The album was the band's biggest commercial success to date, with subsequent ones selling progressively less, despite receiving high praise from critics. They were influential in the early stages of rapper/actor Mos Def's career, and are a core part of the Spitkicker collective. They are the second longest standing Native Tongues group, after the Jungle Brothers. In 2006, the group won a Grammy for their collaboration with Gorillaz on the single "Feel Good Inc."
In early 2015, they announced plans to release a Kickstarter funded upcoming 9th studio album and the Anonymous Nobody... in September 2015; it was released on August 26, 2016. The album tracks are said to be the result of multiple improvised jam sessions. The album also features guest appearances from artists such as Damon Albarn, Little Dragon, David Byrne, 2 Chainz and Snoop Dogg.
Studio albums
3 Feet High and Rising (1989)
De La Soul Is Dead (1991)
Buhloone Mindstate (1993)
Stakes Is High (1996)
Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump (2000)
AOI: Bionix (2001)
The Grind Date (2004)
Plug 1 & Plug 2 Present... First Serve (2012)
and the Anonymous Nobody... (2016)
Special
De La Soul Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's gotta be you, it's gotta be right
No time for games, it's gotta be tight
I just want this to be special, special
If it's gonna be you, it's gotta be right
No time for games in my life
I just want this to be special, special
I'm beggin' ya back, we loud in the parking lot causin' a scene
Campaignin' like the love ain't have no resident here
Still I stay all in the cabin
Although I know we've seen enough of good days and dirt
You cut me just to nurse me back but damn I'd understand it
You gave ya all and I just gave it up
Put the truck in ya name
Damn ya should've known I was liability
Ignorin' the ways you would dress for a nigga
Express to a nigga I heard jibber and jabber
My apologies I left the wrong man to conduct
Take these jewels for the inconvience and neglect
You expect the worst of it
But I realize that I owe you more than explanation
I got my life in a box, what I'm supposin' is a joint account
It's cash on it, let's take our lil' business and incorporate it
It's me and you girl
[Chorus]
First of all love, your soul caller
Before me helped create and shape your distorted image
See every man don't play or even scrimmage
That's a lie but I'm try to be that only one
You look to, to make you smile
First you need to check my files
Understand I play the partners stereotypical man
An regret the pain I may have left to flame
My people say 'Yo that's a fine girl ya mess with'
But I told em' we havin' a mess
Ya charm must have calluses from the grip
That it has on my heart that I ain't tryin' to rip
But by now we both should know
That it's no longer where ya at but where we tryin' to go
So do ya background checks so I can pass through these borders
And stamp my name on a lil' man or a daughter
Come on girl
[Chorus]
The lyrics to De La Soul's "Special" tell the story of a man who is pleading with his lover to take him back. He acknowledges that he has hurt her in the past, but he wants to make things right and create something special between them. He feels a deep connection with her and wants to start a joint business venture with her. He also apologizes for how he has treated her in the past, and asks her to check his files and background so that they can move forward with a clean slate.
The chorus emphasizes the importance of this relationship being special and right, with no room for games or mistakes. The man recognizes that he has taken her for granted in the past and wants to make amends. The song ends with a sense of hope for their future together.
Overall, the lyrics to "Special" are a heartfelt plea for forgiveness and a desire to build a strong partnership with someone special. The song showcases De La Soul's ability to blend smooth, soulful melodies with thoughtful lyrics about personal relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
It's gotta be you, it's gotta be right
I need to have a special someone in my life who is right for me.
No time for games, it's gotta be tight
I don't have time for games or wasting time with the wrong person. Everything needs to be perfect between us.
I just want this to be special, special
I want this relationship to be something unique and special, not like anything else.
If it's gonna be you, it's gotta be right
If you're going to be my special someone, you need to be perfect for me.
No time for games in my life
I don't have time to play games or deal with any unnecessary drama.
I just want this to be special, special
I want this relationship to be special, unique, and different from anything else.
This is like the third time ya said you was through
This isn't the first time we've had problems in our relationship.
I'm beggin' ya back, we loud in the parking lot causin' a scene
I'm begging you to come back to me, even if it means making a scene.
Campaignin' like the love ain't have no resident here
We're fighting for our love, even though it seems like it's not welcome or wanted anymore.
Still I stay all in the cabin
I'm still here, trying to make things work, even though it's difficult.
Although I know we've seen enough of good days and dirt
We've been through good and bad times, but we're still holding on.
You cut me just to nurse me back but damn I'd understand it
You hurt me, but I still forgive you because I understand why you did it.
You gave ya all and I just gave it up
You gave everything to this relationship, but I didn't do the same.
Put the truck in ya name
I gave you control of something important to me.
Damn ya should've known I was liability
You should have known that I was a risk and might hurt you.
Ignorin' the ways you would dress for a nigga
I ignored the things you did to make me happy, like dressing up for me.
Express to a nigga I heard jibber and jabber
You tried to communicate with me, but I didn't listen.
My apologies I left the wrong man to conduct
I'm sorry that I didn't behave the right way in our relationship.
Take these jewels for the inconvience and neglect
I apologize for the trouble and neglect I've caused, and I hope these gifts will help make it up to you.
You expect the worst of it
You're pessimistic about our relationship.
But I realize that I owe you more than explanation
I know I need to do more than just say I'm sorry. I need to take action to make it right.
I got my life in a box, what I'm supposin' is a joint account
I have everything I need in my life, but I'm willing to share it with you in a joint account.
It's cash on it, let's take our lil' business and incorporate it
We can come together and build something great if we work together and invest our money.
It's me and you girl
It's just you and me, and I want to make this work.
First of all love, your soul caller
Before anything else, I want to appreciate you and everything that makes you special.
Before me helped create and shape your distorted image
I want to help you see yourself in a new and positive light.
See every man don't play or even scrimmage
I'm not like every other guy. I'm serious and committed to making this relationship work.
That's a lie but I'm try to be that only one
I might not be the only one, but I want to be the one who makes you happy and fulfilled.
You look to, to make you smile
You rely on me to bring joy and happiness into your life.
First you need to check my files
Before you make any decisions about our relationship, you need to get to know me better and understand who I am.
Understand I play the partners stereotypical man
I know that I might seem like a typical partner, but I'm trying to be better and make this relationship work.
An regret the pain I may have left to flame
I'm sorry for any pain I might have caused you in the past.
My people say 'Yo that's a fine girl ya mess with'
My friends and family think you're amazing, and I'm lucky to have you in my life.
But I told em' we havin' a mess
I've been honest with them about our struggles and difficulties.
Ya charm must have calluses from the grip
Your charm and personality have won me over, and I'm holding on tight to you.
That it has on my heart that I ain't tryin' to rip
I don't want to let you go because I care for you deeply and don't want to hurt you.
But by now we both should know
We've been through a lot together, and we should know each other well enough by now.
That it's no longer where ya at but where we tryin' to go
It doesn't matter where we are now, what matters is where we're headed together.
So do ya background checks so I can pass through these borders
We need to work out any trust issues or concerns so that we can move forward together.
And stamp my name on a lil' man or a daughter
I want to start a family with you and create a lasting legacy together.
Come on girl
Let's make this work and build the life we both want together.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRIS GODWIN, LIVINGSTONE WORDLEY BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind