She first gained recognition at the age of 10, when she appeared on the television show Star Search and performed in concert alongside Gladys Knight. At the age of 12, Aaliyah signed with Jive Records and her uncle Barry Hankerson's Blackground Records. She released her debut album, Age Ain't Nothing but a Number the album sold three million copies in the United States and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry.
Aaliyah worked with record producers Timbaland and Missy Elliott for her second album, One in a Million, which sold three million copies in the United States and more than eight million copies worldwide. In 2000, Aaliyah appeared in her first film, Romeo Must Die. She contributed to the film's soundtrack, which spawned the single "Try Again". The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 solely on airplay, making Aaliyah the first artist in Billboard history to achieve this goal. After completing Romeo Must Die, Aaliyah filmed her role in Queen of the Damned, and released, in 2001, her self-titled third and final studio album, which topped the Billboard 200. Unfortunately, the 22 year old singer's life was tragically cut short in a 2001 plane crash after filming her video for "Rock The Boat" in The Bahamas.
Aaliyah became famous in her own right during the mid-1990s with several hit records from the songwriting/production team of Missy Elliott and Timbaland, and their associate Steve "Static" Garrett. Notable for recording several hit singles, including "One in A Million" and "Try Again", Aaliyah has sold over 32 million records total worldwide, including posthumous releases. Two posthumous albums have been released since Haughton's death: I Care 4 U in December 2002, and Ultimate Aaliyah in April 2005, the latter of which was released as a box set that included her greatest hits and a documentary on her life. Haughton also ventured outside of music, modeling for Tommy Hilfiger and starring in two motion pictures (Romeo Must Die & Queen of The Damned) before her untimely death.
At Your Best
Aaliyah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let me know, let me know
Let me know
When I feel what I feel
Sometimes it's hard to tell you so
You may not be in the mood to learn what you think you know
You want to keep yourself from me
When I don't have the strength, I'm just a mirror of what I see
But at your best you are love
You're a positive motivating force within my life
Should you ever feel the need to wonder why
Let me know, let me know
La
Let me know
When you feel what you feel
Oh, how hard for me to understand
So many things have taken place before this love affair began
But if you feel, oh, like I feel
Confusion can give way to doubt
For there are times when I fall short of what I say
What I say I'm all about, all about
But at your best you are love
You're a positive motivating force within my life
Should you ever feel the need to wonder why
Let me know, let me know
Tell me what it is (tell me what it is)
There's no need to make-believe
(Make-believe, no need to make believe)
Look beyond your world (look beyond your world)
Try to find a place for me
(Try and find, find a place for me)
'Cause
At your best you are love
You're a positive motivating force within my life
Should you ever feel the need to wonder why
Let me know, let me know
Let me know, let me know, let me know
Ohh-oh
See, stay at your best baby
At Your Best by Aaliyah is a cover of the original song by The Isley Brothers. The lyrics speak of the ups and downs of a relationship, particularly when communication breaks down, as the singer struggles to convey their emotions to their partner. In the first verse, the singer acknowledges that it can be difficult to express how they feel, particularly if their partner is not receptive to what they have to say. However, even when they face challenges, the singer reminds their partner that at their best, they are a force of love and positivity in their life.
In the second verse, the singer addresses their partner directly, admitting that relationships can be fraught with confusion and doubt. They acknowledge their own flaws and shortcomings, but reassure their partner that they will always strive to be the best version of themselves. The bridge of the song encourages the partner to be honest about their feelings and to look beyond their own world to find a place for the singer in their life. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the message of choosing to stay at one's best.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me know, let me know
Aaliyah encourages her lover to speak up and express themselves honestly.
When I feel what I feel
Sometimes it's hard to tell you so
You may not be in the mood to learn what you think you know
Aaliyah acknowledges that expressing her feelings can be difficult and her lover may not always be receptive to what she has to say.
There are times when I find
You want to keep yourself from me
When I don't have the strength, I'm just a mirror of what I see
Aaliyah recognizes that her lover can be distant, even when she is vulnerable, and she can only reflect their behavior back at them.
But at your best you are love
You're a positive motivating force within my life
Should you ever feel the need to wonder why
Let me know, let me know
Despite the challenges, Aaliyah affirms that her lover is a source of love and inspiration and reminds them to communicate if they ever doubt their relationship.
When you feel what you feel
Oh, how hard for me to understand
So many things have taken place before this love affair began
Aaliyah empathizes with her lover's feelings and acknowledges that their past experiences may affect their present relationship.
But if you feel, oh, like I feel
Confusion can give way to doubt
For there are times when I fall short of what I say
What I say I'm all about, all about
Aaliyah admits that her own uncertainty and inconsistencies can cause doubts in her lover, and encourages them to communicate openly with her.
Tell me what it is (tell me what it is)
There's no need to make-believe
(Make-believe, no need to make believe)
Look beyond your world (look beyond your world)
Try to find a place for me
(Try and find, find a place for me)
'Cause
Aaliyah asks her lover to be honest and transparent with her, and invites them to consider including her in their life and future plans.
At your best you are love
You're a positive motivating force within my life
Should you ever feel the need to wonder why
Let me know, let me know
Aaliyah reiterates her love and admiration for her lover and emphasizes the importance of open communication in their relationship.
Let me know, let me know, let me know
Ohh-oh
See, stay at your best baby
Aaliyah ends the song with a final call for her lover to stay true to their best self in order to maintain their relationship, and repeats her earlier plea for them to communicate their feelings honestly and openly.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O DistroKid, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Chris Jasper, Ernie Isley, Marvin Isley, O'Kelly Isley, Ronald Isley, Rudolph Isley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@HigherLevelz
Who still loves Aaliyah in 2024
@joannajamerson35
Forever
@luvmoney9262
Of course we STILL LUV HER...IT WASNT HER FAULT...SHE WAS FAILED BY SO MANY...LISTEN TO THE WORDS...REAL TALK!!
@michellianna7386
Focus on success who writes comments just so they can get likes? 🙄
@kben273
I sure do despite all the stupid mess.
@marygay1493
Focus on success why would we not Love her still? This comment is dumb . She never gave us a reason to stop. Rest in heaven beautiful Aaliyah. You are truly missed!!!
@plaineblaine2757
Aaliyah was 14 when she recorded this song...let thank sink in. Unbelievable talent.
@elizabethrmjsmithjohnsonbo6437
she always had GLADYS Knight in her l.i.f.e.
@HouseofMeja
she was 14 when this album was released.. we are true fans I was 10 when this came out. I know everything about Aaliyah.
@joetate2146
Yeah what they BOTH was fucked up and R Kelly was in wrong for he did. That event changed the course of history and everyone knows the aftermath.