He was booed off stage at a show celebrating the visit of Nelson Mandela. In 1993 at the very popular show Sting he accused fellow deejay Bounty Killer that the elder artist had stolen his catchphrase, "people dead". This triggered a lyrical battle which continued on the air with each artist counteracting the other's songs. Finally, in 1995, Beenie Man and Bounty Killer settled their differences on the air by actually signing a peace treaty and the two recorded an album together, Guns Out. This was followed by a single, "No Mama No Cry", a rehash of the Bob Marley classic "No Woman No Cry", speaking out against violence and inspired by the murder of Pan Head, another popular Deejay.
Partially as a result of prodding from his producers, Sly and Robbie, Beenie Man soon converted to the Rastafari movement.
In 1994, he was signed by Island Records and released the critically acclaimed album Blessed.
In 1995, Beenie Man released a remix of Barrington Levy's "Under Mi Sensi" in the United Kingdom, and collaborated with Dennis Brown and Triston Palma to release Three Against War and Lt. Stitchie on Mad Cobra Meets Lt. Stitchie & Beenie Man. He took another step up the ladder in 1996, releasing the seminal Maestro, produced by Patrick Roberts and shot him to UK fame. During the period from the mid to late '90s, Beenie Man dominated the Jamaican charts to the extent that he perhaps had a good claim to the crown of "Dancehall King", a title only bestowed previously on Yellowman in the early 1980s.
In 1998, Beenie Man signed to Virgin Records to release albums in the United States. His first American offering was The Doctor (1998). In 2000, Beenie Man teamed up with Arturo Sandoval and Wyclef Jean (The Fugees) to release The Art & Life. During the late 1990s, Beenie Man began his conquest of America with the hits, "Romie", "Who Am I" and "Girls Dem Sugar", which featured American R&B singer, Mya.
In 2002, he had a sizeable hit with a duet with Janet Jackson called "Feel It Boy", but his biggest break in America came in early 2004 with the release of a remix of "Dude", featuring guest vocals by fellow Jamaican Ms. Thing, as well as rhymes by Shawnna.
Year 4
Beenie Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I try to love you best I can
I can't convince you
Though heaven knows I try
I've tried to make you see
To make you believe
You're all that matters to me
The air that you breathe
Someday you'll discover
I don't want no other, believe me
You're all that matters, baby
All that matters to me
I know that you've been hurt before
But that won't happen anymore, no no
Just give your heart to me
And I'll guard it with my life
I don't know what I'd do
Baby, without you
You're all that matters to me
The ground that you walk
The air that you breathe
Someday you'll discover
I don't want no other, believe me
You're all that matters, baby
All that matters to me
People looking for paradise
Well, baby, I know that I found mine
And if you don't believe it, baby
Take a look at the love in my eyes
Oh I'll be with you, baby
'Til the end of time
I'll be alright, baby
Just as long as you're mine
You're all that matters to me
The ground that you walk
The air that you breathe
Someday you'll discover
I don't want no other, believe me
You're all that matters, baby
All that matters to me
You're all that matters to me
The ground that you walk
The air that you breathe
Someday you'll discover
I don't want no other, believe me
You're all that matters, baby
All that matters to me
You're all that matters to me
The ground that you walk
The air that you breathe
Someday you'll discover
I don't want no other, believe me
You're all that matters, baby
All that matters to me
The lyrics of Beenie Man's song Year 4 is a heartfelt admission of love and devotion to the person he cares about the most. Right from the first line, he confesses to making mistakes just like any other man, but he promises to try his best to love his partner. However, he acknowledges the difficulty in convincing his partner of his sincerity, even though he has tried numerous times to make them see and believe that they are all that matters to him. He expresses his strong desire to be the only one for them and hopes that one day, they will discover that he means it.
He goes on to console his partner, who has been hurt before, that they will no longer go through that pain again if they give their heart to him. He pledges to guard their heart with his life, emphasising how much they mean to him. He can't imagine his life without them, and he wants them to know that they are the ground he walks on, and the air he breathes. He considers himself lucky to have found paradise in his partner's love, and he wants them to share in that sentiment by taking a look into his eyes.
The repeating chorus of the song amplifies his message, reassuring his partner that they are truly all that matters to him, and he does not want anyone else but them. In summary, Year 4 is a romantic admission of love, deep commitment, and devotion to one's partner, proclaiming that they are the most essential component of their existence.
Line by Line Meaning
I make mistakes like any man
I am not perfect, I am capable of making mistakes, just like any other human being.
But I try to love you best I can
Despite being imperfect, I try to love you to the best of my abilities.
I can't convince you
I am not able to persuade you to see my perspective or agree with me.
Though heaven knows I try
I give my all in trying to convey my feelings to you, even though it seems futile.
I've tried to make you see
I have made efforts to show you the importance you hold in my life.
To make you believe
I have attempted to make you trust my words and my love for you.
You're all that matters to me
You are the most significant person in my life, and your happiness and well-being are of utmost importance to me.
The ground that you walk
Every place you go matters to me, and I hope you only walk on safe and stable ground.
The air that you breathe
The air that you breathe is essential to your survival, and I want to make sure that you always have clean, breathable air.
Someday you'll discover
One day, you will come to realize and apprehend fully the depth of my love for you.
I don't want no other, believe me
I want no one else but you, and I hope you believe this fact.
You're all that matters, baby
You are everything to me, and you mean the world to me.
I know that you've been hurt before
I am aware that you have experienced pain and trauma in the past.
But that won't happen anymore, no no
I will do everything in my power to ensure that you don't have to suffer any more hurt or pain.
Just give your heart to me
Please trust me with your heart, and I promise to protect it with my life.
And I'll guard it with my life
I will protect your heart and keep it safe from harm, even if it means risking my own life.
I don't know what I'd do
I am not sure what I would do without you in my life.
Baby, without you
I cannot imagine a life without you in it, and I don't want to.
People looking for paradise
Many people search for a perfect place or a state of happiness.
Well, baby, I know that I found mine
I have found paradise in you, and you are everything I need to be happy.
Take a look at the love in my eyes
Look into my eyes, and you will see the depth of the love that I have for you.
Oh I'll be with you, baby
I will always be there for you, no matter what.
'Til the end of time
I will stay by your side and love you forever.
I'll be alright, baby
With you in my life, I will always be okay no matter what life throws at me.
Just as long as you're mine
As long as you are mine, I will be happy and content in life.
Writer(s): Cleveland Browne, Wycliffe Johnson, Moses Davis Copyright: Emi Music Publishing Ltd., Shocking Vibes Music Ltd.
Contributed by Layla G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.