She started her solo career in 1999 with a collaboration single along with Tin Tin Out for their single "What I Am", which peaked number 2 on the UK charts. Her debut solo album entitled "A Girl Like Me" was released in 2001, and spawned the UK number-one hit "What Took You So Long?", as well as the top five hits "What I Am" (a cover of a 1998's song earlier recorded by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians) and "Take My Breath Away" (which was not a cover of Berlin's 1986's hit), and top twenty hit "We're Not Gonna Sleep Tonight". The album sold around 125,000 in the UK.
In spring of 2003, she returned as Emma (losing the Bunton), with the top five hit "Free Me" and later that year released "Maybe", which also went top ten and outsold the previous single. In spring of 2004, the single "I'll Be There" and the album "Free Me" were released. The album contained '60s-style pop gems and went on to outsell her first album, something other solo Spice Girls have yet to achieve. The album Free Me was released in the United States on January 25, 2005.
Emma released "Downtown" the official charity single for the BBC's 2006 Children in Need appeal, it reached number three. The album "Life in Mono" was released on (4 December).
A Girl Like Me
Emma Bunton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let me tell you basically
This is how it's gotta be
Can't - with a girl like me
Can't change my destiny
So if you want to get next to me
Gotta treat me faithfully
Can't - with a girl like me
Two o' clock, I'm all alone
Hear you on the telephone
Telling me another line
Said that you'd be working late
Asking me if I could wait
Run that by me one more time
Keep me hanging on the line
But you're running out of time
Might have been a fool for love, but I'm not blind
If you're looking for a play thing
Every other day thing
I am not the one for you
I'm not looking for a part time
Give me half your heart and
Tell me what you're gonna do
Look into my eyes, let me tell you one more time
I need everything, that's how it's gonna be
With a girl like me
With a girl like me
Broken rings and promises
Gotta be much more than this
I don't have to compromise
Been around enough to know
When it's time to let it go
Do I have to say goodbye
Gonna make it clear to you
Only one thing left to do
Better understand 'cause every word is true
If you're looking for a play thing
Every other day thing
I am not the one for you (yeah yeah)
I'm not looking for a part time
Give me half your heart and
Tell me what you're gonna do
Look into my eyes, let me tell you one more time
I need everything, that's how it's gonna be
With a girl like me (oh yeah)
With a girl like me (yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah)
Yeah yeah yeah
What you get is what you see
Let me tell you basically
This is how it's gotta be
Can't - with a girl like me (with a girl like me)
Can't change my destiny
So if you want to get next to me
Gotta treat me faithfully
Can't - with a girl like me
Gonna make it clear to you
Only one thing left to do
Better understand 'cause every word is true
If you're looking for a play thing
Every other day thing
I am not the one for you (yeah yeah)
I'm not looking for a part time
Give me half your heart and
Tell me what you're gonna do
Look into my eyes, let me tell you one more time
I need everything, that's how it's gonna be
With a girl like me (that how it's gotta be)
With a girl like me (yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah)
Yeah yeah yeah
Yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah
Oh-yeah
Yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah
Yeah yeah yeah
The lyrics of Emma Bunton's "A Girl Like Me" depict a woman who knows her worth and will not settle for anything less than she deserves. The singer warns her potential partner about her expectations and that changing who she is, is not an option. She wants someone who can treat her with respect and loyalty. She's been around the block enough to recognize when someone is taking advantage of her and when it's time to move on. She's not interested in someone who is only looking for fun when he feels like it but desires someone who can give her their whole heart and won't mess her around.
In the second verse, the singer talks about how her partner is constantly making excuses and playing games. But the singer is ready to call it quits with her partner because she knows she deserves better. The chorus includes the repetitive message that if someone wants to be with a girl like her, then they need to give her everything she deserves, no compromises. She is not interested in being just an option or someone to play with. She concludes by reiterating that she can't be changed and that she deserves to be treated with faithfulness and sincerity.
Line by Line Meaning
What you get is what you see
I am honest and transparent, there are no hidden meanings behind my words and actions.
Let me tell you basically
I am straightforward and simple, there is no need to complicate things.
This is how it's gotta be
I know what I want and need, and it cannot be changed.
Can't - with a girl like me
It is impossible for anyone to change me or make me compromise on what I want.
Can't change my destiny
My fate is predetermined and cannot be altered.
So if you want to get next to me
If you want to be with me or have a relationship with me,
Gotta treat me faithfully
You must be loyal, honest, and committed to me.
Two o' clock, I'm all alone
I am alone and vulnerable in the middle of the night.
Hear you on the telephone
I receive a phone call from you.
Telling me another line
You make up another excuse or lie.
Said that you'd be working late
You claim to be working late and cannot spend time with me.
Asking me if I could wait
You ask me to wait for you even though you are not certain when you will be done.
Run that by me one more time
I ask you to repeat yourself because I am skeptical of your excuse.
Keep me hanging on the line
You keep me on the phone without a clear answer or resolution.
But you're running out of time
Your time to convince me is almost up.
Might have been a fool for love, but I'm not blind
I may have been naive and foolish in the past, but I now see the truth.
If you're looking for a play thing
If you are looking for a casual, non-committal relationship,
Every other day thing
If you are only available and interested in me every other day or occasionally,
I am not the one for you
I am not the right person for you to pursue a relationship with.
I'm not looking for a part time
I am not interested in a relationship that is only temporary or part-time.
Give me half your heart and
I cannot settle for half of your heart or a half-hearted effort.
Tell me what you're gonna do
You need to be clear and confident in your intentions and actions towards me.
Look into my eyes, let me tell you one more time
I want you to pay attention and listen to me closely.
I need everything, that's how it's gonna be
I need a complete and committed relationship, there is no room for half-measures or excuses.
Broken rings and promises
I have experienced broken promises and failed relationships in the past.
Gotta be much more than this
I know that relationships require more effort and commitment to succeed.
I don't have to compromise
I do not have to settle for something less than what I deserve or want.
Been around enough to know
I have enough experience to recognize when something is not right or not worth pursuing.
When it's time to let it go
I know when to end a relationship that is not working or worth pursuing further.
Do I have to say goodbye
Do I need to end this relationship or can you prove to me that you are worth keeping?
Oh yeah
This is a general exclamation of agreement or emphasis.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Carl Sturken, Emma Bunton, Evan Rogers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind