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).
The Leap
Tinashe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why do I feel so numb?
Hear me now, still when I feel most lonely
There will be people all around me
Shuffling past my eyes
So I live in my head, regrets
Leave 'em on the floor, wrap 'em in an old black sheet
Looking for a sign, karma's coming back for us
I was waiting on you, waiting on you
The leap, leap, leap
Don't look, don't look down
Leap
(Ooh hurry up don't miss your chance)
Leap
(Time is running out the clock ain't gon' stop for no man)
Leap
For you, for me
Night after night I'm suffering
Months have gone by it seems like dozens
Why do I feel so numb?
Hear me now
If you're the man you claim to be
Why do you dream the life I gotta lead?
Never make a move, never make a change
I needed, I needed, I needed, to make a shift of faith
Leave 'em on the floor, wrap 'em in an old black sheet
I'm gonna set it all ablaze, watch it burn to ash and dust
Looking for a sign, karma's coming back for us
I was waiting on you, waiting on you
The leap, leap, leap
Don't look, don't look down
Leap
(Ooh hurry up don't miss your chance)
Leap
(Time is running out the clock ain't gon' stop for no man)
Leap
For you, for me
"The Leap" is a song by Tinashe, and it depicts the struggle of waiting for someone or something to happen in life. The lyrics are introspective and contemplative, questioning why the singer feels numb despite the people around her. Tinashe suggests that one can live in their head, full of regrets, rather than dealing with reality.
The chorus is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the theme of taking the leap of faith in life, despite fear, doubt, and uncertainty. The leap represents a risk to take control and make changes, rather than waiting for things to happen. Tinashe's use of metaphors like burning regrets, wrapping them in old black sheets, and setting them ablaze creates a sense of liberation and freedom from the past.
The second verse reflects on the singer's suffering and how time has passed without significant changes. The chorus highlights that if one wants to change their life, they need to take action and make a shift of faith, instead of dreaming of a life they don't live. The song ends with a call to take the leap for oneself and others.
Line by Line Meaning
Day after day I'm waiting, sitting around here poised and ready
Every day I'm waiting, sitting around here primed and prepared for my moment.
Why do I feel so numb?
What's causing me to feel so emotionally empty?
Hear me now, still when I feel most lonely
Listen to me now, even when I feel the most isolated.
There will be people all around me
There will always be people around me.
Shuffling past my eyes
Moving quickly by me without really seeing me.
So I live in my head, regrets
Therefore I exist within my mind, with all the things I wish I'd done differently.
Leave 'em on the floor, wrap 'em in an old black sheet
Leave all the negative things behind, wrap them up and let them go.
I'm gonna set it all ablaze, watch it burn to ash and dust
I will burn all the negativity away until it turns to nothing but ash and dust.
Looking for a sign, karma's coming back for us
Searching for a signal that the universe is responding to our actions.
I was waiting on you, waiting on you
I was expecting something from you, waiting for you to come through for me.
The leap, leap, leap
Taking a big, bold jump.
Don't look, don't look down
Don't get scared or doubt yourself.
For you, for me
For all of us, for myself and for you too.
Night after night I'm suffering
Every night I'm enduring pain and sadness.
Months have gone by it seems like dozens
Many months have passed, it feels like much more than that.
If you're the man you claim to be
If you really are the person you say you are.
Why do you dream the life I gotta lead?
Why do you fantasize about having to live my life?
Never make a move, never make a change
Never taking action, never making a shift.
I needed, I needed, I needed, to make a shift of faith
I required, I required, I required, to have a change of heart or belief.
Ooh hurry up don't miss your chance
Hurry up, don't waste this opportunity.
Time is running out the clock ain't gon' stop for no man
The clock is ticking and it won't stop for anyone.
For you, for me
For all of us, for myself and for you too.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: ANDREW MCKAY, DANIEL MCKAY, TINASHE KACHINGWE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
K Dog
I cant stop listening to this. Ive literally listened to this 20 times in a row !
"Day after day im waiting"
"Still when i feel most lonely, there will be people all around me.
"So i live in my head, regrets.
"Night after night im suffering.
"Why do you dream a life without me....
Sadly, im living this song. Sigh....
skitzo the don
I love it when Tinashe music sounds dark and she sounds like an angel lighting up the dark room
TGIF Music
This song is so great I wonder why it never blew up. A classic right here. Hopefully one day the whole world recognizes.
Cole
Wow. What an incredible song. The chorus in so unique and the atmosphere is just sublime
tishaelauren
Cole no one in life will ever understand how I feel about this song
DJ Wolf254
My eyes closed every time I hear this song and I drift into my own world
tishaelauren
DJ Wolf same omg
Anaxli
BRO I WAS THINKING ABOUT A CERTAIN PART OF THIS SONG AFTER NOT HEARING IT FOR LIKE THREE YEARS AND FINALLY FINDING IT RN HAS MADE ME SO HAPPY
Carlos Delagarza
@tishaelauren mine was “I was waiting on youuu” ❤️
tishaelauren
Anaxli C please share what part it was.
Darkskinss
Tinashe murdered this track. One of the most amazing songs I have heard in my life. And I have heard MANY songs of MANY genres.