In 1999 Jazz legend Joe Sample collaborated with Lalah on the album The Song Lives On, which became a staple on both Jazz and Smooth R&B radio, as well as topping the Jazz charts. However, it would not be until 2004 that Lalah Hathaway would resurface with her own project. She had her biggest hit single in years with an inspired cover of the late Luther Vandross' Forever, For Always, For Love, topping the Urban AC Chart and reaching Top 40 on Billboards mainstream R&B chart, a feat repeated by Outrun the Sky, Hathaway's first solo album in a decade, which was released late in the year.
Small Of My Back
Lalah Hathaway Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hope that you come and ask me to dance
Shake my body down tonight
But I'm so nervous when you're around
How can you help it come down
When you put your hand on the small of my back ohhh aahh
I just wanna groove with you
When you put your hands on the small of my back mm
Takin our time so motion
Everybody's lookin
Let's make the dj play our favourite song again
Boy I love it when you spent it around
You make my love come down
When you put your hand on the small of my back
I just wanna groove with you
When you put your hand on the small of my back
I just wanna groove with you
When you put your hand on the small of my back
I just wanna groove with you
When you put your hand on the small of my back
I just wanna groove with you
So let's dance, dance
Boy don't rush, take your time
Cause you're blowin my mind
So let's dance, dance yeah
Can't believe I'm with you
I love what you do, yeah
So let's dance, dance
Hope this night will never end
I love it when you spent it around
Aah, yeahhh
So let's dance, dance
Boy don't rush, take your time
Cause you're blowin my mind
So let's dance, dance yeah
Can't believe what you do
Yeaah so let's dance, dnace
Yeah yeah
Hope this night will never end
Cause I love the way you spend it around
When you put your hand on the small of my back
I just wanna groove with you
I just wanna groove with you
When you put your hand on the small of my back
I just wanna groove with you
Nanananana
When you put your hand on the small of my back
I just wanna groove with you
So let's dance, dance yeah
Nananan
So let's dance, dance yeah
So let's dance, dance yeah
Dance, dance with me babe, baby yeah
The lyrics to Lalah Hathaway's song Small Of My Back depicts the perspectives of a woman who is hopeful to dance with her love interest. She seems conflicted between her desires to dance with him and her nervousness whenever he is around. Her love interest has an irresistible effect on her, such that she can't help but groove when his hands are on the small of her back. The song depicts the romantic desires of the two towards each other and the love they share. The lyrics convey that the woman just wants to dance with her lover and spend time with him.
The song portrays a playful, romantic and joyful mood, encouraging its audience to dance and have fun. From the music to the lyrics, the song depicts a message of a positive outlook on relationships and love, encouraging couples to share joyful moments together. At the same time, the song portrays the struggles of getting the attention of a love interest and the mixed emotions that come with it.
In conclusion, the song captures the essence of romance, love and the desire to be with someone you love. It captures the emotions of the singer and the optimism that comes with being in love. The lyrics depict a mood of happiness, love and fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
Everyone's looking so good
The singer observes that everyone at the event looks good.
I hope that you come and ask me to dance
The singer hopes that the person they are attracted to will ask them to dance.
Shake my body down tonight
The singer is hoping to dance and have a good time tonight.
But I'm so nervous when you're around
The artist feels nervous when the person they are attracted to is around.
How can you help it come down
The artist is looking for a way to calm their nerves.
When you put your hand on the small of my back ohhh aahh
The singer finds comfort and reassurance when the person they are attracted to puts their hand on the small of their back.
I just wanna groove with you
The singer wants to dance and have a good time with the person they are attracted to.
Takin our time so motion
The artist wants to move slowly and take their time.
Everybody's lookin
The artist is aware that they are being watched by others.
Let's make the dj play our favorite song again
The artist wants to dance to their favorite song with the person they are attracted to.
Boy I love it when you spent it around
The singer enjoys the feeling of being around the person they are attracted to.
You make my love come down
The person they are attracted to brings out their desire and passion.
So let's dance, dance
The singer invites the person they are attracted to to dance with them.
Boy don't rush, take your time
The singer wants to take their time and enjoy the moment with the person they are attracted to.
Cause you're blowin my mind
The person they are attracted to is impressing and captivating the singer.
Can't believe I'm with you
The artist is happy and grateful to be spending time with the person they are attracted to.
I love what you do, yeah
The artist is attracted to the actions and behavior of the person they are with.
Hope this night will never end
The singer is enjoying their time and wishes it could last forever.
Nanananana
This line is a repetition of the earlier line expressing the singer's desire to dance with the person they are attracted to.
Contributed by Jordyn H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jae White
Lalah Hathaway is one of the RARE artist who REFUSES to alter her artistry to keep up with the industry, so she is not played on radio or promoted! "PLEASE SUPPORT NEO-SOUL"
These are the Neo-Soul Artists that are staying true to their craft people like Angela Johnson, Angie Stone, Amel Larrieux, Adriana Evans, Alice Smith, Alice Russell, Bilal, Carol Riddick, Chico Debarge, Cilla K., Conya Doss, The Endangered, Eric Roberson, Gaelle, Renee Neufville, Jean Baylor, Shana Tucker,
The Foreign Exchange, Frank McComb, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Incognito,
Janelle Monáe, Jarrard Anthony, Marcell Russell, Gwen Bunn,
Jesse Boykins III, Jose James, Groove Theory, Carlitta Durand,
Karen Bernod, Keite Young, Lady,
Laura Mvula, Little Dragon, Lynne Fiddmont, Marcell & The Truth, Marlon Saunders, Maysa, Me'Shell Ndegéocello, Omar, Quadron, Minnie Riperton, Navasha Daya, Solange, Zo!, Repercussions, Rahsaan Patterson,
Rhonda Thomas, Teri Tobin, Tess Henley, Caron Wheeler,
The Internet, Terri Walker, Thundercat, Rajdulari, Maurissa Rose,
Tracy Cruz, Trizonna McClendon, Gina Carey, Quentin Moore,
Valerie June, Vannessa Simon, Kem, Kloud 9,
Vikter Duplaix, W. Ellington Felton, Alison Crockett,
Yolanda Rabun, Sandra St. Victor, AYA, Chantae Cann,
India.Arie, Heston, Maxwell, Erykah Badu, Phonte,
Fertile Ground, Deborah Bond, Darien,
Deborah Jordan, Darien Brockington, Darrius,
Corinne Bailey Rae, Choklate, ReneeDion,
Ola Onabule, Cooly's Hot-Box, Clara Hill, Nik West,
Big Brooklyn Red, Carmen Rodgers, Carol Riddick, April Hill, Avani, Avery*Sunshine,
Abby Dobson, D'Angelo, ,The Brand New Heavies, Res,
Tony! Toni! Toné!, Raphael Saadiq, Andy Allo, Zap Mama, Lady Alma,
The Floacist, Cherokee, Bria Valente, Zhané, YahZarah, Chandlar, Blue Six, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Van Hunt, Wayna, Will Downing, Yolanda Johnson, Trina Broussard, Jsoul, V (Valvin Roane), Teedra Moses,
Deirdre Gaddis, Don-E, Donnie, Elisabeth Withers, Emily King, Esperanza Spalding, Swing Out Sister, KING,
Eric Benét, Geno Young, Giovanca, Gordon Chambers, Governor, Green Tea, Jiva, Gretchen Parlato, Heston, Hiatus Kaiyote, Leon Timbo, Leigh Jones, Natalie Gardiner, Dionne Reid, Society of Soul,
Hil St. Soul, Jazzyfatnastees, Jesse Johnson, Prince, Julie Dexter, Joss Stone,
Joy Denalane, Kendra Ross, Kindred The Family Soul, Ladybug Mecca, Lalah Hathaway, Laura Izibor, Laurneá, Lauryn Hill, Bilal Salaam, Joi,
Leela James, LeNora Jaye, Les Nubians, THEESatisfaction, Tiombe Lockhart, Tawana Lael, Terri Lyne Carrington, Reel People, Timothy Bloom, V.Bozeman,
Stacy Epps, Slakah The Beatchild, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Seek, Rotary Connection, Rogiérs, Robert Gee, Rhonda Thomas, Rhonda Smith, Remy Shand, Reggie B, The Rebirth, Raul Midón, Rachelle Ferrell,
PJ Morton, NYR, Noel Gourdin, Nneka, N'Dambi, Nikka Costa, Muhsinah, Monica Blaire, Monet, Mint Condition, Maya Azucena, Mycah Chevalier, Nicholas Ryan Gant, Jeanne Jolly,
Mavis "Swan" Poole, Martin Luther, Lynne Fiddmont, Lucy Pearl, Lorenzo Owens, Mamas Gun, Lizz Wright, Liv Warfield, Lizz Fields, Lina, Leon Ware, Dwele, Corneille, Lisa Taylor, Charles Bradley, Bluey, Ayo, DivaGeek, Kendra, Timotha Lanae, Shamika Phoenix, Dionne, Soulpersona, Kaleem Taylor, Bosra Sham, Rachel Walker, N'dea Davenport, D'Influence, Ms. Irene Renee, Melanie Durrant, Jazzhole, John Stoddart, Mo'j, E. Bland, Elaine Stepter, Carmen Lundy, Dionne Farris, Lisa Shaw, Shae Fiol, Lira, Morisha Danee,
Snarky Puppy, Antoine Dunn, Anthony Hamilton, Anthony David, Amy Winehouse, Chris Rob, Marques Toliver, Sade, Soulstice, Sunshine Anderson, Jaguar Wright, L'Renee, Lianne La Havas, Sy Smith AND A WHOLE LOTS MORE....
"THE DEFINITION OF NEO-SOUL"
Neo-Soul is a timeless musical genre that fuses real instrumental, Jazz, contemporary R&B and 1970s-style soul,funk,and rock with some elements of hip-hop. As it's name (new soul) implies, Neo-Soul music is essentially modern-day soul music, with contemporary attitudes and sensibilities. It differs from contemporary R&B in that it's organic and obviously more soulful,and it also tends to have deeper messages and meanings than R&B.
MyFATHER HISDaughter
I could NEVER get tired of this song!!! 18 dislikes, who wanted attention by hitting the thumbs down 🙄 Ms. Lalah has the voice that gives life, it's all about that bass!!! I Love me some her ❤️❤️ Neosoul at it's best!!!!
Hisoque
Yes ma'am this song is amazing, well all over her songs have a certain thing that makes you have goosebumps.
CcSings Forrest
I absolutely love and respect this BRILLIANT MINDED Vessel what a gift Lailah is to us all from ine Singer to another ,keep FLOWING in your GOD GIVEN GIFT.
Jae White
Lalah Hathaway is one of the RARE artist who REFUSES to alter her artistry to keep up with the industry, so she is not played on radio or promoted! "PLEASE SUPPORT NEO-SOUL"
These are the Neo-Soul Artists that are staying true to their craft people like Angela Johnson, Angie Stone, Amel Larrieux, Adriana Evans, Alice Smith, Alice Russell, Bilal, Carol Riddick, Chico Debarge, Cilla K., Conya Doss, The Endangered, Eric Roberson, Gaelle, Renee Neufville, Jean Baylor, Shana Tucker,
The Foreign Exchange, Frank McComb, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Incognito,
Janelle Monáe, Jarrard Anthony, Marcell Russell, Gwen Bunn,
Jesse Boykins III, Jose James, Groove Theory, Carlitta Durand,
Karen Bernod, Keite Young, Lady,
Laura Mvula, Little Dragon, Lynne Fiddmont, Marcell & The Truth, Marlon Saunders, Maysa, Me'Shell Ndegéocello, Omar, Quadron, Minnie Riperton, Navasha Daya, Solange, Zo!, Repercussions, Rahsaan Patterson,
Rhonda Thomas, Teri Tobin, Tess Henley, Caron Wheeler,
The Internet, Terri Walker, Thundercat, Rajdulari, Maurissa Rose,
Tracy Cruz, Trizonna McClendon, Gina Carey, Quentin Moore,
Valerie June, Vannessa Simon, Kem, Kloud 9,
Vikter Duplaix, W. Ellington Felton, Alison Crockett,
Yolanda Rabun, Sandra St. Victor, AYA, Chantae Cann,
India.Arie, Heston, Maxwell, Erykah Badu, Phonte,
Fertile Ground, Deborah Bond, Darien,
Deborah Jordan, Darien Brockington, Darrius,
Corinne Bailey Rae, Choklate, ReneeDion,
Ola Onabule, Cooly's Hot-Box, Clara Hill, Nik West,
Big Brooklyn Red, Carmen Rodgers, Carol Riddick, April Hill, Avani, Avery*Sunshine,
Abby Dobson, D'Angelo, ,The Brand New Heavies, Res,
Tony! Toni! Toné!, Raphael Saadiq, Andy Allo, Zap Mama, Lady Alma,
The Floacist, Cherokee, Bria Valente, Zhané, YahZarah, Chandlar, Blue Six, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Van Hunt, Wayna, Will Downing, Yolanda Johnson, Trina Broussard, Jsoul, V (Valvin Roane), Teedra Moses,
Deirdre Gaddis, Don-E, Donnie, Elisabeth Withers, Emily King, Esperanza Spalding, Swing Out Sister, KING,
Eric Benét, Geno Young, Giovanca, Gordon Chambers, Governor, Green Tea, Jiva, Gretchen Parlato, Heston, Hiatus Kaiyote, Leon Timbo, Leigh Jones, Natalie Gardiner, Dionne Reid, Society of Soul,
Hil St. Soul, Jazzyfatnastees, Jesse Johnson, Prince, Julie Dexter, Joss Stone,
Joy Denalane, Kendra Ross, Kindred The Family Soul, Ladybug Mecca, Lalah Hathaway, Laura Izibor, Laurneá, Lauryn Hill, Bilal Salaam, Joi,
Leela James, LeNora Jaye, Les Nubians, THEESatisfaction, Tiombe Lockhart, Tawana Lael, Terri Lyne Carrington, Reel People, Timothy Bloom, V.Bozeman,
Stacy Epps, Slakah The Beatchild, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Seek, Rotary Connection, Rogiérs, Robert Gee, Rhonda Thomas, Rhonda Smith, Remy Shand, Reggie B, The Rebirth, Raul Midón, Rachelle Ferrell,
PJ Morton, NYR, Noel Gourdin, Nneka, N'Dambi, Nikka Costa, Muhsinah, Monica Blaire, Monet, Mint Condition, Maya Azucena, Mycah Chevalier, Nicholas Ryan Gant, Jeanne Jolly,
Mavis "Swan" Poole, Martin Luther, Lynne Fiddmont, Lucy Pearl, Lorenzo Owens, Mamas Gun, Lizz Wright, Liv Warfield, Lizz Fields, Lina, Leon Ware, Dwele, Corneille, Lisa Taylor, Charles Bradley, Bluey, Ayo, DivaGeek, Kendra, Timotha Lanae, Shamika Phoenix, Dionne, Soulpersona, Kaleem Taylor, Bosra Sham, Rachel Walker, N'dea Davenport, D'Influence, Ms. Irene Renee, Melanie Durrant, Jazzhole, John Stoddart, Mo'j, E. Bland, Elaine Stepter, Carmen Lundy, Dionne Farris, Lisa Shaw, Shae Fiol, Lira, Morisha Danee,
Snarky Puppy, Antoine Dunn, Anthony Hamilton, Anthony David, Amy Winehouse, Chris Rob, Marques Toliver, Sade, Soulstice, Sunshine Anderson, Jaguar Wright, L'Renee, Lianne La Havas, Sy Smith AND A WHOLE LOTS MORE....
"THE DEFINITION OF NEO-SOUL"
Neo-Soul is a timeless musical genre that fuses real instrumental, Jazz, contemporary R&B and 1970s-style soul,funk,and rock with some elements of hip-hop. As it's name (new soul) implies, Neo-Soul music is essentially modern-day soul music, with contemporary attitudes and sensibilities. It differs from contemporary R&B in that it's organic and obviously more soulful,and it also tends to have deeper messages and meanings than R&B.
Hisoque
I tried to screenshot all of the artist. Thank you for this. People need to keep Neo-soul alive
YCBLady
I just can not stop playing this song!!!! This song is on my brain when I wake up in the mornings. LOVE THIS!!!
Janet Wilson
YCBLady it will never get old to me!
EliahSoul
Loving the soulfulness of this song....one of my favorite. But then I love anything Ms Hathaway does!
richard willock
Man we need more music like that instead of the stupid junk on the radio
bigsmoothg
What a beautiful song. Lalah has a beautiful voice and she is a cutie. And I know she tired of hearing it but she reminds me of ole Donny. But back to this song. Her adlib at 3:32-3:35 is unbelievable. Then another one at 4:02-4:05. Incredible! I got the absolute coldest chills up my spine listening to those parts. Thought I had a fever lol