One
Eddie Murphy Lyrics


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And now the mellow sounds of 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 got to let you know it
'Cause darling I love you more each day
But the words got in my way
Oh I meant you no harm
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 it hold it
I can't do it, I can't do it no more, I can't sing no more sad songs
One two three hit me
Bop be bop, bop be bop be deed bop
Bop be bop, huh 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, hey, uh, come on
Horns hit it, uh, yeah

Hey curly let's 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, 'cause
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 can't do that stuff
'Cause Jimmy got soul, Jimmy got soul, Jimmy got S-O-U-L soul

I can't do rock




I can't do roll, what I can do baby is show my soul
'Cause Jimmy got soul, Jimmy got soul, Jimmy got Jimmy got Jimmy got soul

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Jimmy's Rap" in Eddie Murphy's movie "Dreamgirls" showcase Jimmy Early, a character who is a reflection of the soul stars of the 1950s and 1960s era. In this song, Jimmy Early is expressing his love for a girl and apologizing for causing her pain. He says he never intended to make her cry and that she is the only one he has ever loved. Although he finds it hard to show it, he still wants her to know that he loves her more each day, but his words get in the way. He is sorry for hurting her and would be devastated if she ever left him.


The song then turns into a fun dance tune as Jimmy Early decides to let go of his sadness and sing something upbeat. He wants to show off his soulful voice and asks the bass man, saxophone player, and horns to hit it. The lyrics turn into talking about Jimmy's luxurious lifestyle, including his home in the hills, Mercedes Benz, hot swimming pool, clothes by the acre, and credits to spare. He then expresses his desire for more and his craving for BBQ ribs, steak, a piece of chocolate cake, and a raise. The song ends with Jimmy stating that he can't do rock and roll but can show his soul because he has soul.


Overall, this song is a reflection of the soul music of the 1960s and the different themes that were explored by soul artists such as love, heartbreak, and luxury. Eddie Murphy's performance captured the essence of the genre and brought Jimmy Early to life.


Line by Line Meaning

And now the mellow sounds of Jimmy Early
Introducing Jimmy Early's music.


I meant you no harm
Assuring no harmful intentions.


I never meant to make you cry
Regretting unintended emotional harm caused.


You were the only one I've ever loved in my life
Expressing exclusive love for someone.


And though its hard for me to show it
Admitting difficulty in expressing emotions.


I have got to let you know it
Acknowledging the need to express love.


'Cause darling I love you more each day
Stating that love has been growing.


But the words got in my way
Conveying that expressing love has become a challenge.


Oh I meant you no harm
Reiterating no harmful intentions.


And I would die
Emphasizing how much the person means to the artist.


If you ever said goodbye
Stating how devastating it would be to lose the person.


I love you, I love you
Reaffirming love for the person.


Hold it, hold it hold it
Interrupting the emotional moment, attempting to shift the mood.


I can't do it, I can't do it no more, I can't sing no more sad songs
Feeling unable to continue with the emotional, sad music anymore.


One two three hit me
Requesting the band to start playing upbeat music.


Bop be bop, bop be bop be deed bop
Making nonsensical sounds to create an upbeat rhythm.


Bass man, huh, come on up
Calling for the bass player to join in the music.


Saxophone on the floor, one two three, hit it
Instructing the saxophonist to start playing the music.


Horns hit it, uh, yeah
Asking the horn section to join in the music.


Hey curly let's rock with Jimmy Early
Inviting someone to enjoy Jimmy Early's music with them.


Got a home in the hills, Mercedes Benz, hot swimming pool, got lots of friends
Describing Jimmy Early's luxurious lifestyle.


Got clothes by the acre, credit to spare, I could wake up tomorrow and find nobody there
Further describing Jimmy Early's privilege and wealth, while also acknowledging the potential for loneliness.


But Jimmy want more, Jimmy want more, Jimmy want, Jimmy want, Jimmy want more
Highlighting Jimmy's insatiable desire for more wealth, fame, and attention.


Jimmy want a rib, Jimmy want a steak, Jimmy want a piece of your chocolate cake
Listing the things Jimmy wants, which includes material wealth and enjoying others' pleasures.


And more than all that Jimmy want a raise, 'cause Jimmy got soul, Jimmy got soul, Jimmy got, Jimmy got, Jimmy got soul
Revealing that Jimmy's ultimate desire is to have his worth and talent recognized and rewarded.


Sooner or later
Acknowledging that change is inevitable.


The time comes around
Indicating that time brings change.


For a man to be a man to take back his sound
Expressing the need for a male musician to establish his musical identity.


I gotta do something to shake things up
Feeling the need to change the status quo.


I like Johnny Mathis but I can't do that stuff
Acknowledging a preference for a different music style than Johnny Mathis's.


'Cause Jimmy got soul, Jimmy got soul, Jimmy got S-O-U-L soul
Asserting Jimmy's talent and special 'soul' in his music.


I can't do rock
Admitting inability to play rock music.


I can't do roll, what I can do baby is show my soul
Redefining what Jimmy can do musically: show his soul.


'Cause Jimmy got soul, Jimmy got soul, Jimmy got Jimmy got Jimmy got soul
Repeating the fact that Jimmy's music is unique and soulful.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Tom Eyen, Henry D. Krieger

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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