Berhe has listed Lauryn Hill, The Beatles, Carole King, Grouplove, Adele, Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran as some of her musical influences. She said that "the one thing all my favorite artists have in common is they are all storytellers. Something that I try to incorporate in my music", in an interview with Idolator.
Two Poor Kids
Ruth B Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm okay with me and my ripped jeans and you, and you
Messy hair, that's what he likes on me
I don't care as long as we're happy and free
To be just you and me, and free to be just you and me
They think it's a shame
But I think that's okay,
'Cause love gets ruined by money and power and fame
And we're just two poor kids from a really rich city
My oh my, what a pity
'Cause we've got a love story unlike the rest
No fancy suit and no fancy dress
Just us, just us, just love, just love
Just us, just us, just love, just love
He picks her up in a Benz
But my lover comes by himself and a dozen roses
He probably stole 'em
He's got a smudge of mud on his eye
Here to makes me break into smile
'Cause he drives them mad, oh, he drives them mad
'Cause they think it's a shame
That the world will never know our names
But I think that's okay
'Cause love gets ruined by money and power and fame
And we're just two poor kids from a really rich city
My oh my, what a pity
'Cause we've got a love story unlike the rest
No fancy suit and no fancy dress
Just us, just us, just love, just love
Just us, just us, just love, just love
Dollar signs all around us
We sneak onto the city bus
Too blinded by what we have to notice
Your mean old laughs
Dollar signs all around us
We sneak onto the city bus
Too blinded by what we have
To notice your mean old laughs
And they think it's a shame
That the world will never know our names
But I think that's okay
'Cause love gets ruined by money and power and fame
And we're just two poor kids from a really rich city
My oh my, what a pity
'Cause we've got a love story unlike the rest
No fancy suit and no fancy dress
Just us, just us, just love, just love
Just us, just us, just love, just love, love, loveca
In Ruth B's song "Poor Kids," she sings about a young couple who are happy with their simple life, despite not having wealth or fame. The first verse speaks to the idea that the couple has no desire to be put on a pedestal or to become celebrities. They are content just being together, wearing ripped jeans, and enjoying a life of peace and freedom. Ruth B sings about having messy hair, which is something her partner likes about her, and how they do not care what others think as long as they are happy.
The chorus highlights the shame the world feels because they do not know their names, but Ruth B explains that it is okay because love is more important than money, power, or fame. In the second verse, Ruth B contrasts her partner's rundown car with the luxurious mode of transportation used by another individual; despite this, her partner brings a simple but meaningful dozen of roses, and the smudge of mud on her partner's eye makes her smile. Ruth B sings about onlookers who think it's a shame that the world doesn't know their story, but once again, she emphasizes the overriding importance of love.
The bridge deals with the ways that society can warp our perception of what truly matters in life. The singer and her lover sneak onto the city bus, surrounded by dollar signs and the judging eyes of those around them. Ruth B insists that their love is worth more than anything money can buy, and that even though they are poor kids in a rich city, they have something special that sets them apart from the rest.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want no time on the big screen
I'm content with myself and don't seek fame or fortune.
I'm okay with me and my ripped jeans and you, and you
I'm comfortable being myself with my partner(s) and don't compare myself to others.
Messy hair, that's what he likes on me
My partner likes me for who I am, even in my natural state.
I don't care as long as we're happy and free
I prioritize my and my partner(s)' happiness and freedom over societal expectations.
To be just you and me, and free to be just you and me
I cherish being with my partner(s) and having the freedom to be ourselves without external pressures.
They think it's a shame
Others view our relationship negatively.
That the world will never know our names
Our love story won't be widely recognized or celebrated.
But I think that's okay,
I am content with my relationship despite societal pressures.
'Cause love gets ruined by money and power and fame
I believe that materialism and fame can negatively impact a relationship.
And we're just two poor kids from a really rich city
My partner(s) and I come from a wealthy area but don't conform to its standards and expectations.
My oh my, what a pity
Our situation is unfortunate but doesn't diminish our love.
No fancy suit and no fancy dress
We don't adhere to societal expectations of dressing up or being formal to show our love.
Just us, just us, just love, just love
Our relationship is simple but powerful because of our love for each other.
He probably stole 'em
My partner likely can't afford to buy me roses so he found another way to make me happy.
He's got a smudge of mud on his eye
My partner is imperfect and unpolished, but that's what makes him endearing to me.
Here to makes me break into smile
My partner brings joy to my life despite having little material possessions.
'Cause they think it's a shame
Others view our relationship negatively regardless of our happiness.
Dollar signs all around us
Our society is heavily focused on wealth and material possessions.
We sneak onto the city bus
We don't have much money but find creative ways to get around and enjoy our time together.
Too blinded by what we have to notice
We value what we have in our relationship and don't focus on what we lack materially.
Your mean old laughs
Negative opinions from others don't impact our love for each other.
And we're just two poor kids from a really rich city
Our backgrounds and status don't define us or our relationship.
Just us, just us, just love, just love
Our relationship is founded on pure love and nothing else.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RUTH BERHE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mitch Rao
I don't want no time on the big screen.
I'm okay with me and my ripped jeans and you, and you.
Messy hair, that's what he likes on me.
I don't care as long as we're happy and free
To be just you and me, and free to be just you and me.
They think it's a shame
That the world will never know our names,
But I think that's okay,
'Cause love gets ruined by money and power and fame,
And we're just 2 poor kids from a really rich city.
My oh my, what a pity.
'Cause we've got a love story unlike the rest,
No fancy suit and no fancy dress.
Just us, just us, just love, just love
Just us, just us, just love, just love
He picks her up in a Benz,
But my lover comes by himself and a dozen roses,
He probably stole 'em.
He's got a smudge of mud on his eye
Here to makes me break into smile,
'Cause he drives them mad, oh, he drives them mad.
'Cause they think it's a shame
That the world will never know our names,
But I think that's okay,
'Cause love gets ruined by money and power and fame.
And we're just 2 poor kids from a really rich city,
My oh my, what a pity.
'Cause we've got a love story unlike the rest,
No fancy suit and no fancy dress,
Just us, just us, just love, just love,
Just us, just us, just love, just love.
Dollar signs all around us,
We sneak onto the city bus.
Too blinded by what we have to notice
Your mean old laughs.
Dollar signs all around us,
We sneak onto the city bus.
Too blinded by what we have
To notice your mean old laughs.
And they think it's a shame
That the world will never know our names,
But I think that's okay,
'Cause love gets ruined by money and power and fame.
And we're just 2 poor kids from a really rich city,
My oh my, what a pity.
'Cause we've got a love story unlike the rest,
No fancy suit and no fancy dress.
Just us, just us, just love, just love,
Just us, just us, just love, just love, love, love.
Aksum አክሱም ፣ ንግሥት
Good to see my fellow Ethiopians getting recognition. First the Weekend then Ruth. The land that gave the world coffee and now singers. #EthiopiaLezelalemTinur
Baye Mersha
what i didnt know that
Emmanuel G G
Y'all are mad because she was born in CANADA doesn't mean she ain't Ethiopian, this is the beauty of Ethiopia that you can never see in Canada Genes
Maria Andarge
@Rutta Negga couldn't have said it better myself
Maria Andarge
Y'all know that being born in Ethiopia doesn't make you Ethiopian right, so ur argument literally makes no sense
richlisola1
@papa cringe I’m sure she would identify as an Ethiopian-Canadian. They are close knit. But yes, her Canadianess is more apparent
Anoushka Majmudar
I love how she's natural. She's not a cake face, she doesn't use auto tune, she doesn't wear clothes that show a lot of skin. She really is amazing! <3
Kvng Kvdd
Yes ✊🏽
fridgit mack
@jasmine he's not JUDGING
Leana M
Yeah sooo true she is beautiful and her voice 😍