Tori Kelly first rose to attention when her cover of Frank Oceanโs โThinkin Bout You,โ went viral, racking up over 22 million views. To date, her YouTube channel boasts over ONE MILLION YouTube Subscribers with over 89 million views. Now, two EPโs later Handmade Songs, which Kelly self-penned, produced, mixed and released, and Foreword, she plans to release her first full length debut this spring.
Kelly co-wrote โNobody Loveโ off her 2015 Spring debut alongside Rickard Goransson and Max Martin. Martin says, "After hearing Tori sing, we felt so inspired that we had no choice but to get involved. Itโs been such a pleasure to be a part of her journey.โ She also co-wrote with such vets as Savan Kotecha, Toby Gad, Claude Kelly, Chuck Harmony, Wolf Cousins, and Ed Sheeran. The album, she says, does not depart from her soulful roots. โItโs like a marriage between that soulful urban thing and a mainstream pop vibe. It was hard to get to that place, but once we had โNobody Love,โ I knew weโd cracked the code. It felt seamless.โ
Working with one of the most successful hit makers in the industry is a long way from Kellyโs early years making songs in her bedroom and posting them online. Born and raised in Temecula, California, Kelly is the daughter of musicians, her dad is a singer and bassist and her mom plays piano and saxophone. She sites early influences like gospel singer Crystal Lewis, Jill Scott, Jeff Buckley, and Maxwell.
Over the past year and a half, Kelly has sold out shows in several major cities (including The Troubadour and The Roxy in Los Angeles, the Bowery Ballroom and Gramercy Theatre in New York City, and Bush Hall in London), headlined a nine-city sold-out U.S. tour, and supported Ed Sheeran, and Sam Smith on tour.
โI'm excited to get out and play for people. That's always the dream.โ
Expensive
Tori Kelly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't need no diamonds on my body
Got no green in my eyes
(Can you feel me, yeah)
Get a brand new Bentley
I'll tell you now it makes no difference
Just want all of your time (yeah yeah yeah)
Like I'm one in a million
And I think it's time your figured it out, oooh
'Cause I know I got that somethin'
And it won't cost you nothin'
I already feel expensive enough
Turn that gold into dust
That's what matters, matters
Oh yeah yeah yeah
Money don't buy love
Money don't buy love
(No your money don't buy love)
(No your money don't buy love)
(No your money don't buy love)
Your money don't buy love
So call me crazy
No I'm not starin' at your pocket
I ain't diggin' for dimes
(Can you feel me, yeah)
The fact is baby
We've all been taught to chase that dollar
But that's not on my mind (yeah yeah yeah)
'Cause you kiss me like I'm dreamin'
Like I'm one in a million
And I think it's time your figured it out, oooh
'Cause I know I got that somethin'
And it won't cost you nothin'
I already feel expensive enough
Turn that gold into dust
That's what matters, matters
Oh yeah yeah yeah
Money don't buy love
Money don't buy love
(No your money don't buy love)
(No your money don't buy love)
(No your money don't buy love)
Your money don't buy love
(No your money don't buy love)
(No your money don't buy love)
(No your money don't buy love)
Your money don't buy love
But if I had a hundred thousand dollars
If I'm a king, power falling in my pocket
Get a diamond ring for my girl and her mama
Wonder why she still ain't callin'
Do you love me? I'm a man with a problem
Never found love, so went out and I bought it
And my two cents makes sense, I'm talkin'
Hey, girl, I'm here, no wallet
Whatever happened to the love in the moment
A hug and I hold you, a hand to your shoulder, man, to feel closer
Runnin' to the date, number nine, no soda
Grab a milkshake, we'll be dancing, it's over
Grab a milkshake, we'll be dancing, it's over
Grab a milkshake, we'll be dancing, it's over
Heeey yeah yeah
I feel expensive enough
No your money don't buy love
No your money don't buy love
No your money don't buy love
Your money don't buy love
'Cause you kiss me like I'm dreamin'
Like I'm one in a million
And I think it's time your figured it out, oooh
'Cause I know I got that somethin'
And it won't cost you nothin'
I already feel expensive enough
Turn that gold into dust
That's what matters, matters
Oh yeah yeah yeah
Money don't buy love
In "Expensive," Tori Kelly sings about the value of true love and how it is not tied to material possessions or money. She opens the song by saying that she doesn't need diamonds on her body or money in her eyes to feel loved. Instead, she wants her partner to spend quality time with her. Kelly feels loved by her partner's affectionate kisses, which makes her feel like she's one in a million. She emphasizes that she already feels expensive enough and doesn't need any material objects to prove it or make her feel loved. She wants her partner to understand that their love is not something that can be bought with money.
In the second verse, Kelly acknowledges that society often teaches us to prioritize wealth and material possessions. She says that she's not interested in looking into her partner's pockets or chasing after money. Instead, she values the love they share and wants to build a strong, lasting relationship with them. She urges her partner to realize that they don't need to spend money to show love and affection towards each other.
Overall, the song's message is that love is priceless and transcends material possessions. Kelly stresses that true love is not tied to how much a person can spend or how much money they have. It's about the connection between two people and the time and effort they put into building a meaningful relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me tell ya baby
I want to communicate to you
Don't need no diamonds on my body
I don't require expensive gifts
Got no green in my eyes
I'm not materialistic
(Can you feel me, yeah)
Do you understand me?
Get a brand new Bentley
Buying a new car doesn't impress me
I'll tell you now it makes no difference
It won't make a change in my feelings for you
Just want all of your time (yeah yeah yeah)
All I need is your attention
'Cause you kiss me like I'm dreamin'
Your affection towards me feels like a dream
Like I'm one in a million
I feel cherished and unique
And I think it's time your figured it out, oooh
You need to realize how special our relationship is
'Cause I know I got that somethin'
I'm confident in myself and the love I give
And it won't cost you nothin'
You don't need to spend money to keep me happy
I already feel expensive enough
My worth isn't determined by material possessions
Turn that gold into dust
Material wealth is temporary and unimportant
That's what matters, matters
What truly matters is love and connection
Oh yeah yeah yeah
Expressing agreement and emphasis
Money don't buy love
Affection and connection can't be bought with money
(No your money don't buy love)
Putting emphasis on the message
So call me crazy
I might sound unconventional
No I'm not starin' at your pocket
I'm not interested in your financial status
I ain't diggin' for dimes
I'm not searching for wealth
The fact is baby
The truth is
We've all been taught to chase that dollar
Our society values wealth and material possessions
But that's not on my mind (yeah yeah yeah)
I'm not concerned with that
But if I had a hundred thousand dollars
Hypothetically, if I were rich
If I'm a king, power falling in my pocket
If I had power and wealth
Get a diamond ring for my girl and her mama
Buy expensive gifts for loved ones
Wonder why she still ain't callin'
Questioning why affection isn't reciprocated
Do you love me? I'm a man with a problem
Questioning if love is based on money
Never found love, so went out and I bought it
Trying to buy love because it hasn't been found organically
And my two cents makes sense, I'm talkin'
My opinion is valid
Hey, girl, I'm here, no wallet
I'm here for you, not for what I can offer financially
Whatever happened to the love in the moment
Questioning why love isn't valued without material wealth
A hug and I hold you, a hand to your shoulder, man, to feel closer
Physical affection and emotional support are valuable
Runnin' to the date, number nine, no soda
Going on a date without worrying about material things
Grab a milkshake, we'll be dancing, it's over
Enjoying simple pleasures and momentary happiness
Heeey yeah yeah
Expressing affirmation and agreement
No your money don't buy love
Affection and connection can't be bought with money
Your money don't buy love
Emphasizing the message
Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LUCAS LOULES, TORI KELLY, ALEXANDER ERIK KRONLUND, SAVAN KOTECHA, JOLEEN L. BELLE, TASH PHILLIPS, JACKIE DAYE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JENerationDIY
๐๐ Tori is literally amazing
@robertalorenkelly6488
JENerationDIY ikr
@queenv4340
Yeessss
@sam_sungspincycle
So this basically confirmed that this is the best album of the century
@xquavius
A'WOMEN!
@suthasanthiran2807
Amen! This song makes me so happy :D
@JazzItUp93
Yessssss
@dontknockitpodcast
Totally agree
@kayelimeta2348
Highnotes- andstuff exactly \m/
@abba48
she DESERVES to be nominated for Grammys Best New Artist