Shortly thereafter he released two independent albums, Three Chords & The Truth and Red Clay Chronicles. Both albums received high critical acclaim, including Atlanta Journal & Constitution’s rave “The best record to come of this city since Usher’s,” and earned David thousands of fans nationwide. It is a combination of songs from those two albums that make up Acey Deucy. David toured relentlessly in support of his independent releases, opening for acts such as Arie and Kem before headlining tours of his own throughout Europe and Japan. “While traveling around the country and Europe playing, I was able to soak up sounds from everywhere I went. I’ve just been able to grow and expand my sound.” David explained. That sound, David refers to as “Millennium Blues” because it “all goes back to the blues. The lyrics, the music, my using everything from acoustic to hip-hop, the story telling...all of it connects through the blues like a bridge.” David feels that his song writing brings a much-needed honesty to today’s music, he explains, “Honesty in music shouldn’t be very rare but it is. Like an MC saying ‘I live the gangster life for real?’ I live the regular life for real, I just make it look and sound good.”
After time on the road, David teamed up with India.Arie once again to co-write and produce “There’s Hope” for Arie’s third Grammy nominated album before heading back out on his own again. And now the circle involving Anthony David and India.Arie begins anew with the first single from Acey Deucy entitled “Words.” The song reveals a musical relationship between Arie and David reminiscent of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, Roberta Flack and Donnie Hathaway, a super natural chemistry that reminds you of music you’ve never heard before and can’t wait to hear again. “It’s great that ‘Words’ is being compared to music by Roberta Flack and Donnie Hathaway,” says David, “because they are both major influences on both our careers. That says a lot about the nature of our relationship and how well we work together. She heard the short version I wrote and said she had a verse for that song. The verse India wrote and her voice fit perfectly in every way.” “I love Tony’s music for how he speaks from a man’s emotional perspective in relationships and his views on learning about life as a young man of the hip hop generation,” says India.Arie. “He’s a great talent and one of my oldest friends. I have so many memories with him. Not only did he encourage me to start performing professionally, but it was Tony who suggested I use my first and middle name as an artist. There was even a time when he spent his rent money for me to experiment in the studio.” Anthony David explains that the lyrics and music are all from personal experience. “I don’t really know any other way to write. From the general to the specific, my music comes from a very personal place. That place is real life, the good and the bad. You won’t hear a lot of stuff about chilling in VIP. I don’t think a lot of people really relate to that. I don’t know where that (VIP and drinking in the club,) ranks in the importance of everyday people’s lives.” What Anthony David gives music and listeners are songs about love and life told in real voices. On Cheatin Man, David expresses a lot of inward pain and battles with self. “Cheatin Man is about a brother doing self-examination,” he explains, “It’s also about the half hearted excuses people make for what they do. The heart of the song is about judgment and falling short. The man (in the song) hates his father for what he did to his mother, but then he ends up doing the same things.” With the song Red Clay Chronicles, Anthony David turns that spotlight of truth outward, and looks at the state of everyone’s problems today. Red Clay Chronicles paints a musical mural of the “haves” and “have-nots” in a way that lets you know David has experienced life as a “have-not” and doesn’t glorify it. Red Clay Chronicles delivers both the musical goods and a fair share of responsibility for those who are able to help improve “city life.” Besides Arie, David calls on other musicians and singers he’s worked with in Atlanta to help complete the journey. On Lady, Keisha Jackson adds her sultry sound to join David’s blues-enriched voice. The track sounds like a lost recording of a song written for Bobby Womack and Gladys Knight. David discusses his partner for the duet “Keisha is Millie Jackson’s daughter. I knew this record would showcase her talent and show the world what I always heard in her voice. That’s one of the many reasons I am so excited about Acey Deucy. I get to show off all the talent here in Atlanta.” Anthony David’s Acey Deucy is a project focused on real life experience but original and passionate in presentation.
Acey Deucy is a blueprint for how to create great music in different styles, while not being diverse just for the sake of being different. Acey Deucy talks about family and friends on tracks like Kin Folk, relaxing on Smoke One and still drives home the joys and pain that we love to get from our music on tracks like Stop Playing. Acey Deucy gives listeners a little bit of what we’ve been waiting for from modern soul music and surprises us with a quality of original story telling we didn’t know was possible.
The eagerly awaited release of David's new album - As Above So Below - scheduled for release in the US in late March, has caught the imagination of many Neo-Soul fans. His silky voice, coupled with strong lyrics in his songs, have ensured a potentially Grammy award winning conjuction. Standout tracks include the religion/politics challenging "What God Said", a fantastic cover of Tears For Fears' "Rule The World" featuring Boyz II Men's Shawn Stockman, and also "Backstreet" - a song based on what David witnessed in his younger years.
The album, already released in Europe, represents the Neo-Soul genre perfectly. Lyrics with meaning, no studio edits served with a side of incredible vocals, make for an unmissable album.
Girlfriend
Anthony David Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So many things to choose from, it's amazing!
Oh, oh!
Everytime I come here I get opened wide,
Sexy and flirtatious just the way I like,
I'ma stay focused if it takes my life,
I'm telling you:
I got a girlfriend!
I don't want you,
I got a girlfriend!
Get away from me,
I got a girlfriend!
Thank you!
Where is my girlfriend?
I should have stayed at the crib and caught a movie,
There's nothing out in these streets, but trouble for me!
Oh, oh!
Cause everytime I come here I get opened wide,
Yes I'm dedicated but I still got eyes,
Ask me no questions, and I'll tell no lies,
I'm warning you!
I don't like you,
I got a girlfriend!
I don't want you,
I got a girlfriend!
Get away from me,
I got a girlfriend!
Thank you!
Where is my girlfriend?
I don't like you,
I got a girlfriend!
I don't want you,
I got a girlfriend!
Get away from me,
I got a girlfriend!
Thank you!
Where is my girlfriend?
I'm falling as I'm spiraling down
I'm calling to my baby,
She know that under normal circumstances I'm a good boy
But you tempt me, and you know what gets my attention,
You're wicked and you want me,
But when's she's gone where will you be
You're no good
You're no good
I don't like you,
I got a girlfriend!
I don't want you,
I got a girlfriend!
Get away from me,
I got a girlfriend!
Thank you!
Where is my girlfriend?
I don't like you,
I got a girlfriend!
I don't want you,
I got a girlfriend!
Get away from me,
I got a girlfriend!
Thank you!
Where is my girlfriend?
The song "Girlfriend", by Anthony David, is a cautionary tale about the temptation of cheating. The singer is out at a tempting spot, surrounded by potential mistresses, but he resists their advances reminding himself that he already has a girlfriend. He repeats the phrase "I don't like you, I got a girlfriend" throughout the song, reminding himself and the women he encounters that he is not available. He feels himself getting "spiraling down" with the temptation and calls out to his girlfriend for help. He acknowledges that he is a good boy under normal circumstances, but the allure of this dangerous woman is too strong.
The lyrics highlight that even the most faithful people can be tempted to cheat. The setting of the song, in a tempting spot, reinforces the idea that infidelity can happen anywhere. The singer struggles with his desire while remaining steadfast in his loyalty to his girlfriend. The repetition in the chorus – "I don't like you, I got a girlfriend" – emphasises his commitment to his relationship and his determination not to stray.
Line by Line Meaning
I really shouldn't be coming to these places,
I know I shouldn't be going to these establishments
So many things to choose from, it's amazing!
There's an overwhelming amount of choices
Oh, oh!
Expressing excitement
Everytime I come here I get opened wide,
I become vulnerable to temptation
Sexy and flirtatious just the way I like,
The atmosphere is seductive and appealing to me
I'ma stay focused if it takes my life,
I'll do anything to remain loyal to my partner
I'm telling you:
I'm making a point
I don't like you,
I'm not interested in you
I got a girlfriend!
I'm already in a committed relationship
I don't want you,
I have no desire for you
Get away from me,
Please leave me alone
Thank you!
Expressing gratitude
Where is my girlfriend?
I'm thinking about my partner
I should have stayed at the crib and caught a movie,
I should have stayed home and watched a movie
There's nothing out in these streets, but trouble for me!
This environment is dangerous for me
Cause everytime I come here I get opened wide,
I become vulnerable to temptation when I'm here
Yes I'm dedicated but I still got eyes,
I'm committed to my relationship, but I still notice attractive people
Ask me no questions, and I'll tell no lies,
Please don't pry into my personal life
I'm warning you!
I'm trying to give a strong message
I'm falling as I'm spiraling down
I'm losing control
I'm calling to my baby,
I'm thinking about my partner
She know that under normal circumstances I'm a good boy
My partner knows that I'm faithful in normal situations
But you tempt me, and you know what gets my attention,
You're alluring to me, and you know what I like
You're wicked and you want me,
You have bad intentions and desire me
But when's she's gone where will you be
If my partner leaves, where will you end up
You're no good
You're not a good person to be around
I don't like you,
I'm not interested in you
I don't want you,
I have no desire for you
Get away from me,
Please leave me alone
Thank you!
Expressing gratitude
Where is my girlfriend?
I'm thinking about my partner
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANTHONY DAVID HARRINGTON, SHANNON SANDERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind