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.
I Just Died
Amerie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Start to carefully contemplate
Just really how deep is this thing I have for you
It's wearing on my heart
And from the start you know I tried, steadily denied
Friendship turned to love
I know you probably think that I'm so strange
Stuttering on every word when you look my way, why?
But when we hugged goodbye I had butterflies
I just died, yeah yeah yeah
I just died in your arms tonight
Don't want nobody to bring me back to life
I just died in your arms tonight, hey
I just died in your arms
I just died in your arms tonight, tonight
Your finger touched my lips
As I tried to explain maybe why you and I
Should hide from such a love affair
My friends think that I'm so insane
To fight this feeling
But my life's at stake
Your embrace, thoughts won't erase
Every now a minute of the day I wait and hope and pray
That you might stay
And now you're moving oh so closely
Killing me so softly, so softly
I just died
I just died in your arms tonight
Don't want nobody to bring me back to life
I just died in your arms tonight, hey
I just died in your arms
I just died in your arms tonight, tonight
I just died in your arms tonight
Don't want nobody to bring me back to life
I just died in your arms tonight, hey
I just died in your arms
I just died in your arms tonight, tonight
(Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa)
(Whoa whoa)
I just died in your arms tonight
Don't want nobody to bring me back to life
I just died in your arms tonight, hey
I just died in your arms
I just died in your arms tonight, tonight
I just died in your arms tonight
Don't want nobody to bring me back to life
I just died in your arms tonight, hey
I just died in your arms
I just died in your arms tonight, tonight
I just died in your arms tonight, hey
Don't want nobody to bring me back to life
I just died in your arms tonight, hey
I just died in your arms
I just died in your arms tonight, tonight
In Amerie's song "I Just Died," the lyrics depict a person staring at themselves in the mirror, contemplating the depth of their feelings for someone. They question how something so profound can be happening and how it is affecting their heart. The person has tried to deny their feelings that once started as a friendship but grew into love. The feeling makes them behave strangely, stuttering on words when around the person of interest. Despite denying the attraction, they admit to feeling butterflies when they hugged goodbye.
The second verse is about the other person's touch and how it makes them feel. The singer tries to explain why their love should be hidden to avoid criticism from friends. The singer fears losing the opportunity to be with their love every minute of the day. As the other person moves closely to them, it almost feels like they are killing them softly, yet the singer enjoys the experience. The chorus follows the singer's confession of dying in their lover's arms, not wanting anyone to bring them back to life.
The lyrics are intense and relatable to those experiencing unrequited love or being afraid to confess their feelings. The song's tone is mellow, with a mid-tempo beat, which adds to the contemplative feel of the lyrics. Amerie is known for her emotive delivery, which she showcases in "I Just Died."
Line by Line Meaning
Staring in the mirror as I
Looking at my own reflection and deep in thought
Start to carefully contemplate
Think carefully and seriously
Just really how deep is this thing I have for you
Wondering about the intensity of my feelings for you
It's wearing on my heart
It's emotionally draining for me
And from the start you know I tried, steadily denied
I initially fought my feelings for you and gradually accepted them
Friendship turned to love
Our platonic relationship transformed into romantic love
I know you probably think that I'm so strange
You might think that my behavior toward you is weird
Stuttering on every word when you look my way, why?
I struggle to speak when you are around, and I don't know why
And maybe it's all in my mind
Possibly, I am imagining things
But when we hugged goodbye I had butterflies
When we embraced, I felt nervous excitement
Your finger touched my lips
You touched my mouth with your finger
As I tried to explain maybe why you and I
I attempted to justify why I think we can't be together
Should hide from such a love affair
We should conceal our romantic relationship from others
My friends think that I'm so insane
My friends believe my feelings for you are crazy
To fight this feeling
It's hard for me to resist my emotions
But my life's at stake
My life is on the line due to this intense love
Your embrace, thoughts won't erase
Your hug remains in my thoughts and is unforgettable
Every now a minute of the day I wait and hope and pray
Throughout the day, I hope and pray that we can be together
That you might stay
That you will continue to be with me
And now you're moving oh so closely
You are approaching me so intimately
Killing me so softly, so softly
You are causing me emotional pain in a gentle, yet potent way
I just died
I feel overwhelmed with emotions
Don't want nobody to bring me back to life
I do not want anyone to take away the feelings I have for you
Tonight
I feel this way right now
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Rich Harrison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
T
I always thought this was Aaliyah when I was a little kid… still blows my mind 20 years later even now how similar they sound on this track. Amerie deserved her flowers for sure.
R.I.P. Baby Girl ♡︎♡︎♡︎
JustWannaBeMe🌺
When she came out a Vibe editor said she was a love child of Aaliyah and Mary J Blige. It was fitting comparison.
Keishsa Br own
Beautiful song and nice song. She should have been bigger. They didn't market her like she should have
Gordon Worth
I saw this thing that said her producer went to Beyonce and did Crazy In Love and that was it. That was supposed to be Ameries song but Beyonce did it 1st
Melanee The Nursing Student
She quit signing to write books! She was doing just fine!
Mia LoLz
I remember having my own little concert in my room by listening to a bunch of playlist that I made and remember when this song comes on while I was singing,I couldn't stop smiling and giggling while also kicking my feet cus of the lyrics 🤭
Onika star Malone
I used to play this for him when we were just cuddling chillin. Still missing my other half I hope one day he finds his way home.💔🥺😔😢
Socharic Gaming
It's July 2022 ! let's see how many legend and fans are stills listening to this masterpiece........💜❤😍💫〽️
Tayten Jones
to this day.
Big Homie Duwop
Me grew up to this