Lil Wayne – How to Love Lyrics: An In-Depth Look
Lil Wayne (born Dwayne Michael Carter Jr.) is an award-winning rapper, singer, and songwriter with an impressive career spanning over two decades. He is known for his unique style, catchy beats, and thought-provoking lyrics. One of his most popular songs is “How to Love,” released in 2011. The song was a massive commercial success, and it topped various music charts globally. It also won several awards, including a BMI Urban Award for Song of the Year. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at Lil Wayne’s “How to Love” lyrics, its meaning, and what inspired the rapper to write it.
How to Love Lyrics:
The song “How to Love” is a departure from Lil Wayne’s typical up-tempo, high-energy style that his fans are used to. Instead, he delivers a soulful and emotional ballad that touches on universal themes such as love, relationships, and self-worth. Here are the lyrics to the song:
You had a lot of crooks try’na steal your heart,
Never really had luck, couldn’t never figure out
How to love, how to love
You had a lot of moments that didn’t last forever
Now you’re in a corner tryna put it together
How to love, how to love
For a second you were here, why do you have to go?
Hate it when you leave, but I love to watch you go
‘Cuz of your underwear, ‘cuz you’re a superstar
Couldn’t have told you I love you, ‘cuz that’s not what I am
I was hungry for success, ‘cuz Momma made a grocery list
And my dad was gone, so he wasn’t there to prove me with
The advice that I needed, not that I listen to it
But now I’m payin’ attention, ‘cuz I shoulda’ hit him
I shoulda’ did more, and now I’m never gonna get it
But I can’t keep regretting, ‘cuz I can’t keep dodging bullets
I used to be a crook try’na steal your heart
Never got the keys, ‘cuz we never got that far
You had a lot of crooks try’na steal your heart,
Never really had luck, couldn’t never figure out
How to love, how to love
You had a lot of moments that didn’t last forever
Now you’re in a corner tryna put it together
How to love, how to love
When you was just a young’un, your looks were so precious
But now you’re grown-up, so fly, it’s like a blessing
But you can’t have a man look at you for five seconds
Without you being insecure, you never credit yourself
So when you got older, it’s seems like you came back ten-fold
Twice as good, twice as hard, as you ever was before
You was sitting on the edge, you deserved a push
Threw you in the fast lane, and you ain’t been lonely since
You started smiling more, and I started to see it
Then it hit me, you’re worth the world and the women that reside in it
So nowadays I’m under, than able to find a mate
That’s we at the same thing, at the same time, on the same page
And I really ain’t got no game to play, I just say what I feel
And if it’s me and you against the world, then so be it
‘Cuz when it’s all said and done, we can walk instead of run
‘Cuz we don’t need to run no more, what we need is some love
There’s a war outside our window, and it’s gonna continue to rage
We’re a lot older, and a lot smarter, but we’re still here, baby
You had a lot of crooks tryna stealyour heart,
Never really had luck, couldn’t never figure out
How to love, how to love
You had a lot of moments that didn’t last forever
Now you’re in a corner tryna put it together
How to love, how to love
The Meaning Behind the Lyrics:
The “How to Love” lyrics are poetic and poignant, addressing a variety of themes such as love, self-love, regret, and growth. The song’s primary message is that loving yourself and others takes practice, patience, and perseverance. It’s a message that many young people can relate to; particularly in this era of social media, where many people are obsessed with presenting a perfect facade to the world.
The first verse of the song talks about the struggle of finding love and losing it, leaving you feeling alone and uncertain. The line “never really had luck, couldn’t ever figure out how to love” highlights that Lil Wayne has experienced many failures in love, and he’s still learning how to love properly.
The second verse delves into the rapper’s past and his relationship with his parents, particularly his father’s absence. He acknowledges that he was hungry for success, avoiding emotional relationships that went beyond material gain. He regrets not being present in his father’s life and not listening to his advice, realizing too late that he needed it. He also acknowledges that he tried to steal someone’s heart but couldn’t get past a superficial level of connection.
The chorus emphasizes that many people have experienced the same struggles with love, dealing with past pains and trying to put it all together. It’s okay to make mistakes, feel insecure, and not know how to love properly. And while it can be hard, it’s important to keep on trying.
In the final verse, Lil Wayne focuses on the growth and newfound confidence in both himself and the person he’s singing to. He acknowledges the journey to self-discovery, understanding flaws, and insecurities, and gaining self-worth despite any difficult situations. He recognizes the importance of finding that person capable of loving us for who we are, flaws and all. The closing lines of the song acknowledges the ongoing struggle of love, as there’s always something test us, but loving ourselves and each other can get us through anything.
The Inspiration Behind the Song:
Lil Wayne explained in interviews that his time in prison inspired him to write “How to Love.” During his interview with MTV News, he revealed that the song shows the positive side of love that isn’t often shown in his music. He wanted to show an introspective side, as he had more time to think about his relationships, past mistakes, and how to love himself and others properly.
Lil Wayne explained further to Billboard that “How to Love” is a tribute to women and a song he would’ve wanted his mother to hear. He wanted to create a song that uplifts women, particularly those who feel insecure and unlovable, highlighting their value and self-worth.
FAQs:
What Awards Did “How to Love” Win?
“How to Love” won BMI’s Urban Award for Song of the Year in 2012. It was also nominated for a BET Award for Best Video and a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.
What Album is “How to Love” From?
“How to Love” was released as a single from Lil Wayne’s ninth studio album, “Tha Carter IV,” which was released in 2011.
What Genre is “How to Love?”
“How to Love” is a ballad that incorporates elements of pop, R&B and hip-hop.
What Does the Song Mean?
The primary message of “How to Love” is that loving oneself and others takes practice, patience, and perseverance. It’s a message that many young people can relate to, particularly in this era of social media where many people are obsessed with presenting a perfect facade to the world. The song also touches on themes of self-worth, regret, and growth.
Who is the Song About?
Lil Wayne explained that he wanted the song to be a tribute to women and create a song uplifting women, particularly those who feel insecure and unlovable, highlighting their value and self-worth.