Bona Fide
Slick & Rose Lyrics
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La Oh
La Oh
La Oh
Verse 1
Watch the women that you meet
Kitchen's hot, can't stand the heat
Words they chew are hard to eat
Why are people all up in the business?
Can't you see they'll only try to end this?
Tell your boys you've got to mind
They're business or you'll end up lonely and dependent
Hook:
Ain't no need to cry
My love is bona fide
I tried and I tried
To hold you down
To hold you down
Verse 2
They want to see us fall apart
Salt our wounds, bruise our hearts
Knock us down before we start
I can tell you who they are
I wanting you and for me that can't be wrong
Still wanting you so for me could you hold on
Hook repeats
Bridge:
People try to tell me that you're gonna leave me lonely but they don't know
People try to tell me that I'm not you're one and only but they don't know
People try to tell me you're just trying to get up on me but they don't know
People try to tell me I'm a fool and you're a phony but they don't know
They don't know
They don't know
They don't know
They don't know
They don't know-o, know-o, know-o, know-o
The song "Bona Fide" by Slick & Rose is a love song that speaks to the challenges that come with being in a relationship. The first verse acknowledges the struggles of a busy life and the stress that comes with it. The lyrics mention lonely people on the street which could speak to the feelings of isolation that can come with pursuing one's dreams. The lyrics continue to describe people being overly interested in our affairs and how that can often lead to our defeat. In order to succeed in love, we need to be mindful of who we let into our lives and what we reveal to them. The hook of the song asserts that love is real and that we have tried to make it work. The second verse describes how the external narrative that others have for us can often be oppressive to our relationships. There will always be obstacles, but if the love is true, then we have to hold on to it. The bridge suggests that the judgments of others don't matter, and that they don't truly know what happens between two people.
The song speaks to the importance of honesty, trust, and resilience in any relationship. It encourages partners to stay true to each other regardless of external circumstances. The song also acknowledges the societal pressure and judgment that often come with being in a relationship. The artists emphasize the damage that can happen when we let the opinions of others dictate the course of our relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Lonely people on the street
There are many isolated individuals in society
Watch the women that you meet
Observe the interactions between men and women
Kitchen's hot, can't stand the heat
The difficulty of dealing with intense emotional situations
Words they chew are hard to eat
Critical words and opinions can be difficult to accept and digest
Why are people all up in the business?
Questioning why others are interfering in one's personal affairs
Can't you see they'll only try to end this?
Others may actively try to ruin relationships or success
Tell your boys you've got to mind
Friends need to watch their actions and words
They're business or you'll end up lonely and dependent
Ignoring this advice may lead to feelings of loneliness and vulnerability
Ain't no need to cry
There is no reason to be upset
My love is bona fide
My love is genuine and true
I tried and I tried
I have put effort into the relationship
To hold you down
To keep the relationship strong and stable
They want to see us fall apart
External forces wish for the relationship to fail
Salt our wounds, bruise our hearts
These forces seek to cause emotional pain and harm
Knock us down before we start
They try to sabotage the relationship before it even begins
I can tell you who they are
The identity of these negative forces is known
I wanting you and for me that can't be wrong
My desire for you feels right
Still wanting you so for me could you hold on
I hope that you will continue to stay with me
People try to tell me that you're gonna leave me lonely but they don't know
Others make assumptions and judgments about the relationship without having all the facts
People try to tell me that I'm not you're one and only but they don't know
Others may doubt the exclusivity and strength of the relationship despite not truly understanding it
People try to tell me you're just trying to get up on me but they don't know
Others may make false accusations about one's motivations or intentions
People try to tell me I'm a fool and you're a phony but they don't know
False judgments are made by others who do not fully understand the situation
They don't know
Others are ignorant and do not have all the information
Contributed by Oliver A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.