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), BB/ANG3L (2023), & QUANTUM BABY (2024)
Cold Sweat
Tinashe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come around here, spend plenty of time on your own
'Cause the city ain't kind
On the people who sign up for judgin' but can't take no
Complacent
This ain't a place to be makin' friends, they all got agendas
These eyes on your back, fangs in your neck
Lickin' up venom (venom), fiendin' for a taste of this shitSeem so thirsty, smell fresh meat in the air (blood on the floor)
So the real test, after breakfast
We'll see who will still be here
This pressure ain't for everybody
Weighing so heavy on my body, body (yeah)
Spine shivers, eyes met
Head in it, heart set (yeah)
Gold on my mind, yeah
Ice drippin', cold sweat
Ice-Ice drippin', cold sweat
Ice drippin', cold sweat
Ice drippin', cold sweat
Ice drippin', cold sweat
Can't choose the situational friend
Always quick to co-sign, everything's a ten
Damn, I hate a yes man
I know all this buzzin' gotta be ringin' in your ear
But don't think I've forgotten who was always here
Tell me, where was you last year?
And I doubt you will last here
It's your last here
This pressure ain't for everybody (no, no, no, no, no pressure)
Spine shivers, eyes met
Head in it, heart set (yeah)
Gold on my mind, yeah
Ice, drippin', cold sweat
Ice-Ice drippin', cold sweat
Ice drippin', cold sweat
Ice drippin', cold sweat
Ice drippin', cold sweat
(No, no, no, no, no, nah, nah, nah, nah)
(Ice drippin')
Wish I always got my way
Time for me to accept defeat when my hands are tied
Let you down in the lights after tonight
Don't trip, everything will end up just fine
These summers, they ain't the same
These lovers, they ain't the game
These feelings, they don't mean nothing
These ceilings can't keep the pain
Explanations, you say I deserve it
Why after all this time I'm finally worth it?
Ain't it funny, how power comes with money
And how now I'm out here poppin'
They come back like they're an option
Man, this shit is hella scummy
They claimin' that they love me
'Cause they realize that my time is finally comin'
They know it
'Cause my night is young, moon is high
And the stars are all aligned
In "Cold Sweat," Tinashe grapples with the isolation and pressure that comes with being a rising star in the music industry. She reflects on the loneliness she feels as she spends a lot of time alone, recognizing that this is necessary to avoid the judgment and agendas of people around her who only want to use her for their own gain. Tinashe is aware of how the industry works, with its tendency to chew up and spit out its stars. The pressure is not for everybody, and Tinashe questions why others around her do not feel the weight that she does. She is also aware that some people in her life only want to be around her now that she is successful, and she does not trust their motives. The song ends on a hopeful note, however, as Tinashe acknowledges that everything will end up fine; even though the pressure is high and the game is rough, the stars are aligned and the night is young.
One interesting fact about "Cold Sweat" is that it was written by Tinashe and her longtime collaborator Joel Compass, along with Paul Phamous and Vasco. The song was co-produced by Ritz Reynolds and Vasco, with additional production from Sasha Sirota. "Cold Sweat" is the third track on Tinashe's sophomore album, Joyride, which was released in 2018. The song was not released as a single, but it received critical acclaim as one of the standout tracks on the album. Other notable tracks on Joyride include "No Drama" featuring Offset and "Ooh La La," which features guest vocals from French Montana.
Another interesting fact about "Cold Sweat" is that Tinashe has said that the song was inspired by a short story she read about a woman who was kidnapped and held captive for 10 years. Tinashe was struck by how the woman described feeling both frozen and on fire at the same time, which she felt was a powerful metaphor for the pressure and anxiety she was feeling as a rising star in the music industry. In an interview with Rap-Up, Tinashe said, "The contrast of feeling cold and feeling hot and feeling nervous and feeling on fire and wanting to go for it but also feeling frozen and petrified, I felt like that encapsulated the whole creative process of making the record".
Line by Line Meaning
I like being alone
I prefer my own company over others'
I'm out here, spend plenty of time on your own
I often spend time by myself
'Cause the city ain't kind, other people who sign up
The city life isn't friendly, and people have hidden motives
For judgin' but I can't take no
I cannot tolerate being judged
Complacent, this ain't a place to be making friends
I'm comfortable by myself here, and it's not an ideal place to form friendships
They all got agendas these eyes on your back, hands on your neck
People have their own motives, and they're keeping a close watch on me
Thinkin' I've been fienin' for a taste of this shit
They're assuming I want something from them
Seem so thirsty, smell fresh meat in the air (blood in the floor)
They are thirsty for something new, and they're ready to pounce
So the real test, after breakfast
The actual challenge comes after the easy part
We'll see who's to be here
We'll find out who is committed to staying
This pressure ain't for everybody
This level of intensity can't be handled by all
Why you ain't so heavy on my body, body
Why aren't you putting much pressure on me?
Spine, shivers, eyes, met
I get chills, and my eyes meet someone else's gaze intensely
Head, in it, heart, set
I am focused on it with my mind, and I am determined with my emotions
Cold, on my mind, yeah
I am calculating and cautious
Ice dripping, cold sweat
I am nervous and anxious
Ice, Ice dripping, cold sweat
I am trembling and extremely anxious
Can't choose the situation and friend
I can't pick the perfect scenario and true friends always
Always got to co-sign, everything's a ten
I always have to agree and everything always has to be perfect
Damn I hate a yes man
I cannot tolerate someone who doesn't have their own opinion
I know while this buzzing gotta be ringing in your ear
I'm aware this must feel overwhelming to you
One thing I forgotten, you was always here
The one thing I forgot is that you have always been here with me
Tell me where was you last year?
Can you tell me where you were last year and why you weren't here?
And I doubt you was last here
I doubt you were present here last time
It's your last year
This is your last chance
The summers they ain't the same
The summers don't feel the continue the same way
These lovers they ain't the game
These relationships don't feel the same way as before
These feeling, they don't mean nothing
These emotions don't hold any importance or significance
These ceilings can keep the pain
These limitations and obstacles can only add to the problems
Explanations you say I deserve it
You provide justifications by stating that I have brought it upon myself
Why after all this time I'm finally worth it
You wonder why after all these years, you feel that I am deserving
Ain't it funny, a power comes with money
It's ironic that with wealth and power comes control
And how now I'm out here poppin'
Now that I am successful, I am popular and relevant
They come back like they're an option
They come back, now that I am important, treating me like an option
Man this shit is hella scummy
This is bad and unclean
They claimin' that they love me
They're saying they love me
'Cause they realize that my time is finally comin'
They've now realized that I'm finally getting successful
They know it
They understand it
Moon is high
The moon is very high in the sky
The stars are all aligned
Everything has come together perfectly
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Matthew Samuels, Tinashe Kachingwe, Joshua Scruggs, Kai Asa Savon Wright
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Luna-wm4rc
The summers they ain't the same
These lovers they ain't the game
These feeling, they don't mean nothing
These ceilings can keep the pain
Explanations you say I deserve it
Why after all this time I'm finally worth it
Ain't it funny, a power comes with money
And how now I'm out here poppin
They come back like they're an option
Man this shit is hella scummy
They claiming that they love me
Cause they realize that my time is finally coming
They know it
Cause my night is young
Moon is high
The stars are all, alligned
@tristan9169
According to Genius, this is Tinashe’s Favorite Song off her Aquarius Album because it explores her vocal range, and she also demonstrates her Rap Experience at the end.
@marcusmurphy3558
Yes Sir , IT DO ALL DAT& MORE !!!
🙂
@НаташаОрлова-й8м
Still one of the best Tinashe's work. Dark, dramatic, easy to relate to. Beat and her voice are fantastic.
@Faceof_justice
When she said “I like being alone” I felt that !💯💯💯
@jamesrambo728
Your not alone
@kendrawilliams198
Me too being alone doesn't bother me .
@shimeih2287
Being alone is the best. Noone to bother you...
@CreativeSts
That hit different under quarantine
@maxbrown9335
Wow
@simonealexascott
I will NEVER forgive RCA for not pushing this as a major single.