TIO

"**TIO**" (stylized as **TiO** [abbreviation for **Take It Off**]) is a song of the English singer-songwriter Zayn debut solo album, *Mind of Mine*. It is the fourteenth track of the album.

"Tio" uses metaphorical lyrics, such as metaphorical walls built around one's heart.

## Background

Written by Zayn, Herbie Crichlow, A & M Hannides, "Tio" was listed as one of the best songs of the week by *Vulture*, and one of the year's best songs by *Fusion.*

In his self-titled autobiography, “ZAYN”, the singer wrote :

“You could say that, like Pillowtalk, TiO is another ‘sex song’. It’s kind of funny actually, because the original concept behind the song was a lot deeper. It was about wanting to see a girl for her true beauty, stripping off the layers of somebody you love and seeing them for who they truly are. […] But at some point, for whatever reason, the idea of the song changed from being about getting to see the true face behind the make-up and getting to know someone deep down into being about getting someone naked. The song turned out a lot dirtier and rawer than I’d planned. […] It seemed more fun like that. I like how much ideas can evolve and go places you don’t expect*.*”

## Lyrics

**[Verse 1]**

I can taste it on your mouth and I can't leave it

You're a freak like me, can't you see?

We can work this something out and I'm believin'

You get off on me, it's like cheating

**[Chorus]**

I, I, I, I just want to watch you when you take it off

Take off all your makeup, baby, take it off

I just want to watch you when you take it off

Take off all your clothes and watch you take them off

**[Post-Chorus]**

Take it off, take it off, baby just take it off

Take it off, take it off, baby just take it off

**[Verse 2]**

Push me up against the wall, don't take it easy

You like it hard like me, it's what you need

Let's get naked and explore our inner secrets

For what it is, it's what it is

**[Chorus]**

I, I, I, I just want to watch you when you take it off

Take off all your makeup, baby, take it off

I just want to watch you when you take it off

Take off all your clothes and watch you take them off

**[Post-Chorus]**

Take it off, take it off, baby just take it off

Take it off, take it off, baby just

Take it off, take it off, baby just take it off

Take it off, take it off, baby just take it off

**[Bridge]**

I just can't wait to see it all

I'm so turned on

And it's all mine

I just can't wait to see it all

I'm so turned on

**[Chorus]**

I, I, I, I just want to watch you when you take it off

Take off all your makeup, baby, take it off

I just want to watch you when you take it off

Take off all your clothes and watch you take them off

I just want to watch you when you take it off

Take off all your makeup, baby, take it off

I just want to watch you when you take it off

Take off all your clothes and watch you take them off

## Reception

*The Guardian* referred to the song as "the glitchy Timberlake-isms." *The AXS* said that "His thirst hits hot-and-heavy levels with "TiO (Take it Off)."" *The Hayo* wrote "The lyrics on “TiO” lack any semblance of subtlety, hammering the listener with the phrase “take it off” 30 times." "TiO" was listed as one of the best songs of the week by *Vulture*, and one of the year's best songs by *Fusion*.

## References

1. ↑ 7 Best New Songs of the Week
2. ↑ The 25 best songs of 2016 so far
3. ↑ Zayn Malik: Mind of Mine review
4. ↑ Album review: Mind of Mine
5. ↑ Review: M.O.M