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 That I Love You
Donell Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I really gotta know
If you trust me, do you trust me now, hey
I really gotta know
You know that I love you
And that ain't gon' change
And though you're not here with me now
Don't worry about those other girls
They can't take my place
You know they only want my, my world
And they can't be replaced
(Girl, you know)
You know that I love you (Ooh, girl)
Girl, you're everything to me (Ooh, girl)
Just let me show you (Ooh, baby)
Just how much you mean to me
It's been such a long time
Since I've been with you
My friends say I should play around
They just can't figure out what I found in you
You know I'm not that other guy
Who broke your heart, mmm
You're still the only one in my, my world
Even when we're apart
(Girl, you know)
You know that I love you (Baby)
Girl, you're everything to me (Just let me show you)
Just let me show you (Ooh...baby)
Just how much you mean to me (Girl, you know)
You know that I love you (You know that I love you, pretty baby)
Girl, you're everything to me (Just let me show you)
Just let me show you (Show you, baby, ooh...ooh...yeah)
Just how much you mean to me
(Oh, girl) I only have eyes for you
(Oh, baby) Believe me what I say is true
(You know it's true now) You know my heart belongs to you
(And only you and you can't be replaced)
(Girl, you know)
You know that I love you (You know that I love you, baby)
Girl, you're everything to me (You know that I love you, baby)
Just let me show you (Just let me show you now)
Just how much you mean to me (What you mean to me now)
You know that I love you (Said you know that I love you, baby)
Girl, you're everything to me (You're everything to me)
Just let me show you (Baby now, baby now, yeah)
Just how much you mean to me (Oh...girl, yeah)
You know that I love you
Girl, you're everything to me (Oh, girl)
Just let me show you (Ooh, yeah)
Just how much you mean to me (Oh, girl)
You know that I love you (Said you know)
Girl, you're everything to me (To me)
Just let me show you
Just how much you mean to me
The lyrics to Donell Jones's "You Know That I Love You" express the singer's deep love and commitment to someone who means everything to him. The opening lines of the song express the singer's need for trust from his partner, seeking reassurance that he has earned their love and faithfulness. The chorus cements his unwavering devotion, telling his partner that his love for them will never change, even when they are apart.
The second verse of the song contrasts the singer's commitment to his partner with the advice of his friends, who tell him to "play around" and have flings with other girls. The singer rebuffs this suggestion, insisting that he would never hurt his partner like "that other guy" who broke her heart before. The song ends with a final expression of love - the singer tells his partner that his heart belongs only to her, and that she means everything to him.
Overall, the lyrics to "You Know That I Love You" are a testament to the power of love and the unwavering loyalty that comes with it. They express a deep sense of commitment and dedication to someone who means everything to the singer, and a desire for that person's trust and faithfulness in return.
Line by Line Meaning
Mmm
Expression of thought
I really gotta know
Expressing curiosity
If you trust me, do you trust me now, hey
Asking for assurance of trustworthiness
You know that I love you
Affirming love
And that ain't gon' change
Love is constant
And though you're not here with me now
Physical distance doesn't weaken love
My love for you stays the same
Love is unchanging
Don't worry about those other girls
Discouraging insecurities and jealousy
They can't take my place
No one can replace the love he has for her
You know they only want my, my world
Others may want what he has or who he is, but his love for her is unique
And they can't be replaced
No one can replace her in his heart
Girl, you're everything to me
She is his world
Just let me show you
He wants to prove his love
It's been such a long time
Missing her
Since I've been with you
Longing for her company
My friends say I should play around
Friends encourage him to be with other girls
They just can't figure out what I found in you
His friends don't understand why he's so devoted to her
You know I'm not that other guy
He's not like the guys who hurt her in the past
Who broke your heart, mmm
Acknowledging her past hurt
You're still the only one in my, my world
She is the center of his universe
Even when we're apart
Distance doesn't change his feelings for her
I only have eyes for you
She is the only one he sees
Believe me what I say is true
Assuring her of his honesty
You know my heart belongs to you
Declaring his love belongs to her
And only you and you can't be replaced
No one can replace her in his heart
Said you know that I love you, baby
Repeating his love for her
Just let me show you now
Reiterating his desire to prove his love
What you mean to me now
Stating her importance to him
To me
Emphasizing how much she matters
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Noel Absolam, Richard Smith, Walter Hawkins
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
🫶🏾