Eddie Murphy actually has had an extensive singing career, it's just not his biggest claim to fame. His biggest hit was "Party All The Time," which reached #2 in the US in 1985. He had another Billboard Hot 100 hit single in 1989 with the cringe-inducing title "Put Your Mouth On Me," which reached #27. Besides two solo music albums, he's also done some of the songs in films he's appeared in, such as the Shrek franchise and 1988's Coming to America. He's also provided vocals in odd places like Saturday Night Live sketches ("Wookin' Pa Nub," anyone?), backing for The BusBoys, and hey, even appeared in Michael Jackson's video "Remember The Time."
Murphy began his comedy career at the age of 16, as part of a comedy duo with fellow comedian Mitchell Kyser at the Roosevelt Youth Center in Roosevelt, Long Island, where he grew up. At 19 he became a performer on NBC's Saturday Night Live television show, not long after graduating from Roosevelt Junior-Senior High School. His characters include a parody of Buckwheat from the Little Rascals and an inner-city black version of Fred Rogers known as "Mr. Robinson". Former SNL writer Margaret Humphert has said Murphy and Bill Murray are the two most talented people in the history of the show. Murphy left the show midway through the 1983-1984 season, appearing in filmed sketches for the remainder of that season.
Murphy later starred in many comedies including the Beverly Hills Cop series. He was recognized by receiving a Golden Globe nomination for best actor in a comedy or musical for his performances in Beverly Hills Cop, Trading Places, The Nutty Professor, and most recently Dreamgirls. [1]
He is a well-known voice actor and voiced Thurgood Stubbs in The PJs, Donkey in the Shrek series and the dragon Mushu, in Disney's Mulan. Murphy also has the distinction of having starred in more sequels than any other actor in Hollywood. Those films include:Beverly Hills Cop II (1987), Another 48 Hrs. (1990), Beverly Hills Cop III (1994), Dr. Dolittle 2 (2001), Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000), Shrek 2 (2004), and Shrek the Third (2007).
In some of his films, he plays multiple roles in addition to his main character, including Coming to America, where he played four radically different characters, the Nutty Professor films, where he played much of the Klumps clan, and 2007's Norbit. Another trademark of Eddie Murphy's is his deep, infectious, and considerably goofy laugh.
In a 2005 poll to find The Comedian's Comedian, he was voted amongst the top 50 comedy acts ever by fellow comedians and comedy insiders. Eddie Murphy's older brother, Charlie Murphy, is also an actor, best known recently for his appearances on Chappelle's Show.
Years active 1977 - present
I Meant You No Harm/Jimmy's Rap
Eddie Murphy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Jimmy Early:] I meant you no harm
I never meant to make you cry
You were the only one I've ever loved in my life
And though its hard for me to show it
I have to let you know it
Cuz darling I love you more each day
But the words got in my way
And I would die
If you ever said goodbye
I love you, I love you
I meant you no harm
I never never meant to make you cry
You are the only one I'll ever love in my life
Hold it, hold itm hold it
I cant do it, I cant sing no more sad songs
One two three hit me
Bop be bop, bop be bop be deed bop
Bop be bop, bop yeah
Bass man, huh, come on up
One two three hit me
Uh, sound good, yeah
Saxophone on the floor, one two three, hit it
Yeah, ow, uh, come on
Horns hit it, uh, yeah
Hey girl lets rock with jimmy early
Got a home in the hills, Mercedes benz, hot swimming pool, got lots of friends
Got Clothes by the acre, credit to spare, I could wake up tomorrow and find nobody there
But Jimmy want more, jimmy want more, jimmy want, jimmy want, jimmy want more
Jimmy want a rib, jimmy want a steak, jimmy want a piece of your chocolate cake
And more than all that Jimmy want a raise, cuz
Jimmy got soul, Jimmy got soul, Jimmy got, Jimmy got, Jimmy got soul
Sooner or later
The time comes around
For a man to be a man to take back his sound
I gotta do something to shake things up
I like Johnny Mathis but I cant do that stuff
Cuz Jimmy got soul, Jimmy got soul, Jimmy got S-O-U-L soul
I cant do rock
I cant do roll, what I can do baby is show my soul,
Cuz Jimmy got, jimmy got, jimmy got SOUL
The first half of the lyrics to Eddie Murphy's song "I Meant You No Harm/Jimmy's Rap" is sung in a slow and sincere manner. The singer, Jimmy Early, confesses his love for someone and apologizes for unintentionally hurting them. He states that they are the only person he has ever loved, and although it may not always be easy for him to show it, he wants them to know how much he cares. However, he admits that sometimes words get in the way and he may not always express his feelings effectively. Despite this, he emphasizes that he never intended to make them cry, and he would be devastated if they were ever to leave him.
The second half of the song takes a sudden turn in style and tempo, with Jimmy's voice taking on a more upbeat and energetic tone. He declares that he can no longer sing sad songs and wants to "shake things up." His tone becomes more assertive as he sings about his material possessions - a house in the hills, a Mercedes-Benz, and extensive credit. However, he states that what he really wants is more - a raise, a piece of chocolate cake, and to further express himself through his soulful music. Despite admitting that he cannot do rock or roll, he emphatically declares that he does indeed have soul.
Overall, the song demonstrates the contrast between the public facade of Jimmy Early as an entertainer with material possessions, and his private emotions as a lover who deeply cares for someone. The song's sudden shift in style and tempo, from a sincere and slow ballad to an upbeat rap, reflects Jimmy's desire to break out of a mold and express himself more authentically.
Line by Line Meaning
[Announcer:] And now the mellow sounds of jimmy early
The MC introduces Jimmy Early and his mellow music.
[Jimmy Early:] I meant you no harm
Jimmy Early wants to assure his lover that he had good intentions.
I never meant to make you cry
Jimmy didn't intend to make his lover cry.
You were the only one I've ever loved in my life
Jimmy expresses his love for his one true lover.
And though its hard for me to show it
Jimmy admits that expressing his love is difficult for him.
I have to let you know it
Despite the difficulty, Jimmy feels the need to let his lover know how he feels.
Cuz darling I love you more each day
Jimmy's love for his lover grows stronger with each passing day.
But the words got in my way
Jimmy was having trouble finding the right words to express his love.
Oh I meant you no harm
Jimmy reiterates that he didn't intend to hurt his lover.
And I would die
Jimmy's love for his lover is so strong that he couldn't bear to lose her.
If you ever said goodbye
Jimmy couldn't handle it if his lover left him.
I love you, I love you
Jimmy's straightforward expression of his love for his lover.
Hold it, hold itm hold it
Jimmy interrupts his love song to switch to an upbeat, happy rhythm.
I cant do it, I cant sing no more sad songs
Jimmy decides that he can no longer sing slow, sad love songs.
One two three hit me
Jimmy shouts out a musical cue to his band.
Bop be bop, bop be bop be deed bop
Jimmy sings a scat-inspired vocal riff over the band's music.
Bop be bop, bop yeah
Jimmy continues to scat, adding a bit of excitement to the music.
Bass man, huh, come on up
Jimmy invites his bassist to step up and join in on the fun.
One two three hit me
Jimmy cues his band once again.
Uh, sound good, yeah
Jimmy affirms that the music sounds great.
Saxophone on the floor, one two three, hit it
Jimmy directs his sax player to take a solo.
Yeah, ow, uh, come on
Jimmy ad-libs words of encouragement to his sax player.
Horns hit it, uh, yeah
Jimmy urges his horn section to join in on the musical fun.
Hey girl lets rock with jimmy early
Jimmy invites his female fans to get up and join the party.
Got a home in the hills, Mercedes benz, hot swimming pool, got lots of friends
Jimmy boasts about his luxurious lifestyle, including his mansion, car, pool, and many acquaintances.
Got Clothes by the acre, credit to spare, I could wake up tomorrow and find nobody there
Jimmy's riches extend to his wardrobe and finances, but he worries that he could still be alone despite all that he has.
But Jimmy want more, jimmy want more, jimmy want, jimmy want, jimmy want more
Despite his wealth, Jimmy desires even more out of life.
Jimmy want a rib, jimmy want a steak, jimmy want a piece of your chocolate cake
Jimmy's desires range from simple desires of food to wanting to enjoy the finer things in life with his lover.
And more than all that Jimmy want a raise, cuz
Jimmy wants a raise in his career as a musician.
Jimmy got soul, Jimmy got soul, Jimmy got, Jimmy got, Jimmy got soul
Jimmy believes that what sets him apart as a musician is his soulfulness.
Sooner or later
Jimmy acknowledges that time moves on.
The time comes around
It is inevitable that things will change with the passage of time.
For a man to be a man to take back his sound
Jimmy feels that as a man, he needs to assert his musical voice and find his true sound.
I gotta do something to shake things up
In pursuit of his musical voice, Jimmy knows that he needs to make changes.
I like Johnny Mathis but I cant do that stuff
Jimmy admires other musicians like Johnny Mathis, but feels that he can't do what they do.
Cuz Jimmy got soul, Jimmy got soul, Jimmy got S-O-U-L soul
Jimmy knows that his talent lies in his soulful style of music.
I cant do rock
Jimmy acknowledges that rock music is not his genre.
I cant do roll, what I can do baby is show my soul,
Jimmy can't do a lot of things musically, but he knows he can play soulful music and connect with his audience.
Cuz Jimmy got, jimmy got, jimmy got SOUL
In summary, Jimmy believes that what sets him apart as a musician is his soulful sound.
Contributed by Hailey S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.