The "Calm Down (Remix)" by Rema featuring Selena Gomez is a song that combines Rema's Afrobeats style with Selena Gomez's pop sensibilities. The lyrics paint a picture of a passionate encounter between two individuals, highlighting the desire, tension, and eventual surrender to love. Let's break down the thoughts and background behind each part of the lyrics:
Intro:
- "Vibez" - Sets the tone for a high-energy, sensual experience.
- "Oh, no" - A playful interjection that adds a bit of excitement and anticipation.
- "Another banger" - Confidently declares that this song will be a hit, building hype.
Chorus (Rema):
- "Baby, calm down, calm down" - Appeals to the object of affection to relax and let go.
- "Girl, this your body e put in my heart for lockdown, for lockdown, oh, lockdown" - Expresses an intense physical attraction, emphasizing a "lockdown" feeling of being captivated.
- "Girl, you sweet like Fanta, ooh, Fanta, ooh" - Uses a sweet, bubbly beverage to describe the woman's attractiveness.
- "If I tell you say, 'I love you', you no dey form yanga-oh, oh, yanga-oh" - Asks for honesty and sincerity from the woman, reminding her that he is genuine. ("Yanga" implies acting tough or playing hard to get).
- "No, tell me no, no, no, no, woah, woah, woah, woah" - A call for a direct response, implying that he wants her to be open about her feelings.
- "Baby, come gimme your lo-lo-lo-lo-lo-lo-lo-lo-love" - A plea for her love, expressed in a playful, repetitive manner.
- "You got me like woah-woah-woah-woah-woah-woah-woah-woah-woah" - A reaction to her irresistible charm, emphasizing his awe.
- "Shawty, come gimme your lo-lo-lo-lo-lo-lo-lo-lo-love, hmm" - Another heartfelt request for her love, using "shawty" for a casual, affectionate tone.
Verse 1 (Rema & Selena Gomez):
- "I see this fine girl, for my party, she wear yellow" - Rema describes a captivating woman he spots at a party, highlighting her unique presence.
- "Every other girl they dey do too much, but this girl mellow" - Contrasts her relaxed demeanor with the more boisterous personalities around her.
- "Naim, I dey find situation, I go use take tell am 'Hello'" - Rema is searching for an opportunity to approach her and introduce himself.
- "Finally, I find way to talk to the girl, but she no wan' follow" - Despite his efforts, she initially seems hesitant.
- "Who you come dey form for? Woah (Mhmm)" - Challenges her reluctance, asking why she's acting distant.
- "Why you no wan' conform? Woah (Mhmm)" - Further probes her behavior, implying a need to fit in with his advances.
- "Then I start to feel her bum-bum, woah (Mhmm)" - Reveals his growing physical attraction, hinting at a sensual encounter.
- "But she dey gimme small, small, woah" - She responds with cautious affection, suggestive of a slow-burning connection.
- "I know say she sabi pass that one, one (Mhmm)" - Recognizes her intelligence and maturity.
- "But she feeling insecure, woah" - Reveals her inner doubts and anxieties.
- "'Cause her friends go dey gum her like chewing gum, woah (Mhmm)" - Implies that her friends are influencing her, potentially discouraging her from pursuing a relationship.
Verse 2 (Selena Gomez):
- "Yeah, I know I look shy but for you I get down, oh, woah" - Selena reveals her initial shyness, but admits to being drawn to him.
- "And my hips make you cry when I'm moving around you (Yeah)" - She confidently asserts her seductive power, using her dance moves to captivate him.
- "Do it once, do it twice (Do it twice)" - Encourages intimacy and a continuation of the physical connection.
- "I push back, you hold me tight" - A playful tension between resistance and submission.
- "Get a taste for a night" - Implies an open invitation for a passionate night together.
Chorus (Selena Gomez, Selena Gomez & Rema):
- "Baby, show me you can calm down, calm down" - Selena echoes Rema's plea for relaxation and surrender.
- "Dance with me and take the lead now, lead now (Lead now)" - Suggests a shared intimacy and connection through dancing.
- "Got you so high that you can't come down, come down" - Implies a heightened sense of euphoria and desire.
- "Don't you ask, you know you're allowed, allowed (Oh, no)" - Gives him permission to explore his desires, assuring him that he's welcome.
- "When it's you, I can't say no-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh" - Confesses her undeniable attraction to him.
- "Baby, give me lo-lo-lo-lo-lo-lo-lo-lo-love" - Selena returns Rema's request for love, echoing his desire.
- "You got me like woah-woah-woah-woah-woah-woah-woah-woah-woah" - She too is captivated by him, acknowledging his effect on her.
- "Shawty, come gimme your lo-lo-lo-lo-lo-lo-lo-lo-love, mm-hmm" - Selena adds her own personal touch to the request, further expressing her affection.
Verse 3 (Rema & Selena Gomez):
- "As I reach my house, I say make a rest small, oh-woah (Make a rest small, oh-woah)" - Rema describes his need for rest after a long day, suggesting a connection that lingers in his thoughts.
- "As me I wake up na she dey my mind, oh-woah (Na she dey my mind, oh-woah)" - The woman is constantly on his mind, showing her influence on him.
- "Day one, day two-wo, I no fit foc-o-us (I no fit focus)" - Rema emphasizes his distraction, unable to concentrate due to his thoughts of her.
- "Na so me I call am, say 'Make we link up', oh-woah (I say make we link up, oh-woah)" - Rema decides to take action and reconnect with her.
- "Got my hand on your heart, now, I can feel it race" - A tender moment of physical intimacy, highlighting a shared emotional connection.
- "If I leave then you say you can never love again" - Reveals a deeper level of connection, implying a powerful impact on each other's lives.
- "Wanna give you it all but can't promise that I'll stay" - Expresses a willingness to give his all but acknowledges the uncertainty of the future.
- "And that's the risk you take (You take)" - Acknowledges the vulnerability of love and the risks involved.
Chorus (Rema, Rema & Selena Gomez, Selena Gomez):
- The chorus repeats, emphasizing the desires for love, connection, and surrender.
Outro (Selena Gomez):
- "Your love" - A simple yet powerful declaration of affection that leaves a lasting impression.
Overall, the lyrics of "Calm Down (Remix)" explore the complexities of desire, attraction, and vulnerability. The song's themes of passion, honesty, and the willingness to take risks resonate with listeners, making it an emotionally charged and relatable track. The remix, with Selena Gomez's addition, adds another layer of depth and intrigue, creating a beautiful blend of cultural influences.