She is best known for her singles You Got Me her collaboration with The Roots, as well as her own songs Tyrone, Love of My Life, On & On, Bag Lady, The Healer, Honey and Soldier. Her lyrics are highly personal urban philosophy which throw emotional challenges in the face of the listener. She weaves unusual musical influences together creating a rich texture of sound.
Some music journalists have labeled her Nu soul, nouvelle-soul or neo soul, often comparing her to Billie Holiday in lyrical delivery and grouping her with Maxwell and D'Angelo in musical genre.
Baduizm, Badu's highly acclaimed debut album, was released in early 1997 and debuted at #2 on the Billboard charts. Lead single On & On reached #12 on the singles charts in both the U.S. and UK. Badu received notice for her introspective lyrics and jazzy, bass-heavy sound, and was hailed as one of the leading lights of the burgeoning neo soul genre. Her sophisticated style of singing drew many comparisons to Billie Holiday. Baduizm eventually went triple platinum and, along with On & On, won Grammy Awards at the 1998 ceremonies.
During that year, Badu became involved with rapper André 3000 of OutKast, with whom she had a child, Seven, who was born in 1997. Their relationship ended sometime in the late 90s. Badu recorded her first live album, Live, while pregnant with Seven, and the release of the recording coincided with the birth to her child. Live reached #4 on the Billboard charts, selling double platinum, and spawned another R&B hit single in Tyrone a song chiding a selfish, cheap, and inattentive boyfriend. Badu also collaborated with The Roots (who had previously handled production duties on a number of tracks on Baduizm) on their breakthrough 1999 release, Things Fall Apart. She was featured on the song You Got Me co-written by Jill Scott, which hit the top 40 and won a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.
After taking some time off to raise her child, Badu returned in 2000 with Mama's Gun, an album more organic in sound than her previous studio album, and primarily produced by the Soulquarians and noted bassist Pino Palladino. A remix of one of the album's songs, Bag Lady was issued as the first single and topped the R&B charts for seven weeks. The album was well-received, with the lyrical content winning notices from many publications who found some of her lyrics hard to decipher on her initial releases. Despite not charting as high as her first two albums, Mama's Gun was another platinum-selling success, and Bag Lady was nominated for a Grammy.
By 2000, Badu was in a romantic relationship with fellow Soulquarian Common, and Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop) was released as a collaboration between the two on the Brown Sugar soundtrack. Love of My Life hit #9 on the pop charts, topped the R&B listings, and Badu was awarded her fourth Grammy for the song in 2003.
After the release of Mama's Gun and Love of My Life, Badu went through a period of writer's block. She hit the road throughout 2002 and much of 2003 on what she dubbed the "Frustrated Artist Tour," in search of inspiration to write and perform new material. The conclusion of the tour saw Badu head back to the studio with new material, and in September of 2003, the Worldwide Underground was released. More jam-oriented than any of her prior releases, Badu was quoted as saying that the release was designed to serve as one continuous groove. Worldwide Underground reached #3 on the Billboard charts and was certified gold not long after its release, and Badu received four further Grammy nominations for the EP.
After almost four years and the birth of a daughter, Puma, it was revealed in 2007 that Badu had three albums in the works over the course of 2007 and 2008. Honey, a new single produced by 9th Wonder, was leaked online in November 2007, and the new album, titled New Amerykah Part One (4th World War), was released on February 26, 2008.
On August 23, 2008, Badu joined the rock band My Morning Jacket on stage at their show in Dallas, Texas to perform her song Tyrone. Her surprise appearance was met with an enthusiastic reaction from the audience.
On February 1, 2009 Badu gave birth to her third child, a girl named Mars Merkaba with her boyfriend Jay Electronica.
Her album New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) was released on March 30, 2010.
You Got Me
Erykah Badu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I been or who I saw, or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby, don't worry, you know that you got me
If you were worried 'bout where
I been or who I saw, or
What club I went to with my homies
Somebody told me that this planet was small
We use to live in the same buildin' on the same floor
And never met before
Until I'm overseas on tour
And peep this Ethiopian queen from Philly
Takin' classes abroad
She studyin' film and photo, flash, focus, record
Said she workin' on a flick, and could my click do the score?
She said she loved my show in Paris at Élysée Montmartre
And that I stepped off the stage and took a piece of her heart
We knew from the start that things fall apart and tend to shatter
She like that shit don't matter
When I get home get at her
Through letter, phone, whatever
Let's link, let's get together
Shit, you think not, think that Thought went home and forgot
Time passed, we back in Philly now she up in my spot
Tellin' me the things I'm tellin' her is makin' her hot
Startin' buildin' with her constantly 'round the clock
Now she in my world like hip-hop
And keep tellin' me
If you were worried 'bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby, don't worry, you know that you got me
If you were worried 'bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby, don't worry, you know that you got me
Yo, I'm the type that's always catchin' a flight
And sometimes I gotta be out at the height of the night
And that's when she flip and get on some 'ol
Another lonely night
Seems like I'm on the side you only lovin' your mic
I know you gotta get that paper, daddy, keep that shit tight
But yo, I need some sort of love in my life, you dig me?
While politicin' with my sister from New York City
She said she know this ball player and he think I'm pretty
Psych, I'm playin' boo, you know it's just wit you I'm stayin' boo
And when cats be poppin' game I don't hear what they sayin' boo
When you out there in the world, I'm still your girl
With all my classes I don't have the time for life's thrills
So when you sweatin' on stage think of me when you rhyme
And don't be listenin' to your homies they be leavin' you blind
Yeah, so what you sayin' I can trust you?
Is you crazy? You my king for real
But sometimes relationships get ill
No doubt
If you were worried 'bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby, don't worry you know that you got me
If you were worried 'bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby, don't worry, you know that you got me
That snake could be that chick and that rat
Could be that cool cat
That's whisperin' "she tryin' to play you for the fool Black"
If something's on your chest then let it be known
See I'm not your every five minutes all on the phone
And on the topic of trust, it's just a matter of fact
That people bite back and fracture what's intact
And they'll forever be, I ain't on some, "Oh, I'm a celebrity"
I deal with the real so if it's artificial let it be
I've seen people caught in love like whirlwinds
Listenin' to they squads and listenin' to girlfriends
That's exactly the point where they whole world ends
Lies come in, that's where that drama begins, she like, yo
If you were worried 'bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby, don't worry you know that you got me
If you were worried 'bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby, don't worry, you know that you got me
If you were worried 'bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby, don't worry you know that you got me
If you were worried 'bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby, don't worry, you know that you got me
If you were worried 'bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
In Erykah Badu's song "You Got Me", the artist is reassuring her lover that their relationship is strong and loyal. She begins each verse with the line "If you were worried 'bout where I been or who I saw, or what club I went to with my homies, baby don't worry, you know that you got me." Badu is telling her lover that even though she may be out with friends or traveling for work, she is still devoted to their relationship and is not stepping out on them.
The second verse tells the story of how Badu met a woman overseas who is studying film and photography. They begin to build a relationship over time through letters and phone calls, and eventually the woman comes to Philly to be with Badu. The final verse touches on themes of trust and loyalty, and Badu advises her lover to not listen to the opinions of others who may try to deceive them.
Overall, "You Got Me" is a song about the beauty of a strong and trusting relationship, even in the midst of life's challenges and distractions.
Line by Line Meaning
If you were worried 'bout where
I been or who I saw, or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby, don't worry, you know that you got me
I understand that you may be concerned about where I have been or who I have been with, but there is no need to worry because I am committed to our relationship and you have my loyalty.
Somebody told me that this planet was small
We use to live in the same buildin' on the same floor
And never met before
Until I'm overseas on tour
And peep this Ethiopian queen from Philly
Takin' classes abroad
She studyin' film and photo, flash, focus, record
Said she workin' on a flick, and could my click do the score?
She said she loved my show in Paris at Élysée Montmartre
And that I stepped off the stage and took a piece of her heart
It's funny how we lived in the same building and never met until I travelled overseas, where I met a beautiful woman studying in a foreign country. She asked me if my musical group could create music for her upcoming movie. She also told me how she fell in love with me at my Paris performance.
We knew from the start that things fall apart and tend to shatter
She like that shit don't matter
When I get home get at her
Through letter, phone, whatever
Let's link, let's get together
Shit, you think not, think that Thought went home and forgot
Time passed, we back in Philly now she up in my spot
Tellin' me the things I'm tellin' her is makin' her hot
Startin' buildin' with her constantly 'round the clock
Now she in my world like hip-hop
And keep tellin' me
We knew that our relationship is fragile and can easily be destroyed, but she assures me that this does not matter. We have been communicating through letters and phone calls, and now that we're both back in Philly, she's in my house and I'm telling her things that make her feel passionate. We are constantly building and spending time together, and she is now a significant part of my life.
I been or who I saw or
Yo, I'm the type that's always catchin' a flight
And sometimes I gotta be out at the height of the night
And that's when she flip and get on some 'ol
Another lonely night
Seems like I'm on the side you only lovin' your mic
I know you gotta get that paper, daddy, keep that shit tight
But yo, I need some sort of love in my life, you dig me?
I understand that I often travel and work long hours, which leads to her feeling neglected and lonely. She loves me for my music, but desires more emotional connection and intimacy that I have been neglecting. I know I must balance getting paid for my work while also making time for our relationship.
While politicin' with my sister from New York City
She said she know this ball player and he think I'm pretty
Psych, I'm playin' boo, you know it's just wit you I'm stayin' boo
And when cats be poppin' game I don't hear what they sayin' boo
When you out there in the world, I'm still your girl
With all my classes I don't have the time for life's thrills
So when you sweatin' on stage think of me when you rhyme
And don't be listenin' to your homies they be leavin' you blind
Yeah, so what you sayin' I can trust you?
Is you crazy? You my king for real
But sometimes relationships get ill
No doubt
While hanging out with my sister, she mentioned that another man thinks I am attractive, but I assure my partner that I am staying loyal. I don't pay attention to men who try to play games with me. Regardless of where you go or what you do, I am always here for you. I have a busy schedule with my classes, but I still make time for you. While on stage, remember me and keep our love alive. Don't let the opinions of others negatively affect our relationship.
That snake could be that chick and that rat
Could be that cool cat
That's whisperin' "she tryin' to play you for the fool Black"
If something's on your chest then let it be known
See I'm not your every five minutes all on the phone
And on the topic of trust, it's just a matter of fact
That people bite back and fracture what's intact
And they'll forever be, I ain't on some, "Oh, I'm a celebrity"
I deal with the real so if it's artificial let it be
I've seen people caught in love like whirlwinds
Listenin' to they squads and listenin' to girlfriends
That's exactly the point where they whole world ends
Lies come in, that's where that drama begins, she like, yo
There may be people around us who are trying to play games and deceive us. If you have anything on your mind, please communicate with me directly. I am not going to constantly check up on you, but I am committed to you, and trust is crucial. People can turn on you and betray you in relationships. If it's not authentic, it's not worth it. I have seen people in love and convinced by others to stray away, leading to heartbreak and drama.
Baby, don't worry you know that you got me
That snake could be that chick and that rat
Could be that cool cat
That's whisperin' "she tryin' to play you for the fool Black"
Baby, don't worry you know that you got me
Baby, don't worry you know that you got me
'Cause you're the only one I'll ever love
Baby, don't worry you know that you got me
Baby, don't worry you know that you got me
'Cause you're the only one I'll ever love
Baby, don't worry you know that you got me
No matter what happens, you can always count on me to be your partner and have your back. Trust is essential, and I will always be committed to you. You are the only one I have ever truly loved and will continue to love. No need to worry, I am here for you.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Tarik L. Collins, Jill H. Scott, Ahmir K. Thompson, Scott Spencer Storch
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johhwalker3
I use to perform this privately to my wife. I lost her to breast cancer this year. Baby i still got you. And will always miss you.
@nigelbrowne1408
Sorry for your loss jay dub!
RIP to your queen.
@jennypotts2008
Jay Dub 🙏🏽
@harryhullings2953
Jay Dub god bless you my brotha till you can be with her again
@geIoeschterBenutzer
😔💜 sorry to read this
... keep your Head up, she is in your Heart forever
@johhwalker3
@@geIoeschterBenutzer thank you
@VisionPoet
The Roots on the beat. Black Thought and Eve with the bars. Jill Scott with the pen. Badu with the vocals. This. Is. ROYAL!
@CookieMonster-db5xq
Takes me Back...............
@ill_r3al-366
Think Scott Storch help with The Roots on the beat
@mooseone
@@ill_r3al-366 yup, early one from his long ass list of hits. 2nd? What They Do and You've Got Me 👍