He Like That by Fifth Harmony Lyrics Meaning – Decoding the Beat of Desire
Lyrics
You got the tats on your arm got a bad girl excited
You put that bass in the beat, won’t you beat it up inside it?
I got that pumps and a bump and you know you wanna try it
Pumps and a bump, pumps and a bump
He like the girls with the pumps and a bump
Pumps and a bump, pumps and a bump
I be that girl with the pumps and a bump
He like that bang, bang, bang
He like that bomb, bomb, bomb
He like that love, love, love
I’m like that drug, drug, drug
He trip when he on it, one taste and he want it
He like that bang, bang, bang
He like that bomb, bomb, bomb
He like that love, love, love
I’m like that drug, drug, drug
He trip when he on it, one taste and he want it
He got that rough neck swaggy, but he know how to hide it
He got that dope boy cash, but he get it nine to five-ing
He got a thing for them girls that make their money overnightning
I know he bad for my health, but I still wanna try it
Pumps and a bump, pumps and a bump
He like the girls with the pumps and a bump
Pumps and a bump, pumps and a bump
I be that girl with the pumps and a bump
He like that bang, bang, bang
He like that bomb, bomb, bomb
He like that love, love, love
I’m like that drug, drug, drug
He trip when he on it, one taste and he want it
He like that bang, bang, bang
He like that bomb, bomb, bomb
He like that love, love, love
I’m like that drug, drug, drug
He trip when he on it, one taste and he want it
He love that bang
He love that bomb, bomb, bomb
He love that bang
He love that hit and run
He lose his brain
He going to stupid dumb
He stupid dumb, all he ever want is some
Pumps and a bump, pumps and a bump
He like the girls with the pumps and a bump (oh)
Pumps and a bump, pumps and a bump (you know he wants some, wants some)
I be that girl with the pumps and a bump
He like that bang, bang, bang
He like that bomb, bomb, bomb
He like that love, love, love
I’m like that drug, drug, drug
He trip when he on it, one taste and he want it
He like that bang, bang, bang
He like that bomb, bomb, bomb
He like that love, love, love
I’m like that drug, drug, drug
He trip when he on it, one taste and he want it
Pumps and a bump yeah
Uh oh oh yeah
Fifth Harmony’s ‘He Like That’ is a bold synthesis of powerful bass, sultry vocals, and confident femininity. There’s much more than meets the ear in this pulsating track off the 2017 self-titled album ‘Fifth Harmony.’ As the quartet’s synchronous harmonies flirt with the edges of modern pop and reggaeton, a deeper dive into the lyrics reveals a celebration of self-assured women owning their desires.
Let’s strip back the layers of this high-energy anthem to uncover not only the surface seduction but also the subtler subtext about the tug-of-war between vulnerability and empowerment in romantic dynamics. The song may thump with an overt sexuality, but the nuanced undercurrents speak to contemporary themes of femininity and autonomy.
A Dance of Empowerment – and its Complex Steps
At its core, ‘He Like That’ pulses with an unmistakable message: a woman’s unapologetic celebration of her allure. It’s a display of confidence as the members harmonize about physical attributes and sexual magnetism in a society that often expects hesitation or modesty. This track flips the script, presenting a protagonist who knows her body, her desires, and her effect on her lover.
By openly declaring ‘I be that girl with the pumps and a bump,’ Fifth Harmony creates an avatar for female empowerment. These women are not passive recipients of male advances but dynamic participants in the dance of desire. The repetitive nature of this line, both hypnotic and assertive, serves as a rallying cry for women to embrace their power.
Echoes of ’90s Nostalgia and the New Age Feminine Ideal
The hook ‘pumps and a bump’ is an intertextual nod to the ’90s hip-hop era — a period when this type of phrase would typically celebrate male pleasure. Fifth Harmony’s re-contextualization as a source of feminine pride underlines a generational shift. What was once used to objectify is now a point of agency, and the harmony in their delivery underscores their solidarity.
This inversion of traditional gender roles is a hallmark of the group’s musical ethos. As much as they’re tapping their stilettos in time with ’90s grooves, these artists are writing a new narrative where the ‘pumps’ symbolize a dual-purpose femininity—equal parts grace and strength.
The Hidden Track: Duality of Relationships
Surfacing amid the unambiguous overtones of physical desire lies a nuanced line: ‘He got that dope boy cash, but he got it nine to five-ing.’ It suggests duality, compatibility of a rough exterior with an honest living in a world that makes snap judgments based on appearance, pointing to the complex duality within people and relationships.
This duality poses questions about the masks everyone wears — the tough ‘rough neck’ exterior versus the workaday reality. It’s a point of connection, alluding to the idea that the ‘bad boy’ and ‘bad girl’ narrative can coexist with a stable, ‘normal’ lifestyle, and perhaps, that authenticity can still be found amidst the smoke and mirrors of attraction.
The Beat Drops and So Do Inhibitions: Memorable Lines That Stick
‘He trip when he on it, one taste and he want it.’ It’s not just catchy—it’s cunning. In an industry that often sees women objectified, the tables are turned. These lines cut to the quick of desire, highlighting the addictive quality of the connection between two people. There’s a drug-like dependency suggested, indicating a balance of power that is not only physical but psychological.
This addictive allure balances out the track, providing a visceral image of the sensations felt when caught up in the throes of passion—a commonality that listeners can resonate with deeply, to the point of internalizing the lyrics, making them a personal soundtrack to similar experiences of their own.
The Siren’s Call to the Dance Floor (And Beyond)
‘He like that bang, bang, bang; He like that bomb, bomb, bomb.’ The words almost mimic the throbbing pulse of a bass line in a crowded club, the rhythm of a heart racing with excitement, or even the ticking of a time bomb of restraint ready to explode. Within the context of the song, these lines transcend the mundane, creating a siren’s call that beckons listeners to let loose – on the dance floor or in life.
By the time the last chorus fades, it’s clear ‘He Like That’ is more than just another pop track about attraction. It’s become a cultural touchpoint, an anthem for empowerment, and a layered exploration of the dynamics that keep the world spinning in this dance of push-and-pull, yearning and fulfillment.
