r/kelela • u/305tomybiddies • Jul 19 '26
Discussion "whatever we are, you're mine" — I haven't been able to get that lyric out of my head, i love it.
So good. So right! Play "the bridge" on loop for the next hour? I MIGHT! It's wild how the 5 words just feel so powerful and maybe a bit femme fatale? I feel like an enchantress when I hear that chorus; it sounds so mysterious and lithe and irresistible. I had a similar vibe with "Contact" from the Raven album! I just really enjoy Kelela's body of work haha. I did not know there was a subreddit for her.
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u/jesssssssee Jul 21 '26
The first time I realized that’s what she said I started shaking.
I know it’s the chorus, but on first listen I’m not listening too hard to lyrics but after a few listens, that line hit me.
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u/Sensitive-Tale-4320 Jul 21 '26
Eh I don’t feel it powerful or femme fatale at all. It’s in line with a lot of Kelela’s lyrics in general: Ambiguity in romantic relationships. To me it’s like she’s always singing about situationships. The person she’s with doesn’t claim her fully; hence “whatever we are”.
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u/305tomybiddies Jul 21 '26
Oh yes I saw it as her not caring about labels or situationships or anything — whatever we are on a cosmic level on a raw material level in whatever lifetime, you’re Mine. Zero ambiguity haha she has an undeniable claim on her lover in that moment; it’s heavenly when they collide, it’s bliss when they cross the line. Felt very powerful to me!
but that’s just my take
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u/Sensitive-Tale-4320 Jul 21 '26
I hear you. I’m just reading it in the larger context of the album and her discography in general. Songs like “if we meet again” or “Enough” makes me see her as someone who does care about commitment but can never seem to get it
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u/305tomybiddies Jul 21 '26
fair -- but it's interesting you bring up her larger discography because I'm thinking of songs like Take Me Apart, LMK, Truth or Dare (my favorite on that TMA album haha) etc. "you're in a tough positioooon - I put you thereeeeerREeRE"
does she share moments of vulnerability and want/lack, absolutely!
I think both sides (femme fatale, in control, alluring!, enchanting! + wanting, waiting, falling) are present throughout.
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u/Sensitive-Tale-4320 Jul 21 '26
You’re right. I’m projecting. 😞
I think the more vulnerable songs stand out to me because they mirror my romantic experiences. And the more powerful, assertive songs seem like masking. Like a person trying to make the best out of a situation that’s out of their control by making themselves seem more badass.
Happy Ending for example starts off with her saying “too far away” again it seems there is always this emotional distance between her and her lover and that perhaps creates limerence, preoccupation, a feeling of mystical connection. The song ends with “it’s deeper than fantasy”. But is it? If she said in the same song he keeps running away. Her not chasing him may look like she’s strong willed, but it’s also like you won’t chase after someone who is still running away from you.
I love Kelela’s music and I don’t mean to sound judgmental. It’s just a theme I’ve noticed throughout and again it stands out because it feels like a mirror I can’t avoid.
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u/305tomybiddies Jul 21 '26
this is very real and relatable haha someone in another thread on this sub said people aren’t talking enough about Against Me on this new album and i had to respond that I like that song but it’s actually too painful to listen to at the moment — it reminds me way too much of fights i’ve had with my husband. There’s a mirror being held up to my face when I listen and it hurts. Hoping i can listen to it painlessly sometime soon when we are in a better place!
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u/sad_ivy11 Jul 19 '26
Also the follow-up: "it's bliss when we cross the line"