Plenty
Erykah Badu - Guru Lyrics


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[Chorus One: Erykah Badu]
When she wants plenty, she gets plenty
When she wants plenty, she gets plenty
When she wants plenty, she gets plenty
then she gets plenty more, uhh

{repeat Chorus One}
[Guru]
Uhh
Watchin her drivin by, in her new whip so fly
Wish she could sing me a lullaby, to scoop her I've got to try
In her eyes, there's a flame that burns right through my soul
Can't pretend to be cool, about to lose my control
Yeah I know she's got plenty; admirers, she's got many
Like an exotic fantasy, into a frenzy she sends me
Wow I have to sit down, and gather my wits now
I want to caress those hips now, want to kiss those lips now

[Badu]
Hello? Hey babyyy
I know you called and I didn't answer twice
But baby that's oh-kay it's nice
for you to call anyway see, okay, see uhh
Hey babyyy
You know it's okay if you don't call me
anymore cause I got a-plenty
truckload of niggaz like you at my door {*dial tone*}

[Chorus One]
[Guru]
Yup
And every day is her day, and every year is her year
Anyone tried to violate, they could straight disappear
She don't care if you play yourself, tryin to step to her
The illest of gangsters, I show and respect to her
Truly glamourous, she ain't impressed and it shows
She don't like your new clothes, she don't care about your playa pose
Do you suppose I could hook up and spend time with her?
She's just how I dreamed - I'll bust my nine for her

[Chorus Two: Erykah Badu]
When she gets plenty, she gets plenty
When she gets plenty, she gets plenty
When she wants plenty, she gets plenty
any damn thang she wants, uhh

[Guru]
Uhh
Surgeon General - I provide vitamins and minerals
The charge that she's got on me, should be federal
I was told never put the two before the one son
but always cultivate your Wisdom, to help you build your kingdom
I want to be the answer to every question she has
So when I wish to enter, she'll be lettin me pass
I know she wants to be with G-O-D eventually, but still
She got everything; yeah the girl's got plenty

[Badu]
Flowers in her bedroom
Perfume on her neck
Nectar from a mason jar
Seven dollar dress; she's
Super cute, and plenty bad
Thirty twenty-two thirty-six and a half
I, hope the dude will realize
She got the silky(?) (?)sexy bedroom eyes
Baby baby please don't break yo' neck
Cause you gon' have a wreck {*tires squeal*}
Cause when it comes to love I get plenty, degrees one-twenty
My back slipped out my dress - OOPS!

[Chorus Three: Erykah Badu]
When she gets plenty, she gets plenty (she gets it all)
When she wants plenty, she gets plenty (uhh)
When she wants plenty, she gets plenty (c'mon)
and she gets plenty more (plenty more) ahh
When she wants plenty, she gets plenty
When she wants plenty, she gets plenty (mm, she gets it all)
When she wants plenty, she gets plenty
and any damn thang I want - right?

[Guru]
That's right
In this game of life it takes a lot to win
Plenty more baby's what I got to give

[Badu]
Yeah yeah baby that's really nice
But I'm tryin to read my book and you're in my light

[Guru]
Uhh - a woman like you could help me reach the top
If I get a chance to love you, mm, I won't stop

[Badu]
Damn! Oh huh, what? Huh, whaaat?
I didn't hear you I was thinkin bout some stuff

[Guru]
Baby you so fine I want to smack myself
I don't need no support I'm gonna back myself

[Badu]
Hooo baby you so sweet
Now can you get the lotion and rub my feets

[Guru]
In massage therapy I got a master degree
I give you plenty more, than what you askin from me

[Badu]
I need a little bit of space, a little bit of wealth (okay)
And oh - about the feets, a little to the left (like this?)
Mmmmmm (m'hmm, like that?)
Yeahhh (feels good right?)
Ohhhhh
Ahhhhh (yeah, heh heh)
Hehehee! (You don't really care)
I do! (Heh, you the Queen huh?)
More lotion! (C'mon.. you got plenty!)

{*Erykah Badu cracks up laughing*}
[Badu] That's good! Alright?




[Guru] That's good right?
[Badu] {*laughing*}

Overall Meaning

The song "Plenty" by Erykah Badu and Guru talks about a woman who always gets what she wants, whenever she wants it. The chorus repeats the phrase "When she wants plenty, she gets plenty" emphasizing this point. Guru, the male voice in the song, is smitten with this woman and wishes to be with her. He describes her as having a fiery passion that burns through his soul, and he cannot resist her. The woman in question has many admirers and does not seem to care about them, as she has plenty of options, symbolized by a "truckload of niggaz like you at my door."


The song is about power dynamics within relationships, where the woman holds a lot of power and control over men, who are attracted to her beauty and confidence. However, the woman also seems to be grounded in herself, as she does not care about material possessions or "playa pose." Instead, she wants to be with someone who can answer all her questions and help her "build her kingdom," thereby hinting at a desire for a deeper connection.


Overall, the song is a commentary on love and relationships, emphasizing the complex power dynamics that exist within them.


Line by Line Meaning

When she wants plenty, she gets plenty
The girl in question is able to effortlessly acquire whatever she wants


then she gets plenty more, uhh
Not only does the girl get whatever she wants, she gets even more of it


Watchin her drivin by, in her new whip so fly
The observer is watching the girl drive by in her new, cool car


Wish she could sing me a lullaby, to scoop her I've got to try
The observer is attracted to the girl and is willing to go out of his way to impress her


In her eyes, there's a flame that burns right through my soul
The observer is deeply attracted to the girl, and her eyes convey this intense passion


Can't pretend to be cool, about to lose my control
The observer is struggling to maintain his composure in the face of such intense attraction


Yeah I know she's got plenty; admirers, she's got many
The girl has many admirers, but the observer is still drawn to her


Like an exotic fantasy, into a frenzy she sends me
The girl's allure is so strong that it drives the observer into a frenzy of desire


Hello? Hey babyyy
The girl is answering the observer's phone call


I know you called and I didn't answer twice
The girl missed the observer's phone call twice


But baby that's oh-kay it's nice
Despite missing the phone call, the girl still thinks it's nice that he called


for you to call anyway see, okay, see uhh
The girl appreciates the gesture of the observer calling, regardless of whether she answers or not


You know it's okay if you don't call me anymore cause I got a-plenty
The girl is not reliant on the observer's attention as she has many other admirers


Yup
Affirming the previous statement


And every day is her day, and every year is her year
The girl is confident and successful every day and every year


Anyone tried to violate, they could straight disappear
Anyone who tries to harm or disrespect the girl will face severe consequences


She don't care if you play yourself, tryin to step to her
The girl won't be impressed by people trying to show off or hit on her


The illest of gangsters, I show and respect to her
Even the most respected and feared people show the girl respect


Truly glamourous, she ain't impressed and it shows
The girl is so impressive and glamorous that she is not easily impressed by others


Do you suppose I could hook up and spend time with her?
The observer is wondering if he could spend time with the girl and get to know her better


She's just how I dreamed - I'll bust my nine for her
The observer thinks the girl is perfect and would do anything to protect her


When she gets plenty, she gets plenty
Reiterating the girl's ability to get whatever she wants


any damn thang she wants, uhh
Emphasizing the extent of the girl's power and influence


Surgeon General - I provide vitamins and minerals
The observer is saying that he can provide what the girl needs and wants to support her


The charge that she's got on me, should be federal
The observer is so deeply attracted to the girl, it should be punishable by law


I was told never put the two before the one son
The observer was taught to prioritize and build the foundation before seeking out additional desires


but always cultivate your Wisdom, to help you build your kingdom
The observer emphasizes the importance of building wisdom to achieve their goals


So when I wish to enter, she'll be lettin me pass
The observer hopes that the girl will let him into her life and get to know him better


Flowers in her bedroom
The girl has flowers in her bedroom


Perfume on her neck
The girl wears perfume on her neck


Nectar from a mason jar
The observer is describing the image of nectar in a mason jar, potentially as a metaphor for the girl's sweetness or charm


Seven dollar dress; she's
The girl is wearing a seven-dollar dress


Super cute, and plenty bad
The girl is very attractive and confident


Thirty twenty-two thirty-six and a half
The observer is describing the girl's measurements


I, hope the dude will realize
The observer hopes that other men will recognize the girl's worth


She got the silky(?) (?)sexy bedroom eyes
The girl has a seductive look in her eyes


Cause when it comes to love I get plenty, degrees one-twenty
The observer is confident in his ability to give love in abundance, regardless of the situation


My back slipped out my dress - OOPS!
The observer is jokingly suggesting that he got carried away in describing his love for the girl


When she wants plenty, she gets plenty (she gets it all)
Reiterating the girl's ability to get whatever she wants


and she gets plenty more (plenty more) ahh
Emphasizing that the girl exceeds expectations in getting what she wants


and any damn thang I want - right?
The observer is asking if he could have anything he wants too because the girl has such a strong power


In this game of life it takes a lot to win
The observer is acknowledging that life is challenging and not easy to navigate


Plenty more baby's what I got to give
The observer is emphasizing that he has a lot to offer, including abundance and love


Yeah yeah baby that's really nice
The girl seems pleased with what the observer is offering


But I'm tryin to read my book and you're in my light
The girl is busy and has other priorities, and the observer is getting in the way


Uhh - a woman like you could help me reach the top
The observer believes that being with the girl could help him improve himself and become more successful


If I get a chance to love you, mm, I won't stop
The observer is committed to loving and caring for the girl if given the chance


I didn't hear you I was thinkin bout some stuff
The observer was lost in his thoughts and not paying attention to what the girl was saying


Baby you so fine I want to smack myself
The observer finds the girl incredibly attractive and entertaining


I don't need no support I'm gonna back myself
The observer is confident in his ability to succeed and doesn't need anyone else's help


Hooo baby you so sweet
The observer thinks the girl is very sweet and kind


Now can you get the lotion and rub my feets
The observer is asking the girl for a foot rub


In massage therapy I got a master degree
The observer is skilled in massage therapy and can offer the girl a high-quality foot rub


I give you plenty more, than what you askin from me
The observer is saying that he can offer the girl more than she even realizes she wants or needs


I need a little bit of space, a little bit of wealth (okay)
The observer is saying that he needs some time and resources to achieve his goals


And oh - about the feets, a little to the left (like this?)
The observer is giving the girl instructions on how to rub his feet


Mmmmmm (m'hmm, like that?)
The girl is confirming that she understands and is following the observer's instructions


More lotion! (C'mon.. you got plenty!)
The observer is asking the girl for more lotion so she can continue rubbing his feet


{*Erykah Badu cracks up laughing*}
Erykah Badu is laughing at the ridiculousness of the situation


[Badu] That's good! Alright?
Erykah Badu is saying that she approves and thinks the situation is funny


[Guru] That's good right?
The observer is also checking to make sure that Erykah Badu is okay with the situation


[Badu] {*laughing*}
Erykah Badu continues to laugh and enjoy the situation




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ERICA WRIGHT, BRAYLON LACY, HAROLD MARTIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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