Chicago rapper/producer Saba first caught the attention of listeners as a frequent collaborator of Chance the Rapper. Saba's contributions to Chance songs like 2013's "Everybody's Something" and 2015's "Angels" showcased his range as both a rapper and vocalist and paved the way for his introspective debut studio album, Bucket List Project, in 2016. The loss of a close family member inspired 2018's Care for Me, a tragically beautiful album that explored death, mourning, and life after losing a loved one.
Saba (Tahj Malik Chandler) grew up on the West Side of Chicago, specifically within the Austin neighborhood, as part of a deeply musical family. That's also where he formed Pivot Gang, a group of longtime associates that has featured, among others, his brother Jerrel (aka Joseph Chilliams), cousin Walter Long (aka John Walt), Logan Yutters (aka MFn Melo), Frsh Waters, and DJ Damnage. Saba recorded several solo mixtapes -- his first were issued while he was an introverted high-schooler -- and gained traction with ComfortZone, a 2014 release inspired by his father's neo-soul recordings that capitalized on his contributions to awareness-raising tracks by fellow Chicagoans Chance the Rapper and Mick Jenkins. In 2015, Saba appeared as featured artist on several cuts, including Chance's "Angels," Jenkins' "Slumber," and Odd Couple's "What Kings Do." Additionally, he released the reflective Tink collaboration "Temporary," one of his most commercial songs to date.
In late 2016, Saba self-released the LP Bucket List Project, featuring artists like fellow Chicagoan rappers Noname and Twista. In February of 2017, Saba's cousin, mentor, and Pivot Gang collaborator Walter Long was violently murdered by a stranger. Saba reflected on the scars left by this horrible loss throughout his second album, CARE FOR ME, which was released in April of 2018. The vulnerable and emotionally complex album broke through with critics and took Saba's music to new audiences. He followed in November of that year with "Beautiful Smile," a collaborative single with Maryland rapper IDK.
Someone Like You
Saba Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But my words escape me running away on this runaway train of thought
If only bravery could be bought
Cuz I think it would be funny
If you could only know all the ways I think of you
And all the ways that I don't.
Would you turn and walk away
Would you turn around and run
But I've been waiting for someone like you
And I'm hoping that you've been waiting for someone like me too.
You're self-assured I'm unnerved
When you speak I can almost taste your words
That drip like honey from your lips.
When you pass me by
I'm aching I end up staring
Gripped by your demeanor
With just a glance to hold me over a
Nd I think it would be priceless
If you could only know all the ways I think of you
And all the ways that I don't
Would you turn and walk away
Would you turn around and run
Or would you smile as if to say not knowing's half the fun
But I've been waiting for someone like you
And I'm hoping that you've been waiting for someone like me too
In "Someone Like You," Saba expresses his admiration for someone special, but struggles to articulate his feelings. He opens the song by admitting that he finds this person charming and disarming, yet is unable to pinpoint exactly why. His thoughts race on a "runaway train," and he wishes he had the courage to speak his mind. Despite his hesitation, he can't help but think about this person and all the ways he imagines their relationship taking shape. He wonders if they would be receptive to his advances or if they would turn away. Saba paints a picture of a love that is unpredictable and exciting in its uncertainty.
The second verse of the song continues this theme of internal struggle, with Saba describing his vulnerability in comparison to this person's confidence. He is captivated by their words, which he compares to "honey," and feels a physical ache when they pass by. He is content with merely stealing glances, but still wishes he could express his feelings more directly. The chorus repeats the idea that both he and this person have been waiting for each other, which suggests a sense of fate and inevitability.
Overall, "Someone Like You" is a bittersweet ode to unrequited love. Saba captures the romantic tension of being drawn to someone but feeling too powerless to declare his feelings. The song's catchy melody and upbeat tempo contrast with the wistful lyrics, which add layers of complexity to Saba's portrayal of the modern dating landscape.
Line by Line Meaning
I try to verbalize the reason why I find you charming and so disarming.
I struggle to express the reasons why I am attracted to you and why you disarm me with your charm.
But my words escape me running away on this runaway train of thought
My words fail me as they run away on a train of thoughts, leaving me speechless.
If only bravery could be bought, Cuz I think it would be funny
I wish I could buy bravery as it would be amusing to think what I would say to you then.
If you could only know all the ways I think of you, And all the ways that I don't.
If only you knew all the ways I think about you, both positive and negative.
Would you turn and walk away / Would you turn around and run / Or would you smile as if to say not knowing's half the fun.
Would you react negatively or positvely to my thoughts about you, or would you just find the uncertainty amusing?
But I've been waiting for someone like you / And I'm hoping that you've been waiting for someone like me too.
I have been waiting for someone like you to come into my life, and I hope that you were hoping for someone like me to come into yours.
You're self-assured I'm unnerved / When you speak I can almost taste your words / That drip like honey from your lips.
You exude confidence, while I become nervous in your presence. Your words are like honey, and I can almost taste them.
When you pass me by / I'm aching I end up staring / Gripped by your demeanor / With just a glance to hold me over.
When you walk past me, I ache and cannot help but stare. Your demeanor has me captivated, and even a glance from you is enough to satisfy me.
And I think it would be priceless / If you could only know all the ways I think of you / And all the ways that I don't
It would be priceless if you knew all the ways I think about you, both good and bad.
Contributed by Natalie I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.