A Tale By Quincy
The Weeknd Lyrics
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And, and it's like raising kids, man
If you weren't raised, you don't know how to raise, you know?
I just did the best that I could with them because
They know fucking well I love them
But I didn't do the best I could
I didn't know what the fuck I was doing
I didn't
And taken out of my home when I was only seven years old
She was diagnosed with Dementia praecox and put in a mental institution
Leaving my daddy alone with me and my little brother Lloyd
I later had an evil stepmother who further cemented the idea that I didn't need a mother
Growing up without one had long lasting impressions
I didn't fully understand until much later in life
It bled into my relationships with family
And those I had become romantically involved with
Whenever I got too close to a woman, I would cut her off
Part of that was vindictive and partially based on fear
But it was also totally subconscious
Looking back is a bitch, isn't it?
In the song "A Tale By Quincy," The Weeknd reflects on his past and upbringing, specifically his relationship with his mother. He begins by acknowledging that he did not understand what his upbringing was supposed to be like and compares it to the struggles of raising children without a proper example. He admits that he did the best he could, but recognizes that it was not enough and that he did not have adequate knowledge or guidance.
The Weeknd then recounts a traumatic experience from his childhood when his mother was diagnosed with Dementia praecox and placed in a mental institution. He was only seven years old at the time and was left alone with his father and younger brother. The absence of his mother throughout his upbringing had a lasting impact on his life and relationships, leading him to struggle with forming intimate connections with women. He admits that he would push them away when they got too close due to both fear and subconscious patterns resulting from his childhood.
Through his lyrics, The Weeknd highlights the importance of proper upbringing and how it can influence one's entire life. Despite the difficulties he faced, he concludes by acknowledging the harsh realities of looking back at the past and how it can serve as a reminder of one's flaws and mistakes.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking back now, I didn't know what it was supposed to be
Reflecting on my past, I realized that I didn't have a clear understanding of what I wanted or needed in my life.
And, and it's like raising kids, man
In a way, handling certain situations is similar to raising children.
If you weren't raised, you don't know how to raise, you know?
If you didn't have role models to raise you, it's harder to handle certain situations later on in life.
I just did the best that I could with them because
I tried my best, despite my lack of experience or knowledge in handling situations, given my upbringing.
They know fucking well I love them
The people I cared for were aware of my love and affection towards them.
But I didn't do the best I could
In hindsight, I realize that I could have handled situations better.
I didn't know what the fuck I was doing
At the time, I had no idea how to handle certain situations due to my lack of experience or knowledge.
I will never forget watching my mother get put in a straightjacket
One of my earliest memories was watching my mother being taken away in a straightjacket due to her mental illness.
And taken out of my home when I was only seven years old
I was very young when this traumatic event occurred, which left a lasting impact on me.
She was diagnosed with Dementia praecox and put in a mental institution
My mother's mental illness was later identified as Dementia praecox and she was institutionalized for her own safety.
Leaving my daddy alone with me and my little brother Lloyd
My father was left to raise my brother and me on his own after my mother was taken away.
I later had an evil stepmother who further cemented the idea that I didn't need a mother
My stepmother, who I later encountered, reinforced my belief that I didn't need my mother in my life.
Growing up without one had long lasting impressions
Being raised without a mother had a significant and lasting impact on my life.
I didn't fully understand until much later in life
It took time and reflection to fully comprehend how my upbringing affected me.
It bled into my relationships with family
My unresolved issues from my upbringing carried over to my relationships with family members.
And those I had become romantically involved with
My past trauma also affected my romantic relationships.
Whenever I got too close to a woman, I would cut her off
When I started feeling emotionally attached to a woman, I would distance myself and end the relationship.
Part of that was vindictive and partially based on fear
My actions were motivated by both a desire for revenge and fear of getting hurt.
But it was also totally subconscious
I wasn't fully aware of why I was acting this way towards women.
Looking back is a bitch, isn't it?
Reflecting on one's past can be difficult and painful.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Abel Tesfaye, Daniel Lopatin, Jeff Gitelman, Max Martin, Oscar Thomas Holter, Quincy D. Jones
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@HSYM
Looking back now, I didn't know what it was supposed to be
And it's like raising kids, man
If you weren't raised, they don't know how to raise, you know?
I just did the best that I could with them because they know fuckin' well I love them
But I didn't do the best I could — I didn't know what the fuck I was doing — I didn't
I will never forget watching my mother get put in a straightjacket and taken out of my home when I was only seven years old
She was diagnosed with Dementia praecox and put in a mental institution leaving my daddy alone with me and my little brothеr Lloyd
I later had an evil stepmothеr who further cemented the idea that I didn't need a mother
Growing up without one had long lasting impressions I didn't fully understand until much later in life
It bled into my relationships with family and those I had became romantically involved with
Whenever I got too close to a woman, I would cut her off
Part of that was vindictive and partially based on fear, but it was also totally subconsious
Looking back is a bitch, innit?
@habibataaw227
✨Lyrics✨
Looking back now, I didn't know what it was supposed to be
And it's like raising kids, man
If you weren't raised, they don't know how to raise, you know?
I just did the best that I could with them because they know fuckin' well I love them
But I didn't do the best I could — I didn't know what the fuck I was doing — I didn't
I will never forget watching my mother get put in a straightjacket and taken out of my home when I was only seven years old
She was diagnosed with Dementia praecox and put in a mental institution leaving my daddy alone with me and my little brothеr Lloyd
I later had an evil stepmothеr who further cemented the idea that I didn't need a mother
Growing up without one had long lasting impressions I didn't fully understand until much later in life
It bled into my relationships with family and those I had became romantically involved with
Whenever I got too close to a woman, I would cut her off
Part of that was vindictive and partially based on fear, but it was also totally subconsious
Looking back is a bitch, innit?
@Nicholas-kt4ul
"A Tale By Quincy"
The Weeknd ft. Quincy Jones #DawnFM
[Speech: Quincy Jones]
That's it
Looking back now, I didn't know what it was supposed to be
And it's like raising kids, man
If you weren't raised, they don't know how to raise, you know?
I just did the best that I could with them because they know fuckin' well I love them
But I didn't do the best I could — I didn't know what the fuck I was doing — I didn't
I will never forget watching my mother get put in a straightjacket and taken out of my home when I was only seven years old
She was diagnosed with Dementia praecox and put in a mental institution leaving my daddy alone with me and my little brother Lloyd
I later had an evil stepmother who further cemented the idea that I didn't need a mother
Growing up without one had long lasting impressions I didn't fully understand until much later in life
It bled into my relationships with family and those I had became romantically involved with
Whenever I got too close to a woman, I would cut her off
Part of that was vindictive and partially based on fear, but it was also totally subconsious
Looking back is a bitch, innit?
@tahamohammad1741
What a life Quincy Jones has literally worked with every great artist in history from the mid 20th till the 21st century.
@andreww3965
Yes This song is so good! I just tried making my own song inspired by him its in my Playlist !
please tell me how you feel about it .
I'll be waiting to hear back from you !❤..
@DAMND3Xx
Finally a comment from someone who knows real and the Legend here.
@kevinjusas72
Secret garden baby
@Dawg36Music
Pac did fk with Quincy, so 💯✌
@ashertheaudiophile1917
He is Abel's father
@Jayfeather-cu1gc
This hits too hard as someone who also has grown up with a mentally ill mother and now has extremely similar issues with relationships. This is the single most important track on the album for me. Thank you for telling this story.
@ashertheaudiophile1917
Oh
@ItzSpliTT
Bro, my mother has dementia.. my girlfriend atm…. Cant handle det realitionship… my mother is 58.. way to early
@jadacole333
Thank you for sharing your story w us 🤍