Nas

Lyrics

[Produced by Noah "40" Shebib & Salaam]

[Intro: Guy]
I guess you just knew and blew a good thing, baby

[Verse 1: Nas]
Bye baby, I guess you knew why I walked away
When we walked to the altar, that was an awesome day
Did counselling, couldn't force me to stay
Something happened when you say I do, we go astray
Why did we mess it up? We was friends, we had it all
Reason you don't trust men, that was your daddy fault
He in the grave – let it go, he no longer living
Said you caught him cheating with mom, fucking other women
Fuck that gotta do with us? Here's the keys to the newest truck
Birkin bags, we burning cash, now baby, do it up
No matter who you fuck, that was before me
Wanted you as my shorty since I saw you screaming
"Hate you so much right now"
Should've saw the meaning, angry black women
Actions of a demon, I'm leaving

[Chorus: Guy and (Nas)]
I guess you just knew and blew a good thing, baby (Bye baby)
You know I'm saying bye-bye (Bye-bye baby)
'Cause I'm saying bye-bye (Bye baby)
'Cause I'm saying bye-bye
I guess you just knew and blew a good thing, baby
[Verse 2: Nas]
Bye baby, I guess you know why I had to leave
Seven months in your pregnancy, 'bout to have my seed
Let's take it back some years, rewind it to the happy years
You and your Star Trak fam, I'm thinking you cats are weird
Same time, different year, I was digging y'all flow
Then I tatted you on my arm so niggas would know
I thought no one could stop us, matching gold watches
I was your Johnny Depp, you was my Janis Joplin
Yet, the cuter version, yet, I knew you personally
Better than you knew yourself, and I knew this for certain
Crib in the Dominican, we got away from everybody
You screaming at the racist cops in Miami was probably
The highlight of my life, like "Ha, yo, look at my wife!"
Gangsta, me and 20 cops 'bout to fight, crazy night
Bailed you out, next morning we got clean
Like it never happened, then later we at that Heat game
Just another day in the life, of two people in love
But it wasn't enough, so baby guess what...

[Chorus: Guy and (Nas)]
I guess you just knew and blew a good thing, baby (Bye baby)
OH! OH! AHHHHHHHH! Bye-bye (Bye-bye baby)
I can't believe that this is happening to us
'Cause I'm saying bye-bye (Bye baby) Forever
'Cause I'm saying bye-bye
I guess you just knew and blew a good thing, baby
[Verse 3: Nas]
Listen, could you imagine writing your deposition?
Divorce lawyer telling you how this thing gonna be ending?
With you paying out the ass and I'm talking half
Not some, but half, no, serious, half
Half of your soul, half of your heart, you leaving behind
It’s either that or die, I wanted peace of mind
And all I seen was suckers, cowards
Under their breath, saying, "Why did Nas trust her?"
But look at yourself! Speak louder, bruh!
You live with your baby moms
And scared to make an honest woman out of her
And make her your bride, fake pimps, you ain't even a lie
At least I can say I tried, plus enjoyed the ride
Plus we got our little boy, my little joy and pride
He got my nose, my grill, your color, your eyes
Next go round I hope I pick the truest type
And watch me do it all again, it’s a beautiful life, aight?
Goodbye!

[Chorus: Guy and (Nas)]
(Bye baby) Baby.. baby
You know I'm saying bye-bye (Bye-bye baby)
I can't believe that this is happening to us
'Cause I'm saying bye-bye (Bye baby)
I guess you just knew and blew a good thing
You know I'm saying bye-bye
I guess you just knew and blew a good thing, baby
[Outro: Guy]
Gimme the key back, baby
I want your love back, baby, oh
Gimme the key back, baby, oh
'Til we make love just one more time
Make it seem forever
This is our last and final goodbye
Goodbye

Have you ever been through a breakup? Nas’s track “Bye Baby” touches on the subject, taking us through his failed marriage with R&B singer Kelis. Produced by Salaam Remi and 40, the song features a sample from Guy’s “Goodbye Love” and is the final track on Nas’s celebrated album “Life is Good”. In this track, Nas takes us on an emotional rollercoaster surrounding the messy end of his romantic relationship with Kelis. It’s a song that’s full of pain, passion, and soul – all set to a gentle hip-hop beat.

In recent years, Nas and Kelis have been locked in a war of words, trading abuse allegations with each other and having publicized arguments over the custody of their son. Despite the continuing drama, Nas recently performed this song at the One Festival in Atlanta, where Kelis was also performing. It’s a testament to the power of music to soothe the pain of heartbreak, and to the enduring legacy of Nas as one of music’s most enduring and influential artists.

About Bye Baby

“Bye Baby” is the 18th and final track on Nas’s renowned album “Life is Good.” It’s a song that’s packed with emotional depth and complexity, as well as featuring some of the most skillful storytelling from Nas to date. Produced by Salaam Remi and 40, the opening samples belong to one of the classic tracks in the R&B genre, “Goodbye Love” by Guy.

As soon as the song opens up, Nas gives us a glimpse into the pain he’s feeling over the breakup of his marriage. He says “I guess you knew and blew a good thing, baby…” From then on, it’s clear that Nas is fully invested in sharing his feelings in an honest, unvarnished way. He talks about the pain of walking out of the courtroom after their divorce was finalized and the little things that would remind him of Kelis, constantly dragging him back into his memories and re-opening old wounds.

The song then takes an interesting turn, however, as Nas confronts his own mistakes in the marriage. He holds up a mirror to his own behavior and the role he had to play in the relationship’s failure, saying “took her for granted but, still / Didn't deserve this…” This is a stand-out moment that sets the song apart from other “break-up” songs that simply cast blame on one partner or the other. Nas’s willingness to accept his own responsibility in the breakup is truly commendable.

As the song winds on, Nas opens up about his struggles in the aftermath of the divorce. He talks about the times where he tries to forget and move on but finds himself confronted with memories of what he’s lost. He notes that “It's hard letting her go when you love her / As I loved her - when I met her…” before rebounding with moments of seemingly false confidence, moments where he tries to convince himself that he’s over her and that he’s going to be okay without her.

The song is marked by its honesty and raw fragility. Nas puts his emotions on full display, and anyone who has been through a relationship’s end can surely relate to. The melody underpinning the track is also well-considered, with a gentle hip-hop beat that never overpowers Nas’s voice or lyrics.

Despite the baggage and pain of his relationship with Kelis, Nas has nevertheless proven that he’s still one of the most talented musicians in the game today. With “Bye Baby,” he’s created a song that will touch the hearts of anyone who has had to go through a similar experience, and it’s a track that shows no signs of losing its emotional punch anytime soon.

The Bottom Line

If you’re looking for an emotionally-hefty track that hits all the critical notes regarding the end of a relationship, look no further than Nas’s powerful “Bye Baby.” Filled with raw emotion and honesty, this track showcases Nas’s talent as both a lyricist and artist, and demonstrates the enduring power of music to help us heal in difficult times.

• Release Date: July 17, 2012
• Artist: Nas