Don’t Tell ‘Em by Jeremih Lyrics Meaning – The Silhouette of Discretion in Modern R&B
Lyrics
Girl I guess that must be you
Body like the summer, fucking like no other
Don’t you tell ’em what we do
Don’t tell ’em, don’t tell ’em, you don’t even
Don’t tell ’em, don’t tell ’em,
You don’t even, you don’t even gotta tell ’em,
Don’t you tell ’em, don’t you tell ’em
You ain’t even, don’t you tell ’em, don’t you tell ’em
You ain’t even, you ain’t gotta tell ’em
Don’t you tell ’em, don’t you tell ’em
Know you say you down wit it
Won’t tell em how you hit the ground wit it
Girl you know I’m from Chicago, I act a fool, bobby brown wit it (in it)
Nobody take me out tho
You got gifts bring em down the south pole
Marathon girl I put in miles
Don’t you worry bout it might gon’ work it out
Only is you got me feeling like this oohh why, why, why, why
Loving while grabbing the rhythm of your hips
That’s right, right, right, right, right
Rhythm is a dancer, I need a companion
Girl I guess that must be you
Body like the summer, fucking like no other
Don’t you tell ’em what we do
Don’t tell ’em, don’t tell ’em, you don’t even
Don’t tell ’em, don’t tell ’em,
You don’t even, you don’t even gotta tell ’em,
Don’t you tell ’em, don’t you tell ’em
You ain’t even, don’t you tell ’em, don’t you tell ’em
You ain’t even, you ain’t gotta tell ’em
Don’t you tell ’em, don’t you tell ’em
Girly he foo’ fool wit’ it
But you know I know what to do wit it
I get it that girl I’m talking laps
As if you got a pool in it
And she say she with your best friends
Then let me be down nin’
You know your feeling like your boy pressed play
Just keep that ass rewindin’
Only is you got me feelin’ like this
Ooh why, why, why, why, why
Loving while grabbing the rhythm of your hips
That’s right, right, right, right, right
Rhythm is a dancer, I need a companion
Girl I guess that must be you
Body like the summer, fucking like no other
Don’t you tell ’em what we do
Don’t tell ’em, don’t tell ’em, you don’t even
Don’t tell ’em, don’t tell ’em,
You don’t even, you don’t even gotta tell ’em,
Don’t you tell ’em, don’t you tell ’em
You ain’t even, don’t you tell ’em, don’t you tell ’em
You ain’t even, you ain’t gotta tell ’em
Don’t you tell ’em, don’t you tell ’em
Throw it up 9-3-4, 8-6-1-6
I gotta missed call from your bitch
She been plottin’ on me for a cool minute
She wanna’ suck my dick, and I’m cool with it
I like it in the shower, when it’s Winter Fresh
This some twitter pussy I met her on the internet
On my late-night thirsty, ’cause it was late-night and I was thirsty
Girl, I been to that county girl, I ain’t tellin’
Handcuff me to the bed, girl there ain’t no bailin’
I keep a stack of hundreds like I keep a secret
If anything you were just exploring, you wasn’t cheating
She got my number stored under fake names
Her nigga think she faithful, but she runnin game
Yolo, so take me out these Polos
And we can fuck from Uno to Ocho
Only is you got me feeling like this
Oh why, why, why
I’m loving while grabbing the rhythm of your hips
That’s right, right, right, right, right
Rhythm is a dancer, I need a companion
Girl I guess that must be you
Body like the summer, fucking like no other
Don’t you tell ’em what we do
Don’t tell ’em, don’t tell ’em, you don’t even
Don’t tell ’em, don’t tell ’em,
You don’t even, you don’t even gotta tell ’em,
Don’t you tell ’em, don’t you tell ’em
You ain’t even, don’t you tell ’em, don’t you tell ’em
You ain’t even, you ain’t gotta tell ’em
Don’t you tell ’em, don’t you tell ’em
Right, right, right, right, right, right, right,
Don’t you tell ’em, don’t you tell ’em no
Why, why, why, why, why would do
Keep the rhythm like, yea yea yea yea
Put it on me babe yea yea yea yea
You know you like that yea yea yea yea
You know I want it baby yea yea yea yea oh
Jeremih’s 2014 hit ‘Don’t Tell ‘Em’ is an enigmatic dance anthem that captures more than just the surface of a catchy beat and rhythmic lyricism. The song, featuring YG and produced by DJ Mustard, touches on the themes of secrecy, lust, and the complexities of modern relationships. The track quickly rose to prominence, becoming a staple in clubs and on the airwaves, but behind its pulsating beat lies a layered narrative fueled by discretion and the candid confession of clandestine encounters.
While on its face, the song may be seen as another hedonistic celebration, a closer analysis reveals Jeremih’s exploration of intimacy’s private nature, the thrill of the hidden, and a commentary on the distortions of fidelity in contemporary hook-up culture. Let’s dive into the deeper meanings behind the infectious hooks and risqué verses that have wired ‘Don’t Tell ‘Em’ into the minds of listeners.
The Thrill of Secrecy: Not Just a Dance Track
Jeremih opens with a simple, yet profound line, ‘Rhythm is a dancer, I need a companion,’ immediately intertwining the physical act of dancing with the search for a partner – a call that goes beyond the dancefloor. The track lays out a clear directive: ‘Don’t tell ’em,’ which at first listen claims the guise of a dance song advocating for a no-strings-attached encounter.
Yet, beneath the catchy chorus is a whispered validation of secrecy’s allure. Jeremih isn’t just making a plea for discretion; he’s reveling in the excitement that comes from shared secrets. The act of ‘not telling’ transforms the experience, making it exclusive and adding a layer of complexity to the relationship he describes, whether it is fleeting or rooted in deeper emotions.
Exploring Modern Intimacy: Lovers in Shadows
The artist doesn’t shy away from explicit descriptions, ‘Body like the summer, fucking like no other,’ which speaks to the passionate, yet transient nature of the relationship. However, these lines do more than describe physical attraction; they encapsulate the essence of an ephemeral summer fling that, while intense, is not meant for the public eye.
By instructing his partner to keep their intimacies hidden, Jeremih taps into the current zeitgeist where personal revelations are curated for social media and private lives are often broadcast. In contrast, ‘Don’t Tell ‘Em’ becomes an anthem for keeping certain aspects of life, especially those as personal as sexual exploits, enigmatic and undisclosed.
The Hidden Meaning Behind the Rhythm
The song’s recurrent motif, ‘Rhythm is a dancer,’ is a metaphor for the movement and flow of a relationship, where the ‘rhythm’ stands in for predictability and openness. Jeremih’s insistence on secrecy, paired with this metaphor, underscores the idea that sometimes the rhythm of a connection should remain private, a dance for two with no spectators.
The duality that unfolds within these words transcends the expected topics of R&B, challenging the listener to weigh the values of transparency against the clandestine. It represents an inward journey within a danceable beat, making ‘Don’t Tell ‘Em’ multifaceted in its delivery and impact.
An Audacious Confession of Modern-Day Infidelity
In lines like ‘She got my number stored under fake names,’ Jeremih nonchalantly expresses the reality of modern infidelity. It’s a candid confession that plays into the culture of infidelity being just a contact hidden under a pseudonym away, bolstering the song’s framework of secrecy and hidden indulgences.
It’s a bold maneuver to expose such deceptive tactics in song, giving this hit an edge of reality that many can relate to, or at least understand as part of the digital relationship era. ‘Don’t Tell ‘Em’ doesn’t glorify deceit; instead, it shines a light on it, allowing for a conversation about loyalty and trust in today’s romantic landscape.
Memorable Lines That Capture Listeners
Catchphrases like ‘You ain’t gotta tell ’em’ become anthemic, taking root in the listener’s memory, ensuring the song’s longevity and relevance. These lines, simple yet provocative, have resonated across audiences, often becoming a rallying cry for those who embrace the excitement that comes with secrets.
With such pervasive hooks, Jeremih crafts a melodic touchstone that encapsulates the feeling of a generation quietly rebelling against the oversharing ethos that pervades social platforms. The lines are not just memorable; they speak to a truth about discretion that the digital age often forgets, making ‘Don’t Tell ‘Em’ a potent reflection of contemporary interactions.
