4 Non Blondes had a huge hit single in 1993 with "What's Up". A year later, DJ Miko remixed the track as a dance song, and it became a hit again, on radio and in clubs. The original version of the song overshadowed the groups' other work, with them being labeled as a 'one hit wonder', but they scored significant underground success, particularly with listeners drawn to their feminist political themes.
In 1995, 4 Non Blondes contributed the song "Misty Mountain Hop" to the Encomium tribute album to Led Zeppelin. The group also covered Van Halen's "I'm The One" for the popular slacker comedy 'Airheads'. Linda Perry went solo in 1996, and the band disbanded after recording, but not releasing, their second album.
I'm The One
4 Non Blondes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Leaving here we aggravate you
Don't you know it means the same to me, honey
I'm the one the one you love
Come on baby, show your love
Hey, give it to me
I see a glow that fills this room
Feed her your message from above
I'm tellin' you, ow
Show, come on and show your love, ah, yeah
(Show your love)
Ow, woo, oh, show (show) show your love babe, ah, yeah
(Show your) Show it, ow
Look at all these little kids
Takin' care of the music biz
Don't their business take good care of me, honey
I'm the one the one you love
Come on baby, show your love
Hey, give it to me
I see a glow that fills this room
I see it rolling out of you
Feed her your message from above
I'm telling you, ow
Show, show your love babe, ah, yeah
(Show your love)
Ow, whoo, woo, show (show) show your love babe, ah, yeah
(Show your...) Show me
Whoo, Bop bada, shoobe doo wah, bop bada, shoobe doo wah, (ba da whum)
Bop bada, shoobe doo wah ( bop bada, shoobe doobe doobe doo whum)
Bop bada, shoobe doobe doobe doo wah
Bop bada, shoobe doo wah ( bop bada, shoobe doobe doobe doo whum)
Bop bada, shoobe doobe doobe doo wah
Bop bada, shoobe doo wah ( bop bada, shoobe doobe doobe doo whum)
Bop bada, shoobe doo wah, whoo
Ow (Show your love)
Ow, ow, come on and show me
(Show your love)
Better show, better show your love, now, uh
(Show your love)
Ah, yeah, wow
(Show your) Ow
The song "I'm the One" by 4 Non Blondes is a powerful and upbeat anthem with a great rock and roll sound. The lyrics seem to be about the confidence and energy that the singer has on stage, and how she wants the audience to feed off of her energy as well. The opening lines, "We came here to entertain you, leaving here we aggravate you, don't you know it means the same to me, honey", seem to set the tone for the song as a whole, expressing the band's intention to put on a great show, even if it means pushing the audience's buttons a bit.
The chorus, "I'm the one the one you love, come on baby, show your love, hey give it to me", seems to be an invitation to the audience to participate in the band's performance, and to give back some of the energy and excitement that the band is putting out. The verses talk about the glow that fills the room and rolling out of the audience, suggesting that the energy is not just coming from the band, but from everyone in the room.
Overall, "I'm the One" is a celebration of the power of music and the connection between the performer and the audience. It's a song about letting go and enjoying the moment, and about the way that music can bring people together.
Line by Line Meaning
We came here to entertain you
We arrived with the purpose of enriching your experience
Leaving here we aggravate you
However, as we leave, we unintentionally annoy or irritate you
Don't you know it means the same to me, honey
But I understand that these opposite reactions have an equal impact on me, my dear
I'm the one the one you love
I am that person who you have strong feelings of affection towards
Come on baby, show your love
So come on now, display your affection for me
Hey, give it to me
Hey, express your love towards me
I see a glow that fills this room
I can observe a radiant energy present in this space
I see it rolling out of you
This energy is coming from you and radiating outward
Feed her your message from above
Pass on your spiritual or divine insight to this woman
I'm telling you, ow
I am emphasizing this to you, ow
Look at all these little kids
Observe all of these young individuals
Takin' care of the music biz
Who are responsible for managing and maintaining the music industry
Don't their business take good care of me, honey
So isn't their industry doing a good job of supporting me, my dear?
Show, show your love babe, ah, yeah
Demonstrate your love towards me, darling, oh yes
Ow, whoo, woo, show (show) show your love babe, ah, yeah
Ow, whoo, woo, illustrate (show) to me how you love me, my dear, oh yes
Bop bada, shoobe doo wah, bop bada, shoobe doo wah, (ba da whum)
A series of nonsensical syllables and sounds, depicting the rhythm of the song
Better show, better show your love, now, uh
You should demonstrate your love for me more effectively, right now, uh
Ah, yeah, wow
Expressing enthusiasm or excitement
Ow
A vocalization used to express various emotions
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, O/B/O DistroKid, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alex Van Halen, Edward Van Halen, David Roth, Michael Anthony
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@joshapples88
I loved this song so much as a kid . Loved this whole montage in the movie. This ended up leading me to Van Halen being my favorite band ever!
@willrichtor
That freaking beat!
@johnlocke6410
Pretty cool version. Never heard it before.
@matthewcurran8618
Such an amazing cover!!
@boostbeast8731
The non blondes did it way better than van halen.
@adamg7702
Other than Eddie’s lead guitar, I keep coming back to Van Halen’s version just for that.
@pkj77
just confirmed i only like the single Whats Up! thats it