Starting singing gospel with the family group, the Echoes of Joy, Wright began switching to R&B music in 1965 when she was only 11. In 1968, she released her first album, My First Time Around, at the age of 15, and scored her first hit, "Girls Can't Do What Guys Can Do".
It was not until the end of 1971 that Wright's most successful phase of her career took place. The song, "Clean Up Woman", became a Top 5 pop and R&B hit, and would later influence a remix of Mary J. Blige's "Real Love" single with the sample of its guitar riffs; R&B girl group trio SWV's "I'm So Into You" also featured a sample from "Clean Up Woman", as did Afrika Bambaataa's song "Zulu War Chant". In 1974, Wright scored big with the songs "Tonight is the Night" (about a real-life love affair that happened with Wright when she was a teenager) and "Where is the Love" (which won her a Grammy for Best R&B Song).
After experiencing a brief slump in the early 1980s, she rebounded founding her own record label, Ms. B Records, and in 1988 made music history by being the first woman to have a gold record on her own label, with the release of Mother Wit, which featured two of her biggest hits in years, "No Pain (No Gain)" and the "After The Pain". On both songs, Wright displays her powerful upper register capabilities and five-octave range. In 1989, Wright released 4u2njoy which features the hit songs "From Pain To Joy", "Quiet Storm" and "Keep Love New". Her subsequent albums Passion and Compassion, B-Attitudes and Fit For A King kept her fanbase satisfied.
By 2001, a compilation album, The Very Best of Betty Wright, was released. In 2007, Wright scored her most successful single in over a decade with "Baby", a duet with fellow Soul singer, Angie Stone. The song peaked at #22 on the R&B chart and #2 on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart.
Wright mentored several young singers, and did vocal production for the likes of Gloria Estefan, Jennifer Lopez and Joss Stone.
In December 2010, Wright was given another Grammy Award nomination for the song, "Go", for the Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance.
In January 2011, Wright released her first album in ten years, Betty Wright: The Movie, and was credited to Betty Wright & The Roots .
On May 10, 2020, Wright sadly passed away due to cancer at age 66.
Real Woman
Betty Wright Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And lil' cousins, you know who you are
Mm, try to tell you what to look out for
Y'know I got your back
[Chorus]
Get yourself a real woman
So you can be a real man
You need a woman who will understand
Get yourself a real woman
So you can be a real man
It's time to stop playing with girls!
You need a woman who will understand
There was a time when I was, wildin' out
Hangin' with the crowd, talkin' way too loud
When I think back to my, younger days
And my, crazy ways that was, just a phase
Now I don't wanna give you, wrong advice
But you, got one life you can't, live it twice
So when you choosing you just, take your time
Ele-vate your mind, good you're, gonna find
[Chorus]
You might be stackin' money, mountain high
So they're, gonna try, try to, catch your eye
But all that glitters boy you, know ain't gold
Some would, sell their soul, they're out, of control
And I'm ain't sayin' that they're, all the same
But they, all got game I won't, call no names
So take my word I wouldn't lie to you
'cause I love you nephew, here's what you gotta do!
[Chorus]
I, know what you need (You need a woman who will)
I, know what you need (You need a woman who will)
When you get tired of playing in the sand box
Want a woman who'll love you a whole lot
You need, you need, you need - you need a woman who will
Snoop!
(No Pain, No Gain), this life the same thang
Been playin' so many games, gotta find a slow dame
Sooner or later, no later, 'cause when he finally date her
He'll love her or either hate her, regroup or re'bilitate her
These are some real fly words from the wise one
I got my wife in my life, 'cause she's the right one
Better know it, better show it, every time I step in
A real woman make a real man, and this is definite
Yeah
[Chorus]
(You need a woman who will, you need a woman who will
You need a woman who will)
Yeah, some of y'all just triflin'!
Do anything for a little bling bling
All of the green and gold diggin', yeah
That's how you make yo' dealin'
To all my daughters, the nieces, and my lil' cousins
You know I ain't leavin' you out
'cause I know some of y'all be tryin the best you can
But listen to this:
If you be a real woman, then you can get a real man
I'm talkin' to you little girls
Tell me do you understand?
If you be a real woman, then you can get a real man
I'm talkin' to you little girls!
Tell me do you understand?
Tell me do you understand?
Tell-tell me do you understand?
All you think about is blowin up ya whistle
But it goes like this: Use your wisdom
No schizm, no -ism, get your own blow-up-ya-whistle
The lyrics to Betty Wright’s song “Real Woman” serve as a guiding light for younger men, such as nephews, sons and cousins, offering them advice on what to look out for in relationships. In the chorus, she encourages them to seek out “real women” who will make them “real men,” rather than playing games with girls. She acknowledges that there was a time when she too was running wild and acting crazy, but now that she’s older and wiser, she urges the younger generation to “take [their] time, elevate [their] mind,” and to choose carefully. While acknowledging that not all women are the same, she cautions against being caught up by women who are only interested in money and material things, urging them to seek out women who will love them for who they are. It is a powerful and soulful message that encourages men to be discerning and thoughtful in their romantic relationships.
Overall, “Real Woman” is a soulful and authentic song that speaks to the struggles that many young men face when it comes to love and relationships. The lyrics offer sage advice on how to navigate the complexities of love and how to find a partner who will be supportive, caring and loving. It is an uplifting song that speaks to the power of love and the importance of choosing wisely.
Line by Line Meaning
This song goes out to all my nephews, sons
And lil' cousins, you know who you are
Mm, try to tell you what to look out for
Y'know I got your back
The singer is dedicating this song to her young male family members and giving them advice about what to look for in a woman, assuring them that she has their backs.
[Chorus]
Get yourself a real woman
So you can be a real man
It's time to stop playing with girls!
You need a woman who will understand
Get yourself a real woman
So you can be a real man
It's time to stop playing with girls!
You need a woman who will understand
The chorus is a repetition of the singer's message to her male family members that they need to find a mature woman who will support them emotionally instead of playing with girls who won't.
There was a time when I was, wildin' out
Hangin' with the crowd, talkin' way too loud
When I think back to my, younger days
And my, crazy ways that was, just a phase
Now I don't wanna give you, wrong advice
But you, got one life you can't, live it twice
So when you choosing you just, take your time
Ele-vate your mind, good you're, gonna find
The singer reflects on her own past behavior and how she has grown since then. She encourages her male family members to not rush into finding a partner and to instead take their time to improve themselves before finding the right woman.
You might be stackin' money, mountain high
So they're, gonna try, try to, catch your eye
But all that glitters boy you, know ain't gold
Some would, sell their soul, they're out, of control
And I'm ain't sayin' that they're, all the same
But they, all got game I won't, call no names
So take my word I wouldn't lie to you
'cause I love you nephew, here's what you gotta do!
The singer warns her male family members that there are women who are only interested in their money and not them as a person. She advises them to be cautious and not get caught up in the game that these women play.
I, know what you need (You need a woman who will)
I, know what you need (You need a woman who will)
When you get tired of playing in the sand box
Want a woman who'll love you a whole lot
You need, you need, you need - you need a woman who will
Snoop!
The singer reiterates that a real woman is what her male family members need and not just someone to play games with. The featured rapper agrees with the message and emphasizes the importance of finding a loving partner.
[Chorus]
(You need a woman who will, you need a woman who will
You need a woman who will)
The chorus repeats the idea that real men need real women who will support and understand them.
Yeah, some of y'all just triflin'!
Do anything for a little bling bling
All of the green and gold diggin', yeah
That's how you make yo' dealin'
To all my daughters, the nieces, and my lil' cousins
You know I ain't leavin' you out
'cause I know some of y'all be tryin the best you can
But listen to this:
The singer acknowledges that there are also women who are only interested in material possessions and advises her female family members to do better.
If you be a real woman, then you can get a real man
I'm talkin' to you little girls
Tell me do you understand?
If you be a real woman, then you can get a real man
I'm talkin' to you little girls!
Tell me do you understand?
Tell me do you understand?
Tell-tell me do you understand?
The singer sends a message to her female family members that if they become mature and confident, they will find a real man who will respect and love them, asking them if they understand the message.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CALVIN BROADUS, RALPH JEANTY, SEAN MCMILLON, ANGELO MORRIS, BETTY WRIGHT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@janicezeno1070
What a incredible classic song by Betty Wright ft. Snoop Dogg.💎💎💎💎💎💎💎👑👸😘
@sereneamani1713
and The Roots
@user-mh1fr1md4n
Very beautiful and classical sounding🎉🎉🎉
@wePASSourSTYLE
This album is more hiphop than hiphop. Betty Wright is a G.
@keantehill2375
@Shullamite Diggs That part! Oh do I miss Miss Wright 😞
@LSDEe2002
She is realer than real
@randyhorne1067
R.I.P Betty and thanks for the memories
@brianeno1639
Betty Wright is an OG!!! Amazing.
@myfriendisaac
You need a woman who,
You need a woman who,
YOU NEED A WOMAN WHO WILL 🔥
@AnthonyBanksCountertenor
Yes Betty you went AWF FOR THIS ALBUM... THE ROOTS WONDERFUL AS ALWAYS!!