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.
What is It?
Amy Winehouse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I'm not always forward thinkin'
I tell you what you want to hear
It depends on what I've been drinkin'
'Cause everything I do or say
Makes it hard for you to stay
We both know what it is
Like you're forgetting all the good shit
You decide what's wrong with me, yeah
I always used to let you say
But now I like to think out loud
You're runnin' with some different crowd
We both know what it is
I don't know you anymore
Supposed to be the man
That I live my life by
And your attitude become a bore
And I'm so tired I can't even cry, cry
Mr. Ultra-sensitive
I'll never let myself forget you
Messed each other up, you know
So I'm sorry if I upset you
Tomorrow is another day
So I'll call you, 'cause that's okay
We both know what it is
I don't know you anymore
Supposed to be the man
That I live my life by
I live my life, and your attitude become a bore
And I'm so tired
I can't even cry, I can't even cry
Relationship, dust and remains
We resonate on different planes
I could cut you down again
If you was like all other men
If you were like all other men
I know that I could shut you down again
But my friend, but my friend
I don't know you anymore
Supposed to be the man
That I live my life by, I live my life
Your attitude's become a bore
And I'm so tired, I can't even cry
I don't know you anymore
Supposed to be the man
That I live my life by, oh
Your attitude become a bore
And I'm so tired, I can't even cry
Ooh, ooh, da-wee
Da, da, mm-mm-mm-hm
Amy Winehouse’s “Wat It Is” is a song about a deteriorating relationship. The opening lines, “I can see you ahead of me, but I'm not always forward thinkin', I tell you what you want to hear, it depends on what I've been drinkin," set the tone of the song. It implies that the singer knows what they want but is indecisive about it. They know what they need to do, but their emotional state and alcohol intake impact what they say and do. The next lines, "cause everything I do or say, makes it hard for you to stay, we both know what it is,” further emphasize the singer's cognitive dissonance. They know their actions are driving their love away but can't help it due to their mental state.
The song also points to the lack of communication in the relationship. “Nowadays, we talk too much, like you're forgetting all the good shit, you decide what's wrong with me, I always used to let you say” highlights how the partners don't understand each other anymore. They are talking, but it's not productive, and it's not helping the situation. The chorus, “I don't know you anymore, supposed to be the man that I live my life by, and your attitude became a bore, and I'm so tired I can't even cry” shows how the singer has grown tired of the failing relationship. They are exhausted and can't even cry anymore.
In summary, Amy Winehouse’s “Wat It Is” is a song about the deterioration of a relationship where both partners have reached a point of exhaustion and cognitive dissonance. The inability to communicate has led to misunderstandings and mistakes, which have driven them apart.
Line by Line Meaning
I can see you ahead of me
I can see where this is going, but I don't always plan ahead.
But I'm not always forward thinkin'
I'm not always future-oriented.
I tell you what you want to hear
I say whatever will make you happy or agree with you.
It depends on what I've been drinkin'
My words are influenced by what I've been drinking.
Cause everything I do or say
My actions and words affect how you feel.
Makes it hard for you to stay
My behavior can be overwhelming and hard for you to deal with.
We both know what it is
We both know the struggles we face in this relationship.
Now-a-days we talk too much
We talk too much about the negative aspects of our relationship.
Like you're forgetting all the good shit
It's like you're forgetting all the good times we had.
You decide what's wrong with me
You are the one who decides what's wrong with me.
I always used to let you say
I used to let you have control over me.
But now I like to think out loud
Now I like to speak my mind and express my thoughts.
Your running with some different crowd
You are spending time with a different group of people.
I don't know you anymore
I don't understand who you are anymore.
Supposed to be the man
You're supposed to be the one I look up to and depend on.
That I live my life by
You're supposed to be my role model.
And your attitude become a bore
Your attitude is becoming dull and monotonous.
And I'm so tired I cant even cry
I am exhausted and cannot even summon the energy to cry.
Mr Ultra sensitive
You are overly sensitive.
I'll never let myself forget you
I will always remember the impact you have on my life.
Messed each other up you know
We both have negatively affected each other.
So I'm sorry if I upset you
I am apologetic if I have caused you any pain.
Tomorrow is another day
Tomorrow is a new opportunity to try and make this right.
So I'll call you cause that's OK
I will try to reach out to you and communicate.
Relationship doesn't remain
Relationships can't always stay the same.
We resonate on different flames
We each have different perspectives and emotions.
I could cut you down again
I could hurt you again.
If you were like all other men
If you were like everybody else.
I know that I could shut you down again
I know I have the power to hurt you.
But my friend, but my friend
But I care about you as my friend.
And you're attitude become a bore
Your attitude has become boring and predictable.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Amy Jade Winehouse
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mae Lancaster
Nobody could make me feel the way Amy's voice and lyrics could
Amelia D
I remember when I first became an amy winehous fan, I promised myself to save up and go to one of her concerts overseas...then she died before that happened..i wanna cry everytime I hear her music. True ARTIST! Her entire life expressed through her music and actually making her audience feel and emphasize with her ugh! Your missed amy
Per
Sad to hear, I didn't get to see her either :( I'm glad we have her music to find comfort in.
wheretofindbestlc
i was only eight instead, now that i'm in love with her i turned 24
MIFNP
She had perfect tone. Her improvisations were unparalleled. Frankly, she was a class by herself.
Наталья Михневич
Эми и гитара!это все нужно,чтобы услышать и почувствовать Эми Уайнхаус!❤❤❤это волшебно!и жаль,что только остались записи ,а не сама дорогая Эми!❤❤❤❤❤бесконечно любою тебя небесный ангел!
JaneDoe
everytime i hear her music i get a weird feeling in my throat, almost like a knot but its more like i just want to scream and ask WHYYYY. So unique, such a beautiful voice, talented, funny and beautifu jazz soul dragged down by depression and addiction. WE LOVE YOU AMY, WHEREVER YOU ARE XOXOXOXO RIP
Kuntsugi
peacenluvreggae MEEEEEEEEEEE OMG YES😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Trish McL
Well wherever she is, we know she is out of the HELL which was her life. So be happy for her soul! It has become one with the universe and maybe someday she will meet the BEING who is in charge of the universe aka God
Dandelion Wilson
I know, I know.... 😭 I get chills and all kinds of stuff. such a gift to earth she was. Heart broken but SO GRATEFUL we have her in our memories 💚💚💚