Between 2007 and 2011, Tinashe was a member of the girl group the Stunners. Following their disbandment, she released the positively-reviewed self-recorded mixtapes In Case We Die (2012) and Reverie (2012). Following their success, Tinashe signed with RCA Records and released her third mixtape, Black Water (2013). Her debut single, "2 On" (featuring Schoolboy Q; produced by Mustard), reached number one on the Rhythmic airplay chart, and peaked at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100.[4] Her debut studio album, Aquarius (2014), was noted by music critics as one of the most "solid" debuts by a new female artist in years. The album garnered her nominations for Soul Train and BET Awards.[5] Her collaboration with Snakehips and Chance the Rapper, "All My Friends", won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Contemporary Song in 2016.[6] The same year, Tinashe appeared on Britney Spears' single "Slumber Party", which topped Billboard's Dance Club Songs chart. Tinashe's second studio album, Nightride (2016), reached number eight on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the US. Joyride (2018), her third studio album, peaked at number 58 on the Billboard 200 chart and reached number six on the UK R&B Albums chart. After departing RCA, Tinashe independently released the albums Songs for You (2019), 333 (2021) and BB/Ang3l (2023).
"I'm Selfish"
Tinashe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pull me so off guard feeling like music
And my friends are... For your skin
Ohh
Felt so deep
Everybody noted this
Though I try the reason
Ladies seem don't matchin why I think of love is cheat
And been question my perception everything is rearranged
And I try to bite it I don't wanna put you through no pain
When I tell you that I need a man again
Yes, I'm selfish, I'm selfish
Can't help it with the party
Won't be here forever
Come get me down forever
Hit me hard
Ohh, yeah!
Girl you're like a summer in the...
Is the day I got you... You can round and round my brain
And I try to body I don't wanna put you through no pain
And I'll tell you that I need a man again
Ohh
I'm selfish, I'm so me
Can't help it with the party
Won't be here forever
Come get me down
With your lips on me, smell like
With your eyes worries keys
The lyrics of "I'm Selfish" by Tinashe seem to describe a toxic and complicated relationship. The opening lines "Hit me hard with the lips on me, Pull me so off guard feeling like music" depict a moment where the singer feels overwhelmed and consumed by her partner's affections. The following lines "And my friends are... For your skin" might suggest that her friends are concerned about the relationship and do not approve of her partner.
The chorus, "Yes, I'm selfish, I'm selfish, Can't help it with the party, Won't be here forever, Come get me down forever" implies that the singer is aware of her selfishness but is unable or unwilling to change her ways. She acknowledges that the relationship is temporary, but she wants to enjoy it while it lasts.
The second verse "Ladies seem don't matchin why I think of love is cheat, And been question my perception everything is rearranged" suggests that the singer has been hurt in the past and is now wary of love. She doesn't trust her own feelings and is struggling to make sense of her emotions. In the end, she confesses, "And I'll tell you that I need a man again", indicating that she wants someone in her life despite her fears and hesitations.
Overall, the song is a melancholic yet sensual account of a relationship that is both exciting and troubling. The singer is grappling with her own desires and insecurities, and the lyrics capture the complexity of human emotions in a way that is both relatable and moving.
Line by Line Meaning
Hit me hard with the lips on me
Your kisses feel intense and unexpected, like sweet music in my ear.
Pull me so off guard feeling like music
You surprise me in the best way, like a beautiful melody that catches me off guard.
And my friends are... For your skin
My friends have noticed how deeply I've fallen for you, and it's all because of how irresistible you are.
Felt so deep
My feelings for you go beyond the surface level - they're intense and profound.
Everybody noted this
It's not just me who can sense the depth of our connection - other people have noticed it too.
Though I try the reason
Despite my attempts to rationalize my feelings, I can't deny their intensity.
Baby your arm, baby you...
Being close to you, feeling the comfort of your embrace, makes me feel complete.
Ladies seem don't matchin why I think of love is cheat
I'm struggling to reconcile the disconnect between what I see in other people's relationships and what I feel when it comes to love.
And been question my perception everything is rearranged
My previous ideas about love and relationships have been upended, and I'm left questioning what I thought I knew.
And I try to bite it I don't wanna put you through no pain
I'm trying to work through my feelings on my own so that I can spare you from any potential hurt.
When I tell you that I need a man again
Despite my reservations about love, I know that ultimately, I want and need a partner in life.
Yes, I'm selfish, I'm selfish
I'm admitting that my feelings and desires are all about me - I'm being selfish in wanting you for myself.
Can't help it with the party
I can't control my desire to be close to you and share in the joy and excitement of life together.
Won't be here forever
Life is short and unpredictable, so I want to make the most of every moment we have together.
Come get me down forever
I'm inviting you to take a chance on love with me, to commit to being together for the long haul.
Girl you're like a summer in the...
Being with you is like experiencing the warmth and sunshine of summer all year round.
Is the day I got you...
From the moment we met, I knew that you would change everything for me - I was instantly captivated.
You can round and round my brain
Thoughts of you are constantly on my mind, consuming my thoughts with your presence.
And I try to body I don't wanna put you through no pain
I'm struggling to make sense of my feelings and wanting to shield you from any potential heartbreak.
And I'll tell you that I need a man again
Despite my uncertainty and fear, I know that all I really want is to find love and companionship with someone like you.
I'm selfish, I'm so me
My feelings and desires are focused entirely on me and what I want, rather than what might be best for both of us.
Can't help it with the party
I can't resist the temptation to celebrate life and love with you, to revel in the joy of being alive together.
Won't be here forever
Life is fleeting and unpredictable, so I don't want to let any opportunity to be with you pass me by.
Come get me down
I'm inviting you to take a chance on love with me, to commit to being together and enjoying all the ups and downs that come with it.
Hit me hard
I want you to be bold and direct with me, to show me your passion and desire without reservation.
Contributed by Scarlett F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Aries16603
“Girl you’re like the summer in the midst of all the rain. Since the day I’ve got your number you’ve been riding ‘round my brain. Yeah, I try to fight it I don’t want to put you no more pain when I tell you that I need a man again.”
That cut so deep coming from a gay man with a guy who is bisexual.
@beautifulsoulicecreamtopic6523
Yassss
@sngtfrk1661
EXACTLY!!!
@Rahmir315
LITERALLY IM DATING A BISEXUAL MAN
@Aries16603
@@Rahmir315 are you bisexual?
@charleydevinaaisha1441
Im listening to this song over and over she needs to make this longer and make it a hit ❤ love this song
@nicoleppollard
I like her. She has a different sound. Her music is unique.
@denniswarner1355
this woman should have been aaliyahs daughter or something. my biggest crushes just by their voices. and the beauty is just a plus. Tinashe reminds me alot of a modern version of aaliyah for some reason
@tuca3434
yall be so happy she is bisexual like you have a shot
@LondonSkyTV
LMFAOOOOO