Selfish
T.O.N.I. Lyrics
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Are you okay?
The way you're texting
Makes me afraid
Hold up
I'm on the 210
Are you torn up on a bender again?
My heart
5 am it use to be ours
Don't say I'm holding you back
I saw you turnin' getting sick again
You selfish baby
Don't tell me what I don't already know
Don't say I'm holding you back
I am the one that's sleeping alone again
Come back, baby
I'm not the one you wanna hold back
Don't fade
You comin' over?
Do you need me I can be your Uber
Shit show
How do I let go?
I'll see you around with your so and so
You wont see me crying
I'm in the Corolla by myself
I'm ready to change
I'll get dressed
Dressed up
For someone else
Don't say I'm holding you back
I saw you turnin' getting sick again
You selfish baby
Don't tell me what I don't already know
Don't say I'm holding you back
I am the one that's sleeping alone again
Come back, baby
I'm not the one you wanna hold back
I'm not the one you wanna hold back
I'm not the one holding you back
I'm not the one
I'm not the one that's holding you back
I'm not the one
I'm not the one holding you back
Holding you back
I'm not the one
I'm not the one that's holding you back
I'm not the one
I'm not the one
Holding you back
Don't say I'm holding you back
I saw you turnin' getting sick again
You selfish baby
Don't tell me what I don't already know
You selfish baby
I'm not the one you wanna hold back
Baby
I'm not the one you wanna hold back
I'm not the one you wanna hold back
The song "Selfish" by T.O.N.I. is a melancholic yet badass breakup song. The lyrics confront the ex, who is struggling with alcohol and drugs, self-pity and is holding the singer back from moving on. The first verse starts with concern for the ex-partner, but it quickly turns into frustration and anger towards the partner's behavior. The singer is driving alone at 5 am, reminiscing about the "us" that used to exist in the car, but now, the ex is missing, probably on a bender again. The singer is ready to move on, but the ex is holding them back. The chorus repeats the phrase "You selfish baby," accusing the ex of being self-centered and not considering the singer's feelings. The second verse shows some bitterness, indicating that the singer is tired of waiting for the ex to change and move forward, and they too are ready to change for someone else.
The song is a combination of different musical styles, with pop elements mixed with hints of R&B and electronic music. The melody is soft and melancholic, adding a feeling of nostalgia to the song. The lyrics, on the other hand, are down-to-earth, direct, and confrontational. T.O.N.I.'s vocal delivery is both powerful and vulnerable, adding an emotional depth to the song. Overall, with the lyrics and melody combined, T.O.N.I. creates a powerful yet relatable song about moving on from a toxic relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Babe
Introduction to the conversation
Are you okay?
Checking on the well-being of the person
The way you're texting
Makes me afraid
Expressing concern over the style of communication
Hold up
I'm on the 210
Asking the person to wait while driving on the highway
Are you torn up on a bender again?
Asking if the person is intoxicated
My heart
My car
5 am it use to be ours
Reminiscing about the good times shared with the person
Don't say I'm holding you back
I saw you turnin' getting sick again
You selfish baby
Accusing the person of being selfish and holding back the relationship
Don't tell me what I don't already know
Rejecting the person's possible defense or explanation
I am the one that's sleeping alone again
Expressing the loneliness felt due to the person's absence
Come back, baby
I'm not the one you wanna hold back
Inviting the person back while denying any intention to hold them back
Don't fade
You comin' over?
Do you need me I can be your Uber
Offering to help the person and asking about their whereabouts
Shit show
How do I let go?
I'll see you around with your so and so
Expressing difficulty in letting go of the relationship and anticipating seeing the person with someone else
You wont see me crying
I'm in the Corolla by myself
Asserting independence and lack of weakness despite the breakup
I'm ready to change
I'll get dressed
Dressed up
For someone else
Admitting willingness to move on and start a new relationship
I'm not the one you wanna hold back
I'm not the one holding you back
Reaffirming the lack of intention to hold the person back
Holding you back
I'm not the one
I'm not the one that's holding you back
I'm not the one
Repeatedly emphasizing that the person is not being held back
Don't say I'm holding you back
I saw you turnin' getting sick again
You selfish baby
Don't tell me what I don't already know
You selfish baby
I'm not the one you wanna hold back
Baby
I'm not the one you wanna hold back
I'm not the one you wanna hold back
Reinforcing the message that the person should not be accused of holding the other person back, and expressing continued desire to move forward
Lyrics © DistroKid, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JOE KEEFE, KAYSLEE COLLINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
CaliDaSouthernPeach
Well, it's too late for givin' in
I've been waitin' for too long
There's no way that I could lose
Givin' me the love you've been holding back
Today I'm not gonna wait
Not anymore, the time is now
I'd give up everything
Just to have you for myself
Cause when I think about it
Your love, your kiss
I never felt anything like this
You're sent from above
I'm so in love
When I think about it
Your touch, your smile
I never felt anything like this
And I know it's real
It's just the way that I feel
I'm just a little bit
I'm selfish
I don't wanna share you with anybody else
Don't want them hugging you
Touching you, feeling you, kissing you
You could call me selfish
I'm selfish
I don't want to share you with anybody else
I don't want no one around you
Calling you, paging you
You can call me selfish
Should I stop trippin' and let it flow?
It happened a long time ago
Damn, boy you hurt me so
When you cheated on me with that other lady
Well, I felt embarrassed and ashamed
And to top it, you called out her name
Keep thinking I'm the one to blame
Still, I took you back
When I think about it
Your love, your kiss
I never felt anything like this
You're sent from above
I'm so in love
When I think about it
Your touch, your smile
I never felt anything like this
And I know it's real
It's just the way that I feel
I'm just a little bit
I'm selfish
I don't wanna share you with anybody else
Don't want them hugging you
Touching you, feeling you, kissing you
You could call me selfish
I'm selfish
I don't want to share you with anybody else
I don't want no one around you
Calling you, paging you
You can call me selfish
There are reasons why I care
The way you love me seems so unreal
There are times when I feel scared
Cause you had a girl when we first met
I close my eyes and pray
That you would be more truthful baby
Be the love of my lifetime
Say that you'll be mine
I'm selfish
I don't wanna share you with anybody else
Don't want them hugging you
Touching you, feeling you, kissing you
You could call me selfish
I'm selfish
I don't want to share you with anybody else
I don't want no one around you
Calling you, paging you
You can call me selfish
I'm selfish
I don't wanna share you with anybody else
Don't want them hugging you
Touching you, feeling you, kissing you
You could call me selfish
I'm selfish
I don't want to share you with anybody else
I don't want no one around you
Calling you, paging you
You can call me selfish
I'm selfish
I don't wanna share you with anybody else
Don't want them hugging you
Touching you, feeling you, kissing you
You could call me selfish
I'm selfish
I don't want to share you with anybody else
I don't want no one around you
Calling you, paging you
CaliDaSouthernPeach
Well, it's too late for givin' in
I've been waitin' for too long
There's no way that I could lose
Givin' me the love you've been holding back
Today I'm not gonna wait
Not anymore, the time is now
I'd give up everything
Just to have you for myself
Cause when I think about it
Your love, your kiss
I never felt anything like this
You're sent from above
I'm so in love
When I think about it
Your touch, your smile
I never felt anything like this
And I know it's real
It's just the way that I feel
I'm just a little bit
I'm selfish
I don't wanna share you with anybody else
Don't want them hugging you
Touching you, feeling you, kissing you
You could call me selfish
I'm selfish
I don't want to share you with anybody else
I don't want no one around you
Calling you, paging you
You can call me selfish
Should I stop trippin' and let it flow?
It happened a long time ago
Damn, boy you hurt me so
When you cheated on me with that other lady
Well, I felt embarrassed and ashamed
And to top it, you called out her name
Keep thinking I'm the one to blame
Still, I took you back
When I think about it
Your love, your kiss
I never felt anything like this
You're sent from above
I'm so in love
When I think about it
Your touch, your smile
I never felt anything like this
And I know it's real
It's just the way that I feel
I'm just a little bit
I'm selfish
I don't wanna share you with anybody else
Don't want them hugging you
Touching you, feeling you, kissing you
You could call me selfish
I'm selfish
I don't want to share you with anybody else
I don't want no one around you
Calling you, paging you
You can call me selfish
There are reasons why I care
The way you love me seems so unreal
There are times when I feel scared
Cause you had a girl when we first met
I close my eyes and pray
That you would be more truthful baby
Be the love of my lifetime
Say that you'll be mine
I'm selfish
I don't wanna share you with anybody else
Don't want them hugging you
Touching you, feeling you, kissing you
You could call me selfish
I'm selfish
I don't want to share you with anybody else
I don't want no one around you
Calling you, paging you
You can call me selfish
I'm selfish
I don't wanna share you with anybody else
Don't want them hugging you
Touching you, feeling you, kissing you
You could call me selfish
I'm selfish
I don't want to share you with anybody else
I don't want no one around you
Calling you, paging you
You can call me selfish
I'm selfish
I don't wanna share you with anybody else
Don't want them hugging you
Touching you, feeling you, kissing you
You could call me selfish
I'm selfish
I don't want to share you with anybody else
I don't want no one around you
Calling you, paging you
Kevin Wingate
Beautifully written by Brandy!
Teneale Bender
I can tell
SATERAH ACHAM
it actually sounds like Brandy not surprised
Christyle28078
Didn’t Brandy also do the backgrounds with Tamar and the older sister?
KG
Oh wow I didn’t know
Ryan Graham
Brandy didn’t write this…maybe she has an influence, but she didn’t write this. Her name is nowhere in the credits. The only thing connected to Brandy in this record is the producer, Big Bert Smith…who is the father of Brandy’s daughter. The background vocals are Tamar and Toni, as Tamar always did most of Toni’s background vocals.
Lil bj
Omg! This is my favorite song from Toni❤
Anna-Ida Mbinda
Everything described as in love ,i love this song .thank you toni.
BC SIMEON MOTIVATIONAL
MY GOODNESS!!! MY TONI CAPTURED THE ESSENCE OF BEING IN LOVE IN THIS SONG.