Cassie was born in New London, Connecticut, United States and moved to New York City and continued modeling; she attended classes at the Broadway Dance Center. Meanwhile, music producer Ryan Leslie spotted her at clubs and parties in late 2004.
Shortly after a formal introduction to Ryan Leslie, Cassie became the focus of Next Selection. The two wrote a duet called "Kiss Me" and after recording the track, Next Selection made a management move to play the song for music executive Tommy Mottola. Leslie also co-wrote and produced Cassie's first single, "Me & U". Cassie was introduced to Sean "Diddy" Combs by a make-up artist from one of her modeling assignments, which also helped her to get a shot at a music career.
Before signing with the Bad Boy label, Cassie's first single "Me & U" had already hit the airwaves and was a major hit in clubs. On its official release, "Me & U" proved to be a hit song. It reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and number four on the Billboard Pop 100.
Her follow up single, "Long Way 2 Go" was far less successful, peaking at ninety-seven on the Billboard Hot 100. Cassie's debut album, Cassie, which was released on August 8, 2006 and sold 321,000 copies in the U.S. according to Nielsen Sound Scan. In contrast to her album sales, Cassie's hit single, "Me & U", sold over 1 million digital downloads.
Talkin' Like This
Cassie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We can't pay for gas so we don't drive far
She says "it's getting harder to just exist"
And I don't think it should feel like this
Morgan can't go to therapy
She can't afford it in the economy
Leaves the freezer running to ice her wrists
What else do you do when it feels like this
Generation full of dreamers left awake
And don't you dare try and tell me to change
When I just know it shouldn't feel this way
Blake writes notes on his bedroom wall
But sickly sweet can't soothe the fall
Fogs up his lungs to go adrift
Where else do you go when it feels like this
Sierra misses all my texts
Her mind is heavy, her plans are wrecked
Writes songs about the life she missed
What else do you do when it feels like this
Our coming of age never came
Generation full of dreamers left awake
And don't you dare try and tell me to change
When I just know it shouldn't feel this way
I look out on a still life scene
I've outgrown the world but I'm still nineteen
No coming of age to reminisce
I just know it shouldn't feel like this
The lyrics of Cassie's song "Talkin' Like This" depict the struggles and frustrations that young individuals are facing in their daily lives. The first verse introduces Elisa, who is unable to afford gas due to financial constraints. She expresses her feelings of difficulty just to exist, indicating the hardships faced by many people in trying to make ends meet. The singer comments on the unjustness and unnaturalness of such a situation.
In the second verse, Morgan is unable to afford therapy, highlighting the impact of financial pressures on mental health. Resorting to harmful methods like icing her wrists shows the desperation and lack of options for coping. The chorus emphasizes the shared experiences of this generation, who have yet to find their place in the world. The lyrics reject the idea of changing oneself to fit into an unjust system, arguing that it shouldn't feel this way.
The third verse introduces Blake, who tries to find solace in writing notes on his bedroom wall. However, the sickly sweetness can't alleviate his pain, leading him to seek temporary relief by escaping through substances. Sierra, mentioned in the next line, faces a heavy burden and shattered plans. She channels her emotions into songwriting, providing an outlet for her missed opportunities and the disappointments she's encountered.
The final lines of the song reflect on the singer's own perspective. They look out at a stagnant and unfulfilling scene, feeling as though they have outgrown the world around them despite still being young. The absence of a proper coming of age experience to reminisce about leads to the realization that it shouldn't feel like this.
Overall, "Talkin' Like This" presents a commentary on the struggles faced by young individuals in today's society, touching on themes of financial hardship, mental health, disappointments, and the search for meaning and fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
Elisa drove up in her mother's car
Elisa used her privilege to drive a car that she doesn't have to pay for
We can't pay for gas so we don't drive far
Due to financial constraints, we cannot afford to go on lengthy drives
She says 'it's getting harder to just exist'
Elisa expresses her struggle to cope with the difficulties of daily life
And I don't think it should feel like this
I believe that the current situation should not be so challenging
Morgan can't go to therapy
Morgan cannot attend therapy sessions due to financial incapacity
She can't afford it in the economy
The economic circumstances prevent Morgan from affording therapy
Leaves the freezer running to ice her wrists
In an attempt to seek relief, Morgan resorts to harming herself using ice
What else do you do when it feels like this
When faced with such distressing situations, what other options are there?
Our coming of age never came
We never truly experienced the typical transition into adulthood
Generation full of dreamers left awake
We, as a generation, are left unsatisfied and unfulfilled despite our aspirations
And don't you dare try and tell me to change
I won't tolerate any suggestions of changing myself in this unsatisfactory situation
When I just know it shouldn't feel this way
Deep down, I firmly believe that this is not how things should be
Blake writes notes on his bedroom wall
Blake expresses his emotions and thoughts by writing on his bedroom wall
But sickly sweet can't soothe the fall
Attempts to find comfort in sugary distractions cannot alleviate the descent into despair
Fogs up his lungs to go adrift
Blake indulges in unhealthy habits, damaging his lungs, as a means to escape
Where else do you go when it feels like this
When overwhelmed by such emotions, where else can one seek refuge?
Sierra misses all my texts
Sierra fails to respond to any of my text messages
Her mind is heavy, her plans are wrecked
Sierra's thoughts weigh her down and her future aspirations are destroyed
Writes songs about the life she missed
Sierra channels her emotions into songwriting, expressing the life that eluded her
What else do you do when it feels like this
In such distressing circumstances, what other options are there?
I look out on a still life scene
I observe a stagnant and motionless depiction of life
I've outgrown the world but I'm still nineteen
Although I feel mature beyond my years, I am still only nineteen
No coming of age to reminisce
There is no significant transition into adulthood to fondly recall
I just know it shouldn't feel like this
Intuitively, I am certain that this is not the way things should be
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Cassie Sistoso
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind