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).
Boss
Tinashe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And if you dive in like ya did
You'd never see the end of the sea
I know that you like it daddy
You’re the boss of me
I know that you
Hate it when you see me with those other niggas easy
Hate it when you see me rollin' up in my new whip
Won’t you tell me bae now who's the boss of this?
Thought that you'd forget about me
Fuck you think I am?
Fuck you think I am, I am, I am
Fuck you think I am, I am, I am
You gon' spend forever sitting
Thinkin' 'bout me wishing you were still my man
I know that you like it daddy
When I ask you please
I know that you
Hate it when you see me with those other niggas easy
Hate it when you see me shitting on your wanna-be me
Hate it when you see me rollin' up in my new whip
Won’t you tell me bae now who's the boss of this?
The song "Boss" by Tinashe is focused on power dynamics in a romantic relationship. The lyrics indicate that the female protagonist is manipulating her partner, making him weak and the "boss" of her. She enjoys the control over him and his jealousy of her interactions with other men. The chorus, "I know that you like it daddy, you're the boss of me," reinforces the idea that the male desires control but is ultimately under the woman's power.
The second verse amplifies the power dynamic through the male's jealousy and insecurity. He hates seeing the woman with other men but also hates when she outdoes him. She flaunts her success and new possessions, asserting her dominance in their relationship. The repetition of "who's the boss of this?" highlights the ongoing power struggle between them.
Overall, "Boss" portrays a dysfunctional relationship where the woman enjoys manipulating and controlling her partner, while the man struggles to maintain his power and control over her. The lyrics suggest that this relationship is toxic and will ultimately lead to their demise.
Line by Line Meaning
I can make you weak
I have the power to weaken you and make you vulnerable to my charms.
And if you dive in like ya did
If you give into your desires for me like you have before, you'll be hooked.
You'd never see the end of the sea
Once you start down this path with me, it will be impossible to turn back or escape my influence.
I know that you like it daddy
I am aware that you enjoy feeling dominant and in control over me.
You’re the boss of me
Despite your desire for control, in reality, I am the one calling the shots and manipulating you to get what I want.
Hate it when you see me with those other niggas easy
You feel threatened and jealous when you see me with other men who are easily impressed by me.
Hate it when you see me shitting on your wanna-be me
You become angry and resentful when you witness me succeeding and surpassing your expectations of what I can achieve.
Hate it when you see me rollin' up in my new whip
You are annoyed when you see me driving around in my expensive, luxurious car, a symbol of my success and independence.
Won’t you tell me bae now who's the boss of this?
You are challenged to admit that despite your attempts to assert your authority, I am ultimately the one in control of this dynamic between us.
Fuck you think I am?
I am frustrated and insulted that you would underestimate or doubt my power and influence over you.
You gon' spend forever sitting
You will be consumed by thoughts of me, regretting that you let me go and wishing you could still have me.
Thinkin' 'bout me wishing you were still my man
You will reminisce and long for the time when you had control over me and I was devoted to you.
When I ask you please
I will use my seductive powers to manipulate you into doing my bidding and fulfilling my desires.
Contributed by Nolan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Valerie Mcnulty
Zaneta
Yes, Tinashe 'DOES' have TALENT. I 'PRAY' that Tinashe DOESN'T let the music industry CORRUPT her, though. I'm WORRIED for her.
Tinashe's interviews shows that she is a VERY 'TALENTED' and has a JOYFUL personality.
Lord Jesus, I 'humbly' pray that you can 'PLEASE' place someone or a situation into her path that will LEAD her to YOU, Lord Jesus.
I 'THANK/PRAISE' your MIGHTY-NAMES, Heavenly Father, and Lord Jesus Christ.
AMEN.
TRE 99 ATLAS
tired of being what you want me to be
Feeling so faithless, lost under the surface
Don't know what you're expecting of me
Put under the pressure of walking in your shoes
Every step that I take is another mistake to you
(Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow)
I've become so numb
I can't feel you there
Become so tired
So much more aware
I'm becoming this
All I want to do
Is be more like me
And be less like you
Can't you see that you're smothering me
Holding too tightly, afraid to lose control?
'Cause everything that you thought I would be
Has fallen apart right in front of you
Every step that I take is another mistake to you
(Caught in the undertow, just caught in the undertow)
And every second I waste is more than I can take
I've become so numb
I can't feel you there
Become so tired
So much more aware
I'm becoming this
All I want to do
Is be more like me
And be less like you
And I know
I may end up failing too
But I know
You were just like me with someone disappointed in you
I've become so numb
I can't feel you there
Become so tired
So much more aware
I'm becoming this
All I want to do
Is be more like me
And be less like you
I've become so numb
I can't feel you there
(I'm tired of being what you want me to be)
I've become so numb
I can't feel you there
(I'm tired of being what you want me to be)
TRE 99 ATLAS
Cross my heart, hope to die
To my lover, I'd never lie
He said "be true, " I swear I'll try
In the end, it's him and I
He's out his head, I'm out my mind
We got that love, the crazy kind
I am his, and he is mine
In the end, it's him and I, him and I
My '65 speeding up the PCH, a hell of a ride
They don't wanna see us make it, they just wanna divide
2017 Bonnie and Clyde
Wouldn't see the point of living on if one of us died, yeah
Got that kind of style everybody try to rip off
YSL dress under when she takes the mink off
Silk on her body, pull it down and watch it slip off
Ever catch me cheating, she would try to cut my (ha-ha-ha)
Crazy, but I love her, I could never run from her
Hit it, no rubber never would let no one touch her
Swear we drive each other, mad, she be so stubborn
But, what the fuck is love with no pain, no suffer
Intense, this shit, it gets dense
She knows when I'm out of it like she could just sense
If I had a million dollars or was down to ten cents
She'd be down for whatever, never gotta convince (you know?)
Lena Greene
I wish this was on Apple Music ❤
Taii Vines
U n me both
Vivian Granado
Me toooo !!!!
Danica S. Nelson
I miss THIS Tinashe. She's incredibly talented, original, and don't even get me started on how gorgeous she is. But this new pop Superlove shit is for the birds. This is the Tinashe I fell in love with. Ever since she got signed, I feel like they have her doing some pop princess, overly-sexualized typical garbage. She's naturally sexy. I hope she goes independent soon and back to her old roots.
Bruno Roseno da silva
@DANICA S NELSON COMO ASSIM SURPERLOVE ??????????
Thomas Chevrier
Super love is propably her worst song. Even if Tinashe is now independant her mixtape days were better than anything she has put out since.
Celestial Spartan 117
It’s 2022 and your wish has come true. The Tinashe u fell in love with? Yeah, she’s back.
Hasan Muhammad
@Charlene Moore same way they did Doja cat
Hasan Muhammad
Another Doja cat started in the bedroom they all sound alike and looking alike
Molyna Net
I don't think people realize that she makes her own songs which makes her an incredible artist in my opinion.