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).
Small Reminders
Tinashe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Life seems so long (so long, hey, uh)
Don't go wasting
Before it's all gone
Never stop, never quit, never that (never that)
Promises that I make to myself (yeah)
Big drip so I stay in my bag (big drip)
Lookin' up, there's snakes in the grass
Don't mix, so I stay on my own
When I get to the top it's a wrap
Ain't nobody tellin' me shit about shit
And that's that
Now or never
Perfect timing
I'll live forever
The stars keep shining
Love will find us
Don't go chasing
Small reminders
Time is racing
I spend fifty-five on the fill-up
Fill-up
I got the top down in the winter
Winter, it's windy
I keep the cookies and the doobie lit up
Lit up, uh
I'm dodgin' police, gotta duck tonight
Tonight
And I'm hella fly, push it up, feelin' soft
Wonderful, rolling up the weed and
I live it up, goin' through the ceilin' now
Came back, do a three-peat, Michael Jordan
Uh, I got the dream and I see it clearer
Before my head ever hit the pillow
I paid my dues and I feel like enough is enough
And enough is enough, and enough is enough, and enough is enough
Goin' so dumb
Goin' crazy
Losing count of
Blunts, still fancy
They say nothing lasts forever
Be in pain or be in pleasure
Nothing hurts me anymore unless I let it
We're the lucky ones
What do you dream about
When no one else is there to listen?
What do you wish for?
What do you care about?
Got so much weight all on your shoulders
You secretly carry around
You look in the mirror
When you think about your mistakes
Don't make a sound
Who are you really though?
When no one can convince you different
Do you even know?
If you could undo what you're going through
Would you?
Ooh, you and me
The lyrics to Tinashe's song "Small Reminders" convey a sense of urgency as time is racing and life seems long. The opening lines suggest a reminder to make the most of the present moment and not waste time before it's too late. Tinashe emphasizes the importance of perseverance and making promises to oneself, never stopping or quitting. She flaunts her confidence and independence, staying true to herself and dismissing any negative opinions from others. The chorus emphasizes the fleeting nature of time but also holds onto a sense of hope, with the idea that love will find us if we don't chase after it.
In the second verse, Tinashe talks about indulging in luxuries and living life to the fullest, regardless of the season. She mentions spending money on filling up her car and enjoying the freedom of driving with the top down even in winter. She also references lighting up marijuana and avoiding the police, suggesting a rebellious side. Tinashe continues to express her self-assurance and ambition, noting her belief in her dreams and the determination to achieve them. She reflects on the journey she has taken, paying her dues and reaching a point where she feels like she's had enough of the struggles and hardships. The lyrics culminate with an affirmation of confidence, emphasizing that Tinashe is feeling "fly" and unstoppable.
Overall, "Small Reminders" is an empowering song that encourages listeners to seize the moment, stay true to themselves, and not let anything hold them back.
Line by Line Meaning
Time is racing (yeah, yeah)
The passage of time feels quick and fleeting
Life seems so long (so long, hey, uh)
Despite the quick passage of time, life can feel long and full of experiences
Don't go wasting
Don't waste the time you have
Before it's all gone
Make the most of your time before it runs out
Never stop, never quit, never that (never that)
I'm determined to keep going and never give up
Promises that I make to myself (yeah)
I am committed to keeping the promises I make to myself
Big drip so I stay in my bag (big drip)
I have a unique style and confidence, so I focus on my own success
Bad bitch, make a hater so mad (woo)
I am confident and successful, which may cause jealousy from others
Lookin' up, there's snakes in the grass
Being cautious of deceitful and untrustworthy people in life
Don't mix, so I stay on my own
I avoid unnecessary drama and negativity by staying independent
When I get to the top it's a wrap
Once I achieve success, there will be no stopping me
Ain't nobody tellin' me shit about shit
I am confident in my abilities and don't care about others' opinions
And that's that
This is the final statement, no further explanation needed
Now or never
It's time to take action without delay
Perfect timing
The timing is ideal for a certain action or decision
I'll live forever
My legacy will continue to exist even after I pass away
The stars keep shining
Despite challenges, there is always hope and positivity
Love will find us
Love is a force that will come into our lives naturally
Don't go chasing
Avoid pursuing things that may not be worth your time and effort
Small reminders
Occurrences that serve as little nudges or prompts in life
Time is racing
Time feels like it's moving quickly
I spend fifty-five on the fill-up
I am willing to invest money in fueling my passions
I got the top down in the winter
I'm not afraid to embrace unconventional choices or experiences
I keep the cookies and the doobie lit up
I enjoy indulging in recreational activities and staying relaxed
I'm dodgin' police, gotta duck tonight
I'm avoiding encounters with law enforcement to stay out of trouble
And I'm hella fly, push it up, feelin' soft
I have a confident and attractive presence, radiating positive energy
Wonderful, rolling up the weed and
It feels great and fulfilling to roll up and smoke marijuana
I live it up, goin' through the ceilin' now
I'm enjoying life and reaching new heights
Came back, do a three-peat, Michael Jordan
I've achieved success in multiple endeavors, just like Michael Jordan's three-peat
Uh, I got the dream and I see it clearer
I have a clear vision and understanding of my dreams and aspirations
Before my head ever hit the pillow
I work hard and pursue my goals even before resting
I paid my dues and I feel like enough is enough
I have worked hard and sacrificed, and I believe I deserve better now
Goin' so dumb
Engaging in reckless or uninhibited behavior
Goin' crazy
Experiencing extreme excitement or intense emotions
Losing count of
Becoming unable to keep track of
Blunts, still fancy
Despite indulging in drugs, I still maintain a sophisticated and stylish image
They say nothing lasts forever
It is commonly believed that nothing remains permanent
Be in pain or be in pleasure
You can either experience pain or pleasure in life
Nothing hurts me anymore unless I let it
I have learned not to let external factors affect me negatively
We're the lucky ones
We are fortunate or blessed individuals
What do you dream about
What thoughts and aspirations occupy your mind while you dream?
When no one else is there to listen?
During moments of solitude, when you have no one to confide in
What do you wish for?
What desires do you hold deep within your heart?
What do you care about?
What holds significance and value to you?
Got so much weight all on your shoulders
Feeling burdened by numerous responsibilities and pressures
You secretly carry around
Keeping your struggles and burdens hidden from others
You look in the mirror
Examining your own reflection and self-image
When you think about your mistakes
Reflecting on past errors or regrets
Don't make a sound
Keeping your inner thoughts and emotions silenced
Who are you really though?
Questioning your true identity and essence
When no one can convince you different
Even when others try to change your perspective, you remain firm
Do you even know?
Are you fully aware or have a clear understanding of yourself?
If you could undo what you're going through
If given the chance, would you reverse or change your current situation?
Would you?
Are you willing to make that choice?
Ooh, you and me
A reference to the connection and relationship between two individuals
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Christian Waite, Jonas Wilhelm Karlsson, Maaike Lebbing, Tinashe Kachingwe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind