Larrieux was born and brought up in the neighborhood of Greenwich Village in New York City. Her mother was a dance critic and professor who encouraged Larrieux to grow up in a free-spirited, artistic environment. Many of her influences are drawn from R&B, soul, jazz, folk, hip-hop and gospel, with flashes of Middle Eastern, West African, and Indian ethnic styles. She lives in New York City with her husband and two daughters.
As a solo artist, her music is mostly categorized as fitting within the nu-soul genre, though she also dabbles in jazz, blues and gospel sounds. She sang lead vocals with Sade's band Sweetback while Sade was on hiatus. On her last album 'Lovely Standards' she gravitated away from nu-soul to produce a cover album made up of songs from the jazz and blues singers that inspired her. Larrieux is also influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder and Prince — as she has previously credited on her website.
Get Up
Amel Larrieux Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Da da dumb (dum)da da dumb dumb dumb
La di dumb da da dumb da da dumb dumb
Six a.m. getting out of bed again
Can't get back in 'cause sleep ain't gonna pay the rent
Ohh day to day they got you working like a slave
Taking credit for the work you gave
Chorus
I know you're down but when you gon get up
I see you're down but when you gon get up
(Repeat)
People try to pull the wool over your eyes
Don't know why they want to profit from your demise
Oooo they lie to cover up how weak they are inside
Oh baby baby don't you cry
All you got's your pride so I I I I
Chorus
I see you're down
(Mos Def)
Hey now I'm going for mine
Said even though they trying to hold me down
You know I'm a shine
Put your hurdles up but still I'm hopping over the nine
I stay ahead of the race because I'm setting the pace
Hop on my feet I caught a ? like I'm a federal case
Cause there's incredible stakes
Brooklyn incredible place for all the seminal waste
Who make their memorable case
Who got the measure and grace
Amongst the pressure and snakes
Sometimes I'm still to stay(?) competitive
Do whatever it takes
To all my folk who understand that NYC is the way
For overseas or anywhere inside the 50 you stay
So if you really know the really really really real-ly
Wave your hands in the space
It's time to build and create
Me and my squad is on the job
So that the children's is straight
To understand the higher plan
And to expand my estates
I can't give hardly give up my motivation a must
Amel Larrieux and M-O-S'll make the people GET UP!
(Amel)
I want you to get get up
I want you to get get up
I want you to get get up
Not down not with a frown
(Amel scatting)
(Amel)
After all the work you gave
Stealing your raise
Stealing your raise
Steal-ing your raise
The song "Get Up" by Amel Larrieux speaks to the daily struggles of working-class individuals and the importance of taking pride in one's work. The opening lines create a playful sound with "Oooooo la di dumb (dum)" and "da da dumb (dum)da da dumb dumb dumb." The first verse describes the daily grind of clocking in and out for a job that only pays the bills. The lyrics suggest that while it may be easy to get stuck in a cycle of working and sleeping, it is important to keep striving towards something bigger. Larrieux sings, "All you got's your pride," indicating that the esteem one has for their work and accomplishments should not be underestimated.
In the chorus, Larrieux repeats the phrase "I know you're down but when you gon get up," offering encouragement to those feeling stuck in a difficult situation. The second verse specifically calls out those who seek to exploit and take advantage of others. Larrieux encourages listeners not to give in to these individuals and to maintain their dignity. Additionally, rapper Mos Def provides a guest verse that emphasizes the importance of setting one's own pace and staying focused on one's goals, despite the obstacles that may arise.
Line by Line Meaning
Oooooo la di dumb (dum)
Repetitive sounds with no meaning
Da da dumb (dum)da da dumb dumb dumb
More repetitive sounds with no meaning
La di dumb da da dumb da da dumb dumb
Even more repetitive sounds with no meaning
Six a.m. getting out of bed again
Waking up early in the morning
Can't get back in 'cause sleep ain't gonna pay the rent
Unable to go back to sleep as it won't earn any money to pay bills
Ohh day to day they got you working like a slave
Working extremely hard every day
Taking credit for the work you gave
Giving someone else credit for the work you did
And stealing your raise but I...
Someone taking away the money you deserve to earn
I know you're down but when you gon get up
Encouragement to get back up when feeling low
I see you're down but when you gon get up
Continued encouragement to get back up when feeling low
People try to pull the wool over your eyes
Others may try to deceive you
Don't know why they want to profit from your demise
Not understanding why others would want to benefit from your failure
Oooo they lie to cover up how weak they are inside
Others lie to hide their own vulnerability
All you got's your pride so I I I I
Encouragement that pride can help you stand strong
Hey now I'm going for mine
Motivation to go after what you want
Said even though they trying to hold me down
Others may try to keep you down
You know I'm a shine
Belief that you will succeed despite obstacles
Put your hurdles up but still I'm hopping over the nine
Overcoming challenges that are in the way
I stay ahead of the race because I'm setting the pace
Leading the way because of your own initiative
Hop on my feet I caught a ? like I'm a federal case
Being swift and agile like a law enforcement agent
Cause there's incredible stakes
There is so much at risk
Brooklyn incredible place for all the seminal waste
Brooklyn being a great place for aspiring artists and creators
Who make their memorable case
Those who stand out and make a difference
Who got the measure and grace
Those who have the right amount of skill and poise
Amongst the pressure and snakes
Navigating the difficulties and dishonesty of others
Sometimes I'm still to stay(?) competitive
Trying to remain competitive despite challenges
Do whatever it takes
Doing everything within your power to succeed
To all my folk who understand that NYC is the way
Addressing those who understand the potential and opportunities in New York City
For overseas or anywhere inside the 50 you stay
Anywhere in the USA or abroad
So if you really know the really really really real-ly
Emphasizing that the following statement is significant and true
Wave your hands in the space
A call to action to show agreement or support
It's time to build and create
Belief that it's time to start making progress
Me and my squad is on the job
Working together to achieve a common goal
So that the children's is straight
Ensuring that the future generations are taken care of
To understand the higher plan
Realizing that there is a greater purpose
And to expand my estates
Expanding personal possessions and assets
I can't give hardly give up my motivation a must
Motivation and drive are crucial to success
Amel Larrieux and M-O-S'll make the people GET UP!
The singers want to inspire and motivate listeners to get moving
I want you to get get up
Desiring for others to be motivated and get up to pursue their goals
Not down not with a frown
Encouraging positive attitudes and resilience
After all the work you gave
After all the effort you put in
Stealing your raise
Others trying to take credit or earnings that you rightfully deserve
Steal-ing your raise
Continuing the idea that others are trying to take what is rightfully yours
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: AMEL LARRIEUX, GUESLEY LARRIEUX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mariesanders7980
Wow 2023 and these lyrics are still relevant to Life. At work singing the intro and had to get on YouTube and listen to Amel sing it to me. Like a hummingbird ❤
@staggersmusic
This song got me through some difficult times in my life. The energy is so pure and positive!!
@ntuthukodlamini2941
YOU KNOW WHAT: Oh how I wish I had a time machine and just go back to when this kind of music was in fashion I swear I won't come back I swear.
@Barber747
You can always make a playlist just like I have. I've made dozens of them
@kitsontuli2713
Ngiyavuma
@Barber747
@@kitsontuli2713 ?????
@musiclover-cn7tb
1999-2000 almost 16 years later this song is still a classic.
@wacodraco1558
Now it’s 2 decades or so old still a classic
@NatoShinobi
@@wacodraco1558 time tho!!
@joshuasuarez6739
Rite