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.
The Love Experience
Raheem DeVaughn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wanna tell y'all about the beautiful love experience
(hope you have time, hope you don't mind)
To my cousin I'm hoping you can hear this rhyme
When I ride through the bricks yeah
I think about you all the time
That cold day I got that phone call
I can still hear your mother cry
Well at least I can say I had my first experience of love through you
And to my first girlfriend
I know you probably married now
Reminiscing on our prom date
The way I did you yo was kind of foul
But I guess I had to wise up
So now I know better now (but at least I can say)
But at least I can say I had my first experience of love through you
Like how it feels
When it comes
What its like
When it leaves
So to the woman that betrayed me
I think its unfair how
How you chose to deceive me
I thought that was my child
Now he's forced inside for now
But at least I can say I had my first experience of love through you
To the faith I've lost (faith I've lost)
For the friends I've gain (the friends I've gain)
I'm thinking while I'm questioning change is a good thing
'Cause with dead weight you can't travel light (can't travel light)
Besides I was born to fight so I'm gon' be alright (born to fight)
But at least I can say I had my first experience of love through you
Like how it feels
When it comes
What its like when it leaves
To my momma,
To grandma
To my sister (to my sister)
And say good-bye (to my family)
After departure day and my friends told me what happened oh
But at least I can say I had my first experience of love through you
(I've experienced love)
I've experienced
The Love experience
You should experience
The love experience
We are all, all experiments
Of the love experience
So just experience
We all should experience
(la la la la la la, la la la la la la la la)
Experience
Experience
I've experienced
The Love experience
You should experience
The love experience
We are all, all experiments
Of the love experience
So just experience
The song "The Love Experience" by Raheem DeVaughn is a beautiful recollection of the experiences that shaped the artist's understanding of love. The song is his way of paying tribute to the people who have touched his life and taught him about love. He invites the listeners to take a moment and reflect on their own experiences of love.
Throughout the song, Raheem addresses different people who have had an impact on his life. He mentions his cousin who passed away, his first girlfriend, and the woman who betrayed him. Each of these experiences taught him lessons about love, both good and bad, and helped him grow as a person. He also talks about the importance of change and letting go of dead weight.
The repetition of the phrase "But at least I can say I had my first experience of love through you" is a powerful way of acknowledging the impact that these people had on his life. It reminds us that every love experience, no matter how painful or joyful, is a lesson that we can learn from and cherish.
Overall, the song is a beautiful ode to love and its complexities. It serves as a reminder that every experience of love is unique and valuable, no matter the outcome.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo peace and love,
I wanna tell y'all about the beautiful love experience
(hope you have time, hope you don't mind)
Greetings, I want to share with you my story about love.
To my cousin I'm hoping you can hear this rhyme
When I ride through the bricks yeah
I think about you all the time
That cold day I got that phone call
It plays back in my mind
I can still hear your mother cry
I am dedicating this song to my cousin who passed away. I still think about him every time I pass by where he lived, and I can still hear the pain in his family's voice when they called me to say he was gone.
Well at least I can say I had my first experience of love through you
But through my cousin, I learned how to love.
And to my first girlfriend
I know you probably married now
Reminiscing on our prom date
The way I did you yo was kind of foul
But I guess I had to wise up
So now I know better now (but at least I can say)
I also want to thank my first girlfriend. Though the way I treated her during our prom date was not right, I learned from it and have become a better person for it.
Like how it feels
When it comes
What its like
When it leaves
Love is not always easy. It can feel amazing and fulfilling, but when it ends, it can hurt just as much.
So to the woman that betrayed me
I think its unfair how
How you chose to deceive me
I thought that was my child
Now he's forced inside for now
To the woman who betrayed me by lying and claiming that her child was mine, I still thank her for being a part of my love experience.
To the faith I've lost (faith I've lost)
For the friends I've gain (the friends I've gain)
I'm thinking while I'm questioning change is a good thing
'Cause with dead weight you can't travel light (can't travel light)
Besides I was born to fight so I'm gon' be alright (born to fight)
Though I have lost faith and lost friends, I know that change can be a good thing. Without it, you can't move forward. I am a fighter, and I will be okay.
To my momma,
To grandma
To my sister (to my sister)
And say good-bye (to my family)
After departure day and my friends told me what happened oh
I am also thanking my family, including my mom, grandma, and sister. Even though I had to leave and say goodbye, they have been instrumental in shaping my love experience.
I've experienced
The Love experience
You should experience
The love experience
We are all, all experiments
Of the love experience
So just experience
We all have our own unique love experience, and it's important to embrace it for what it is. We are all experimental subjects of love, so just experience it.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROBERT L. DEBARGE, RAHEEM DEVAUGHN, ETTERLENE JORDAN, STEVE WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nellyluscious
Album is timeless!!! My favorite by Raheem!!! DC stand up!!
@shaqwanawilliams4498
it really is.
@dariafennell7996
Yes! Raheem Is Dope. D.C., Stand Up Forever!
@lesliewilliams5510
#AGREED 😊❤️☘️🌈💕💐
@mider-spanman5577
Man this is a classic for my childhood! My mom used to be rocking this all the time! I don't know why over 10 years later the song popped in my head a couple days ago and I just had to come get this earworm out!
@rshandy
STILL my favorite LP by him. Man that album was classic!
@TheMegaman1982
Reuben Shandy Ya man this album brings back memories. I was dating a girl (from DC) and she told me about him. Our 1st date was at his concert at the Trocadero in Philly. Best live performance I've ever seen.
@rshandy
.
@rshandy
TheMegaman1982 Man, I am already knowing it was. I have never seen him live but play this on the regular here. He has put out quality music since BUT nothing has come close to topping The Love Experience.
@shaqwanawilliams4498
+TheMegaman1982 oh wow that's amazing.