If That's What It Takes
Tank Lyrics


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I'll drown in the fire
I'll burn up in the rain
If that's what it takes
I'll carry your baby
Do that 9 months of pain
If that's what it takes

Can't you see way past the need?
This conversation is pure desperation
I'll dig for your diamond
Brick by brick I'll build you a home
If that's what it takes
I'll be your soldier
Fight till every enemy is gone
If that's what it takes

'Cause I'm completely sold out to you
Ain't making no more, nothing left in the store yeah, yeah
Any man that ever did you wrong
I'll find him and make him apologize
If that's what it takes
Baby lemme be your fool
Hurt me any way you like
If that's what it takes
Listen, girl when God made you
He only made one and He made you for me can't you see hey yeah
I'll take my blood and give it all to you
If you need it to live
If that's what, what it takes ooh
I'll spend my last dime for your ticket
On that train to heaven
If that's what, what it takes, yeah

'Cause I love you so much I gotta find
A way to love you in more lifetimes, yeah
If That's What It Takes
Throw it all away, I don't care about nothing,
If that's what it takes
Got my heart in yo hands
Hold it for ransom, till you'd get what you need
As long as you can
I'd hum for you hm hm hm hm hm hm hm hm mhmm
Oh oh oh oh oh hm hm hm hm hm oh oh oh oh oh
Hm hm hm hm hm hm yeah what it take
Later I'mma let it ride, let it ride, let it ride oh
Take my time ohohohohohohoh




Hmhmhmhm mhm mhmh mh mhm mh mh mh mhmh
Oh oho oh oh oh oh

Overall Meaning

The song "If That's What It Takes" by Tank is a passionate declaration of love where the singer pledges to do anything to meet the needs of his lover. The lyrics describe a willingness to go above and beyond to fulfill any request, no matter how difficult or seemingly impossible. The first verse proclaims that the singer will endure any hardship, even contradicting elements like fire and rain, to satisfy his lover's requirements. He further asserts that he would willingly carry a baby for nine months, regardless of the pain or difficulty, to make her happy.


The second verse tells of the singer's absolute commitment to the relationship, explaining that he would be willing to undergo any test to prove his loyalty. He would willingly search for the lover's diamond or construct a home brick by brick. Also, the singer proclaims his readiness to fight any adversary or find and demand an apology from any man who hurt the lover. In the bridge, the singer highlights his unwavering devotion, declaring that he is completely sold out and has nothing left to lose. He would give his blood to save her if necessary.


Overall, "If That's What It Takes" is a poignant love letter that communicates a willingness to go to great lengths to make the other person happy. The lyrics display vulnerability, devotion, and a profound sense of commitment as the singer promises to do whatever it takes to keep the relationship strong.


Line by Line Meaning

I'll drown in the fire
I am willing to endure difficult and painful situations for you, even if it means I may suffer harm or damage.


I'll burn up in the rain
I am so committed to you that I am willing to risk being burned, destroyed, or ruined even in circumstances that are supposed to be beneficial, like rain.


If that's what it takes
I am willing to do whatever it takes to show you how much I love and care for you.


I'll carry your baby
I am willing to help you carry the burden of pregnancy, its pains, and its consequences for the entire duration just to make sure you don't suffer it alone.


Do that 9 months of pain
I am willing to support you through every second of the 9 months of bearing a child even if it means I have to put up with pain or discomfort or even have to sacrifice other aspects of my life.


Can't you see way past the need?
Do you not realize that I am doing this because I love you and not because I expect to gain something in return?


This conversation is pure desperation
I am willing to have an earnest and desperate conversation with you if it means I can show you how much I love you.


I'll dig for your diamond
I am prepared to go through all the dirt and searching to find the gem that is hidden inside you.


Brick by brick I'll build you a home
I will put all my hard work and dedication to make sure you have a home, built strong enough brick by brick and never fall apart.


I'll be your soldier
I will protect and fight for you, defending you against any known or unknown enemies, both for our sake.


Fight till every enemy is gone
I will fight relentlessly until every obstacle that threatens your happiness or well-being is out of our way.


'Cause I'm completely sold out to you
I have entirely given myself and my affection for you, and there is nothing more to give.


Ain't making no more, nothing left in the store yeah, yeah
I have exhausted all the love I have for anyone else, and you are the only one who can have it now.


Any man that ever did you wrong
I am willing to make them own up to their mistakes and apologize for the pain they caused you.


I'll find him and make him apologize
I will not rest until I have righted the wrongs done to you, no matter how long it takes.


Baby lemme be your fool
I am willing to submit myself to any pain or humiliation just to make you happy. You could even fool me and break my heart in the end, and I will still be willing.


Hurt me any way you like
I will endure any forms of pain, abuse or damage you may inflict upon me, that's how deeply I love you.


Listen, girl when God made you
It is my belief and conviction that fate brought us together, and you are destined to be mine to cherish and protect.


He only made one and He made you for me can't you see hey yeah
I am sure and confident that I have found the one person who was made for me.


I'll take my blood and give it all to you
I am willing to literally give you my very life so that you can live yours to the fullest.


If you need it to live
If you ever find yourself in danger or suffering from some ailment that can't be cured normally, I'll be willing to give you a blood transfusion without hesitation or reservation.


I'll spend my last dime for your ticket
I will use all the money I have, be left with nothing, leave myself with no choice but to start from scratch, just to make sure you have the best quality of life you deserve.


On that train to heaven
I am willing to wager every last penny so that you can live the life that feels like you are in heaven.


Throw it all away, I don't care about nothing,
Even if it means losing everything else in my life, my possessions, or even my life itself, it is worth it if my sacrifice is for you.


Got my heart in yo hands
You have complete control and power over all my emotions, and I trust that you will not misuse it or hurt me intentionally.


Hold it for ransom, till you'd get what you need
I am prepared to hold nothing back, giving you all of me to use, to control, to manipulate, and keep as long as it takes, until you have what you need and want.


As long as you can
As long as I am guaranteed that my sacrifice will produce the desired result, I am willing to let you have my heart for as long as you deem fit.


I'd hum for you hm hm hm hm hm hm hm hm mhmm
I am willing to do and give you everything without expecting anything in return. I am satisfied with the mere ability to make you happy.


Oh oh oh oh oh hm hm hm hm hm oh oh oh oh oh
I'll do anything to please you as long as you are happy.


Hm hm hm hm hm hm yeah what it take
I am willing to do whatever it takes to make you feel how deep my love for you is.


Later I'mma let it ride, let it ride, let it ride oh
I'm willing to take anything that comes my way, endure it and face it head-on for your sake.


Take my time ohohohohohohoh
I am willing to take as long as it takes, be patient and calm in the face of any situation that would otherwise make me uncomfortable.


Hmhmhmhm mhm mhmh mh mhm mh mh mh mhmh
I am willing to make sacrifices beyond myself and go the extra mile just to show you that you are loved.


Oh oho oh oh oh oh
I am willing to make the sacrifice for you, no matter how insignificant or enormous it may be, as long as It makes you happy.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARCOS PALACIOS, ERNEST CLARK, TONY RUSSELL, KEVIN RANDOLPH, DURRELL BABBS, UFORO EBONG

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@charlesaugustus2247

I'll drown in the fire
I'll burn up in the rain
If that's what it takes
I'll carry your baby
Do that 9 months of pain
If that's what it takes

Can't you see way past the need?
This conversation is pure desperation
I'll dig for your diamond
Brick by brick I'll build you a home
If that's what it takes 
I'll be your soldier
Fight till every enemy is gone
If that's what it takes

Cause I'm completely sold out to you
Ain't making no more, nothing left in the store yeah, yeah
Any man that ever did you wrong
I'll find him and make him apologize
If that's what it takes
Baby lemme be your fool
Hurt me any way you like
If that's what it takes
Listen, girl when God made you
He only made one and He made you for me can't you see heyy yeah
I'll take my blood and give it all to you
If you need it to live
If that's what, what it takes ooohhh
I'll spend my last dime for your ticket
On that train to heaven
If that's what, what it takes, yeah

Cause I love you so much I gotta find
A way to love you in more lifetimes, yeah
If That's What It Takes
Throw it all away, I don't care about nothing,
If that's what it takes
Got my heart in yo hands
Hold it for ransom, till you'd get what you need
As long as you can
I'd hum for you hmm hm hm hmm hhmm hmm hhmm hmh mhmm hh
Oh oh oh oh oh hm hm hm hm hmm Oh oh oh oh oh
Hmhmmhmhmhmhm yeah what it take
Later Imma let it ride, let it ride, let it ride oooohhhhhh
Take my time ohohohohohohoh
Hmmmmmhmhmhm m hm mhmh mh mhm mhmh mhmhmh
Oh oho oh oh oh oh



All comments from YouTube:

@avenyanaliose4312

This song explains my husband. We are away from each other, a year now.He will be home soon. He went through so much pain dealing with what he dealt with. I pained on my own too. We found each other. Then found each other again. He said he would never loose me again!!! Our love is past death! Every piece of life and our situations make us fall deeper in love. He healed me and I healed him effortlessly. THIS SONG EXPLAINS THE KIND OF MAN MY HUSBAND IS!!!!!! Just when I lost hope in everything.....God blessed me & blessed him. Thank you Tank!!!!! REAL MEN DO EXIST BUT YOU HAVE TO CRAFT YOURSELF TO BE GOOD TO HIM AS WELL!!!!!

@lovejoy3307

That's sweet!

@GrantTamara

This song is everything.....I would love to sit down with Tank and ask him what was he going through or thinking when he wrote this piece of art. Yes, art.....This song says it all. I would love to hear Tank perform this song live. He never sing this song at any of his concerts.Tank you are one gifted, talented human being!

@TheRealDJTeam

For real. Would love to see him perform this on a "B" sides/ album cuts segment of his tour.

@Reshaty

There are a lot of songs from his albums that he doesn’t perform that are my favorites. They were released as singles though. I guess that’s why

@brainreid7815

I'm going to say that I'm a man and I feel like that as well because that's what I feel

@shamaineboswell1805

Watch r&b money Kosign episode

@bkrlxs

1 word....Wow

1 More Replies...

@charlesaugustus2247

I'll drown in the fire
I'll burn up in the rain
If that's what it takes
I'll carry your baby
Do that 9 months of pain
If that's what it takes

Can't you see way past the need?
This conversation is pure desperation
I'll dig for your diamond
Brick by brick I'll build you a home
If that's what it takes 
I'll be your soldier
Fight till every enemy is gone
If that's what it takes

Cause I'm completely sold out to you
Ain't making no more, nothing left in the store yeah, yeah
Any man that ever did you wrong
I'll find him and make him apologize
If that's what it takes
Baby lemme be your fool
Hurt me any way you like
If that's what it takes
Listen, girl when God made you
He only made one and He made you for me can't you see heyy yeah
I'll take my blood and give it all to you
If you need it to live
If that's what, what it takes ooohhh
I'll spend my last dime for your ticket
On that train to heaven
If that's what, what it takes, yeah

Cause I love you so much I gotta find
A way to love you in more lifetimes, yeah
If That's What It Takes
Throw it all away, I don't care about nothing,
If that's what it takes
Got my heart in yo hands
Hold it for ransom, till you'd get what you need
As long as you can
I'd hum for you hmm hm hm hmm hhmm hmm hhmm hmh mhmm hh
Oh oh oh oh oh hm hm hm hm hmm Oh oh oh oh oh
Hmhmmhmhmhmhm yeah what it take
Later Imma let it ride, let it ride, let it ride oooohhhhhh
Take my time ohohohohohohoh
Hmmmmmhmhmhm m hm mhmh mh mhm mhmh mhmhmh
Oh oho oh oh oh oh

@ChangeforJonathan

Thanks 👍🏿

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