Because I Got It Like That
Jungle Brothers Lyrics

Because I got it like that, uh huh
I have something special which makes me unique and impressive.

Because I got it like that, wooh, uh huh
My impressive quality is so powerful that it deserves another acknowledgment.

Because I got it like that (like how?)
Underscored the request to provide an explanation of what is so impressive about the user.

Like that
I cannot exactly define what is unique about me but it is undeniable.

Dancin' on the dance floor
I am very into music and enjoy dancing to it.

Girl, it's you that I adore
Addressing a woman I am attracted to and expressing admiration for her.

Step on stage, you scream for more
I am a talented performer, and my audience always desires more from me.

Africa got rhymes galore
I am originally from Africa and embody the rich culture and abundant talent of my homeland.

Snap my fingers, make you mine
I have a charismatic presence that draws people to me.

If not, I'll snap a second time
I am confident in my abilities and willing to assert myself.

After that, I guarantee
I am so sure of myself that I can promise what will happen next.

You will be standing next to me
I know that I am desirable and will attract the attention of the people around me.

Left or right side, take your pick
I am so impressive that people vie for my attention.

But girl, you've got to make it quick
I have many options, so you must act fast to secure my attention.

Baby, baby, baby
Expressing affection toward someone I am interested in.

I know I drive you crazy
I am well aware that I am attractive and magnetic.

Mc's know me as Mike G
I am a well-known musician with a loyal following.

Girls hold on to me tightly
My charm is so irresistible that women cling to me.

Warm personality
I am friendly and approachable.

That's why they get close to me
Others are drawn to me because of my personality.

Try their best to drive me wild
Some people seek to arouse me and stir up my passions.

Say they want to bear my child
Some women want to start a family with me.

I go away, they say "come back"
When I leave, people plead with me to return because they miss me.

Why? Because I got it like that
Reinforcing that my particular ability made me attractive and irresistible.

No problem, (why?) because I got it like that
Expressing confidence in my ability to succeed because I am so talented.

A Baby Bam beat and an African rap
Detailing the specific genre of music that I am a part of.

My partner by my side, Sammy be is on the cut
Identifying my musical partner as Sammy Be and our rhythm style as "cut".

Your DJs chill and chill, but hey, so what?
Asserting a proud and confident attitude about our music in comparison to other artists.

Nuggets in my pocket, wine in my hand
Describing my casual approach and satisfaction in life, likely due to my success.

It comes to me natural, it comes to me easy
My talent is so innate that it feels effortless to perform and create music.

I just lay back and let the big beat lead me
Referring to a style of music where the base rhythm is central and performers follow its cadence.

I never work a day in my life
I am very talented and successful, so my work feels like fun and easy.

Single jungle brother, no kids, no wife
I am an unattached, single man with a strong connection to my African heritage.

A hundred thousand rhymes from one band, that's many
Proudly boasting our impressive achievements as a musical group.

But back where I come from, they ain't worth a penny
Despite our impressive talent, many people in our homeland do not place a high value on our art form.

You've got a lot of talent, but you fail to see
Noting that some people may be talented but not recognize it as a gift or use it appropriately.

You paid for yours, I got mine for free
Claiming that my talent came naturally and did not require any paid formal education or training.

Play in the rain and don't get wet
Using a metaphor to describe how I am so good at something that it feels easy and natural.

Walk through the desert and don't even sweat
Another metaphor to assert my natural skill and ease at performing certain difficult tasks.

Play in the snow and don't get cold
A third metaphor to describe my ease at performing even in challenging conditions.

I'm just a cool young brother who looks kinda old
Coolness is a part of my attitude, regardless of what I might look like.

Love around the world schoolin' the sound
I am well-traveled, and my talented music is recognized across the globe.

If I could bet a crowd and get caught us loud
Describing my potential to perform very well live and inspire a strong audience response.

I've got ladies uptown and money on the floor
I am very popular, successful, and surrounded by women and money.

There's not a thing in the world that I'm askin' for
I am so happy with my life already that I don't need anything more.

Used to be a player, couldn't be trusted
Describing my past as a man who engaged in uncommitted relationships which led others not to trust him.

But still in all, I never got busted
Despite past mistakes, I was never caught doing something illegal or unethical.

Knowin' every part of New York City
Stating that I am very familiar with a particular location, enhancing my image as a man of the world.

I thought it was fun, it used to look pretty
Reflecting on feelings and experiences from the past, indicating growth as a person.

I had it all spread out, even one next door
Boasting about substantial success with women and how it used to be easy to attract them.

Four to five, you see, was my minimum
Continuing to brag about my success with women, with four to five meaning the number of people I could be with at once.

And every day, I used to go and get with 'em
Claiming that this behavior was a daily occurrence and effortless.

One for every hour on the hour, one on the way while I was in the shower
Expressing that I was consistently engaged in sexual activity throughout the day.

It sounds kinda crazy, it sounds kinda bugged
Admitting that the above behavior was unusual or strange.

But you see, Africa was the one they loved
Describing how many of my romantic interests were attracted to me because of my African identity.

So you see, it got to a point where they didn't care
Note how for many of my partners, my African heritage eventually became irrelevant.

They didn't want to give me up, so they agreed to share
Asserting that despite the competition for me, some of my lovers were willing to share my affection or company.

Like that
Concluding the song, asserting my previous points that I am incredibly special and gifted.

Uh, wooh, Sammy be, be, you got it like that
Invoking my musical partner, Sammy Be, to join me in sharing our gift of song.

I know you got it like that
Acknowledging the talent of my partner and our shared creative endeavor.

Yo Mike G from the Jungle Brothers, man
Identifying myself once again and highlighting that I am part of a successful music group.

New Orleans got it like that
Acknowledging the musical heritage and talent of New Orleans.

New York City got it like that
Celebrating my hometown and its rich musical scene.

Los Angeles got it like that
Identifying another city with a strong music and cultural scene.

Cleveland got it like that
Showing appreciation for the impressive artistic offerings of Cleveland.

Let me see, who else got it like that? (Detroit?)
Posing a question regarding other cities and identifying Detroit as a possible answer.

Man, yeah, Atlanta got it like that
Including Atlanta in the growing list of cities with impressive music and culture.

Philadelphia got it like that
Noting Philadelphia as having its own unique and impressive artistic identity.

Texas got it like that, let me see
Asserting that Texas has its own rich cultural identity with outstanding musical offerings.

Somebody else got it like that (D.C.)
Revealing that Washington D.C. is another city with its own impressive cultural and artistic identity.

Yea, D.C., D.C. Got it like that
Affirming the talent and energy of the Washington D.C. area in music and other creative endeavors.

Boston, Miami, I know you got it like that, Miami
Shouting out these two additional cities and acknowledging their rich cultural and artistic identities.

Word, word up, yo, I'm outta here, you know why?
Closing out the song and leaving with an air of confidence and attitude.

Because I got it like that
Finalizing the song with the same assertion of talent and charm that has been its refrain throughout.