Lyric discussion by sem3000 

Cover art for Hold You Down lyrics by Jazmine Sullivan

I think this song is about being codependent: in love with/ addicted to an addict - "Why can't I find someone else when I know you're doing wrong?"

He's probably using often and treating her badly. Alcoholics/Drug Addicts usually don't accept responsibility for their actions. - "I done went through just about two packs of tissues baby, and you're looking at me like you aint the issue baby."

She's enabling him to continue the drug by staying with him. His behavior hasn't changed, so she should leave him, but is addicted to him. - "I'll stay cause I love you, but I hate that I stay. You know I won't go that's why you treat me this way." and "I'm ashamed to say that I'm to blame for how you act - 'cause I keep coming (I keep coming back.)"

Until she leaves him for good he's not going to have enough reason to change his behavior. By not setting boundaries or having consequences for him, she's literally enabling him/ keeping him from getting treatment. She's holding him down. - "and while you're doing me so wrong I just keep holding you down"

I think she is like many women who are devoted romantically to someone who is a "player." There may be but not necessarily drugs involved. But, there are other women and varying degrees of relationships with these others. She may be the most regarded of them all, but that doesn't alleviate the emotional pain it causes for her. She notices things or suspects and asks questions, but he lies and tells her things to "patch things up." That's all he's interested in. Nothing deeper. But, she is honest in her feelings, and naturally...