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.
They Don't Know
Anthony Hamilton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cause people lookin' at me
Like I just robbed the neighborhood is Circle K
Just mindin' my business
Tryin' to make a livin'
Takin' it day by day
Some of the things that I've seen you just wouldn't believe
But I always hold my head up with dignity
Cause they don't really even know me, don't know me
[Chorus]
They don't know about the things I be goin' through
And they don't know about the pain I be feelin'
They don't know about the struggles I be pullin' through
And I won't let them get the best of me and my soul
Excuse me, Lord for fussin'
Things I do to keep from cussin'
How so many people they bug me
Goin' around tryin' to judge me
Like why is he wearin' that dress
Why is talkin' that mess
Why is he so into his African-ness
Cause I don't wanna settle for less
I know I deserve the best
[Chorus]
Got a feelin'
Said I'm givin'
Everything that I've been meanin'
Fixin' me
Can I go now?
Cause what I found
Is enough to get me right
Fixin' me
Good God almighty (I can't walk down the street)
Good God almighty (Everybody's lookin' at me)
Good God almighty (Tryin' to steal my dignity yea)
Good God almighty (They don't know what I feel)
Good God almighty (Tryin' to make a livin')
Good God almighty (Takin' it day by day)
Good God almighty (Tryin' to find my own way)
Good God almighty (Tryin' to have a good time)
Good God almighty (Tryin' to have a mighty mighty mighty good time yea oh)
Good God almighty (Take away my pain)
Good God almighty
Good God, Good God
Good God, Good God
Good Lord, Good Lord
Walk it off, walk it off now
Gotta walk it off, walk it off now
Walk it off, walk it off right now
Gonna find a good time
Take the trouble and pain off our mind tonight
Lemme hear one time, Lemme hear one time
The lyrics to Anthony Hamilton's song They Don't Know seem to talk about how people often misjudge others they do not know. The singer is faced with people looking at them on the street, judging them as if they are criminals. He points out how he tries to mind his business and make a living like everyone else, but that people do not appreciate that. The singer then goes on to explain that there are struggles he goes through that others are not aware of, and these struggles sometimes cause him pain. However, he remains headstrong and does not let those struggles get the best of him. In the chorus, he reiterates that people do not know what he goes through and how he manages to pull through, but he will not let them get the best of him.
In the second verse, the singer asks God for forgiveness for sometimes acting out to keep himself from cursing while facing incessant people who try to judge him. He then talks about how people judge him because of the way he dresses, the things he says and his African heritage. But he refuses to accept some of their beliefs that he should settle for less than he deserves. The chorus repeats, emphasizing how people's ignorance can lead to misjudgment, but it is not going to get the best of him.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't walk down the street
I am unable to walk on the street without being judged and looked down upon by others.
Cause people lookin' at me
People often look at me and make judgments about my character without knowing me.
Like I just robbed the neighborhood is Circle K
The way I am looked at makes me feel like I am guilty of an uncommitted crime.
Just mindin' my business
I am trying to stick to my own work and not get involved in other's affairs.
Tryin' to make a livin'
I am putting my effort every day to earn and live my life with dignity and respect.
Takin' it day by day
I am taking one day at a time, trying to get ahead in life with grit and hard work.
Some of the things that I've seen you just wouldn't believe
I have experienced some things in life which can be unbelievable for others to imagine.
But I always hold my head up with dignity
Regardless of the events and hard times I face, I hold my head up with respect and honor.
Can't judge the book by the cover
One should not make assumptions or judgments based on appearances.
Cause they don't really even know me, don't know me
People who judge me based on appearances don't know my true character or what I have been through.
They don't know about the things I be goin' through
People don't know about the struggles and hardships I face every day.
And they don't know about the pain I be feelin'
People don't know the emotional pain and distress I experience in life.
They don't know about the struggles I be pullin' through
People don't know the efforts and troubles I have to pull through to achieve progress in life.
And I won't let them get the best of me and my soul
I won't let others' negative opinions and judgments impact my soul and personality.
Excuse me, Lord for fussin'
I apologize to my God for complaining and venting my frustration.
Things I do to keep from cussin'
I try to divert my anger and frustration to work harder to avoid using bad language and reacting rashly.
How so many people they bug me
I get annoyed by how many people judge and misunderstand me.
Goin' around tryin' to judge me
People are always making judgments about me and scrutinizing my actions.
Like why is he wearin' that dress
People make negative comments about my dressing style without knowing my reasons.
Why is talkin' that mess
People find faults and reasons to judge me without even listening to me.
Why is he so into his African-ness
People judge me for my culture and origin, even though it's something that's deeply ingrained within me and my identity.
Cause I don't wanna settle for less
I don't want to compromise with mediocrity and strive for the best in life.
I know I deserve the best
I believe I deserve to have the best things in life and work towards achieving them.
Got a feelin'
I have a strong intuition and feeling.
Said I'm givin'
I am still trying to give my best to everything I do, even though it might not be appreciated by others.
Everything that I've been meanin'
Everything that I intend and plan to do carries deep meaning and purpose for me.
Fixin' me
I am focussed on fixing my shortcomings and flaws to be the best version of myself.
Can I go now?
I am done with dealing with negativity and want to put it behind me.
Cause what I found
I finally discovered something that bridges the gap and heals me.
Is enough to get me right
What I have found is sufficient enough to make me feel better and at peace.
Good God almighty (I can't walk down the street)
I seek divine intervention as I battle with feelings of being judged and undervalued in society.
Good God almighty (Everybody's lookin' at me)
I pray to God to give me strength and courage to face people who always look down on me.
Good God almighty (Tryin' to steal my dignity yea)
I request divine assistance in preserving my human dignity that others try to steal from me in various ways.
Good God almighty (They don't know what I feel)
I ask God to help me deal with the burden of living with people who don't understand my true emotions and feelings.
Good God almighty (Tryin' to make a livin')
I seek divine intervention in sustaining my life and livelihood amidst people who disregard my struggles.
Good God almighty (Takin' it day by day)
I request divine help in leading my life one day at a time since it's not possible without facing debilitating obstacles at every step.
Good God almighty (Tryin' to find my own way)
I pray to God to guide me on a journey of self-discovery and independence, despite living in a world full of rules and regulations.
Good God almighty (Tryin' to have a good time)
I request divine assistance in having a good time with my loved ones and friends amidst inner turmoil due to external factors.
Good God almighty (Tryin' to have a mighty mighty mighty good time yea oh)
I ask God to bless me with moments of pure joy and happiness that eclipses every dark thought and feeling in life.
Good God almighty (Take away my pain)
I pray to God to help me alleviate the emotional and mental pain that stems from constantly being judged and undervalued.
Walk it off, walk it off now
I encourage myself to walk away from emotions and thoughts that derail me from achieving my goals.
Gotta walk it off, walk it off now
I remind myself of the importance of actively analyzing and dealing with my negative emotions, and not letting them hinder me.
Gonna find a good time
I aspire to find joy and fulfillment in life despite living amidst negativity and criticism.
Take the trouble and pain off our mind tonight
I pray to God to take the emotional and mental pain and turmoil away from me and my loved ones so that we could have a peaceful night.
Lemme hear one time, Lemme hear one time
I request others to listen to me and understand my struggles once, and not make judgments impulsively.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: ANDREAO SHAUNEE HEARD, ANTHONY CORNELIUS HAMILTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind