A member of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra during her youth, Winehouse signed to Simon Fuller's 19 Management in 2002 and soon recorded a number of songs before signing a publishing deal with EMI. She also formed a working relationship with producer Salaam Remi through these record publishers. Winehouse's debut album, Frank, was released in 2003. Many of the album's songs were influenced by jazz and, apart from two covers, were co-written by Winehouse. Frank was a critical success in the UK and was nominated for the Mercury Prize. The song "Stronger Than Me" won her the Ivor Novello Award for Best Contemporary Song from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors.
Winehouse released her follow-up album, Back to Black, in 2006, which went on to become an international success and one of the best-selling albums in UK history. At the 2007 Brit Awards it was nominated for British Album of the Year, and she received the award for British Female Solo Artist. The song "Rehab" won her a second Ivor Novello Award. At the 50th Grammy Awards in 2008, she won five awards, tying the then record for the most wins by a female artist in a single night and becoming the first British woman to win five Grammys, including three of the General Field "Big Four" Grammy Awards: Best New Artist, Record of the Year and Song of the Year (for "Rehab"), as well as Best Pop Vocal Album.
Winehouse was plagued by drug and alcohol addiction. She died of alcohol poisoning on 23 July 2011, at the age of 27. After her death, Back to Black temporarily became the UK's best-selling album of the 21st century. VH1 ranked Winehouse 26th on their list of the 100 Greatest Women in Music.
Especially For You
Amy Winehouse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've sung a lot of songs, I've made some bad rhyme
I've acted out my life in stages
With ten thousand people watching
Darling, then we're alone and I'm playing this song for you
I know your image of me is what I hope to be
I've treated you unkindly but can't you see
There's no one more important to me
'Cause I'm alone and I'm singing this song for you
Yeah yeah yeah, yeah, ey, ey, ey
You taught me precious secrets of the truth withholding nothing
You came out in front, well baby I was hiding
But now I'm so much better with my words coming together
Listen to the melody because my love is in there hiding
I love you in a place where there's no space or time
I love you for my life
'Cause you the boy next door and a friend of mine
And when my life is over
Remember, remember, remember, remember, remember
Being together
And I was singing this song for you
We were alone and
And I was singing this song
Singing this song
Yes, we both alone and I was singing this song (singing this song)
Yeah yeah yeah, we belong
And I was singing my song for you, you, yeah, yeah
We were alone and I was singing our song for you
"You know what Donny Hathaway
You know who I see Donny Hathaway as like um my Carleen Anderson
Like um Marvin Gaye like great, but
Donny Hathaway, like
He couldn't contain himself. He had something in him, you know."
In this song, Amy Winehouse reflects on her life and experiences as a musician. She acknowledges that she has been to many places and has sung many different songs, some of which were not the best. She describes how she has acted out her love on stages in front of thousands of people, but she is now alone with the person she is addressing this song to. She is singing this song for this person, indicating that this is a very personal and intimate moment.
In the second verse, Winehouse addresses the person directly. She recognizes that they might have an idealized image of her, but she hopes that they can see through that and understand that they are the most important person to her. She thanks the person for teaching her precious secrets and showing her the truth, even when she was hiding. She acknowledges that she is better now because of their influence.
The final verse speaks to the depth of the love between Winehouse and the person she is addressing. She loves them in a place where there is no space or time, indicating a spiritual or transcendent love. She also considers this person to be a friend, suggesting that the love is not just romantic, but also built on a deep connection and mutual respect. The song ends with Winehouse reminding the person that they were together, and she was singing this song just for them.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been so many places in my life and time
Throughout the course of my life, I have had the opportunity to travel and explore various places.
I've sung a lot of songs I've made some bad rhyme
During my travels, I have performed many songs, some of which were not musically or lyrically sound.
I've acted out my love in stages
Through my performances, I have expressed my feelings of love for others on stage.
With ten thousand people watching
Many people have witnessed my public expressions of love.
But we're alone now and I'm singing this song for you
Currently, there is only the two of us, and I am singing this song specifically for you.
I know your image of me is what I hope to be
The way you perceive me is precisely how I wish to be perceived.
I've treated you unkindly but darlin' can't you see
I have not always treated you with kindness, but I implore you to understand.
There's no one more important to me
You are the most important person in my life.
Darlin' can't you please see through me
I adore you enough to let you see through me thoroughly.
You taught me precious secrets of the truth withholding nothing
You have imparted on me several valuable life lessons without holding anything back.
You came out in front and I was hiding
When we met, you were more open and transparent, but I was more reserved.
But now I'm so much better and if my words don't come together
I have grown significantly since then, but if my words fail to express my feelings, please listen closely to the melody.
Listen to the melody cause my love is in there hiding
My love for you is hidden within the melody of this song, so please pay attention.
I love you in a place where there's no space or time
I love you in a timeless and timelessless space that is not constrained by physical limitations.
I love you for in my life you are a friend of mine
You have become an integral and dear part of my life, and I love you for it.
And when my life is over
When my life comes to a close,
Remember when we were together
Please remember that we were together and shared a special bond.
We were alone and I was singing this song for you
During that period, we were alone, and I sang this song specifically for you.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Leon Russell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gil Batzri
No they PLAYED some of the best tunes ever, with rare exception everything they did but a couple songs were note for note recreations of Jamaican Artistes work a decade or so after the originals came out.
A lot of the two tone bands did this, but the Specials were (in my opinion) the least creative. Madness, the Beat and the Selector all did a better job, and brought more of themselves into their music. If you listen to Dandy's recording of a message to you rudy, it is literally note for note replayed by the specials, slightly faster, and with inferior vocals.
I found that record when I was 17, and a Prince Buster best of CD from Japan, and I never looked back at the Specials, they were a poor copy of the real thing, the minute you heard the real sh&t, you realized they were no match.
I thank them for opening the way to the real thing, but aside from maybe 2 songs, they didn't add anything to the genre, aside from introducing some kids to things they hadn't heard.
Really great design for their records and label though. Two Tone was brilliant.
Debatable Truths
The Specials created some of the best tunes ever ... god I miss those days.
Roboter Munchen
The best
Lewanna Jordan
@Gil Batzri i lived and saw the specials they came over to my roommates home often i am from san diego and i am sorry to tell you but the specials were that Special brought that sound to town i love the beat too ...that ska then mod era its all priceless
Gil Batzri
No they PLAYED some of the best tunes ever, with rare exception everything they did but a couple songs were note for note recreations of Jamaican Artistes work a decade or so after the originals came out.
A lot of the two tone bands did this, but the Specials were (in my opinion) the least creative. Madness, the Beat and the Selector all did a better job, and brought more of themselves into their music. If you listen to Dandy's recording of a message to you rudy, it is literally note for note replayed by the specials, slightly faster, and with inferior vocals.
I found that record when I was 17, and a Prince Buster best of CD from Japan, and I never looked back at the Specials, they were a poor copy of the real thing, the minute you heard the real sh&t, you realized they were no match.
I thank them for opening the way to the real thing, but aside from maybe 2 songs, they didn't add anything to the genre, aside from introducing some kids to things they hadn't heard.
Really great design for their records and label though. Two Tone was brilliant.
reuireuiop0
Itslike with some of em the Specials brought those tunes back in the publics ear. Search for Andy & Joey's original !
Andy's East Coast
Most of them were remakes but it brought the sounds of Ska to a whole new generation.
Harry Hopkins
Well said David,I am a recovering heroin addict and too many times I've had bad looks from people who know this,I've lost many friends to drugs, and alcohol I'd be out of the drug scene up here in Scotland,one am twenty months clean and going strong,rip Amy.
rohanroll
Stay strong and safe, man! 💪
Sean o connor
Same here Harry 20 plus years of using 20 years clean now, Never look down on users, Its a hard battle all the best mate.
sixth sense amelia
Sending you thoughts from afar. KiaOra from New Zealand. I hope you are doing well on your journey.