As a child, Dennis was singing as part of a church choir in Brooklyn at the age of 7, but later moved to Virginia, and signed up to the US Air Force at 18, with whom he served for six years. Taylor then returned to New York, and following his earlier success in a talent competition, was able to secure a minor recording contract, although he failed to garner any wide-scale success. His biggest break came when he was asked to perform backing vocals on the Robin S hit Gonna Raise The Child in the early 1990s.
It wasn't until the year 2000 that he recorded his first album, 'Enough is Enough' at the Homeboy Studios in New Jersey, working with producers Fred McFarlane and Darryl James, a DJ well-known for his mixes on New York radio station WRKS. The album was received favourably, particularly among UK soul critics. Taylor performed his first UK concert at the Jazz Café in London, a gig that was partially responsible for the artist securing a contract with UK-based record label Dome in 2001. Dennis was well-received by the UK audience who particularly loved his songs 'Enough is Enough' and 'Out of Control'. His second album 'Unconditional' also won over reviewers, and owed its success in part to the heavy airplay of singles Steppin' and It's Over on the London radio station 102.2 Jazz FM (and then jazzfm.com which relaunched as Jazz FM). A subsequent UK tour followed.
Taylor also duetted with soul performer Beverlei Brown on her album 'Next To You', collaborating on the song Could Be You.
Taylor's most recent album, 'In The Mood', was released in 2003 and included the Sam Dees-penned duet Am I Dreaming?, recorded with Wincey Terry. He continues to sporadically tour the UK.
Bad As You Wanna Be
Dennis Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
يا عندية يا عندية
هاتي الاخلام زهرة نَدية . . طب قلبي كمان ليكي هدية .
لا يا سمارة كل الحارة زودّتي لهاليبها وناره . دوبتي قلوبنا المكوية .
لو كان القمره بـ إيديا خليها لعينيكي مرايا
خليها لشعرك ضوّاية . خليها لقلبك دفّاية
دوبتي قلوبنا المكوية .
يا عندية . يا عندية
يا عندية يا عندية .
بسماتك فيها الحنية . دلالك رائع يا صبية
في عيونك سحر . كلامك شِعر
قوامك و حياة عينيا
دوبتي قلوبنا المكوية .
The lyrics to Dennis Taylor's song, "Bad As You Wanna Be," convey imagery of infatuation and desire for a woman who is the epitome of beauty and allure. The repeated phrase "ya 'indaya" is an Arabic term meaning "I have," which can be interpreted as the singer possessing this woman or feeling as though they have her attention. The following lines suggest an offering of gifts, with "bring me dreams, the flower of generosity, and my heart as a gift to you."
The second verse describes the woman as having a captivating presence, with the moon and her hair serving as sources of light and her heart providing warmth. The repetition of "dubti qulubna al-makuwiya," meaning "you've melted our hardened hearts," emphasize the power this woman holds over the singer and perhaps others in their community.
The final verse continues to describe the woman's beauty and charm, highlighting her smile, coyness, and the poetry in her speech. The song concludes with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the strength of the singer's attraction to this woman and the extent to which she has impacted them and those around them.
Line by Line Meaning
يا عندية . يا عندية
Oh beautiful one, oh beautiful one.
يا عندية يا عندية .
Oh beautiful one, oh beautiful one.
هاتي الاخلام زهرة نَدية . . طب قلبي كمان ليكي هدية .
Bring me your dreams as a pure flower, and in return, take my heart as a gift.
لا يا سمارة كل الحارة زودّتي لهاليبها وناره . دوبتي قلوبنا المكوية .
Oh dark-skinned beauty, you have increased the passion and heat of the whole neighborhood, melting our hardened hearts.
لو كان القمره بـ إيديا خليها لعينيكي مرايا
If I had control of the moon, I would make it a mirror for your eyes.
خليها لشعرك ضوّاية . خليها لقلبك دفّاية
Make it a light for your hair and a warmth for your heart.
دوبتي قلوبنا المكوية .
You have melted our hardened hearts.
بسماتك فيها الحنية . دلالك رائع يا صبية
Your smiles are filled with tenderness, and your coyness is magnificent oh young lady.
في عيونك سحر . كلامك شِعر
Your eyes hold magic, and your words are poetry.
قوامك و حياة عينيا
Your figure and your life are the apple of my eye.
دوبتي قلوبنا المكوية .
You have melted our hardened hearts.
Contributed by Hailey H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Fh
on Enough is Enough
The WRONG lyrics