In 2005, Amerie burst back onto the music scene with her fourth single "1 Thing", which was used as the theme song for the Will Smith movie "Hitch". "1 Thing" went to the top of the charts in various international markets, including the US, UK and others around the world. It earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance (the album "Touch" was also nominated for the "Best Contemporary R&B Album" Grammy ). The album sold an estimated 800,000 copies worldwide and went gold in the US and silver in the UK.
Amerie's third album 'Because I Love It' was released in the UK , Europe and Asia in 2007. The single "Take Control" was released in October 2006, and it enjoyed international success. The second single "Gotta Work" did not fare as well in the charts, despite receiving heavy airplay on UK and European music video channels. The album has sold a combined total of 310,000 copies worldwide and is her most critically acclaimed album.
In late 2007, was reported that Amerie had left her label Columbia Records, and signed with the Island Def Jam Music Group.
Amerie revealed the album title to be changed from 'Breakups To Makeups' to 'In Love & War'. Amerie also announced that her first single off the album will be titled "Why R U?" produced by The Buchanans. The single premiered online in the week of May 11th and received fairly mixed reviews. The track itself is even compared to Mary J. Blige's "What's The 411?" and "My Life" album, because of the old school feel.
Amerie changed her artist name to Ameriie (extra I) in 2010. She said that it gave her more positive energy as an artist. She changed her artist name back to Amerie (without the extra I) with the double EP releases '4AM Mulholland' and 'After 4AM' in 2018.
Right now her main focus is on books, youtube channel and her son and husband.
1 Thing feat. Eve
Amerie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Na, na, na, na, na, oh
Na, na, na, na, na, oh
Na, na, na, na, na
Oh, been trying to let it go
Trying to keep my eyes closed
Trying to keep it just like before
Don’t wanna tell you what it is
Oh wee it felt so serious
Got me thinking just too much
I wanna set it off, but
It’s this one thing that’s got me trippin'
It’s this one thing that’s got me trippin' (you did)
This one thing my soul may be feeling
It’s this one thing you did oh oh
It’s this one thing that caught me slippin'
It’s this one thing I want to admit it (you did)
This one thing and I was so with it
It’s this one thing you did oh oh
Hey, we don’t know each other well
So why I keep pickin' up my cell?
Memories just keep ringing bells
Oh oh, Oh oh, Oh
Hear voices I don’t want to understand
My car keys are jingling in my hand
My high heels are clicking towards your door
Oh oh, Oh oh, Oh
It’s this one thing that’s got me trippin'
It’s this one thing that’s got me trippin' (you did)
This one thing my soul may be feeling
It’s this one thing you did oh oh
It’s this one thing that caught me slippin'
It’s this one thing I want to admit it (you did)
This one thing and I was so with it
It’s this one thing you did oh oh
Maybe I just can’t believe it
It’s this one thing you did oh oh
I can’t deny, tired of trying
Nothin' left to do but to keep on seein' you
I’m hoping you can keep a secret
For me, for me, for me
But what you did, yeah
'
It’s this one thing that’s got me trippin'
It’s this one thing that’s got me trippin' (you did)
This one thing my soul may be feeling
It’s this one thing you did oh oh
It’s this one thing that caught me slippin'
It’s this one thing I want to admit it (you did)
This one thing and I was so with it
It’s this one thing you did oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Na, na, na, na, na, oh
Oh
Na, na, na, na, na, oh
Na, na, na, na, na, oh
Na, na, na, na, na, oh
Na, na, na, na, na
It’s this one thing that’s got me trippin''
It’s this one thing that’s got me trippin'' (you did)
This one thing my soul may be feeling
It’s this one thing you did oh oh
It’s this one thing that caught me slippin''
It’s this one thing I want to admit it (you did)
This one thing and I was so with it
It’s this one thing you did oh oh
It’s this one thing that’s got me trippin''
It’s this one thing that’s got me trippin'' (you did)
This one thing my soul may be feeling
It’s this one thing you did oh oh
It’s this one thing that caught me slippin''
It’s this one thing I want to admit it (you did)
This one thing and I was so with it
It’s this one thing you did oh oh
The song "1 Thing" by Amerie featuring Eve is about the power of one specific thing that has captivated Amerie's mind and heart. She recognizes that this one thing has her tripping - she is caught off-guard and confused by her emotions around it. Amerie sings about wanting to keep her eyes closed and preserve the past, but she cannot deny the feelings associated with this one thing. She admits that it makes her think too much and that she wants to act on it but is hesitant. The lyrics illustrate a struggle between reason and emotion, reflecting the universal experience of grappling with the unexpected pull of attraction.
Amerie also sings about the intensity of this one thing, revealing that it surpassed her expectations and felt "serious." Even though she doesn't want to divulge what it is, she can't help but ruminate on it. She admits that it caught her slipping, referring to how this one thing has shifted her focus away from her usual priorities. She conveys the desire to confess and feels that she was "so with it," but she doesn't want to reveal her vulnerability. The chorus repeats the phrase "This one thing that's got me trippin'" emphasizing the hold that this one unknown thing has over her.
Overall, the song communicates a relatable experience of being drawn to someone or something without understanding why or how it happened. Amerie's melodic and catchy chorus, which features a sample from The Meters' "Oh Calcutta!" is an earworm that captures the feeling of being caught up in something beyond your control. The song's lyrics and production style, with its blend of funk, soul, and hip-hop, represent Amerie's unique style and influenced other artists, leading to Amerie being dubbed the "Queen of Mid-tempo R&B."
Line by Line Meaning
Na, na, na, na, na, oh
Repetitive expression to convey excitement and energy
Oh, been trying to let it go
The singer has been attempting to move on from something
Trying to keep my eyes closed
The singer is trying to avoid facing reality
Trying to keep it just like before
The artist wants to keep things the same as they were previously
The times we never even thought to speak
Referring to a time in the past when the artist and the person they are addressing did not have a relationship or connection
Don’t wanna tell you what it is
The singer is hesitant to reveal what is bothering them
Oh wee it felt so serious
The situation feels significant and weighty to the singer
Got me thinking just too much
The artist is overthinking the situation
I wanna set it off, but
The artist wants to take action but is conflicted
It’s this one thing that’s got me trippin'
The unnamed thing is causing stress and confusion for the artist
This one thing my soul may be feeling
The thing is deeply affecting the singer on a personal level
It’s this one thing you did oh oh
The thing is a result of the actions of the person being addressed
It’s this one thing that caught me slippin'
The thing caused the singer to let down their guard or make a mistake
This one thing I want to admit it (you did)
The singer wants to confess something related to the thing, which was caused by the person being addressed
This one thing and I was so with it
The singer was previously invested in the situation that is now causing stress
Hey, we don’t know each other well
The artist and the person being addressed are not close acquaintances
So why I keep pickin' up my cell?
The artist keeps contacting the person despite not knowing them well
Memories just keep ringing bells
The singer is reminded of past experiences or interactions with the person
Hear voices I don’t want to understand
The singer can hear things they don't want to acknowledge or process
My car keys are jingling in my hand
The artist is anxious or nervous
My high heels are clicking towards your door
The artist is walking towards the person's residence or location
Maybe I just can’t believe it
The artist is having trouble accepting or comprehending the situation
I can’t deny, tired of trying
The singer is exhausted from attempting to ignore or suppress their feelings
Nothin' left to do but to keep on seein' you
The artist feels compelled to continue interacting with the person despite the situation
I’m hoping you can keep a secret
The singer wants the person to keep something confidential
But what you did, yeah
The thing that is causing stress is related to the person's actions
Oh oh oh
Repetitive expression to convey excitement and energy
It’s this one thing that’s got me trippin'
Reiteration of the main point of the song
It’s this one thing that’s got me trippin' (you did)
Reiteration that the thing causing stress was caused by the person being addressed
This one thing my soul may be feeling
Reiteration that the situation is deeply affecting the singer on a personal level
It’s this one thing that caught me slippin'
Reiteration that the singer made a mistake or let down their guard due to the thing causing stress
This one thing I want to admit it (you did)
Reiteration that the artist wants to confess something related to the source of their stress, which was caused by the person being addressed
This one thing and I was so with it
Reiteration that the artist was previously invested in the situation that is now causing stress
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Rich Harrison, Amerie Mi Marie Rogers, Stanley Walden
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
cheryl hacker
This 1 Thing never gets old
Larry Hall
It's strange but the first couple times I heard this song on the radio in 2005 it annoyed me. Then I realized that there's a lot to unpack musically!
Art'uro Speaks
FUCK NO THE FUCK IT DOESNT
iluvmyboba
Absolutely.
AR Gabriel
TRUTH!
Smart.Robot
This version featuring EVE is even tighter and better than the original. More "street" and dynamic!
Marissa Wilson
I wish that we could have her back but the industry did her so dirty. She is a real artist.
Grey Beard
Why this woman didn't go further is beyond me. Love this song.
Kee Ozzie
Beyonce.. that's why
Ventesa Hewitt
I love her. She is more than a triple threat. She is also a martial artist and very good at it. This is a classic. I will always love this song.
When my nephew was about one yrs old, this was his jam. When he turned 18, I told him that he used to love this song but he didn't remember.
When he watched the video and saw how beautiful she was and still is, he fell in love all over again.