“Rumble” is Kelis’s most explicit reference to her marriage and divorce with the rapper Nas, though of course she captures something universal about the tensions of breaking up in the song.
[Verse 1]
It's the strangest thing
To have you back in my face
With all those years passed
I guess I just got used to my space
[Verse 2]
I don't know how to feel
This whole thing seems so surreal
So, you keep one foot out the door
I know I said, "Leave," but, baby, don't go
[Verse 3]
We got so much history
I hurt you, you hurt me
No, we don't need therapy
What I need is you to leave
[Pre-Chorus 1]
And even though I know I'm right
Just like some lapse in my memory
You're back to me, hand on the door
I wanna yell, "Baby, don't go!"
[Chorus]
I'm so glad you gave back my keys
Oh, I'm so glad you gave back my keys
Oh, I'm so glad you gave back my keys, my keys
[Verse 4]
You got so many issues
But I guess something's up with me too
I'm just fine by myself
But I don't know who's gonna help you
[Pre-Chorus 2]
I'm not no secretary
I'm nobody's maître d'
But like a lapse in my memory
I wanna yell, oh, "Baby, don't go!"
[Interlude]
Baby, don't go, baby, don't go
Baby, don't leave yet
Stay the night, baby
Don't go, baby, oh, hey, baby, don't, oh, baby, don't go
[Chorus]
I'm so glad you gave back my keys
Oh, I'm so glad you gave back my keys
Oh, I'm so glad you gave back my keys, my keys
[Chorus]
I'm so glad you gave back my keys
Oh, I'm so glad you gave back my keys
Oh, I'm so glad you gave back my keys, my keys
Rumble was written by Todd M. Simon & Kelis & David Andrew Sitek.
Rumble was produced by David Andrew Sitek.