From 2016 to 2018, she released three EPs on the label, including Time, Change, and Ready. Her self-titled debut studio album was released in October 2018 and featured the singles "Boo'd Up" and "Trip", which charted in the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 5 and 11, respectively. In 2019, "Boo'd Up" was nominated for two Grammy Awards: Song of the Year and Best R&B Song, winning for the latter, as well as Mai herself being nominated for British Breakthrough Act at the 2019 Brit Awards. At the 2019 Billboard Music Awards, she won three awards, including the award for Top R&B Artist.
Shot Clock
Ella Mai Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You got twenty four seconds, can you beat the shot clock?
What you waitin' on lil' daddy? I ain't got that much time
You seem anxious, you seem adamant but you ain't press my line
Wondering why, why, why (oh why)
Know you ain't shy, shy, shy (oh why)
I'ma say bye, bye, bye, better know I won't think twice (yeah)
Better let go of your pride (do-do)
When that nigga pull up on me, tell that nigga back, back
Don't you know all of these niggas wish that they could bag that?
I'm just saying, boy, you playing, you gon' let it wind down
You got twenty four seconds and it's starting right now
Shot clock (don't sleep, don't sleep)
You're gon' miss your opportunity
Shot clock (like, don't sleep, don't sleep, nigga)
Pick up your feet, nigga
Shot clock (like, don't sleep, don't sleep) (do-do)
You're gon' miss your opportunity (do-do)
Shot clock (like, don't sleep, don't sleep, nigga)
Pick up your feet, my nigga
Five years of dating
Tired of being patient
What the fuck you waiting for?
Yeah
It's a lot of niggas hating and I don't entertain 'em
But damn, you gotta give me more
(Shhh, I know, I know and I'm really trying)
Oh-oh, if you don't want it like me
I could think about a hundred things I could be doing right now
Than wasting my time with you, oh (do-do)
Okay, okay, since you gotta have it your way (do-do)
I'ma start that clock on you (do-do)
We gon' see what's up
When that nigga pull up on me, tell that nigga back, back
Don't you know all of these niggas wish that they could bag that? (All of these nigga, bag that)
I'm just saying, boy, you playing, you gon' let it wind down (wind down)
You got twenty four seconds and it's starting right now (right now)
Shot clock (like, don't sleep, don't sleep)
You're gon' miss your opportunity
Shot clock (like, don't sleep, don't sleep, nigga)
Pick up your feet, nigga
Shot clock (like, don't sleep, don't sleep) (do-do)
You're gon' miss your opportunity (do-do)
Shot clock (like, don't sleep, don't sleep, nigga)
Pick up your feet, my nigga, shot clock
Twenty four seconds (don't sleep, don't sleep)
You're gon' miss your opportunity
You got twenty four seconds (like, don't sleep, don't sleep, nigga)
Pick up your feet, nigga
Ay, don't sleep, don't sleep
You're gon' miss your opportunity
You're gon' miss your opportunity (like, don't sleep, don't sleep, nigga)
Pick up your feet, my nigga
Shot clock
L, Love
Add "-rs" and that's surely what we are
Flip it 'round, add "-ve" and let's see if this goes far
Full of chuckles and cuddles and sometimes, eye puddles
Compose love like we're Mozart
"Shot Clock" is a song by British singer Ella Mai, from her self-titled debut album, released on October 12, 2018. The song was produced by Mustard and is a basketball metaphor for a relationship that is not moving forward fast enough. With lyrics that compare her relationship to a basketball game, Ella Mai is telling her partner that they are running out of time and they need to make a move before they miss their chance. The metaphor of the song is centered on the “shot clock,” a device used in basketball games to impose a time restriction on each offensive play. It counts down backward from 24 seconds and if the team fails to shoot the ball in that time frame, the ball is turned over to the opposing team.
Throughout the song, Ella Mai gives warnings and ultimatums to her significant other, pressing him to make a move or let her go if he is not ready to commit. She is tired of waiting for him to make a move and wants him to show more initiative. The line "When that n**** pull up on me, tell that n**** back, back" means that if any man approaches her, her significant other should step up and defend her honor. The second verse of the song features Ella Mai singing about how she has been patient during their five years of dating but is now at her wit's end. The song ends with her resolving to start the clock on the relationship and seeing whether her partner steps up or not.
Line by Line Meaning
Twenty four seconds, yeah, you better not stop
Don't waste time, you have a limited opportunity
You got twenty four seconds, can you beat the shot clock?
Do you have what it takes to seize this opportunity?
What you waitin' on lil' daddy? I ain't got that much time
Stop hesitating, time is running out
You seem anxious, you seem adamant but you ain't press my line
You seem ready, but you still haven't made a move
Wondering why, why, why (oh why)
Asking why nothing has happened yet
Know you ain't shy, shy, shy (oh why)
Recognizing that the other person isn't afraid to make a move
I'ma say bye, bye, bye, better know I won't think twice (yeah)
If nothing happens, the opportunity will be lost and the person will walk away
Better let go of your pride (do-do)
Advising the other person to stop holding back
Do it now (do-do), just do it now (do-do), oh yeah (do-do)
Urging the other person to take action immediately
When that nigga pull up on me, tell that nigga back, back
Telling someone else to give them space
Don't you know all of these niggas wish that they could bag that?
Pointing out that others are interested in her
I'm just saying, boy, you playing, you gon' let it wind down
Suggesting that the other person is taking too long to make a move
You got twenty four seconds and it's starting right now
The clock is ticking, and the opportunity won't last forever
Shot clock (don't sleep, don't sleep)
A metaphor for the time limit on the opportunity
You're gon' miss your opportunity
You'll regret it if you don't take action
Pick up your feet, nigga
Move quickly and decisively
Five years of dating
The backstory of a long-term relationship
Tired of being patient
Feeling fed up with waiting for something to happen
What the fuck you waiting for?
Demanding action from the other person
It's a lot of niggas hating and I don't entertain 'em
Ignoring negativity from others
But damn, you gotta give me more
Expecting more effort and initiative from the other person
(Shhh, I know, I know and I'm really trying)
Admitting to being aware of the situation and trying to make something happen
Oh-oh, if you don't want it like me
Realizing that the other person might not want the same thing
I could think about a hundred things I could be doing right now
Feeling as though time is being wasted
Than wasting my time with you, oh (do-do)
Expressing frustration with the lack of progress
Okay, okay, since you gotta have it your way (do-do)
Acknowledging the other person's perspective
I'ma start that clock on you (do-do)
Taking control of the situation and starting the timer
We gon' see what's up
Let's see what happens when there's a time limit involved
Ay, don't sleep, don't sleep
Don't lose focus or miss the opportunity
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Aubrey Drake Graham, Benjamin J. Bush, Dijon Isaiah McFarlane, Ella Mai Howell, Jahron Anthony Brathwaite, Micah Evan Powell, Stephen Ellis Garrett, Timothy Z. Mosley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mariateresatoro3179
Twenty four seconds, yeah, you better not stop
You got twenty four seconds, can you beat the shot clock?
What you waitin' on lil' daddy? I ain't got that much time
You seem anxious, you seem adamant but you ain't press my line
Wondering why, why, why (oh why)
Know you ain't shy, shy, shy (oh why)
I'ma say bye, bye, bye, better know I won't think twice (yeah)
Better let go of your pride (do-do)
Do it now (do-do), just do it now (do-do), oh yeah
When that nigga pull up on me, tell that nigga back, back
Don't you know all of these niggas wish that they could bag that?
I'm just saying, boy, you playing, you gon' let it wind down
You got twenty four seconds and it's starting right now
Shot clock (like, don't sleep, don't sleep)
You're gon' miss your opportunity
Shot clock (like, don't sleep, don't sleep, nigga)
Pick up your feet, nigga
Shot clock (like, don't sleep, don't sleep) (do-do)
You're gon' miss your opportunity (do-do)
Shot clock (like, don't sleep, don't sleep, nigga)
Pick up your feet, my nigga
Five years of dating
Tired of being patient
What the fuck you waiting for?
Yeah
It's a lot of niggas hating and I don't entertain 'em
But damn, you gotta give me more
(Shhh, I know, I know and I'm really trying)
Oh-oh, if you don't want it like me
I could think about a hundred things I could be doing right now
Than wasting my time with you, oh (do-do)
Okay, okay, since you gotta have it your way (do-do)
I'ma start that clock on you (do-do)
We gon' see what's up
When that nigga pull up on me, tell that nigga back, back
Don't you know all of these niggas wish that they could bag that? (All of these nigga, bag that)
I'm just saying, boy, you playing, you gon' let it wind down (wind down)
You got twenty four seconds and it's starting right now (right now)
Shot clock (like, don't sleep, don't sleep)
You're gon' miss your opportunity
Shot clock (like, don't sleep, don't sleep, nigga)
Pick up your feet, nigga
Shot clock (like, don't sleep, don't sleep) (do-do)
You're gon' miss your opportunity (do-do)
Shot clock (like, don't sleep, don't sleep, nigga)
Pick up your feet, my nigga, shot clock
Twenty four seconds (don't sleep, don't sleep)
You're gon' miss your opportunity
You got twenty four seconds (like, don't sleep, don't sleep, nigga)
Pick up your feet, nigga
Ay, don't sleep, don't sleep
You're gon' miss your opportunity
You're gon' miss your opportunity (like, don't sleep, don't sleep, nigga)
Pick up your feet, my nigga
Shot clock
L, Love
Add "-rs" and that's surely what we are
Flip it 'round, add "-ve" and let's see if this goes far
Full of chuckles and cuddles and sometimes, eye puddles
Compose love like we're Mozart
Source: LyricFind
@BrydellCocky
I be feeling like this girl is slept on 🤦🏾♂️
@trinadeecraoksr2059
Brydell Cocky Facts
@Divasnsuperstar
how when she is winning right now? She's finally selling and at major award shows.
@dayaaximini
big facts
@nyreem35
I don’t think people sleeping on here
They bet not the other singer women and men better be listening to her song this fire and she got a lot other one I like that’s fire!!!
@Uchiha9670
FR!!!
@ninaninanina372
This song is for every female in love with a man that can’t WAKE UP 💯
@briseidaa1619
that sucks
@melissatillman4021
Love
@5o3.rosales
Nina NinaNina ik it sucks