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.
Back And Forth
Aaliyah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let me see you come forth
Now let me see you go back (move, it's the L-I-Y-A-H)
Let me see you come forth, uh
Let me see you go back (move, it's the L-I-Y-A-H)
Let me see you come forth, uh
Let me see you go back (move, it's the L-I-Y-A-H)
Let me see you come forth, yeah
It's Friday (hey) and I'm ready to swing
Pick up my girls and hit the party scene
Tonight, oh, it's alright
So get up and let this funky mellow groove
Get you in the mood
'Cause you know it's alright, yeah
So Mister DJ, keep the music groovin' (keep on groovin')
Don't stop movin' (don't stop movin')
Let me see you, let me see you go
Back, back, forth and forth (go back, let me see you go)
Back, back, forth and forth (alright, I wanna see you go)
Back, back, forth and forth (come on, let me see you go)
Back, back, forth and forth (see you go back and forth)
Now's the time for you to make your move
To the dance floor (oh)
So throw your hands in the air (yeah)
And wave 'em round like you just don't care (wow), yeah
Ooh, it's the L-I-Y-A-H? Rippin' up the stage
I got jazz personality, G mentality, beats to Soul Train
So Mister DJ, keep the music groovin' (keep on groovin')
Don't stop movin'
Now let me see you back and forth, back and forth
Back, back, forth and forth (oh-ooh)
Back, back, forth and forth (oh-ooh)
Back, back, forth and forth (back, back, forth and forth)
Back, back, forth and forth (come on and let me see you go)
Hey, here's the formality, get up on the floor you see
Show your personality, be who you want to be
Tell me
So can you feel the groove movin' way down to you?
Hey, I wanna keep this party goin' on all night
So Mister DJ, keep the music groovin' (keep on groovin')
Don't stop movin' (don't stop movin')
Now let me see you go back and forth, back and forth
Back, back, forth and forth (alright, let me see you go)
Back, back, forth and forth (go back, back, forth and forth)
Back, back, forth and forth (bring it back, take it forth)
Back, back, forth and forth (alright)
Back, back, forth and forth
Back, back, forth and forth
Back, back, forth and forth
Back, back, forth and forth
Let me see you go
Move, it's the L-I-Y-A-H
Move, it's the L-I-Y-A-H
Move, it's the L-I-Y-A-H
Move, it's the L-I-Y-A-H
(Back, back, forth and forth) move, it' the L-I-Y-A-H
The lyrics to Aaliyah's song "Back and Forth” are about dancing and having a good time with friends, encouraging everyone to let loose and show their personality on the dance floor. The repetitive chorus and instructions to go back and forth are meant to create a fun and lively atmosphere where people can feel free to move and groove without inhibition. The song is also notable for its references to Aaliyah's name and personal style, including her "jazz personality," "G mentality," and "beats to soul train." These lyrics suggest that Aaliyah was already developing a unique musical style and persona even at a young age, which would become even more prominent as her career progressed.
Overall, "Back and Forth" is a catchy and upbeat song that continues to be a popular party anthem today. Its simple but effective lyrics and infectious beat make it a timeless classic that is sure to get people up and dancing no matter what the occasion.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me see you go back (Who it's the L-I-Y-A-H?)
Aaliyah is instructing someone to go back while asking who she is (L-I-Y-A-H).
Let me see you come forth
Aaliyah is instructing someone to come forth after going back.
It's Friday (hey) and I'm ready to swing
Aaliyah is excited about it being Friday and ready to have fun.
Pick up my girls and hit the party scene
Aaliyah plans on picking up her friends and going to party.
Tonight, oh it's alright
Aaliyah expresses that everything will be fine tonight.
So get up and let this funky mellow groove
Aaliyah encourages everyone to get up and dance to the music.
Get you in the mood
Aaliyah wants the music to inspire everyone to dance.
Cause you know it's alright
Aaliyah wants everyone to know that everything will be fine and to enjoy themselves.
So Mister DJ, keep the music groovin' (keep on groovin')
Aaliyah wants the DJ to keep playing music that makes people want to dance.
Don't stop movin' (don't stop movin')
Aaliyah doesn't want the DJ to stop the music since it keeps people dancing.
Back, back, forth and forth (let me see you back and forth, now check it)
Aaliyah wants people to dance back and forth and is asking to see them do it.
Now's the time for you to make your move
Aaliyah is encouraging people to come to the dance floor and dance.
To the dance floor (oh)
Aaliyah is specifically telling people to come to the dance floor.
So throw your hands in the air (yeah)
Aaliyah wants people to raise their hands while dancing.
And wave 'em round like you just don't care (wow)
Aaliyah wants people to wave their hands around casually without worrying about looking silly.
Who it's the L-I-Y-A-H? Rippin' up the stage
Aaliyah is referring to herself and how she is performing well onstage.
I got jazz personality, G mentality, beats to soul train
Aaliyah is describing herself and her music style as a mix of jazz and hip hop with beats that make people want to dance.
Hey, here's the formality, get up on the floor you see
Aaliyah is saying that it's customary to dance and wants people to get on the dance floor.
Show your personality, be who you want to be
Aaliyah wants people to express themselves while dancing and be true to themselves.
So can you feel the groove movin' way down to you?
Aaliyah is asking if people can feel the music and rhythm of the song.
Hey, I want to keep this party goin' on all night
Aaliyah wants to keep the party and dancing going all night long.
Alright, let me see tho (let me see you back and forth, now check it)
Aaliyah is asking to see people dance back and forth again.
Go back, back, forth and forth (let me see you back and forth, now check it)
Aaliyah wants people to dance back and forth and is asking to see them do it.
Bring it back, take it forth, alright (let me see you back and forth, now check it)
Aaliyah is asking people to switch back and forth while dancing.
Who it's the L-I-Y-A-H? (let me see you back and forth, now check it)
Aaliyah is asking who she is while simultaneously asking people to dance back and forth.
Let me see tho (let me see you back and forth, now check it)
Aaliyah is asking to see people dance back and forth again.
Who it's the L-I-Y-A-H? (let me see you back and forth, now check it)
Aaliyah is asking who she is while simultaneously asking people to dance back and forth.
Who it's the L-I-Y-A-H? (let me see you back and forth, now check it)
Aaliyah is asking who she is while simultaneously asking people to dance back and forth.
Who it's the L-I-Y-A-H? (let me see you back and forth, now check it)
Aaliyah is asking who she is while simultaneously asking people to dance back and forth.
Who it's the L-I-Y-A-H? (let me see you back and forth, now check it)
Aaliyah is asking who she is while simultaneously asking people to dance back and forth.
Who it's the L-I-Y-A-H? (let me see you back and forth, now check it)
Aaliyah is asking who she is while simultaneously asking people to dance back and forth.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Bernard Worrell, David Lee Spradley, Garry Marshall Shider, George Everett Clinton III, Phillip Wynn, Robert S. Kelly, William Earl Bootsy Collins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind