In spring of 2000, Ali dropped a sixty-minute story telling and thought sharing album titled, Rites of Passage on Rhymesayers Entertainment. The self-produced cassette-only anthology introduced Brother Ali's beat making muscles and extensive writing skills. He played the congas, beat-boxed and still found time to lay out his views on the music industry, religion and urban life in America.
On stage with only a DJ, Ali's magical gift for capturing the imagination of his audience has been compared to that of a gospel preacher. His voice, large stature and albino features make him a unique and commanding presence. Brother Ali has perfected the live performance, having played countless shows with: Guru, Mos Def, De La Soul, El-P, Aceyalone, Souls of Mischief and Living Legends just to name a few. From September through November 2002, Ali earned his final road-dog tags showcasing his individual skills performing 63 shows in 71 days with Atmosphere and Murs covering North America.
Brother Ali has maintained credibility over time with guest appearances on many such projects as: DJ Abilities', For Persons With DJ Abilities, BK One's, For the Love of Music, The Phoenix with Musab on the Twin Cities Music Year Book 2001 CD, producing six songs on Musab's, Respect The Life album and battling in the 2000 and 2001 finals in the annual Scribble Jam MC Battles (Ali is featured on three of the Scribble Jam videos: Scribble Jam 2000, Scribble Jam 2001 and the Best of Scribble Jam).
Ali joined producer Ant (of Atmosphere fame) and went to work creating an intensely powerful album that promised to be one of the foremost efforts of 2003. Shadows on the Sun is an eighteen-song album produced by Ant, written by Brother Ali and featuring a guest appearance by Slug (also of Atmosphere). Shadows on the Sun is a testament of Ali's depth, range and growth as an artist.
Following the release of Champion in the spring of 2004, Ali ran into a number of roadblocks that halted his usually steady recording process. This included him parting ways with his wife, being homeless, and trying to secure custody of his son. Armed with a wave of stories to share, Ali recorded The Undisputed Truth, once again with Ant in his corner. In 2009 he released Us, his fourth studio album. Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color, his fifth studio album, was released on September 18, 2012.
You Say
Brother Ali Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wish I could make you fall in love with you
You believed in the magic that us could be
And what that you and I means one could do
Every instinct you had said run from me
That this new found touch is uncomfortable
And to truly stand naked in front of me
Yourself for that then matter is something new
You avoid the mirror to shun what you despise
Never knew the beauty you came here with
'Til the first time you caught your reflection in my eyes
Never you mind what I see in you
Grow because you're beautiful, not because I need you to
Grow 'til you outstretch every single piece of you
Heaven will see you through but you gotta believe it's true
Go write your story
Even if, in the end, you might outgrow me
I'll always treasure the chapter that was mine
And twist through time with a smile knowing you're free
Puppy love is real to a puppy
I still wanna feel you touch me
I'm not saying leave me, please just be free
I love you so much, I don't want you to leave me
Puppy love's real to a puppy
I still wanna feel you up under me
Not saying leave me, please just be free
I love you so much, I don't want you to leave me
The sky all alone is glorious
We behold it but we cant hold it up
When god says that's it and hits the switch
It'll all come tumbling down when it's bored with us
Sweet you and all your radiance
I can please you, but I can't save you
I adore you and might even open up
But even I can't love you enough for both of us
Can't hold you close enough
Can't enter the holes you've boarded up
Close you're eyes, concentrate on my voice
Wanna make your love for me pure, make it a choice
Puppy love's real to a puppy
I still wanna feel you touch me
I'm not saying leave me, please just be free
I love you so much, I don't want you to leave me
Puppy love's real to a puppy
I still wanna feel you up under me
I'm not saying leave me, please just be free
I love you so much, I don't want you to leave me
The sky is there to behold
You just wanna be held when your cold
Just grow, stretch out your soul
And if you still want me I'll watch you grow old
The sky is there to behold
You just wanna be held when your cold
Just grow, stretch out your soul
And if you still want me I'll watch you grow old
The song “You Say” by Brother Ali talks about self-love and growth in a relationship. The first verse talks about how the singer made their partner fall in love with them but wishes they could make them fall in love with themselves. The partner believed in the magic of the relationship, but also felt uncomfortable to stand naked in front of the singer, which means being vulnerable and showing their true self. The singer encourages the partner to grow and embrace their beauty without the need for their validation. The chorus talks about how puppy love is real and how the singer loves their partner but doesn’t want to control them, instead wants them to be free.
The second verse talks about the beauty of the sky and how we can behold it but never hold it up. The singer can please their partner, but they can't save them, and as much as they adore their partner, they can't love them enough for both of them. The singer also talks about the importance of making love pure by making it a choice rather than a need for validation. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the importance of growth and freedom in a relationship.
Overall, the song showcases the importance of self-love and growth within a relationship, as well as the need for freedom and not controlling the other person.
Line by Line Meaning
You say I made you fall in love with me
You believe that I am responsible for your feelings towards me
Wish I could make you fall in love with you
I wish you could see the beauty within yourself that I see
You believed in the magic that us could be
You had faith in the potential of our relationship
And what that you and I means one could do
The power of unity between us is limitless
Every instinct you had said run from me
Your intuition warned you against pursuing a relationship with me
That this new found touch is uncomfortable
The new intimacy between us is unsettling
And to truly stand naked in front of me
To open up and be vulnerable with me is a new experience
Yourself for that then matter is something new
Exploring and understanding yourself is a new journey
I take no pride knowing that
I feel no satisfaction in knowing that you struggle to love yourself
You avoid the mirror to shun what you despise
You refuse to look at yourself in the mirror because you hate what you see
Never knew the beauty you came here with
You don't realize the inherent beauty that you possess
'Til the first time you caught your reflection in my eyes
You only saw your own beauty when you saw it reflected in my love for you
Never you mind what I see in you
Don't focus on what I see in you, focus on recognizing your worth yourself
Grow because you're beautiful, not because I need you to
Love yourself and grow because you deserve to, not because I want you to please me
Grow 'til you outstretch every single piece of you
Grow and reach your full potential
Heaven will see you through but you gotta believe it's true
Believe in yourself and have faith that things will work out
Go write your story
Take control of your life and make your own choices
Even if, in the end, you might outgrow me
Even if you end up moving on from our relationship
I'll always treasure the chapter that was mine
I will always cherish the time we spent together
And twist through time with a smile knowing you're free
I will look back at our memories with happiness, knowing that you have found your freedom
Puppy love is real to a puppy
Immature love only exists in inexperienced individuals
I still wanna feel you touch me
I still desire intimacy with you
I'm not saying leave me, please just be free
I don't want you to feel obligated to stay with me since we've grown apart
I love you so much, I don't want you to leave me
I fear losing your love and companionship
The sky all alone is glorious
Nature is magnificent in its own right
We behold it but we can't hold it up
We admire its beauty, but we can't control it or keep it forever
When god says that's it and hits the switch
We have no control over the inevitability of death
It'll all come tumbling down when it's bored with us
Nature will eventually cease to exist and move on without us
Sweet you and all your radiance
You are sweet and radiant
I can please you, but I can't save you
I can make you happy, but I can't fix all of your internal struggles
I adore you and might even open up
I love you and may even become more vulnerable with you
But even I can't love you enough for both of us
I can't be responsible for loving you enough for the both of us
Can't hold you close enough
I want to be as close to you as possible
Can't enter the holes you've boarded up
I can't access your deepest fears and insecurities that you have closed off from me
Close you're eyes, concentrate on my voice
Focus on me and ignore the distractions in your mind
Wanna make your love for me pure, make it a choice
I want your love for me to be a conscious decision that comes from within you
The sky is there to behold
The beauty of nature surrounds us
You just wanna be held when your cold
Sometimes all you need is physical comfort
Just grow, stretch out your soul
Keep growing and expanding as a person
And if you still want me I'll watch you grow old
If our love persists, I will be here to witness our journey together until old age
Lyrics © NAFSIN WAHEEDAH MUSIC, ANT TURN THAT SNARE DOWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ashley Del Moral
[Verse 1:]
You say I made you fall in love with me
Wish I could make you fall in love with you
You believed in the magic that us could be
And what that you and I means one could do
Every instinct you had said run from me
That this newfound touch is uncomfortable
And to truly stand naked in front of me
Or yourself for that then matter is something new
I take no pride knowing that
You avoid the mirror to shun what you despise
Never knew the beauty you came here with
Till the first time you caught your reflection in my eyes
Never you mind what I see in you
Grow because you're beautiful, not because I need you to
Grow till you outstretch every single piece of you
Heaven will see you through but you got to believe it's true
Go write your story
Even if in the end you might outgrow me
I'll always treasure the chapter that was mine
And twist through time with a smile knowing you're free
[Chorus:]
Puppy love is real to a puppy
I still want to feel you touch me
I'm not saying leave me, please just be free
I love you so much, I don't want you to leave me
Puppy love's real to a puppy
I still want to feel you up under me
Not saying leave me, please just be free
I love you so much, I don't want you to leave me
[Verse 2:]
The sky all alone is glorious
We behold it but we can't hold it up
When god says that's it and hits the switch
It'll all come tumbling down when it's bored with us
Sweet you and all your radiance
I can please you, but I can't save you sis
I adore you and might even open up
But even I can't love you enough for both of us
Can't hold you close enough
Can't enter the holes you've boarded up
Close your eyes, concentrate on my voice
Want to make your love for me pure, make it a choice
[Chorus]
[Break: x2]
The sky is there to behold
You just want to be held when you're cold
Just grow, stretch out your soul
And if you still want me I'll watch you grow old
Elvira Henley
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You say
I made you fall in love with me
Wish I could make you fall in love with you
You believe in the magic that us could be
And what that you and I means one can do
Every instinct you had said run from me
That this new found touch is uncomfortable
And to truly stand naked in front of me, or yourself
Well that there matter is something new
I take no pride knowing
That you avoid the mirror to shun what you despise
Never knew your beauty you came here with
Till the first time you caught your reflection in my eyes
Never you mind what I see in you
Grow because you're beautiful, not because I need you to
Grow till you outstretch every single piece of you
Heaven'll see you through but you gotta believe it's true
Go write your story
Even if in the end you might outgrow me
I'll always treasure the chapter that was mine
I twist through time with a smile knowing you're free
Puppy love is real to a puppy
I still want to feel you touch me
I'm not saying leave me
Please just be free
I love you so much
I don't want you to need me
Puppy love's real to a puppy
I still want to feel you up under me
I'm not saying leave me
Please just be free
I love you so much
I don't want you to need me
The sky all alone is glorious
We behold it but we can't hold it up
When God says ["That's it"] and hits the switch
It'll all come tumbling down when it's bored with us
Sweet you in all your radiance
I can please you but I can't save you, sis
I adore you and might even open up
But even I can't love you enough for both of us
Can't hold you close enough
Can't enter the holes you boarded up
Close your eyes, concentrate on my voice
Want to make your love for me pure?
Make it a choice
Puppy love is real to a puppy
I still want to feel you touch me
I'm not saying leave me
Please just be free
I love you so much
I don't want you to need me
Puppy love's real to a puppy
I still want to feel you up under me
I'm not saying leave me
Please just be free
I love you so much
I don't want you to need me
The sky is there to behold
You just want to be held when you're cold
Just grow, stretch out your soul
And if you still want me, I'll watch you grow old
The sky is there to behold
You just want to be held when you're cold
Just grow, stretch out your soul
And if you still want me, I'll watch you grow old
The sky is there to behold
You just want to be held when you're cold
Just grow, stretch out your soul
And if you still want me, I'll watch you grow old
Yanet Robles
8 years ago I commented below. And every time I listen, my heart feels like it’s hearing it for the first time...
Jan Diago
That's the beauty of true hip hop. The songs will always bring back great feeling and new understanding
Melissa Tinio
saaaaaaaaame 🎯
Nicole Q.
Brother Ali is THE TRUTH. Every song I click on, this dude is going in. His delivery is classic but unique. He just became one of my favorites of all time.
pebbleskillasheep
Brother Ali is so sincere,that song is so pure and the violins are too beautiful and the lyrics are ill,and the way he sings it,his voice,how he hollows...i love that man
Tom Coxhead
One of the most under-rated rappers of all-time. Lyrically he is as good as anyone.
Ashley Del Moral
[Verse 1:]
You say I made you fall in love with me
Wish I could make you fall in love with you
You believed in the magic that us could be
And what that you and I means one could do
Every instinct you had said run from me
That this newfound touch is uncomfortable
And to truly stand naked in front of me
Or yourself for that then matter is something new
I take no pride knowing that
You avoid the mirror to shun what you despise
Never knew the beauty you came here with
Till the first time you caught your reflection in my eyes
Never you mind what I see in you
Grow because you're beautiful, not because I need you to
Grow till you outstretch every single piece of you
Heaven will see you through but you got to believe it's true
Go write your story
Even if in the end you might outgrow me
I'll always treasure the chapter that was mine
And twist through time with a smile knowing you're free
[Chorus:]
Puppy love is real to a puppy
I still want to feel you touch me
I'm not saying leave me, please just be free
I love you so much, I don't want you to leave me
Puppy love's real to a puppy
I still want to feel you up under me
Not saying leave me, please just be free
I love you so much, I don't want you to leave me
[Verse 2:]
The sky all alone is glorious
We behold it but we can't hold it up
When god says that's it and hits the switch
It'll all come tumbling down when it's bored with us
Sweet you and all your radiance
I can please you, but I can't save you sis
I adore you and might even open up
But even I can't love you enough for both of us
Can't hold you close enough
Can't enter the holes you've boarded up
Close your eyes, concentrate on my voice
Want to make your love for me pure, make it a choice
[Chorus]
[Break: x2]
The sky is there to behold
You just want to be held when you're cold
Just grow, stretch out your soul
And if you still want me I'll watch you grow old
aSoloSoldier
Thank you Ash D!!!
Troy latzko
Not saying leave me, please just be free,I love you so much, I just don't want you to NEED me.
Estevan Martinez
@Troy latzko yes. This is probably the most important part