If Boyz II Men are portrayed as a clean-cut, wholesome R&B vocal group, then Jodeci's wild, sexual, bad-boy image represents the other side of the coin. Made up of two sets of brothers, the group's name is a consolidation of three members' aliases: "JoJo" Hailey, Donald "DeVante Swing" DeGrate, and Cedric "K-Ci" Hailey; the group also includes Dalvin DeGrate. Natives of Charlotte, NC, all four members toured the South as young boys singing gospel music, even recording albums; both families belonged to the Pentecostal church, and the DeGrates' father was a minister. The boys were able to hear each other's gospel songs played on the radio, and eventually were introduced through girlfriends as teenagers. However, when they did meet, K-Ci was with a girl Dalvin had been dating, and a fight nearly broke out. The Hailey brothers and DeVante started hanging out together, partying and talking about making R&B records together, coming up with the name Jodeci at this time.
At age 16, DeVante ran away to Minneapolis to get a job in Prince's organization, but was refused. He returned to Charlotte, where he wrote a song and recorded JoJo singing it. The two planned on going to New York to shop the demo around by themselves, but both K-Ci and Dalvin decided to tag along at the last minute. By the time they got to New York, they had demo recordings of 29 songs, which they brought to the offices of Uptown Entertainment. They were almost rejected, but rapper Heavy D overheard the tape and talked Uptown president Andre Harrell into hearing the group. Harrell was impressed, and just like that, Jodeci signed a recording contract. In 1991, they recorded Forever My Lady, which featured the gold single "Come and Talk to Me" and went on to sell over three million copies. A minor feud resulted over the band's follow-up album, Diary of a Mad Band; Jodeci, unhappy with their treatment by Uptown, flirted with the idea of leaving for Dr. Dre's Death Row Records, which resulted in almost zero promotion for their new album. It didn't matter much, as Diary went platinum. The group's troubles got worse in 1993; DeVante and K-Ci were involved in an incident with a woman K-Ci met at a club and brought back to DeVante's apartment. The woman filed charges against the two, saying that K-Ci had threatened her and fondled her breast, while DeVante pointed a gun at her. Both pleaded guilty, but that wasn't all; shortly afterwards, DeVante's house was robbed of over 160,000 dollars in jewelry and clothes as the singer was held with guns in his mouth and at the back of his head.
Jodeci's third album, The Show, the After Party, the Hotel, was released in the summer of 1995. DeVante also was afforded the opportunity to work with Al Green, one of his idols, writing and producing the song "Could This Be the Love." ~ Steve Huey, Rovi
Jodeci Albums:
* 1991: Forever My Lady #18 US (3x platinum)
* 1993: Diary of a Mad Band #3 US (2x platinum)
* 1995: The Show, The After Party, The Hotel #2 US (platinum)
* 2005: Back to The Future: The Very Best of Jodeci (300,000)
Jodeci Singles:
* 1991: "Gotta Love"
* 1991: "Stay" (US #41, R&B #1)
* 1991: "Forever My Lady" (US #25, R&B #1)
* 1991: "Come and Talk to Me" (US #11, R&B #1)
* 1993: "Cry For You" (US #15, R&B #1)
* 1993: "Feenin'" (US #25, R&B #2)
* 1993: "Lately" (US #4, R&B #1)
* 1993: "Let's Go Through the Motions" (US #65)
* 1994: "What About Us" (R&B #14)
* 1995: "Freek'n You" (US #14, R&B #3)
* 1995: "Love U 4 Life"
* 1996: "Get on Up" (US #22, R&B #4)
Jodeci Side-Projects:
(K-Ci & JoJo)
* 1997: Love Always
* 1999: It's Real
* 2000: X
* 2002: Emotional
* 2005: All My Life "Their Greatest Hits"
(Dalvin Degrate)
* 2000: Met.A.Mor.Phic
(K-Ci Solo)
* 2006: My Book
Pump It Back
Jodeci Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
girl what you wanna do
baby pump me while i pump you
you and I together
can work it from 9-5
cuz you know I'm with wahtever
to keep you satified
said I see you shakin your body
and I all ask is one thing girl
is baby can you work with me
can you pump it back
ohh, to and fro
so here we go-
to and fro-
girl let your body roll
now baby all night long
you've been dancing close to me
and it's started feelin so nice
and my body got all sweaty
girl I'm geting my keys to my car
I wanna take you home with me
and we'll be one on one
yes, pump pump
and I pump you
pump that body
round and round, up and down
baby don't stop
cuz I feel right now
round and round, up and down
baby don't stop lets make that sound
round and round, up and down
baby don't stop cuz i feel right now
pump that body
one two, girl what you wanna do
baby pump me while I pump you
can you do, can you do
I said pump it back
all night long
can you give me a little bit more of your body
baby you need to let me know
can't nobody pump it like a booty from the ghetto
round and round, up and down
baby don't stop, let's make that sound
you need to let me know
baby baby baby
The lyrics to Jodeci's "Pump It Back" is a seductive and sexually charged song that speaks about the desire for physical pleasure between two partners. Throughout the song, the singer is asking the woman to "pump" or move her body in a way that would drive him wild. He praises her body and the way she moves, promising to do the same in response. The song is mostly about dancing and physical attraction, and how those things can lead to an enjoyable physical relationship.
The song opens with him asking the woman what she wants to do, suggesting pumping together. He tells her that they can work together to make each other feel good, promising to be with her for as long as she needs. He notes that he likes the way she moves, calling her sexy and asking her to work with him. He repeats the chorus, asking her to pump it back and let her body roll. He then talks about how she's been dancing close to him all night, and how it's gotten him excited. He wants to take her home with him and make love to her. He asks her to pump his body and he'll pump hers in return.
The chorus repeats itself again, with lyrics that encourage the woman to continue pumping her body in a circular motion. The singer wants her to know that he's enjoying himself and wants her to give him even more of her body. He tells her that nobody else can pump it like a girl from the ghetto. The song ends with him asking her to let him know what she wants, while repeating the word "baby."
Line by Line Meaning
one, two
The song is beginning with a simple count.
girl what you wanna do
The singer is asking the girl what she wants to do now.
baby pump me while i pump you
The singer is suggesting that they work together to give each other pleasure.
you and I together
The singer is emphasizing that they need to work as a team.
can work it from 9-5
The singer is suggesting that they can work together for a long time.
cuz you know I'm with wahtever
The singer is indicating that he is flexible and willing to do whatever it takes to please her.
to keep you satified
The singer's ultimate goal is to make sure the girl is satisfied with their encounter.
said I see you shakin your body
The singer is acknowledging that he is attracted to the girl and likes her moves.
and I know you aint shy, sexy
The singer is complimenting the girl's confidence and sensuality.
and I all ask is one thing girl
The singer is asking for one simple thing from the girl.
is baby can you work with me
The singer is asking if the girl is willing to collaborate with him in their sexual encounter.
can you pump it back
The singer is requesting that the girl reciprocate by working with him.
ohh, to and fro
The singer is emphasizing the back-and-forth motion involved in their sexual activity.
so here we go-
The singer is indicating that they are about to begin their sexual activity.
girl let your body roll
The singer is encouraging the girl to let her body move freely and naturally.
now baby all night long
The singer is indicating that their sexual encounter will last all night.
you've been dancing close to me
The singer is acknowledging that the girl has been getting physically close to him all night.
and it's started feelin so nice
The singer is enjoying the closeness he has with the girl.
and my body got all sweaty
The singer is indicating that he is getting physically aroused.
girl I'm geting my keys to my car
The singer is indicating that he wants to take the girl home with him.
I wanna take you home with me
The singer is expressing his desire for the girl to come home with him.
and we'll be one on one
The singer is emphasizing that their encounter will be intimate and focused solely on them.
yes, pump pump
The singer is indicating that they will continue their sexual activity.
and I pump you
The singer is emphasizing that they will continue to work together.
pump that body
The singer is instructing the girl to use her body to please him.
round and round, up and down
The singer is emphasizing the circular and up-and-down motions involved in their sexual activity.
baby don't stop
The singer is encouraging the girl to continue their activity.
cuz I feel right now
The singer is indicating that he is feeling good physically and emotionally.
one two, girl what you wanna do
The singer is repeating his earlier question to the girl.
can you do, can you do
The singer is asking if the girl is able to perform the requested sexual activity.
all night long
The singer is indicating that their encounter will last all night.
can you give me a little bit more of your body
The singer is expressing a desire for the girl to give him more pleasure physically.
baby you need to let me know
The singer is requesting that the girl communicate her desires and needs to him.
can't nobody pump it like a booty from the ghetto
The singer is acknowledging and complimenting the girl's sexual prowess and skill.
let's make that sound
The singer is indicating that they should focus on the pleasurable sounds of their encounter.
baby baby baby
The singer is expressing his desire for the girl to continue their sexual activity.
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DONALD DEGRATE, DONALD EARLE DE GRATE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@camore5422
Mother funking REAL music.
The voices
The production
The style
The best R&B group ever
Been listening to Jodeci since I was 9. :o
@markroach7225
Best rnb group of the 90s period !!!๐๐โโ๐
@farfetched9296
Damn you da man with a plan...I know you took good notes listening to Jodeci...
@farfetched9296
@@markroach7225 hands down but I can't lie Boyz 2 Men....could run with Jodeci....either way I love them both...
@tank6000
No doubt!!!!!! 100% 4REAL!!!!!
@kevinjones9159
preach
@mariahb8927
Jojo coming in so smoothly, "You and I togetheeeeeer" just solidified that the song was going to be amazing.
@mikonelson7234
Right! ๐ฏ๐ฏ
@staciewesson9932
Mariah B love
@TheGojiCrew_123Support
LOVE!!!