When I was younger I remember the song "when a womans fed up". I remember thinking at the time this is profound but truthfully had no reference point. I had not experienced heart break nor love. I was a child. Singing along with R. Kelly's lyrics "when a women's fed up...., there ain't nothing you can do about it. It's like running out of love ... and then it's too late to talk about it..."if you dont wanna find out then hard way, then listen to the music while record plays". Honestly 20 years later those words are still so universal, applicable and profound. The only difference is that now I understand exactly what the words mean and I am sure if you are an 80s baby you do too.
You see 'back in the day when I was young I'm not a kid anymore but sometimes I sit and wish I was a kid again", I hadn't had my heart broken, my patience tested. I had not been in love. You see those words now have so much significance to me. Yes, it is talking about romantic love but for me it really underlines the character traits and somewhat, dare I say it, flaws of women. Don't be mad ladies. When I think of these words now I think of every "black mama" skits I have ever heard. When Mama had enough, there ain't nothing you can do about it. Mothers will never run out of love but they do run out if patience and then it is too late to talk about it. You're in trouble big time. The lyrics ironically underscore forme, the time's up movement. Perpetrators, bad acts, and abusers have run out of je n'ais se quoi. Let me clear, this is in most way a flaw and it is well beyond time. I would be remiss given R. Kelly's current situation to not point out the irony in his lyrics for predicting his own future. The woman were fed up. He was out of time. Nothing he could do about it including his very perturbing TV appearance with Robin Roberts.
What has the most relevance and personal meaning to the lyrics is what I believe to be it's original intention. This is a cautionary tale as old as time. When you enter into a relationship as a kid or young adult it is fun, new, euphoric. Even if you break up, it is usually short lived heart ache (hopefully). And even if the break up is because you are fed up being fed up of slight traits is usually seen as a bullet dodged. When you however have invested decades of life long living and you have lived a substantial measure of time, some partners take advantage of your investment into the relationship. To perpetuate bad behavior and have a reason not to change. But beware boys and girls every relationship should be build on mutual love, respect, adoration with a pinch of resolve to grow and change together as well as never allowing you partner to be fed up.
