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.
You Know
Donell Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh girl you know, what's up? (Oh)
Ooh, say what? Say what? Say what? (Ooh)
Ooh girl you know, what's up?
Me and my people be rollin'
Scheming on you and your homies
All chromed out in a Hummer babe
Hit the park and parlay
Hope that you walk this way
'Cause you and your girls wanna ride
Play all day, puff on the la
Ooh, say what? Say what? Say what?
(You know that I like it baby)
Ooh girl you know what's up
(And you know what I need)
Ooh, say what? Say what? Say what?
(You know that I'm 'bout it baby)
Ooh girl you know, what's up? (Ooh)
I'm digging you (baby) I'm feeling you
And you know what's up (gotta know what's up, baby)
Said I'm big on you and I'm wanting you
So tell me what's up (so tell me what's up, baby)
Peep her thighs and I'm zoning
Right around two in the morning
Looking fly with the sun dress on
I think I feel a bone coming on
Girl you got me wide open
Waitin' all day and I'm hoping
So baby don't front
Backseat Jeep, you know what I want
Ooh, say what? Say what? Say what?
(You know that I like it baby)
Ooh girl you know what's up
(And you know what I need)
Ooh, say what? Say what? Say what?
(You know that I'm 'bout it baby)
Ooh girl you know what's up (ohh)
I'm digging you (baby) I'm feeling you (yeah)
And you know what's up (you gotta know what's up)
Said I'm big on you (ohh) and I'm wanting you
So tell me what's up (so just tell me what's up)
Oh yeah, oh
Diggin' you, you got me, wanting you
Ooh, say what? Say what? Say what?
(You know that I like it baby)
Ooh girl you know what's up
(And you know what I need)
Ooh, say what? Say what? Say what?
(You know that I'm 'bout it baby)
Ooh girl you know what's up (mmh)
I'm digging you (digging you)
I'm feeling you (and wanting you)
And you know what's up (gotta know what's up)
Said I'm big on you (big on you)
And I'm wanting you (and wanting you)
So tell me what's up (so tell me what's up)
I'm digging you (say you can hear me baby)
I'm feeling you
And you know what's up (oh)
Said I'm big on you (I'm big on you)
And I'm wanting you (and wanting you)
So tell me what's up (so tell me what's up)
I'm digging you, I'm feeling you (ooh)
And you know what's up
Said I'm big on you and I'm wanting you
So tell me what's up
The lyrics to Donell Jones’ song U Know What’s Up express the singer’s appreciation for a woman he desires. The song is set in the summertime, where Donell and his friends are “scheming” and trying to get the attention of their crushes and their friends. Donell describes his infatuation with the woman’s physical attributes, such as her thighs and her appearance in a sun dress. He asserts his interest in her repeatedly, saying, “I’m digging you, I’m feeling you,” and asks her to reciprocate by sharing her feelings and telling him what’s up.
The lyrics to U Know What’s Up are a classic example of a love song, where the singer is eager to get the attention and affection of the woman he desires. Throughout the lyrics, Donell’s fascination with the woman’s beauty is evident, with his focus on her physical attributes. However, the song does not venture into explicit or inappropriate territory, instead opting for a more romantic and playful approach. The song’s catchy chorus and laid-back melody make it a favorite for R&B lovers and those who appreciate love songs.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh, say what? Say what? Say what? Yeah
Expressing surprise or interest, hoping for a response
Ooh girl you know, what's up? (Oh)
Asking the girl if she knows what's happening between them
Me and my people be rollin'
Hanging out with his friends
Scheming on you and your homies
Thinking about meeting and flirting with the girl and her friends
The very first day of summer
Summer has just started
All chromed out in a Hummer babe
Driving around in a shiny Hummer car
Hit the park and parlay
Going to the park to hang out
Hope that you walk this way
Wishing for the girl to come and join them
'Cause you and your girls wanna ride
Thinking that the girl wants to hang out and have fun with them
Play all day, puff on the la
Spending the day having fun and smoking marijuana
I'm digging you (baby) I'm feeling you
He is really interested in the girl
And you know what's up (gotta know what's up, baby)
Wondering if the girl understands that he is interested in her
Said I'm big on you and I'm wanting you
He is really into the girl and wants to be with her
Peep her thighs and I'm zoning
Looking at the girl's thighs and getting aroused
Right around two in the morning
It is late at night
Looking fly with the sun dress on
The girl looks attractive in her sundress
I think I feel a bone coming on
Getting an erection
Girl you got me wide open
The girl has captured his attention and he is really interested in her
Waitin' all day and I'm hoping
He has been waiting all day and hoping to be with the girl
So baby don't front
Asking the girl not to play games or act like she is not interested
Backseat Jeep, you know what I want
Implying that he wants to have sex with the girl in the backseat of a Jeep
I'm digging you (baby) I'm feeling you (yeah)
He is really interested in the girl
And you know what's up (you gotta know what's up)
Asking the girl if she understands that he is interested in her
I'm big on you (ohh) and I'm wanting you
He is really into the girl and wants to be with her
I'm digging you (digging you)
He is really interested in the girl
And you know what's up (gotta know what's up)
Asking the girl if she understands that he is interested in her
Said I'm big on you (big on you)
He is really into the girl
And I'm wanting you (and wanting you)
He wants to be with the girl
So tell me what's up (so tell me what's up)
Asking the girl if she is interested in being with him
I'm digging you (say you can hear me baby)
He wants the girl to know that he is really interested in her
I'm feeling you
He is really into the girl
Said I'm big on you (I'm big on you)
He is really into the girl
And I'm wanting you (and wanting you)
He really wants to be with the girl
So tell me what's up (so tell me what's up)
Asking the girl if she is interested in being with him
I'm digging you, I'm feeling you (ooh)
He is really interested in the girl
And you know what's up
Asking the girl if she understands that he is interested in her
Said I'm big on you and I'm wanting you
He is really into the girl and wants to be with her
So tell me what's up
Asking the girl if she is interested in being with him
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Missing Link Music, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Darren Lighty, Cliff Lighty, Anthony Hamilton, Bale'wa Muhammad, Edward Ferrell, Veronica Mckenzie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@privatesnapper2571
Who else is going through all their favorite jams thinking about how life was back in the days ? late 90s - early 2000
@NorthPhilly-zr7xc
Beautiful time's back then no internet life was so simple this day's are gone
@myssscarlet539
Yep👍🏽
@barebonesblessings2807
I AGREE
@nikkinonames5265
@Gunnel Gainey it sure was!! The days were longer and more calmer!
@NorthPhilly-zr7xc
@Nikki Nonames idk what it was but the world feel so different now
@jainorman3425
I miss dancing to his song with my wife. Rest in peace babe, I'll forever love you!!! 12-15-2007
@PrettyNicky50
Aww...that's sad...a good song to dance to...rip to your Lady... may she remember in spirit how yal danced to this! 💕
@lesabbott9868
may the blessing of your memories of her remain strong in your heart and mind
@miamya4912
🫶🏾