Born in Bay Shore, New York, and raised between St. Albans, New York and Hollis, New York in the borough of Queens. The only child of Ondrea (née Griffith) and James Smith, Jr. Smith is of both African American and Native American descent. He spent his youth singing in the church choir, participating in the Boy Scouts and delivering newspapers.
Def Jam released his first record, the 12" single "I Need a Beat" in 1983. The single sold over 100,000 copies. The success of "I Need a Beat" helped lead to a distribution deal with Def Jam and Columbia Records in 1985. Soon after, he dropped out of Andrew Jackson High School to record his debut album.
He is known for romantic ballads such as I Need Love and Hey Lover as well as pioneering hip-hop such as I Can't Live Without My Radio, I'm Bad, The Boomin' System, Mama Said Knock You Out, and 4, 3, 2, 1. L has also appeared in several films. LL Cool J is one of a few hip-hop stars of his era to sustain a successful recording career for more than two decades. He has released 12 albums and a greatest hits compilation so far, with his next album, Exit 13, set to be released in September, 2008. The album will be the last for LL's record deal with Def Jam Recordings, a deal which has lasted for over twenty two years, making it the longest single hip hop deal to date. He now resides in Manhasset, NY with his wife and four children.
Cry
LL Cool J Lyrics
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Yeah, yeah, yeah, oh oh
When I cry baby you cry
When we cry baby, it's like
You know, oh oh
How love goes, say it again
When I cry baby you cry
You know (Oh oh) how love goes (Now give it to em)
How ever it go I'm going out for ya girl,
If I'm a stick up kid I'm pullin' out for ya girl,
If I was hustling I'd pump coke for ya girl,
If I was a dred then I'd smoke for ya girl,
I play captain,rock the boat for ya girl,
I play martin and bring hope to ya girl,
When I was away look how I wrote to ya girl,
Wasn't I polite when I spoke to ya girl,
Tricked on you cop that coke for you girl,
I'd do anything but go broke for ya girl,
Since I'm a rapper I wrote a song for ya girl,
Since I'm a gun clapper I keep it warm for ya girl,
Lift some weights and keep it hard for ya girl,
Sunday morning pray to God for you girl,
If that don't work catch a charge for ya girl,
Or flip some bars become a star for ya girl,
When I cry baby, you cry (You cry)
When we cry baby, it's like
You know oh oh
How love goes
Come on say it again
When I cry baby you cry (Baby)
When we cry baby it's like (Yeah)
You know (Oh oh) how love goes
(Just how love goes)
If I was a pastor I'd preach for ya girl,
If I was a hand then I'd reach for ya girl,
Grab a broom and sweep the streets for ya girl,
Become the President and get in peace for ya girl,
I keep having these visions in my mind,
No since, no reason, no rhyme,
Schizophrenia is hard to define,
Life's a mountain for you,I'm ready to climb,
Become the sun for you I shine,
Much more than all your other guys combined,
So you can tell them all to wait in line,
Cause a crime of passions still a crime,
Life ain't a movie girl you cant rewind,
But I play any role just to make you mine,
Even in the mirror you're one of a kind,
And I don't need nobody else to co-sign,
When I cry baby, you cry (You cry)
When we cry baby, it's like (o o oh o)
You know (Oh oh)
How love goes
Say it again
When I cry baby you cry (Woo woo wo ow)
When we cry baby it's like (Yeah)
You know (Oh oh) how love goes
(Just how love goes)
Take it to the bridge,
There ain't nothin' I wouldn't do,
I cook and clean when it comes to you,
I keep it locked don't ever fear,
When it comes to my man I'm a be right here,
Keep it hustle when times are tough,
Never left me stranded it was all about us,
Kept coming home,
Kept running strong,
This love is meant to be life long,
Life is good when it's me and you together,
And when there's drama then I'm a do what ever,
Keep you warm in the stormy cold weather,
Leave you broken and lonely oh never,
Every work that I say is so clever,
When you feel it in your heart it gets you much wetter,
I am the original go getter,
I don't waste time fronting I go get her,
Stare at the devil and won't blink for ya girl,
Change the way that I think for ya girl,
Put it on paper waste the ink for ya girl,
Walk through the dessert without a drink for ya girl,
Central booking, rock pink for ya girl,
Step in quicksand and sink for ya girl,
Whatever the obstacle I'm a leap for ya girl,
End my life and go to sleep for ya girl,
When I cry baby, you cry (You cry)
When we cry baby, it's like (Yeah)
You know you know (Oh oh)
How love goes
When I cry baby you cry
When we cry baby it's like (Yeah)
You know (Oh oh) how love goes
(Just how love goes)
The song "Cry" by LL Cool J featuring Lil' Mo is a love song that talks about the depth of the affection that the singer has for his lover. The song begins with a repetitive chorus where the singer makes the statement that when he cries, his lover cries too, and that's how love goes. The singer goes on to express his willingness to do anything for his lover, including committing a crime or sacrificing his life.
Throughout the song, the singer lists all the different ways he would go out of his way and make sacrifices to show his love. For instance, he talks about lifting weights to keep it hard for her or becoming the President and bringing peace for her. In other lines, he talks about sweeping the streets for her or becoming a pastor and preaching for her. These lyrics show that the singer is willing to do anything to make his lover happy and make their love strong.
The song's bridge emphasizes the depth of the singer's love, with Lil' Mo singing the lyrics, "There ain't nothin' I wouldn't do, I cook and clean when it comes to you, I keep it locked don't ever fear, When it comes to my man I'ma be right here." These lyrics show the singer's devotion to her partner, willing to do anything to keep him happy and stand by him.
In conclusion, "Cry" by LL Cool J ft. Lil' Mo is a beautiful love song about devotion, sacrifice and true love. The song's lyrics show a deep level of love and commitment that is touching and emotional.
Line by Line Meaning
When I cry baby you cry
In times of sadness and emotional pain, we are in it together and your tears show your empathy for my pain.
When we cry baby, it's like
Our emotional connection is so strong that when we both cry, we can feel each other's pain.
You know, oh oh
Our connection is so profound that we don't need to say much. We just know how the other feels.
How love goes, say it again
This is how love works, and it's worth repeating because it's a unique thing that we experience together.
If I'm a stick up kid I'm pullin' out for ya girl
I will do anything for you, even if it means putting myself in harm's way.
If I was hustling I'd pump coke for ya girl
Even if it means getting involved in illegal activities, I'll do it for you.
When I was away look how I wrote to ya girl
Even when we are apart, I make sure to stay connected and express my love for you.
Or flip some bars become a star for ya girl
I'm willing to do whatever it takes to become successful and make you proud.
Life's a mountain for you,I'm ready to climb
I am committed to being there for you during life's biggest challenges and obstacles.
Life ain't a movie girl you cant rewind
Unlike in movies, we can't go back and change things. I cherish every moment we have together and will do anything to make them special.
Kept coming home, Kept running strong
I am reliable and dependable, always keeping my promises to you and never giving up on our love.
Stare at the devil and won't blink for ya girl
I am brave and fearless when it comes to protecting you from any evil or danger.
Whatever the obstacle I'm a leap for ya girl
No matter what challenges come our way, I am willing to take risks and make the necessary sacrifices for our relationship.
End my life and go to sleep for ya girl
I am willing to give everything up for you, even if it means sacrificing my own life to protect you.
You know you know (Oh oh)
I know that you understand and feel the same way about our love as I do.
Take it to the bridge
Let's take a moment to reflect on our love and how strong it is.
This love is meant to be life long
Our love is meant to last forever, and I am committed to you no matter what.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Ultra Tunes
Written by: BUNNY SIGLER, KENNY GAMBLE, LEON HUFF, IRV LORENZO, ROBERT MAYS, JEFFREY ATKINS, CYNTHIA LOVING, JAMES TODD SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind