Davido With You Lyrics Meaning Explained and Review

A Breezy Closer to 5ive

“With You,” the final track on Davido’s 5ive, is a vibrant closer that effortlessly captures the warmth and joy of afrobeat’s modern evolution. Right from the intro, Omah Lay sets the tone with his soft, melodic hums, conjuring a breezy, sun-drenched atmosphere that feels tailor-made for summer. The production, handled by Tempoe, is lush and rhythmic, with crisp percussion and warm guitar lines that invite movement and emotion. It’s the kind of preppy, feel-good beat that makes you want to roll the windows down and let the sound take over.

Omah Lay’s Smooth Start

Omah Lay opens the track with a verse that balances emotional vulnerability with smooth delivery. His lyrics explore themes of dependency and uncertainty in a relationship: “I can’t picture this world without you in my life,” he sings, wrapping introspection in a light, melodic flow. The way he glides over the instrumental adds to the song’s effortless vibe, reinforcing why he’s become such a standout voice in Nigerian pop. His hook is especially sticky, looping like a gentle wave and setting up a perfect hand-off to Davido.

Davido Brings the Fire

When Davido enters on the second verse, his energy lifts the track even further. His delivery is playful, flirtatious, and filled with local color, blending pidgin, Yoruba, and English with charisma. Lines like “Sweet Fanta Diallo” and “If I speak English, cho-cho-cho, no working” show Davido at his most charming, weaving humor into affection. His chemistry with Omah Lay is undeniable, and the back-and-forth between their voices gives the track a feeling of spontaneity and shared joy.

A Collaboration Rooted in Respect

The story behind “With You” only adds to its charm. As Davido shared, the collaboration was born from a moment of mutual admiration sparked by a livestream with Kai Cenat. Davido was playing Omah Lay’s music in the car, unaware that Omah Lay once thought he disliked him. What followed was a no-ego studio session that led to one of Davido’s personal top three tracks on 5ive. That mutual respect translates into the song. There’s a genuine sense of synergy here, not just a feature for the sake of it.

A Joyous Finish

“With You” is a standout record that captures the soul of contemporary Afrobeats: smooth, melodic, and joyously collaborative. It’s a celebration of connection, both between artists and lovers, with a sonic backdrop that’s as carefree as it is meticulously produced. As the closing track, it doesn’t just wrap up 5ive. It leaves listeners on a high, making them want to hit replay before the last note even fades out.

Listen to Davido With You

Davido With You Lyrics Meaning Explained

The meaning of With You by Davido is a celebration of love, vulnerability, and emotional intimacy wrapped in the warmth of Afrobeat rhythms. Featuring Omah Lay, the track explores the deep longing and comfort found in romantic connection, using heartfelt lyrics and playful cultural references to express just how vital love is to the artists. From moments of quiet self-doubt to declarations of affection and desire, the song paints a picture of two men unafraid to show their emotions, inviting listeners into a space that feels both deeply personal and joyfully universal.

Intro and Atmosphere

"With You" opens with Omah Lay’s dreamy and minimal adlibs—“Oh,” “Mad,” “Ooh”—which set a warm, intimate tone. His voice drifts in with a softness that feels almost weightless, like a late-night breeze or the end of a long summer day. These gentle hums ease the listener into a song about yearning and closeness, blending emotional vulnerability with a breezy Afrobeat rhythm. Right away, the listener knows this is a love song, but one told with lightness and subtlety.

Omah Lay's Verse: Emotional Vulnerability

In the first verse, Omah Lay sings, “Baby, the weather / Is getting cold / Cold inside / Double sweater.” This uses the imagery of weather and warmth to hint at emotional distance. The phrase “Double sweater” implies he is trying to stay warm physically, but it also symbolizes his longing for emotional warmth and connection. He continues, “I am young / Ordinary / Paranoid,” showing a more insecure side of himself, admitting to being unsure and perhaps undeserving. When he concludes with, “I can't picture this world, without you in my life, oh,” it becomes clear that the song’s central theme is love as a necessity. She grounds him, makes him feel safe and seen.

Davido’s Entrance: Affection and Culture

Davido starts his verse with a repeated “My love, my love, my love,” establishing his emotional investment right away. Then he playfully refers to his lover as “Sweet Fanta Diallo,” combining the image of a sugary soda with the popular West African name “Diallo.” It’s affectionate and flavorful. “I no fi forget you” means “I can’t forget you” in Pidgin English, underlining her unforgettable presence in his life. The rhythmic phrases “Ebezenah ebezenah / Uzobu zobu” follow—a fun, musical interpolation that adds to the groove. These phrases don’t carry literal meaning but are used for their sound and feel, much like scatting in jazz.

Playful Wordplay and Nigerian Slang

Davido then flips between sincerity and cheekiness with, “If I speak English, oh oh / Cho cho cho, no working.” He’s saying English fails to express how he feels. “Cho cho cho” mimics meaningless talk, highlighting how language falls short when emotions run deep. “I no wan punish, woah woah / I wantu punish you, idiarabanko” uses contrast for flirtation. The phrase shifts from “I don’t want to hurt you” to “I want to punish you” in a playful, seductive way. “Idiarabanko” is street slang often thrown around in banter or flirtation, giving the line a lively, teasing vibe. He keeps the energy going with “If you see my baby, you go short up, oh, Idiarabanko.” Here, “you go short up” means you would be left speechless by her beauty, again reinforcing how stunning she is.

Celebration of Beauty and Intimacy

In the standout line, “Omoge too fine, no be makeup, oh,” Davido praises her natural beauty. “Omoge” is Yoruba for a beautiful young woman. He’s admiring her for looking great even without makeup. Then he says, “O ya baby, lay down, oh,” which is a gentle invitation for her to relax, a common phrase in Afrobeat love songs. “Finish work for me, oh” is slang for asking someone to do their thing or take control, often used when referring to romance or dance. He adds, “Oh, tomato / Put that thing back, oh,” with “tomato” as a Nigerian term of endearment meaning someone fresh or attractive. “Put that thing back” is flirtatious, likely referring to her movement or body in a playful, teasing way.

Outro and Emotional Closure

The song’s outro returns to softness, with both artists repeating “Ooh / Baby, baby, baby” and “My love, my love, my love.” These repetitions serve as a gentle, melodic closing, reinforcing the emotional message that has run through the track. It's a song full of warmth, desire, and romantic celebration, where both Omah Lay and Davido let their vocals and personalities shine. “With You” is not just a love song, it’s a summer day bottled into melody and feeling, wrapped in Afrobeat soul.

Davido With You Lyrics

[Intro: Omah Lay]

(Oh)

(Mad)

Ooh

[Verse 1: Omah Lay]

Baby, the weather

Is getting cold

Cold inside

Double sweater

I am young

Ordinary

Paranoid

I can't picture this world, without you in my life, oh

Baby (Ooh)

[Verse 2: Davido]

(My love, my love, my love)

Sweet Fanta Diallo

I no fi forget you

Ebezenah ebezenah

Uzobu zobu, oh (Yeah)

If I speak English, oh-oh

Cho-cho-cho, no working

I no wan punish, woah, woah

I wantu punish you, idiarabanko

If you see my baby, you go short up, oh, Idiarabanko

Omoge too fine, no be makeup, oh

O ya baby, lay down, oh

Finish work for me, oh

Oh, tomato

Put that thing back, oh (Yeah)

Ah, baby

[Outro: Omah Lay & Davido]

Ooh

Baby, baby, baby

Ooh