Dilemma (feat. Kelly Rowland) by Nelly Lyrics Meaning – Untangling the Threads of Forbidden Love
Lyrics
I love you and I need you
Nelly, I love you, I do,
Need you
No matter what I do….
All I think about is you
Even when I’m with my Boo
Boy, you know I’m crazy over you
No matter what I do
All I think about is you
Even when I’m with my Boo
You know I’m crazy over you
(Nelly)
Uh-uh
I met this chick and she just moved right up the block from me
And she got the hots for me, the finest thing i’d ever seen
But oh, no, no, she got a man and a son doh-oh, but that’s okay
‘Cuz I wait for my cue and just listen, play my position
Like a shortstop, pick up e’rything mama hittin’
And in no time I better make this with her mine and that’s for sure
‘Cos I-I never been the type to break up a happy home
But uh there’s something ’bout baby girl, I just can’t leave alone
So tell me, ma, what’s it gonna be
She said, “You don’t know what you mean to me,”
No matter what I do
All I think about is you
Even when I’m with my Boo
Boy, you know I’m crazy over you
No matter what I do
All I think about is you
Even when I’m with my Boo
You know I’m crazy over you
Uh-uh-uh-uh
I see a lot in your look and I never say a word
I know how niggas thought I can’ trippin’ , and hate up all the girls
And there’s no way-hey-hey Nelly gon’ fight ova no thang
as you could see
But I like your steeze, your style, your whole demeanor
The way you come through and holler, and swoop me in his two-seater
Now that’s gangsta and I got special ways to thank ya,
don’t you forget it
But uh it ain’t that easy for you to pack up and leave him
But uh you and dirty got ties for different reasons
I respect that and right before I turned to leave
She said, “You don’t know what you mean to me,” come on
No matter what I do
All I think about is you
Even when I’m with my Boo
Boy, you know I’m crazy over you
No matter what I do
All I think about is you
Even when I’m with my Boo
You know I’m crazy over you
Sing it for me, Kelly
I love you and I need you
Nelly, I love you, I do
And it’s more than you’ll ever know
Boy, it’s for sure
You can always count on my love
Forever more, yeah, yeah
East coast, I know you’re shakin’ right
Down south, I know you’re bouncin’ right
West coast, I know you’re walkin’ right
(‘Cos you don’t know what you mean to me)
Midwest, I see you swingin’ right
No matter what I do
All I think about is you
Even when I’m with my Boo
Boy, you know I’m crazy over you
No matter what I do
All I think about is you
Even when I’m with my Boo
You know I’m crazy over you
East coast, I know you’re shakin’ right
Down south, I know you’re bouncin’ right
West coast, I know you’re walkin’ right
(You don’t know what you mean to me)
Midwest, I see you swingin’ right
East coast, you’re still shakin’ right
Down south, I see you’re bouncin’ right
West coast, I know you’re walkin’ right
(You don’t know what you mean to me)
Midwest, you’re still swingin’ right
No matter what I do
All I think about is you
Even when I’m with my Boo
Boy, you know I’m crazy over you
No matter what I do
All I think about is you
Even when I’m with my Boo
You know I’m crazy over you
Yeah, yeah
East coast, I know you’re shakin’ right
Down south, I know you’re bouncin’ right
West coast, I know you’re walkin’ right
(You don’t know what you mean to me)
Midwest, I see you swingin’ right
East coast, you’re still shakin’ right
Down south, I see you’re bouncin’ right
West coast, I know you’re walkin’ right
(You don’t know what you mean to me)
Midwest, you’re still swingin’ right.
In the landscape of early 2000s music, few songs have captured the quintessence of an age-old narrative quite like Nelly’s ‘Dilemma,’ featuring Kelly Rowland. The track isn’t merely a fixture in the pantheon of R&B and hip hop; it’s a window into the human psyche’s labyrinth when faced with love that defies boundaries.
This exploration dives into ‘Dilemma,’ dissecting its musicality, themes, and the covert messages ensnared within. Beyond its infectious beat, the song harbors a tale of passion and predicament that resonates with the hearts of many a listener with its hauntingly honest lyrics.
Forbidden Love’s Siren Song – The Heart of ‘Dilemma’
The core of ‘Dilemma’ thrives on the pulse of forbidden love – a theme ingrained in the annals of storytelling. Nelly and Kelly Rowland embody characters entwined in a love that should not be, due to existing commitments, yet is too potent to ignore. The song’s hypnotic hook, ‘No matter what I do, all I think about is you,’ encapsulates the magnetic pull of a connection too strong to surrender.
The emotional turmoil and elation this kind of love elicits are painted vividly through the duo’s exchange. Rowland’s refrain echoes the ages, a modern-day Juliet calling out to her forbidden Romeo, setting the stage for a narrative rife with longing and the ache of what cannot, and perhaps should not, be.
‘Even when I’m with my Boo’ – A Line that Echoes Through Time
Nestled within ‘Dilemma’s intricate web is a line that strikes a chord across generations – ‘Even when I’m with my Boo.’ This poignant lyric underscores a universal struggle with loyalty and desire, capturing the essence of a heart divided. It’s a testament to the songwriters’ grasp on human nature, transcending the rhythmic beats to deliver a piece of truth.
The line doesn’t just signify infidelity in a romantic context; it symbolizes the broader spectrum of choices we’re compelled to make when duty conflicts with desire. Its haunting recurrence throughout the song serves as a compelling reminder of the lovers’ truth, which remains unchanged irrespective of appearances.
The Unseen Anchor – The Song’s Hidden Meaning
At its surface, ‘Dilemma’ narrates the trials of a love affair, yet delving deeper, it’s a microcosm of the human condition’s entanglements. There’s a hidden meaning in the repetition, in the mantra that’s more meditation than melody, which suggests the cyclic nature of human yearning and the patterns we’re doomed to repeat.
This hidden meaning may also reflect the inner workings of the heart, its rebellious secrecy and the vulnerability we all shelter. It tells us of the faces we wear – the ‘Boo’ being the facade of satisfaction, while the silent confessions to Nelly reveal the true stirrings beneath the mask.
An Ode to 2000s Nostalgia – The Cultural Impact
Beyond lyricism and melodies, ‘Dilemma’ serves as an ode to a bygone era, epitomizing the 2000s cultural zeitgeist. It was a time of baggy jeans, trucker hats, and flip phones, all of which are reminiscent when one hears the familiar tunes of this classic hit. The song managed to capture both the sound and the sensibility of the time, solidifying its stand as a piece of cultural nostalgia.
Like a time capsule, the song transports the listener back to a simpler time when the biggest concern might have been the minutes on your cell phone plan, rather than the complexities of modern life. Its stamp on the culture of that period persists, a familiar refrain at reunions and throwback parties.
The Universality of Rhythm and Rhyme – Why ‘Dilemma’ Still Resonates
At the end of the day, the reasons ‘Dilemma’ endures is as complex as the song itself. Its smooth blending of R&B with hip hop elements laid the groundwork for future collaborations across genre lines. Moreover, the universality of its subject matter provides a canvas on which listeners can paint their own experiences and emotions.
So while the catchy hooks and head-nodding beats are easy to admire, it is the truth within the notes, the shared human experience, that transforms ‘Dilemma’ from a fleeting musical fancy into an enduring tale of love, loss, and the human condition. It both is, and isn’t about the song itself – rather, it’s about us, and the dilemmas we all face in the pursuit of love and happiness.
