Missing You
Raphael Saadiq Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Don't see me from a distance
Don't look at my smile
And think that I don't know
What's under and behind me
I don't want you to look at me
And think
What's in you is in me
What's in me is to help them

I assume the reasons that push us to
Change everything
I would like us to forget about
Their color
So they can be optimistic
Too many views on rave that make them
Desperate
Let's leave the doors wide open
So they can talk about their pain
And joy
Then we can give them information
That will bring us all together

It's not a second
7 seconds away
Just as long as I stay
I'll be waiting

Nothing can move us, we should
Be moving
From the ones who practice wicked
Charms
For the son and the stone
Bad to the bone
Man is not evil, even when it's born

And when a child is born into this world
It has no concept
The tone the skin is living in

It's not a second
7 seconds away
Just as long as I stay
I'll be waiting

There's a million voices
There's a million voices




To tell you what she should be thinking
So you better sober up for just a second

Overall Meaning

Raphael Saadiq's song "Missing You" is a deep and introspective look at the human experience. The opening lines of "Don't see me from a distance, don't look at my smile, and think that I don't know what's under and behind me" sets the tone for the rest of the song, bringing attention to the idea that there is more to people than what meets the eye. Saadiq then goes on to express a desire for people to see beyond the color of someone's skin to see them for who they truly are, not judging them based on preconceived societal biases. The lyric "Too many views on race that make them desperate, let's leave the doors wide open so they can talk about their pain and joy, then we can give them information that will bring us all together" is a call for unity and understanding.


As the song continues, Saadiq explores the idea that humanity has the power to move towards good or evil, but ultimately is not inherently one or the other. He sings, "Man is not evil, even when it's born," suggesting that it is environmental factors and societal influences that shape individuals. The song's bridge, "And when a child is born into this world, it has no concept, the tone the skin is living in," further underscores the idea that race and societal biases are learned behaviors. The song's chorus, "It's not a second, 7 seconds away, just as long as I stay, I'll be waiting," is a message of hope, indicating that even in the darkest of times, there is always light at the end of the tunnel.


Line by Line Meaning

Don't see me from a distance
Please don't just judge me based on what you see from afar


Don't look at my smile
Don't assume that everything is okay just because I'm smiling


And think that I don't know
I am very much aware of what's going on around me


What's under and behind me
There's more to me than what meets the eye


I don't want you to look at me
I'd rather you get to know me before you pass judgment


And think
Assuming things about me without getting to know me isn't fair


What's in you is in me
We share more similarities than you think


What's in me is to help them
I have a desire to assist those in need


I assume the reasons that push us to
I try to understand why people do what they do


Change everything
Sometimes we want to completely alter our circumstances


I would like us to forget about
We should ignore or disregard


Their color
Judging, stereotyping or categorizing people based on their skin color is wrong


So they can be optimistic
Let everyone have hope and a positive outlook on life


Too many views on rave that make them
Negative opinions or perspectives can lead to desperation


Desperate
People can act recklessly when they feel hopeless


Let's leave the doors wide open
We should be welcoming and inclusive


So they can talk about their pain
Everyone should be able to share their struggles


And joy
We should celebrate our triumphs as well


Then we can give them information
Provide guidance, knowledge, and resources


That will bring us all together
Working together and sharing resources enriches us all


It's not a second
It doesn't take long


7 seconds away
Only 7 seconds away from a positive change


Just as long as I stay
If I remain persistent


I'll be waiting
I am patiently anticipating a positive outcome


Nothing can move us, we should
We must stay resolute against anything that discourages us


Be moving
We must stay in motion and continue pushing forward


From the ones who practice wicked
Stay away from those who do evil things


Charms
Manipulative tactics


For the son and the stone
Implying everyone from different walks of life


Bad to the bone
Many people are believed to be intrinsically bad but this is not true


Man is not evil, even when it's born
Humans are not inherently evil


And when a child is born into this world
A child is brought into the world


It has no concept
The child is not aware of


The tone the skin is living in
Racism, prejudice, or discrimination that comes with different skin colors


There's a million voices
Too many people have something to say


To tell you what she should be thinking
People have opinions about what's best for others


So you better sober up for just a second
You should clear your mind and rethink what you're about to say




Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dallas Austin, Neneh Cherry, Joi Elaine Gilliam, Cameron McVey, Youssou N'Dour, Jonathan Sharp

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@kimberlysmith7145

Who still listening in 2024?

@drethewriter4761

🙋🏾‍♂️🙋🏾‍♂️

@pearlclutchers2087

We in this thang 🎉💃🏾

@salouis8402

This is when music was music, real music.

@user-bk2gl7gc6s

80's baby real pure genuine 🎶

@esthernoya2992

I am ...its still real good music
My good times 🎉

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@Tan_Tan22

It’s 2023 and I still feel a calm resolve while listening to this. Brings back such good memories.

@cherylhoward6312

"A calm resolve" I like that 👌

@kingof85

Absolutely

@BeautifulChoas1

Yes!❤

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