The B. B. & Q. Band were signed to Capitol Records in 1981 and released their self-titled debut album. The album spawned two successful singles, "On the Beat" and "Dreamer," and the band was successful in both the United States and Europe. They followed up their debut album with All Night Long in 1982, which featured the singles "Genius of Love" and "Ride on the Beat." The band released two more albums in 1983 and 1987, respectively.
The band is best known for its signature sound of smooth and irresistible pop-funk and its highly addictive and catchy melodies. They perfectly blend European writing and producing skills and American musicians and vocalists. The B. B. & Q. Band is considered one of the most influential funk and soul bands of the 1980s.
On The Shelf
B.b. & Q. Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Say my name with a asterisk
Nigga I really mastered this
No ass did I have to kiss
Treat the booth like a bando
I'm really trapping hits
I ain't with the cappin shit
I ain't leaving shit on the table
I ain't leave em nada
Now They saltier than a pack of Ritz
Spend it before they get it
You know That ass backwards shit
I'm here to elevate yo soul
I'm on my pastor shit
I ain't lettin shit go
I used to be a passivist
Fuck it now I'm on some ratchet shit
Shout out to Monticello I'm on my air mattress shit
Na you can't spend the night bitch I'm on some bachelor shit
I ain't giving up no free game I need some cash for this
Say you love God but hate me that's blasphemous
This flow is a gift from God I ain't ask for this
You barely come outside how you a activist
Somebody give these niggaz Oscar's
All This tough acting shit
You niggaz hoes I'm on some pimp shit
Don't make me slap a bitch
Middle finger to my haters
They know how to gas the whip
Pictures from numbers I never saved
I'm Like who ass is this
Yellow bone bittie
That's my lil ratchet bitch
Sad days behind me I'm only entertaining happy shit
Black boy joy they hate it when you at your happiest
Big niggaz model too put me on your talent list
Lost my confidence but along the way I found that shit
In the song "On The Shelf" by B.b. & Q. Band, the lyrics convey a message of self-empowerment and resilience in the face of adversity. The opening line, "Doing yourself is like building a shelf, an accomplishment you can't lose," suggests that investing in oneself and taking control of one's own path is a fulfilling and valuable endeavor.
The following lines express a defiance towards those who may doubt or criticize the singer. They acknowledge that regardless of what the singer does, there will always be people who dislike or disregard them. However, the singer refuses to let the opinions of others hold them back, emphasizing their determination to stay true to themselves.
The lyrics also touch upon the singer's past experiences of being teased and mistreated, particularly during their early school years. Despite the hurtful names and judgments thrown their way, the singer expresses a desire for personal growth and improvement. They seek to rise above the negativity and prove that they are capable of achieving success and happiness.
Overall, "On The Shelf" encourages listeners to embrace their individuality, ignore the naysayers, and pursue their dreams with resilience and self-belief.
Line by Line Meaning
Doing yourself is like building a shelf, an accomplishment you can’t lose
Taking care of yourself is like constructing a shelf, a personal achievement that can never be taken away
I can’t do nothing and people will fucking hate me
Even if I do nothing, there will always be people who despise me
I could sit before you and dudes would dissipate me
Even if I am in front of you, guys would still reject me
I could be fully sane but they’d still facilitate me
Even if I am completely sane, they would still enable my mistakes
World sucks, the words stuck, and now these fuckers wanna hesitate me
The world is unpleasant, words are difficult to express, and now these individuals want to hinder my progress
I’ll take what I’ve done and I’ll leave it deep down in the dust
I will bury my past actions and leave them far behind, disregarded
Baby you know if it comes to that I ain’t doing what you say I must
Darling, you should know that if it ever comes to that, I won't comply with your demands
Cause if you try to be a butterfly you get forced in your fucking big cocoon
Because if you attempt to transform into a butterfly, society will force you into a confining situation
Do yourself away and fly high in the sky cause you ain’t falling down soon
Let go of your inhibitions and soar in the sky because you won't come crashing down anytime soon
I wanna know those assholes that teased me in the first fucking grade
I desire to encounter those individuals who mocked me during my early school years
I just deep down wanna get better cause I know theres a fucking way
Deep inside, I just want to improve myself because I believe there is a path to success
What if I deserved all that shit my way
What if I actually deserved all the negativity that came my way?
Yeah all that shit, they used to call me fucking gay
Yes, all those insults and name-calling, they used to label me as gay
And look where I am now
And look at where I am now
Sitting on my own fucking cloud
Enjoying my own success and contentment
I don’t fucking listen
I refuse to heed anyone's advice
Like being talked to by a brick wall
It feels as pointless as conversing with an unresponsive barrier
I’ve come to learn those idiot’s time is the best thing you could possibly stall
I have come to realize that wasting the time of those ignorant individuals is the most satisfying retaliation
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Quinlan Thomas
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@charlescollins1714
Deserved more air time than it received. That driving beat and keyboard solo is Amazing.
@elizeujoeandrade
Classic disco funk!I sooo love it
@jaypv7675
this is an under rated classic
@electroborg
A gem of the post disco genre called boogie. Still sounds fresh.
@barryb5248
God, this takes me back! Curtis could SANGG his ass-offed! Groove's right and tight --- they don't make songs like this ANYMORE!
@sally8589
They dont make music like this anymore. Good music right here. Grew up listening to this.
@reubenpadayachee
Such a top choon ! Always put a smile on my face ! Curtis Hairston on lead vocals !
@gladi8orace
Beat at it's best even today!!
@atkinsforever
I love this classic song
@segawapeterkenyon5209
BB and Q this group was adhorable and stunning great ballad