In the early 1980s, Stone (as 'Angie B'), was a member of The Sequence, the first major female hip-hop group. They had a hit in 1980 with "Funk You Up". She then worked with Mantronix, before teaming up and performing vocals and saxophone for Lenny Kravitz.
Angie Stone emerged during the 1990's as part of hip-hop/R&B trio Vertical Hold which released the popular single "Seems You're Much Too Busy" as well as two albums: A Matter Of Time (June 1993) and Head First (1995).
In 1996, she teamed up with Gerry Deveaux (Lenny Kravitz's cousin from The Bahamas) and together with Charlie Mole they formed Devox. One album received a Japanese-only release including Stone-penned or co-written material.
Angie Stone shared song-writing credits on D'Angelo's first two studio album's (1995 - Brown Sugar and 2000 - Voodoo) as well as providing backing vocals on tour with him.
She released her first solo album, Black Diamond, released on 28 September 1999 via Arista Records. She has since also released, via Clive Davis' J Records, Mahogany Soul on October 16, 2001 and Stone Love on July 6, 2004.
Much of Angie Stone's solo material has a significant hip-hop influence and features notable samples. For example, her first solo single, 1999's "No More Rain (In This Cloud)" samples Gladys Knight & the Pips' 1972 "Neither One Of Us (Want To Be The First To Say Goodbye)", and 2002 "Wish I Didn't Miss You" samples The O'Jays' 1972 "Back Stabbers".
Angie Stone sings the theme song for the UPN sitcom Girlfriends.
She has two children, a daughter and a son. The son is the child of neo-soul singer D'Angelo, whom she dated during the 1990's.
Official Website: http://www.angiestoneonline.net
Bottles & Cans
Angie Stone Lyrics
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Like every woman wants to one day be a wife
Your success is measured, but to a degree
Cause all the money in the world don't add up to you and me
[Chorus]
I'd rather be pickin' up bottles and cans
If you can't be my man
With no food to eat
I'd rather be facing twenty to life
If I can't be your wife
Now I know that it seems like I'm crazy for you
That's what love can do
Look at what you started, there's no way this can end
Because I've fallin in love with how deeply I've fallin
If anything should ever stand in our way
I wouldn't wait 'till tomorrow, but I'd throw it away today
[Chorus]
I'd rather be pickin' up bottles and cans
Pickin' up cans baby, oh yeah yeah
I'd rather be homeless in the streets with no food to eat
I'd rather be facing twenty to life
Now I know that it seems like I'm crazy for you
That's what love can do
It just ain't money (Without)
There is no home (Without you)
It's no crime, baby (Without)
Who is everyone (Without you)
It's no career (Without)
It's not sincere (Without you)
These diamonds don't shine (Without)
Whoa (That's what love can do)
In Bottles & Cans, Angie Stone emphasizes the inherent worth and importance of human relationships over material possessions and success. She notes that everyone desires some kind of achievement in life, but in the grand scheme of things, the accumulation of wealth does not equate to happiness. Stone then proceeds to proclaim that she would rather be homeless and impoverished than live without the love of her man. She also states that she would rather face a long prison sentence over not being able to marry her beloved. She emphasizes that her love is deeper than any material gain or societal expectations brought on by success.
The chorus of the song utilizes a poignant and repeated metaphor of unconventional love; picking up bottles and cans represents the willingness to throw away societal luxuries and monetary success for the sake of love. The song's hook suggests that Stone is devoted to her partner and cannot imagine any circumstance that would make her give up on him. The lyrics also showcase how love and perseverance can bring a person to make an ultimate sacrifice. The song is a reflection of the universal truth of the value of human relationships over money and fame.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody wants some type of success in life
Success is a universal goal for everyone.
Like every woman wants to one day be a wife
Marriage is a common aspiration for many women.
Your success is measured, but to a degree
Success is subjective and has limitations.
Cause all the money in the world don't add up to you and me
Money cannot replace human connection and love.
I'd rather be pickin' up bottles and cans
I would choose to do the most hard-hitting and mundane jobs if it means I can be with you.
If you can't be my man
If we can't be together, everything else is futile.
I'd rather be homeless in the streets with no food to eat
Nothing else matters if I cannot be with you.
I'd rather be facing twenty to life
I would rather choose anything, even a lifetime in prison, if it means I can be with you.
If I can't be your wife
If we cannot be together, nothing else is worth it.
Now I know that it seems like I'm crazy for you
It may seem irrational, but my love for you is overpowering.
That's what love can do
Love can make people do crazy things for each other.
Look at what you started, there's no way this can end
Our love is too powerful to end.
Because I've fallin in love with how deeply I've fallin
I am amazed and overwhelmed by the depth of my love for you.
If anything should ever stand in our way
Any obstacle that hinders our love will not stand for us.
I wouldn't wait 'till tomorrow, but I'd throw it away today
I would do anything to remove barriers to our love, even if it means sacrificing the future.
It just ain't money (Without)
Money alone cannot bring happiness without you.
There is no home (Without you)
A house is not a home without you.
It's no crime, baby (Without)
I will not have any purpose without you.
Who is everyone (Without you)
No one else matters without you.
It's no career (Without)
Success in my career is meaningless without you.
It's not sincere (Without you)
Nothing is genuine or real without you.
These diamonds don't shine (Without)
Materialistic possessions are not valuable without you.
Whoa (That's what love can do)
Love can change everything and make life worthwhile.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GERALD ISAAC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind