Born in Chicago, Illinois, Jones' upbringing was rough. He struggled between wanting to be a musician and to be a member of a street gang. After a brush with death, Jones left the gang and focused on a music career forming the group Porscha. However, Jones was gaining notice as a writer penning songs for established R&B acts such as Usher, producing the singer's 1995 hit, "Think of You", 702's "Get It Together" and also wrote for groups such as Brownstone and Silk.
In 1996, he signed with LaFace Records and released his debut album, My Heart, which included his hit cover of Stevie Wonder's 1976 ballad "Knocks Me Off My Feet". It wasn't until 1999 however that Jones began to establish himself as a R&B hit maker with the album, Where I Wanna Be. The album yielded the number-one hits such as "U Know What's Up", which featured TLC member Lisa "Left-Eye" Lopes and the title track. Other hits included "Shorty (Got Her Eyes on Me)" and "This Luv".
In 2002, Jones released the gold-selling Life Goes On album, which featured the hits, "You Know That I Love You" and "Put Me Down" featuring Styles P.. Four years later, he released his fourth album, Journey of a Gemini, which featured the Tim & Bob hit, "I'm Gonna Be", which became a big hit on Urban AC. Jones is currently writing songs for Usher, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey on their upcoming albums.
Cry
Donell Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shorty claimed she never had sex before
He's driving Benz and got a lot of dough
He takes her to the movies and buys her Nike's yo
And makes sure she think that she got it all
Ain't even recognizing the signs of a booty call
Better listen to what I'm telling y'all got to show her what she's worth
'Cause the shorty's being treated just like a woman
It makes me wanna cry
'Cause her parents ain't even trying to confront him
It makes me wanna cry
Black people we need to show our children a little loving
It makes me wanna cry
Get back in the church read your Bibles get out the struggle
It makes me wanna cry (ooh ooh)
Momma's trickin' to feed the baby yo
'Cause daddy took the money and put it up his nose
He hits the hustler up for some credit yo
But never took the time to go buy some baby clothes
She's so adorable but she's on her own
Three months old and they left her home alone
Fire brakes out the little baby burns
Tell me when will we learn?
It makes me wanna cry
'Cause the baby didn't ask for all this trouble
It makes me wanna cry
'Cause the parents didn't see this baby suffer
It makes me wanna cry
Black people we need to show our children a little loving
Makes me wanna cry
Get back in the church and read your Bibles get out the struggle
It makes me wanna cry
Yo listen up
'Cause I done been all around the world every city has a ghetto
It makes me wanna cry (cry)
Nothin' but abandoned buildings look at the way my people living
It makes me wanna cry (cry)
Done been to so many places don't see no smile up on they faces
It makes me wanna cry (cry)
You got to get it together so your life can be much better (Oh Cry)
(Cry) this is going out to all the little 'round the world
Don't it make you wanna cry?
'Cause black people we need to, got to show our children some lovin'
(Cry) you got to get back in church and study the word cause you know it will stay
(Cry) you don't have to cry
You don't have to cry no more, don't cry
You don't have to cry no more, don't cry
You don't have to cry no more, don't cry
You don't have to cry no more, don't cry
Donell Jones's song "Cry" highlights the challenges that many African American families face in society. The first verse talks about a 14-year-old girl being taken advantage of by a 24-year-old man who uses his wealth and power to manipulate her. The singer wants to bring attention to this issue and encourage society to show young girls their worth and protect them from predators. The chorus "It makes me wanna cry" expresses the emotion of sadness about the situation.
The second verse talks about a baby left alone at home and getting burned in a fire. The baby's parents are struggling with addiction, and the mother is forced to do things she doesn't want to do to feed the baby. The lyrics suggest that the father is involved in drugs and doesn't prioritize the baby's needs. The singer encourages African American families to show love to their children and be responsible parents.
The bridge of the song talks about the prevalence of ghettos in cities around the world and the poverty that leads many people to struggle. Donell Jones sings that he has seen the effects of poverty on people's faces as he's traveled around the world. He encourages people to get back to their faith and use it to uplift themselves and their community.
Line by Line Meaning
She was 14 and he was 24
This teenage girl was in a relationship with an older man who was taking advantage of her age and naivete.
Shorty claimed she never had sex before
The girl had not been sexually active prior to this relationship.
He's driving Benz and got a lot of dough
The man had a lot of money and drove a Mercedes-Benz.
He takes her to the movies and buys her Nike's yo
He did nice things for her, such as taking her to the movies and buying her expensive shoes.
And makes sure she think that she got it all
He made the girl feel like she had everything she needed.
Ain't even recognizing the signs of a booty call
She was unaware that he was only interested in her for sex.
Better listen to what I'm telling y'all got to show her what she's worth
The singer is advising others to teach young girls their self-worth and prevent exploitation.
It makes me wanna cry
The situations described in the song are heartbreaking and emotional for the singer.
'Cause the shorty's being treated just like a woman
Despite her age, the man was treating the girl as if she were his equal or a grown woman.
'Cause her parents ain't even trying to confront him
The girl's parents were not taking any action to stop the relationship or hold the man accountable.
Black people we need to show our children a little loving
The singer is calling for more love and support to be shown to black youth.
Get back in the church read your Bibles get out the struggle
The singer is suggesting that turning to religion can provide guidance and comfort in difficult times.
Momma's trickin' to feed the baby yo
The mother is doing whatever it takes to provide for her child.
'Cause daddy took the money and put it up his nose
The father is struggling with addiction and not contributing to the family financially.
He hits the hustler up for some credit yo
The father is borrowing money from a loan shark.
But never took the time to go buy some baby clothes
The father is prioritizing his addiction and debts over the needs of his child.
She's so adorable but she's on her own
Despite being a helpless baby, the child is left to fend for herself.
Three months old and they left her home alone
The child is being neglected and endangered by her parents.
Fire brakes out the little baby burns
The child was injured in a house fire caused by the parents' negligence.
Tell me when will we learn?
The singer is expressing frustration and asking when society will start taking better care of its most vulnerable members.
Nothin' but abandoned buildings look at the way my people living
The singer is observing widespread poverty and lack of resources in urban areas.
Done been to so many places don't see no smile up on they faces
The singer has traveled to many places and seen people in similar situations, feeling hopeless and unhappy.
You got to get it together so your life can be much better
The singer is encouraging listeners to make positive changes in their lives and communities to improve outcomes.
this is going out to all the little 'round the world
The message of the song is relevant to young people all over the world.
You don't have to cry no more, don't cry
The singer is encouraging listeners to find hope and solutions instead of feeling helpless and sad.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DARYL HALL, JOHN OATES, DONELL JONES, RICHARD SMITH, NOEL ABSOLAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tiffany Moesby
on BABY IT'S YOU
I'm not satisfied with out an apology over one song. Mysteriously I don't want it anymore.