The song had received generally positive reviews from music critics, many praising it as one of Braxton's best work. The song had international success, becoming one of Braxton signature songs, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, where the single stood for several weeks, and number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for four weeks. This song is her last Top 10 appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 to date. An accompanying music video was released for the single, featuring Braxton and her friends at a club, until her ex-husband and his new wife crash the groups fun. But until Braxton confronts her that he's a cheat, they plan a trap to show he is, when he unzips his zipper of his pants, and a live camera sees them, and she busts him, with Braxton and her giving a high-five. The song earned Braxton her fourth Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 2001.
He Wasn't Man Enough
Toni Braxton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Toni Braxton, oh
Ha ha, uh huh
Yeah, uh uh
Darkchild, yeah
Listen, girl
Who do you think I am?
But I chose to let him go
So why do you act like I still care about him?
Looking at me like I'm hurt
When I'm the one who said I didn't want it to work
Don't you forget I had him first?
What you thinkin'?
Stop blamin' me
He wasn't man enough for me
If you don't know, now here's the chance
I've already had your man
Do you wonder just where he's been, yeah?
Not be worried about him
Now it's time you know the truth
I think he's just the man for you
What are you thinking?
Did you know about us back then?
Do you know I dumped your husband, girlfriend?
I'm not thinking 'bout him
But you married him
Do you know I made him leave?
Do you know he begged to stay with me?
He wasn't man enough for me
Listen, girl
Didn't he tell you the truth?
If not then, why don't you ask him?
Then maybe you can be more into him
Instead of worrying about me
And hopefully you won't find
All the reasons why his love didn't count
And why we couldn't work it out
What you thinkin'?
Stop blamin' me
He wasn't man enough for me
If you don't know, now here's the chance
I've already had your man
Do you wonder just where he's been, yeah?
Not be worried about him
Now it's time you know the truth
I think he's just the man for you
What are you thinking?
Did you know about us back then?
Do you know I dumped your husband, girlfriend?
I'm not thinking 'bout him
But you married him
Do you know I made him leave?
Do you know he begged to stay with me?
He wasn't man enough for me
What are you thinking?
Did you know about us back then?
Do you know I dumped your husband, girlfriend?
I'm not thinking 'bout him
But you married him
Do you know I made him leave?
Do you know he begged to stay with me?
He wasn't man enough for me
Oh yeah
So many reasons why our love is through, yeah
What makes you think he'll be good to you, no
It makes no sense 'cause he will never change
Girl, you better recognize the game, oh yeah
What are you thinking?
Did you know about us back then?
Do you know I dumped your husband, girlfriend?
I'm not thinking 'bout him
But you married him
Do you know I made him leave?
Do you know he begged to stay with me?
He wasn't man enough for me
What are you thinking?
Did you know about us back then?
Do you know I dumped your husband, girlfriend?
I'm not thinking 'bout him
But you married him
Do you know I made him leave?
Do you know he begged to stay with me?
He wasn't man enough for me
What are you thinking?
Did you know about us back then?
Do you know I dumped your husband, girlfriend?
I'm not thinking 'bout him
But you married him
Do you know I made him leave?
Do you know he begged to stay with me?
He wasn't man enough for me
Toni Braxton's "He Wasn't Man Enough" is a song about a woman who is challenging another woman's opinions about her former lover. The female protagonist claims that although the man was in a relationship with the other woman, he was not man enough for her. In the song, she asserts that she had him first, and she let him go because he couldn't give her what she needed. The woman then warns the other woman about her former lover's inadequacy, and encourages her to move on from him.
The lyrics of the song are testament to the empowerment of women and their ability to take charge of their romantic lives. The song highlights a common yet taboo concept in relationships that the person who leaves is the one who has the power. In this case, the female protagonist is using this power to caution against the other woman's desire to be with her former lover.
Overall, "He Wasn't Man Enough" is a bold and powerful anthem for women who refuse to settle for less than what they deserve in relationships. It reminds listeners that it is never too late to walk away from someone who is not meeting their needs and to seek out a relationship that fulfills their requirements.
Line by Line Meaning
Listen, girl
Pay attention to what I'm about to say
Who do you think I am?
Don't underestimate me
Don't you know that he was my man?
He used to be my partner
But I chose to let him go
I decided to end the relationship
So why do you act like I still care about him?
Why do you assume I'm still hung up on him?
Looking at me like I'm hurt
Assuming I was emotionally harmed by our break up
When I'm the one who said I didn't want it to work
I was the one who ended it
Don't you forget I had him first?
I was with him before you
Stop blamin' me
Don't accuse me
He wasn't man enough for me
He didn't meet my standards
If you don't know, now here's the chance
Allow me to educate you
I've already had your man
I was with him before and I left him
Do you wonder just where he's been, yeah?
Do you question where he's been after our break up?
Not be worried about him
Don't be concerned about him
Now it's time you know the truth
It's time for you to know what really happened
I think he's just the man for you
I believe he suits you more than he suited me
Did you know about us back then?
Were you aware of our past relationship?
Do you know I dumped your husband, girlfriend?
I'm the one who ended your current relationship
I'm not thinking 'bout him
I'm not dwelling on our past
But you married him
You decided to commit to him
Do you know I made him leave?
I was the reason why he ended things with you
Do you know he begged to stay with me?
He pleaded with me to take him back
Oh yeah
Yes
So many reasons why our love is through, yeah
There were several factors that led to our break up
What makes you think he'll be good to you, no
Why do you assume he'll treat you better?
It makes no sense 'cause he will never change
It's unrealistic to expect him to change his ways
Girl, you better recognize the game, oh yeah
You need to see things for what they truly are
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Fred Jerkins Iii, Harvey Mason Jr., Lashawn Daniels, Rodney Jerkins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@FujiiKaze
0:00-0:13 I thought it was a wrong video
@rehmahigginbotham7588
Fujii Kaze 😂😂😂
@kirkcorner8469
I never got what this had to do with the rest of the video or why they included it lol
@giseleaugustine5520
me tooo
@bridgetmuthoni399
😂😂😂😂
@anarkeee
But you gotta admit it’s cool right?
@anapaulacosta100
Feb. 2024 and I am here listening to my Diva!! ❤ She will always be a GOAT.🥰👏🏾👏🏾🌟🎶 🤗
@brigettepatton9489
Saaaaaammmeee. Woke up with it in my head lol
@user-cs7lh1lo7u
Girl just feel like to listen some real songs and jus pop up
@FaustoTG
One of my favs of that decade! I’m still playing my list Hits 2000’s 😊