Having sold over 65 million records worldwide, TLC is the best-selling American girl group of all time. VH1 ranked TLC as the greatest female group, placing them at number 12 on the list of 100 Greatest Women in Music. Billboard magazine ranked TLC as one of the greatest musical trios, as well as the seventh-most-successful act of the 1990s. The group's accolades include four career Grammy Awards, five MTV Video Music Awards, and five Soul Train Music Awards.
Twenty years after their debut, TLC received the Outstanding Contribution to Music award at the 17th MOBO Awards and the Legend Award at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards Japan. Following Lopes's death in 2002, instead of replacing her, the remaining members chose to continue as a duo. In 2017, they released their eponymous fifth album TLC. In 2022, the group was inducted into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TLC_(group)
Discography
Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip (1992)
CrazySexyCool (1994)
FanMail (1999)
3D (2002)
TLC (2017)
Depend on Myself
TLC Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cause everything I have is my own (I'm feelin' dis)
There's no other way you can doubt me (and I'm listenin')
Before I trust you I'll just be here alone
Can I tell ya, can I tell ya, can I tell ya
Gosh golly darn so you still haven't learned
Well I'll be a damn fool
You're jackin' the plan I'm like who are you man
Peter Pan but it's still cool G
Slack off my back slip the hell out
My knee and yo correct that effect
I'm not feelin dis G
[Chorus]
I can depend on myself
I don't need anybody else
To be on my back like that, to be on my back like that
Guys they always wonder what's with me
(say what, say what, say what)
I never let them get in too close
I have my own control
I can't be bought or sold
And I never have to do what I'm told
Yo ladies are you feelin' what I'm sayin'
Well smoke okey doke as if this was a joke
Cause you think you got balls of the great n' black jaws
But your leg I will poke like an egg crackin' a busted yolk
It's a negative cause I won't pause
Til you truthfully see are you
Listenin' to me til you truthfully
See independently like I handle myself
I need nobody else
[Chorus]
A fist full of fate how much more can I take
This is 6 minus 7 plus 1 ending none you should go to
Where I'm comin' from take your turn trying to teach
A dumb-dumb so it be just a bad memory
Til you truthfully see are you listenin' to me
Til you truthfully see independently
Like I handle myself I need nobody else
[Chorus]
I can depend on myself
The song "Depend on Myself" by TLC is about the lead singer's independence and self-reliance. The lyrics express the idea that the singer does not need anyone else to survive, thrive or succeed. The song begins with the lead singer, T-Boz, stating that guys always question her, but she has everything she needs on her own. She is confident in her ability to make it on her own and trusts herself before anyone else. The chorus highlights the central idea of the song, which is that she can depend on herself and does not need anyone else to succeed, and she will not let anyone try to control her or dictate how she should live her life.
In the verse, T-Boz addresses people who try to take advantage of her and use her for their own gain. She sees through their manipulations and is not willing to let them control her. She is steadfast in her belief that she can rely on herself and does not need anyone else. T-Boz also addresses other women, telling them to stand up for themselves and not let anyone hold them back. They do not need anyone's permission or approval to succeed; they only need to trust themselves.
Overall, "Depend on Myself" is an empowering song that encourages independence and self-sufficiency. The lyrics express a message of confidence and strength, urging listeners to trust in their own abilities and not let anyone else control their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Guys they always wonder about me (yeah, I hear ya "T")
People always question me and my choices, even though I understand their concerns.
Cause everything I have is my own (I'm feelin' dis)
I work for everything that I have and it makes me feel proud and accomplished.
There's no other way you can doubt me (and I'm listenin')
I understand that my actions can lead to doubt, but I am willing to listen to others' concerns and explain my reasoning.
Before I trust you I'll just be here alone
I need to trust people through getting to know them better, and for that reason, I may need to spend time alone.
Gosh golly darn so you still haven't learned
I am frustrated that people are still doubting me despite everything that I have accomplished.
Well I'll be a damn fool
I feel disrespected and foolish for being doubted despite my accomplishments.
See cause it's headaches you've honestly earned me
I am frustrated and stressed out because of the doubts and concerns that people have about me.
You're jackin' the plan I'm like who are you man
Others are interfering with my life plans, and I don't understand why they feel entitled to do so.
Peter Pan but it's still cool G
I am like Peter Pan in that I prefer to handle things on my own and be independent.
Slack off my back slip the hell out
I don't want to carry others' doubts or concerns, and I want them to leave me alone.
My knee and yo correct that effect
I am putting my foot down and demanding respect for myself and my abilities.
I'm not feelin dis G
I am frustrated with the doubters and naysayers, but I won't let their negativity hold me back.
I can depend on myself
I am self-reliant and confident that I can handle anything on my own.
I don't need anybody else
I don't rely on others to validate my abilities or my life choices.
To be on my back like that, to be on my back like that
I don't want others to doubt me or criticize me for the choices I make.
I never let them get in too close
I am guarded with others, as I don't want their doubts or concerns to affect me negatively.
I have my own control
I am in control of my own life and my own choices, and I don't rely on others to make decisions for me.
I can't be bought or sold
I am not influenced by others' opinions or expectations, and I won't sell out my values or beliefs.
And I never have to do what I'm told
I am independent and free to make my own choices, without needing anyone else's input or direction.
Yo ladies are you feelin' what I'm sayin'
I am speaking to other women who may feel the same way I do about being independent and self-reliant.
Well smoke okey doke as if this was a joke
I am not taking people's doubts or criticisms lightly - this is my life and my choices, and they matter to me.
Cause you think you got balls of the great n' black jaws
Others may think they are powerful or intimidating, but I won't let their attitudes or opinions affect me.
But your leg I will poke like an egg crackin' a busted yolk
I will stand up for myself and my choices, no matter how uncomfortable or awkward it may be.
It's a negative cause I won't pause
I refuse to let others' negativity or doubts hold me back from achieving my goals.
Til you truthfully see are you
I want people to see the real me and understand my motives before they criticize or doubt me.
Listenin' to me til you truthfully
I want others to hear me out and understand my perspective before judging me.
See independently like I handle myself
I want others to respect my independence and self-reliance, as I handle my own life and choices.
A fist full of fate how much more can I take
I feel like life is throwing a lot of obstacles my way, and it's getting exhausting dealing with them.
This is 6 minus 7 plus 1 ending none you should go to
I am at the end of my rope dealing with others' doubts and criticisms, and I don't want to deal with it anymore.
Where I'm comin' from take your turn trying to teach
I want others to understand where I am coming from and see things from my perspective, instead of trying to teach or correct me.
A dumb-dumb so it be just a bad memory
I hope that others will eventually see how capable and independent I am, and that their doubts and criticisms will be a distant memory.
Lyrics © DIVA ONE MUSIC, THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DALLAS AUSTIN, Allen Jones, Ben Cauley, Homer Banks, James Alexander, Lisa Nicole Lopes, William Brown
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind