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.
When Will You Call
Bilal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just can't rest, I'm waiting for the phone to ring
Will you call?
Ring my phone?
Girl, I hope you did not forget
I can't sleep, and I can't eat
And I won't until I hear your voice
Three days ago, rolled over to an empty bed
And I went to the bathroom and you're toothbrush wasn't there
Where's your clothes?
And where's your shoes?
Girl what would I do without you?
I can't sleep, and I can't eat
And I won't until I hear your voice
When will you call?
No notice, no letter
You just packed your things and left
Girl, I deserve better
Treated you like no one else
How could you?
You know I loved you and I thought this love was true
Now we're through
What I'm gonna do?
Gotta start a new life without you
Now we're through
What I'm gonna do?
Gotta start a new life without you
When will you call?
When will you call?
When will you call?
When will you call, baby?
Oh, I've been worried bout you all night
I've been worried bout you all day
Oh oh oh
When will you call?
When will you call?
Now we're through
In "When Will U Call," Bilal sings about the anxiety and pain of waiting for a call from a lost love. The song is powerfully emotional, conveying the frustration, confusion, and longing that come with a breakup. The song describes the experience of feeling completely consumed by thoughts of the lost lover, unable to sleep or eat, and desperate for even a brief connection. The lyrics convey the sense of uncertainty and anticipation that come with hoping for contact from someone who has left without explanation.
The song has a dreamy, almost surreal quality, with lyrics that repeat and circle back on themselves, adding to the sense of disorientation and confusion. The repeated question, "when will you call?" becomes a mantra that Bilal uses to try to will his lost love back into his life. The song's haunting melody and Bilal's soulful delivery heighten the emotional impact of the lyrics, making it a powerful piece of music that is relatable for anyone who has experienced the pain of a breakup.
Overall, "When Will U Call" is a raw and honest exploration of the difficulty of moving on from lost love. The lyrics are powerful and affecting, and Bilal's performance is unforgettable. It is a song that speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever waited for a phone call that never came.
Line by Line Meaning
Three in the morn, tossing and turning, It's late
It's three in the morning, I can't sleep and I'm restless.
Just can't rest, I'm waiting for the phone to ring
I am waiting for you to call me and I cannot relax until I hear your voice.
Will you call?
I am hoping for you to call me.
Ring my phone?
Please call me.
Girl, I hope you did not forget
I am hoping that you haven't forgotten about me.
I can't sleep, and I can't eat
I am so worried and anxious about you that I can't sleep or eat.
And I won't until I hear your voice
Until I hear from you, I will remain sleepless and foodless.
Three days ago, rolled over to an empty bed
Three days ago you left and I woke up alone.
And I went to the bathroom and your toothbrush wasn't there
I realized you've taken all your things and left.
Where's your clothes?
I am wondering where you have gone with your belongings.
And where's your shoes?
I am wondering where you have gone with your shoes too.
Girl what would I do without you?
I can't imagine my life without you.
No notice, no letter
You left without any notification or explanation.
You just packed your things and left
You left suddenly without saying why.
Girl, I deserve better
I know I deserve better treatment than this.
Treated you like no one else
I treated you better than anyone else would.
How could you?
Why would you do this to me?
You know I loved you and I thought this love was true
I truly loved you and I believed that you loved me too.
Now we're through
Our relationship is over.
What I'm gonna do?
I don't know how to move on from this.
Gotta start a new life without you
I'm going to have to try to move on without you.
When will you call?
I am still waiting for you to call me and give me some answers.
When will you call, baby?
I am still waiting for your call, my love.
Oh, I've been worried bout you all night
I've been worried about you all night long.
I've been worried bout you all day
I've been worried about you all day too.
Now we're through
Our relationship is over.
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COMESS, GLASPORT, OLIVER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lindi Hlats
This song and "Sometimes", my all time favourite. Always on repeat.
Shadow
Totally agree on both!
Rob Sipp
Lindi Hlats I TOTALLY agree with you
gabriel Torrence
blood, sorrow and tears is fire too. Basically anything he does but those 3 are timeless.
LeeAshley Shivers
Lindi Hlats mine too..
twev30theprince
RIGHT!!!!!!
Athenaland
this dude is definitely one of THEEEEEE most underrated artists of the past 20 years! damn shame!
Sheena Walter
AthenaKama he truly is, and heβs so much better live.
Ken Gordon
Bills Oliver is the most underrated and under appreciated music artist in the last thirty years. Itβs a shame radio didnβt embrace this incredibly talented young man.
ONeal McMillian
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