Explore the lyrical theme of Tems’ new song ‘What You Need’ performed on COLORS. Understand the track’s message of self-realization.
The lyrics for Tems’ “What You Need,” performed on COLORS, center on a theme of painful self-awareness and emotional separation. The song’s narrative unfolds from a perspective of internal conflict, where the singer recognizes a partner’s divided love. The repeated, central declaration “I’m not what you need” acts as a stark conclusion and a form of self-protection. The lyrics describe a love that feels like an “endless sea” leading nowhere, conveying a sense of being lost within the relationship.
tems, colors what you need
Phrases like “I’m tired of all these crises” and “I feel like I’m in the dark” articulate a state of exhaustion. The resolution comes with a firm statement of needing to be alone, asserting that the partner’s love is not a lifeline or a home. This progression from confusion to decisive withdrawal structures the song’s emotional arc. The minimalist COLORS setting amplifies the lyrical focus on this intimate confession.
29 January 2026
1 song, 3 minutes
℗ 2026 RCA Records/Since 93′
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Okay, now, sometimes
You find yourself in two ways, yeah, yeah, yeah
Sometimes, your love, it feels divided, yeah, mm
And my answer, my answer is to pull out
Your love is like an endless sea
It won’t lead me to anywhere
[Pre-Chorus]
But I’m so confused
Through all the pain and suffering
You still wanna stay with me
I’m tired of this crisis
[Chorus]
And I feel like I’m in the dark
I’m not what you need
I’m not what you need
I’m not what you need
Get away from me
I’m not what you need
I’m not what you need
I’m not what you need, oh
[Verse 2]
I need to be alone now, I need to be alone
Your love is not my lifeline, your love is not my home
Returning you, you not mine, to me, you don’t belong (Oh)
I’m better on my own, you’re better when you’re gone
[Pre-Chorus]
And I’m so confused
Through all the pain and suffering
You still wanna stay with me (Oh, yeah)
I’m done with all this crisis
[Outro]
And I’m finally out the dark
I’m not what you need
I’m not what you need (What you need, yeah)
I’m not what you need (What you need, yeah)
Get away from me (I’m not what you need)
I’m not what you need (I’m not what you need)
I’m not what you need (I’m not what you need)
I’m not what you need (I’m not what you need)
I’m not what you need (I’m not what you need)
I’m not what you need (I’m not what you need)
I’m not what you need (I’m not what you need)
I’m not what you need (I’m not what you need)
I’m not what you need (I’m not what you need)
Oh (I’m not what you need)
I’m not what you need (I’m not what you need)
Get away from me (I’m not what you need)
I’m not what you need (I’m not what you need, I’m not what you need)
I’m not what you need (I’m not what you need, I’m not what you need)
I’m not what you need (I’m not what you need, I’m not what you need)
I’m not what you need
