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)
Switch
TLC Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I ain't one to be questioned
About who and where I've been
I ain't one to be questioned
About what time I came in
Trying to squeeze, baby please
Hit the road and don't come back
'Cause I can't trust a relationship
Switch
Don't take no mess from nobody
Switch
If they act up just leave 'em alone
Switch
Don't take no mess from nobody
Switch
When ya done wit 'em you can send 'em home
I won't answer to no one
Until I feel I'm ready to
I'm gonna have my fun
Doin' the things I like to do
See I need space get off my case
Stop breathin' down my back
'Cause we ain't gotta relationship
If that's how you have to act
Commitment true devotion
Right now is not the way
For you to come at me
When I need it
I'm sure you'll be the first to know
But for now, in my plans, no demands
I'm gonna have to make a
Switch
Throw his behind in a ditch
While my definition states as it relates
To us mates, one eliminates
Solely contemplates n' de associates
Like my new drink was V-8's
Just as quick as I get in it
I'll drop 'em in a minute
Like the dollaz
In my pocket, Speedy Gonzalez
Couldn't stop the way I spin it
I'm known for breakin' every speed limit
This switch could be infinite
I said L to da E to da F to the T to da E to the Y
Because I'm so fly
Bring it back to the E, so come and see me
At the hotel, motel, Holiday Inn
I said if you man starts actin' up
Switch and take his friend
Erase, replace, embrace, new face come on
Erase, replace, embrace, new face
Switch
Don't take no mess from nobody
Switch
If they act up just leave 'em alone
Switch
Don't take no mess from nobody
Switch
When ya done wit 'em you can send 'em home
Switch
Don't take no mess from nobody
Switch
The lyrics to TLC’s song Switch is about an independent woman who refuses to be questioned about what she does or where she has been. She's not ready to commit to anyone and is tired of being in a relationship where there is no trust. She warns her partner that if they can't trust her, then they don't have a real relationship. The chorus, "Switch," is her way of telling her partner that she will have no problem leaving them if they don't act right or start to question her again.
The first verse of the song is a clear message to her partner that she won't be questioned about anything that does not concern them. She values her independence and freedom and will not let anyone take that away from her. The second verse reinforces the idea of independence and freedom. She does not want anyone breathing down her neck or making demands of her. The chorus, "Switch," represents her power over her partner. She has the ability to leave if she is not happy, and she won't hesitate to do so. The last verse of the song is a call to replace old relationships with new ones. She wants to erase the past and find something better.
Overall, the song Switch is a declaration of independence and freedom. TLC's message to their listeners is to value themselves and their independence, and to not let anyone take that away from them.
Line by Line Meaning
Switch, switch, switch, switch
I'm ready to change things up
I ain't one to be questioned
I won't tolerate being interrogated
About who and where I've been
My whereabouts are none of your business
I ain't one to be questioned
I won't entertain any more questions
About what time I came in
My arrival time does not need to be accounted for
Trying to squeeze, baby please
Stop trying to control me
Hit the road and don't come back
Leave and don't return
'Cause I can't trust a relationship
I won't commit to someone who doesn't trust me
With no trust and that's a fact
Lack of trust is a deal breaker for me
Switch
It's time for a change
Don't take no mess from nobody
I refuse to put up with any disrespect
Switch
It's time to move on
If they act up just leave 'em alone
If someone isn't treating me right, I'll cut them off
Switch
It's time to change again
Don't take no mess from nobody
I won't tolerate any more BS
Switch
I'm done with this situation
When ya done wit 'em you can send 'em home
Once I'm finished with someone, I'll move on
I won't answer to no one
I'm independent and won't be held accountable to anyone
Until I feel I'm ready to
I'll only answer to myself when I'm ready
I'm gonna have my fun
I'm going to enjoy myself
Doin' the things I like to do
I'll do what makes me happy, not someone else
See I need space get off my case
I require freedom and won't tolerate being followed
Stop breathin' down my back
Stop suffocating me with your presence
'Cause we ain't gotta relationship
I'm not interested in settling down with you
If that's how you have to act
I won't put up with someone who doesn't respect my boundaries
Commitment true devotion
I'm not looking for loyalty right now
Right now is not the way
I'm not ready for a relationship at the moment
For you to come at me
Don't expect me to commit
When I need it
I'll consider commitment when I feel it's right
I'm sure you'll be the first to know
I'll let you know when I'm ready
But for now, in my plans, no demands
I don't want anyone to expect anything from me
I'm gonna have to make a
I'm going to make a decision
Throw his behind in a ditch
I'll cut him off completely
While my definition states as it relates
I know what I want and won't settle for less
To us mates, one eliminates
I'm only interested in people who meet my standards
Solely contemplates n' de associates
I'll only engage in relationships that make me happy
Like my new drink was V-8's
I'm always trying new things
Just as quick as I get in it
I'm fast to get into new relationships
I'll drop 'em in a minute
But just as quick to end them if they don't work out
Like the dollaz
Money is always flowing for me
In my pocket, Speedy Gonzalez
I spend money quickly and efficiently
Couldn't stop the way I spin it
My life moves quickly and I can't be slowed down
I'm known for breakin' every speed limit
I have a reputation for living life at full speed
This switch could be infinite
I'm always ready for a new adventure
I said L to da E to da F to the T to da E to the Y
My name is Left Eye
Because I'm so fly
I'm confident in myself
Bring it back to the E, so come and see me
Come visit me in my studio in Atlanta
At the hotel, motel, Holiday Inn
My studio is located in a hotel
I said if you man starts actin' up
If your boyfriend isn't treating you right
Switch and take his friend
Ditch him and move on to someone better
Erase, replace, embrace, new face come on
It's time for a fresh start
Erase, replace, embrace, new face
I'm ready to let go of the past and move on
Switch
It's time for change
Don't take no mess from nobody
I won't tolerate disrespect from anyone
Switch
I'm done with this situation
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, CARALJO MUSIC INC., Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JOSEPH BROUSSARD, CARROL WASHINGTON, RALPH WILLIAMS, JERMAINE DUPRI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Krystal LeNee
Switch
Throw his behind in a ditch
While my definition states as it relates
To us mates, one eliminates
Solely contemplates n' de associates
Like my new drink was V-8's
Just as quick as I get in it
I'll drop 'em in a minute Like the dollaz
In my pocket, Speedy Gonzalez
Couldn't stop the way I spin it
I'm known for breakin' every speed limit
This switch could be infinite
I said L to da E to da F to the T to da E to the Y
Because I'm so fly
Bring it back to the E so come and see me
At the hotel, motel, Holiday Inn
I said if you man starts actin' upu
Switch and take his friend
Erase, replace, embrace new face
Mike Michael
This song is severely underrated ❤
Alexis Collins
FRRR
Brandi
It seriously is!! I love this whole album and have ever since I was 8 years old but this and Kick Your Game are my top favorites on this album
Endokuken
Agreed!
Sabrina
True 💯💯
Sue Ryan
Giving me some power right now. Switch AND take His friend. 😅
Ellie Kat the Time Traveler
Bought this when it came out and it will always get playtime. My friends and I memorized every lyric and did a dance routine for a talent contest that year. We were HORRIBLE! 😂😂
Maryse Matoko
Ahah i think everybody who was born in late 70s-early 80s did a routine to a song of this album.😅😅 I still have my own CD and still rap all Left Lyrics and try to emulate T-Boz voice😅😅😅
Ellie Kat the Time Traveler
@Maryse Matoko Yes! Doing the T-boz voice and Left Eyes rap is crucial when you listen 👍🏾😂
Donna Fiume
Hey, you and your girls gave it your best ❤!!