Meaning of "Who Is He and What Is He to You" by Meshell Ndegeocello

The lyrics of "Who Is He and What Is He to You" delve into themes of suspicion, jealousy, and insecurity within a relationship. The narrator, who is observing a man staring at her, becomes suspicious of her partner's reaction to this encounter. The avoidance of eye contact by her partner and their subsequent silence ignites feelings of uncertainty and doubt. The repeated use of "dag gummit" emphasizes the narrator's frustration and urgency to understand the nature of the relationship between her partner and this other man. The lyrics also explore the idea of identity and the narrator's struggle to reconcile the sum of her partner and herself, suggesting that the presence of this other man creates a dissonance in their relationship. The line, "You're too much for one but not enough for two," indicates a sense of imbalance and the fear of being replaced or overshadowed. Ultimately, the lyrics raise questions about trust, loyalty, and the need for open communication within a relationship.