Bilal's classical training at the Mannes Music Conservatory in New York was instrumental to his conversance with Jazz, voice, and big band arrangements. It has also been reported that he is capable of performing opera in seven languages and writes both music and lyrics.
In 1995, Bilal encountered Faulu Mtume, and his brother, Damu Mtume (sons to James Mtume and founders of Moyo Entertainment) at a barber's shop in Philadelphia. His plans to produce film scores was shelved after he handed the brothers a demo recording; they were so impressed that they successfully convinced him to record commercially.
Bilal has also frequently collaborated and performed with several neo-soul and alternative hip hop artists, including Common, Erykah Badu, Talib Kweli, and The Roots. He also covered Radiohead's "High & Dry" for the 2006 Radiohead tribute, Exit Music: Songs With Radio Heads. Bilal appears in Dave Chappelle's Block Party.
His sophomore full-length recording, Love for Sale is rumored to have been shelved after being leaked on the internet. Despite no official release as of yet, Love for Sale has become an underground classic.
In 2010, Bilal released his sophomore album, Airtight's Revenge, 9 years after his debut album. The album was well-received, critics praised his lyrical substance and experimental sound.
Bilal is set to release his 3rd album, A Love Surreal, on February 26, 2013. Bilal explains that the album has a warmer, more acoustic sound compared to his previous works. He released a mixtape leading up to the release in late 2012 called Retrospective of the Man Called Bilal. 6 days after the mixtape was released, he took the wraps off his first single for A Love Surreal, "Back To Love". A video was released the next month. So far, reviews for A Love Surreal are positive, praising Bilal's natural singing talent and lyrics.
For You
Bilal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Alles, was ich tat, alles war für dich“
Ich war immer für dich da, wer wird dich lieben so wie ich?
Es trifft mich wie ein Schlag, mein Herz schlägt doch nur für dich
For you, for you, for you, ich hab' dich so lang gesucht
For you, for you, for you, alles, was ich tu'
For you, for you, for you, ich lass' dich jetzt in Ruh
For you, for you, for you, alles war for you
Auch wenn ich dich liebe und wenn ich dich brauch'
Auch wenn ich dich immer noch seh' in mei'm Traum
Bitte pack deine Taschen, nimm deine Sachen
Verpiss dich, vergiss mich, ich halt' es nicht aus
Halt' es nicht aus, wie du Lügen erzählst
Von wegen dir geht es nicht psychisch okay
Du bist teuflisch besessen, lass mich in Ruh
Denk, was du willst, hab' mit dir nix zu tun
Du bist Dreck in meinen Augen, wie's mir ging, war dir scheißegal
Und jetzt weinst du, aber weißt du
Du bist fake, so wie dein Ruf, fake, so wie dein Blut
Fake, du bist fake, was für leid tun?
Was für Neubeginn? Es ist aus
Geh und such dir einen Hund, der wieder alles für dich kauft
Deinen Hund, der ruhig sitzt, aus
Tu mir nicht auf cool, ich weiß, dass du mich brauchst
So schön du dich kleidest, ich weiß, dass du leidest
Ich schwöre bei Gott, Mann, ich weiß, dass du leidest
Spar deine Storys und such dir ein Hobby
Du stalkst mich bis heute und liest jeden Kommi
Meine Liebe, sie war ehrlich, deine Liebe war nie da
Sie war nie da, sie war nur da, wenn ich was zahl'
Immer wenn du was gebraucht hast, immer wenn du irgendwas gebraucht hast
Ich hoffe nur, dein neuer Freund macht dich auch satt
Ich dreh' mich um und sag', „Bevor du mich vergisst
Alles, was ich tat, alles war für dich!“
Ich war immer für dich da, wer wird dich lieben so wie ich?
Es trifft mich wie ein Schlag, mein Herz schlägt doch nur für dich
For you, for you, for you, ich hab' dich so lang gesucht
For you, for you, for you, alles, was ich tu'
For you, for you, for you, ich lass' dich jetzt in Ruh
For you, for you, for you, alles war for you
In "For You" by Bilal, the singer is expressing his heartbreak over a failed relationship with someone he loved deeply. He is speaking to the person directly, telling them that everything he did in the relationship was for them, and that his heart only beats for them. However, he is also aware that he needs to move on and forget about them, even though it hurts him deeply. He acknowledges that he still loves and needs them, but he cannot handle the lies and the hurtful behavior anymore. He encourages the person to leave him alone and find someone else to take care of them, while also acknowledging that their love was never really there to begin with.
The lyrics of the song are very powerful and emotional, capturing the raw pain and heartbreak of a shattered relationship. They express themes of love, loss, and letting go, as well as the complexity of human relationships and the difficulties of moving on from someone you truly loved. Overall, "For You" is a deeply personal and moving song that speaks to the experiences of many people who have been through similar situations.
Line by Line Meaning
Ich dreh' mich um und sag', „Bevor du mich vergisst
I turn around and say, 'Before you forget about me'
Alles, was ich tat, alles war für dich
Everything I did, I did it all for you
Ich war immer für dich da, wer wird dich lieben so wie ich?
I was always there for you, who will love you like I do?
Es trifft mich wie ein Schlag, mein Herz schlägt doch nur für dich
It hits me like a blow, my heart beats only for you
For you, for you, for you, ich hab' dich so lang gesucht
For you, for you, for you, I have searched for you for so long
For you, for you, for you, alles, was ich tu'
For you, for you, for you, everything I do
For you, for you, for you, ich lass' dich jetzt in Ruh
For you, for you, for you, I'll leave you alone now
For you, for you, for you, alles war for you
For you, for you, for you, everything was for you
Auch wenn ich dich liebe und wenn ich dich brauch'
Even though I love you and need you
Auch wenn ich dich immer noch seh' in mei'm Traum
Even though I still see you in my dreams
Bitte pack deine Taschen, nimm deine Sachen
Please pack your bags, take your things
Verpiss dich, vergiss mich, ich halt' es nicht aus
Get lost, forget about me, I can't take it anymore
Halt' es nicht aus, wie du Lügen erzählst
I can't stand how you tell lies
Von wegen dir geht es nicht psychisch okay
You say you're not mentally okay, but that's not true
Du bist teuflisch besessen, lass mich in Ruh
You are devilishly obsessed, leave me alone
Denk, was du willst, hab' mit dir nix zu tun
Think what you want, I have nothing to do with you
Du bist Dreck in meinen Augen, wie's mir ging, war dir scheißegal
You're dirt in my eyes, you didn't care about how I felt
Und jetzt weinst du, aber weißt du
And now you cry, but you know
Du bist fake, so wie dein Ruf, fake, so wie dein Blut
You're fake, like your reputation, fake, like your blood
Was für leid tun? Was für Neubeginn? Es ist aus
What kind of suffering? What kind of new beginning? It's over
Geh und such dir einen Hund, der wieder alles für dich kauft
Go and find a dog who will buy everything for you again
Deinen Hund, der ruhig sitzt, aus
Your dog, who sits quietly
Tu mir nicht auf cool, ich weiß, dass du mich brauchst
Don't act cool with me, I know you need me
So schön du dich kleidest, ich weiß, dass du leidest
As beautiful as you dress, I know you're suffering
Ich schwöre bei Gott, Mann, ich weiß, dass du leidest
I swear to God, man, I know you're suffering
Spar deine Storys und such dir ein Hobby
Save your stories and find a hobby
Du stalkst mich bis heute und liest jeden Kommi
You stalk me to this day and read every comment
Meine Liebe, sie war ehrlich, deine Liebe war nie da
My love was honest, your love was never there
Sie war nie da, sie war nur da, wenn ich was zahl'
It was never there, it was only there when I paid
Immer wenn du was gebraucht hast, immer wenn du irgendwas gebraucht hast
Whenever you needed something, whenever you needed anything
Ich hoffe nur, dein neuer Freund macht dich auch satt
I only hope your new boyfriend satisfies you too
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bilal Khodr, Erdin Skenderovic, Timo Ueckert
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@digitalkid911
I love the end when he screamed "I'd Ride or Die, please believe it ladies and gentlemen......" Bilal is the coldest! He can go anywhere when he does runs!
@R1kual
Me too....
@clivegameinnmg7055
damn this was one of my best cd's way back. Bilal was the shit. Still is better than most crap we listen to lately
@hopepate7541
Saw Bilal last night in concert. AWESOME!! I LOVE his music!
@aminapig6743
If a man sends you this song just know that man is for you ❤
@esawwhite9377
The lyrics, the beat, the arrangement, the composition, the vibe on this joint is pure perfection to my ears! The whole album is pure dope!!! Raw uncut musical "eargasms"!!!! "Please believe it ladies and gentlemen!
@tonykittykilla28
back in 2001 i bought this CD...this got in my blood from jump
@bluefoxpatton
still listening to this mastermind in 2017...yaaay!!!..I love Bilal!
@mal2mic
2019
@princesssunflower3648
2022 ! Come on Bilal Fans, we in here 🤘🏽❤️💪🏽