Soulife was released in June of 2005 by Rhino Records. The album is composed of songs recorded during the early part of Hamilton's career. Ain't Nobody Worryin was released on December 13, 2005 by SoSoDef/Zomba Label Group. In 2007, another compilation album, Southern Comfort, was released, featuring songs written and recorded during a similar period. A year later, in december 2008, he released another album, The Point of it all.
Hamilton also makes a guest appearance on blues guitarist Buddy Guy's 2005 album Bring Em In, contributing vocals to Guy's cover of Bob Dylan's Lay Lady Lay. Bring Em In also features appearances by John Mayer and Carlos Santana.
At the BET Awards of 2006, Anthony Hamilton was nominated for and won the BETJ 'Cool Like That' Award. He has also received a 2009 Grammy for a tribute performance to Al Green.
He is amazing
Anthony Hamilton performs two tracks on the 2007 movie "American Gangster" soundtrack, as well as appearing in a scene of the film.
Don't Say What You Won't Do
Anthony Hamilton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I start to cry
Don't (Don't walk on) walk on by, don't (don't walk) walk on by
Why don't you look me in my eyes? look me in my eye!
Uh oh! (I can't hold that man's hand cause he from another land)
Hey uh! (I can't love nobody's baby cause I wanna be a man)
Oh oh oh! (I can't fall down on my knees and ask for forgiveness and
Oh oh oh! (White people, black people, jews, muslims: YOU CAN, YOU CAN)
Ran with the rest of them, hung with the best of them soldiers
Did a lot of thinking on what most of them done told us
They say they can never ever give up their lives for a stranger man
But oh when it comes down to it, you don't know what's in the plan.
(If you should see me crying) Reach out and grab my tear (crawling)
(If you should see me dying) Don't you leave me standing here (if I'm dying)
(If you should hear me) SINGING the words of a trouble man
(Don't walk) Don't walk by me like you don't understand
Oh! (Don't say what you won't do) Don't say what you won't do
When it all falls down and he's looking at you!
(Don't say what you won't do) Don't say, don't say!
(Don't say what you won't do)
Now you've got your life all planned out,
Walking by people looking for hand-outs
So far up on your high horse
That you can't even hear that poor lawd
SCREAMING (Stop please, help me, on my knees)
For these few bucks that you give to me
I can help save you and your family (Oh Oh)
Don't act like you don't see me standing here (Oh Oh)
With all my tears and all my fears (Oh Hoooh!) (Oh Oh)
You can't even look in my eye, my eye, my my!
Don't pass me by, don't pass me by!
Heeey! Oooh!
(Don't say what you won't do)
Don't say, you don't mean it, no!
(Don't say what you won't do)
You can never tell the way that your life's gonna go!
(Don't say what you won't do)
Don't say, don't say what you won't do!
(Don't say what you won't do)
Don't tell me that you can't love me
(Don't say what you won't do)
I'm standing here with tears!
(Don't say what you won't do)
Cause I ran with the rest of them, hung with the best of them
(Don't say what you won't do)
And they learned to love
(Oh Oh) Ehehehehe-Hehehey!
(Oh Oh) Lord lord lord lord lord!
Don't say what you won't do
Because you never know what's coming right up to you
Could be your very last moment
Gon' cry till my eyes are blue
Don't say,
Don't say,
Dooon't say
The song "Don't Say What You Won't Do" by Anthony Hamilton is a plea for compassion and empathy. The song is about not judging people or treating them harshly just because of their circumstances. The opening lines suggest that the singer is upset about something, and he is asking the listener not to ignore him. He wants to be seen and heard, and he doesn't want people to walk past him like he's not there. He emphasizes this point by repeating "Don't walk on by, don't walk on by." The second verse addresses prejudice and hypocrisy, and how people are quick to judge and dismiss others without truly understanding their situation.
The chorus is a warning against making empty promises or saying things you don't really mean. The singer is asking people not to say they won't do something because they can never know what circumstances they might find themselves in. The song ends with a plea for understanding and compassion, urging people to be better than their prejudices and judgments.
Overall, the theme of the song is about the importance of kindness, seeing people as individuals, and not making assumptions about them based on their background. The song encourages the listener to be empathetic and to see the humanity in everyone.
Line by Line Meaning
If you see me walking down the street
If you see me in a vulnerable state
And I start to cry
And I am expressing my emotions
Don't walk on by, don't walk on by
Don't ignore me
Why don't you look me in my eyes? look me in my eye!
Show me some empathy and care by acknowledging my pain
I can't hold that man's hand cause he from another land
I can't discriminate based on race or nationality
I can't love nobody's baby cause I wanna be a man
I can't take advantage of someone's vulnerability because I want to be mature and responsible
I can't fall down on my knees and ask for forgiveness and Help my fellow man - be a stronger man
I can't refuse to admit and repent my mistakes and help others in need because that's what makes me strong
White people, black people, jews, muslims: YOU CAN, YOU CAN
People of all races and religions can act with compassion and empathy
Ran with the rest of them, hung with the best of them soldiers
I followed the crowd and lived up to the expectations of others
Did a lot of thinking on what most of them done told us
I reflected on the indoctrination and pressures from society
They say they can never ever give up their lives for a stranger man
They claim that they can't make personal sacrifices for someone they don't know
But oh when it comes down to it, you don't know what's in the plan.
But in reality, you can never predict what choices you might have to make in extreme situations
Reach out and grab my tear crawling
Try to console me as I weep
Don't you leave me standing here (if I'm dying)
Don't abandon me when I am in need (even when I am dying)
If you should hear me singing the words of a trouble man
If you hear me expressing my struggles and challenges
Don't walk by me like you don't understand
Don't ignore my plight assuming that you can't comprehend
Don't say what you won't do When it all falls down and he's looking at you!
Don't make empty promises because you don't know what difficult situations you might face in the future
Now you've got your life all planned out, Walking by people looking for hand-outs
You have a fixed plan for your life and ignore people who need your help
So far up on your high horse, That you can't even hear that poor lawd SCREAMING
You are so egoistic and self-centered that you can't hear the cries of people in distress
For these few bucks that you give to me I can help save you and your family
For a small amount of money you give me, I can help you and your family in return
You can't even look in my eye, my eye, my my!
You avoid eye contact with me to escape responsibility
Don't pass me by, don't pass me by! Heeey!
Don't neglect me, show some concern!
Don't say you don't mean it, no!
Don't say something that you don't intend to do
You can never tell the way that your life's gonna go!
You can never predict the twists and turns in your life
Don't tell me that you can't love me
Don't use excuses to justify your lack of care and love towards me
Cause I ran with the rest of them, hung with the best of them And they learned to love
I used to be like others, following and impressing people, but I learned to be compassionate and loving by experience
Don't say you won't do, don't say
Don't make promises that you don't keep
Because you never know what's coming right up to you
Because you can't anticipate the future and the choices you have to make
Could be your very last moment Gon' cry till my eyes are blue
This could be your last chance for redemption, I will cry till I have no more tears
Don't say, doon't say
Don't say things you don't mean
Contributed by Isaac F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.