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.
Got to Give It Up
Aaliyah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And a Long Island Ice Tea? Thank you
Yo, Rick didn't I tell you this club was dope?
Yeah, you wasn't lying, kid, it definitely is
Look at this they all over the place, kid
Yeah one second hun, slow down, slow
Yo, James get her off me
Yo, back off, shorty
Back, yo, back off shorty
Like everyone was chasing my fine ass
But when Aaliyah walked in the whole place went bananas
I'm playing for most of my perks
And they offering the hun free Cristal, the works
Not to mention smelled good and looked dope
I brought me a bottle so I wouldn't look broke
Stepped like a Big Willie, bourgeoise playa
Sign this thousand dollar bill for me Aaliyah
I used to go out to parties and stand around
'Cause I was too nervous to really get down
But my body yearned to be free
I went off on the floor so somebody would choose me
(Can relate, can relate, can relate, can relate now)
No more standing upside the wall (yeah)
Now I got myself together, baby, and I'm having a ball
Long as your grooving there's always a chance
(Yeah, bring that walk back, Rick, bring it back, kid)
Somebody watching might wanna make romance
(Yeah, uh-huh, talk about it now)
Move your body, ooh baby, and dance all night
To the grooving, feel all right
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, uh-huh, here we go now)
Move your body, oh, and move your feet
(Can you feel it? Can you feel it?)
'Cause the DJ's groovin', oh, and it sounds so sweet, come on
Baby, just party on and on
(There's a party over here, there's a party over here)
'Cause this party is jumpin' (there's a party over here, yeah))
'Til the break of dawn, oh (bring it on, girl)
Well, I peeled off one more thousand and hand her (sexy baby)
One more, please, for my girlfriend Amanda (sexy baby)
Rick, hun with that butt like ka-pow wanna buy you a drink (sexy baby)
Please, tell shorty not now (sexy baby, baby)
You can have me when you want to, babe
This is such a live party, baby
Going crazy in this place tonight
And the feeling is oh so right, yeah
All the fellas in here are so fine, oh
(Uh-huh, uh-huh, here we go, here we)
(Uh-huh, uh-huh, talk about it now)
When you're moving your body
Boy, you're blowing my mind
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
I think I'm gonna let you do it, babe
(Yeah, uh-huh, talk about it)
One more comment since my time is out
Love that song where you say that line about
"You're a positive motivating force (got to give it up)
Within my life" (sexy baby, baby)
No kidding, hit 'em
Named ruler and the ruler wouldn't lie to ya
Wack singing huns all squirm at the sight of ya
Us, we some more Ladi Dadi'ens (got to give it up)
Let me let you go so you can attend to your audience (sexy baby, baby)
Sexy baby, sexy baby
Sexy baby, sexy baby (got to give it up, come on)
Sexy baby, sexy baby (don't act like you don't know) (oh, hey)
Sexy baby, sexy baby, baby (got to give it up)
Uh, oh, babe
Oh, oh baby
(You know what I'm tryna say Aaliyah)
(Slick Rick, you know when this is real) oh yeah
(Bringing love, y'all, we bringing love, uh-huh)
(We bring love, huh, we bring love, ha ha)
Aaliyah's song "Got To Give It Up" is a suggestive, party anthem featuring Aaliyah and rapper Slick Rick discussing a night out at a club, complete with flirting and drinking. The lyrics narrate the feeling of going out to parties and wanting to free oneself from being too nervous to dance. Aaliyah, who is narrating the song, describes how when she walked in, the whole club reacted, all while men flirted with her and offered her free alcohol.
The song reflects Aaliyah's characteristic style of smooth and sultry R&B with a touch of hip-hop. However, the lyrics speak of wanting to free oneself and dance all night to the DJ's groove. Aaliyah, along with Slick Rick, engages in flirtatious banter, and she truly enjoys the attention. Though the song is not devoid of its problems regarding the handling of women's attention, it is still super catchy and fun to enjoy.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, bartender can I get a Hennessy on the rocks
Ordering a drink from the bartender
And a Long Island Ice Tea? Thank you
Requesting another drink from the bartender
Yo, Rick didn't I tell you this club was dope?
Expressing excitement over the club
Yeah, you wasn't lying, kid, it definitely is
Agreeing with Aaliyah's statement about the club
Look at this they all over the place, kid
Noticing the crowd in the club
Yeah one second hun, slow down, slow
Asking someone to wait
Yo, James get her off me
Requesting someone named James to intervene
Yo, back off, shorty
Asking someone to stop bothering them
Alright, would you slow the hell down? (Got to give it up)
Asking someone to calm down
Back, yo, back off shorty
Repeating previous request to stop bothering them
Like everyone was chasing my fine ass
Describing the attention she received in the club
But when Aaliyah walked in the whole place went bananas
Describing the level of excitement when she entered the club
I'm playing for most of my perks
Enjoying the benefits of fame and success
And they offering the hun free Cristal, the works
Being offered free alcohol and other perks
Not to mention smelled good and looked dope
Feeling and looking good
I brought me a bottle so I wouldn't look broke
Bringing her own drink to avoid looking cheap
Stepped like a Big Willie, bourgeoise playa
Describing her confident walk
Sign this thousand dollar bill for me Aaliyah
Being asked for an autograph with a large bill as payment
I used to go out to parties and stand around
Describing her previous behavior at parties
'Cause I was too nervous to really get down
Feeling too shy to dance
But my body yearned to be free
Wanting to dance freely
I went off on the floor so somebody would choose me
Dancing to get someone's attention
(Can relate, can relate, can relate, can relate now)
Expressing how relatable this experience is
No more standing upside the wall (yeah)
No longer being too shy to dance
Now I got myself together, baby, and I'm having a ball
Having fun and feeling confident
Long as your grooving there's always a chance
Looking for someone to dance with
(Yeah, bring that walk back, Rick, bring it back, kid)
Encouraging Rick to come dance with her
Somebody watching might wanna make romance
Implying that someone may be interested in her romantically
(Yeah, uh-huh, talk about it now)
Encouraging further discussion about romance
Move your body, ooh baby, and dance all night
Encouraging people to dance
To the grooving, feel all right
Enjoying the music
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, uh-huh, here we go now)
Getting excited about the music
Move your body, oh, and move your feet
Repeating the call to dance
(Can you feel it? Can you feel it?)
Asking if others are enjoying the music
'Cause the DJ's groovin', oh, and it sounds so sweet, come on
Enjoying the DJ's music
Baby, just party on and on
Encouraging people to continue having fun
(There's a party over here, there's a party over here)
Pointing out that this is a great party
'Cause this party is jumpin' (there's a party over here, yeah))
Noticing how lively the party is
'Til the break of dawn, oh (bring it on, girl)
Dancing until sunrise
Well, I peeled off one more thousand and hand her (sexy baby)
Giving a large bill as payment
One more, please, for my girlfriend Amanda (sexy baby)
Requesting another drink for a friend
Rick, hun with that butt like ka-pow wanna buy you a drink (sexy baby)
Telling Rick that someone is interested in him
Please, tell shorty not now (sexy baby, baby)
Asking for the person to wait a bit
You can have me when you want to, babe
Flirting with someone
This is such a live party, baby
Expressing how fun the party is
Going crazy in this place tonight
Having a wild time at the party
And the feeling is oh so right, yeah
Enjoying the atmosphere of the party
All the fellas in here are so fine, oh
Noticing how attractive the men at the club are
(Uh-huh, uh-huh, here we go, here we)
Getting excited about something
(Uh-huh, uh-huh, talk about it now)
Encouraging discussion about something
When you're moving your body
Describing the attraction of someone dancing
Boy, you're blowing my mind
Finding someone's dance moves very attractive
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Expressing excitement about something
I think I'm gonna let you do it, babe
Flirting with someone
(Yeah, uh-huh, talk about it)
Encouraging further conversation and flirting
One more comment since my time is out
Making one last comment before leaving
Love that song where you say that line about
Expressing admiration for someone's song
"You're a positive motivating force (got to give it up)
Quoting a line from the song
Within my life" (sexy baby, baby)
Flirting while quoting the song
No kidding, hit 'em
Excitedly agreeing with something
Named ruler and the ruler wouldn't lie to ya
Talking about someone with authority
Wack singing huns all squirm at the sight of ya
Describing people who are intimidated
Us, we some more Ladi Dadi'ens (got to give it up)
Describing themselves as party-goers
Let me let you go so you can attend to your audience (sexy baby, baby)
Letting someone go to attend to their duties, while still flirting
Sexy baby, sexy baby
Complimenting someone's appearance
Sexy baby, sexy baby (got to give it up, come on)
Repeating the compliment while referencing the song
Sexy baby, sexy baby (don't act like you don't know) (oh, hey)
Repeating the compliment while teasing someone
Sexy baby, sexy baby, baby (got to give it up)
Continuing to compliment someone
Uh, oh, babe
Making a sound of surprise
Oh, oh baby
Flirting with someone
(You know what I'm tryna say Aaliyah)
Explaining something to Aaliyah
(Slick Rick, you know when this is real) oh yeah
Acknowledging the authenticity of something
(Bringing love, y'all, we bringing love, uh-huh)
Bringing a positive vibe to the party
(We bring love, huh, we bring love, ha ha)
Continuing to bring a positive vibe to the party
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Marvin P Gaye
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@markmenez4097
Another hidden gem from the album.
@cjturner370
I Love this Version
Marvin's Rules Of course
But with the Michael Jackson Beat At The Beginning
Makes This Awesome
@markfortino6929
They're all gems but this one's a banger. Lol
@DavidRichardson95
I love this version. MJ's music, Marvin's lyrics and Baby Girl's vocals.
#RIPAaliyah
#RIPMarvinGaye
#RIPMJ
@antoniotassi253
MJ borrowed this from Marvin, so basically it's a remake of Marvin Gayes original song.. it's good though!
@ahleeyahvideos
@@antoniotassi253 Michael didn’t, though.
@antoniotassi253
@@ahleeyahvideos Michael sampled from his music most definitely!
@Pax2sitoh
@@antoniotassi253 I don't believe the bass line used in the beginning of billie jean was sampled from Marvin Gaye which is what Aaliyah sampled here along with a mix of Got to Give it up by Marvin. What a great mix with her great vocals.
@Kadddddddd
@@antoniotassi253 bro the beat samples the drums from Billie Jean… The melody and lyrics is got to give it up🤡🤡🤡🤡
@angelamarie1610
She is literally the most beautiful woman I have ever seen ❤️