..... Only to loveyou. I love this joint so true so true so true. Raheem is an amazing Artist.
@bigtymer331
this is a good song. no guy should ever hit a woman.
@Leniese92
I always cry when I hear this song....it always makes me think back to my first boyfriend.
@alusetche80
My sister was in a physically , emotionally abusive relationship for years this man broke her in every way possible she even contemplated suicide but their was a good God watching and holding her hand all the time gave her the stregnth to leave.Any woman in abusive relationship has to find the power within herself to leave for their sake and their loved ones.