Jennings began singing at a young age in a Toledo church choir. He later joined a group called The Dotsons with two of his cousins and his older brother, Jay. The group separated in the early 1990s, and Jennings rediscovered music and started a music program at an Ohio prison where he was serving a ten-year sentence on an arson-related charge. He has cited Erykah Badu's 1997 album Baduizm as one of the reasons for his rediscovery. Jennings was released from prison in December 2002 and started to pursue a solo career in music. In January 2003, he performed in Showtime In Harlem at The Apollo. The same year, he also independently released his first EP, What Is Love. To further pursue his career, Jennings moved to New York City where he performed at rapper Nelly's concert at Radio City Music Hall, at an NAACP convention where he performed an original song called "Thank God for the NAACP", and at the Cafeteria in Chelsea, Manhattan during the blackout on August 14. He signed with Columbia Records and released his debut album Lyfe 268-192 (268-192 was his inmate number) in August 2004. His first single was Stick Up Kid, which didn't see much sucess until after the album was released. The album featured his hit single "Must Be Nice". Jennings' second album The Phoenix will be released in August 2006. The first single, "S.E.X.", feautures Jennings' protégé, singer LaLa Brown.
Cry
Lyfe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I done been broke
I done been talked about something awful
Done been lied on by so many folks
I done even been depressed at times
And didn't wanna cry cause my pride was too strong
But over the years I thought it over
I figured, can't be nothing all that wrong with crying
If anybody says that they're that strong they're lying
See crying is like taking your soul to the Laundromat
It's like the feeling that you get
When you see your Grand-mama smile
Or the heavens open up and blessing rain down
Go on child and cry
Go on and cry, cry, cry
We can cry together
See I done been a player
I done been played
I done went for some of the oldest tricks
From some of the coldest chicks God done ever made
Said I done even had a venereal disease
And didn't wanna go to the clinic, all that attention embarrassing me
But over the years I've learned to understand
That I don't really give a damn what nobody say, I'm a man
And we cry
We can cry, we can cry, we can cry together
Talkin' bout wo wo wo yea yea yea
They say a man ain't supposed to cry
But I know, know, know
Fasho' sho', sho'
That even men go through problems somtime
Cry
In Lyfe Jennings's song Cry, he reflects on his life experiences, both good and bad. He speaks about his journey through financial difficulties, being the subject of gossip and lies, and even struggling with his mental health. He notes that for a long time he didn't want to cry because he felt that his pride was too strong. However, over time he realizes that there is nothing wrong with crying and that it can be an important release for pent-up emotions. Lyfe Jennings sees crying as a cleansing process, something that can wash away the pain and make one feel renewed. He also acknowledges the power of crying together, recognizing that it's important to have support.
The chorus of the song reiterates the importance of crying and invites listeners to do so together. He believes that it's not just women who should allow themselves to cry but men as well. The idea that men shouldn't cry is widely perpetuated in society, but Lyfe Jennings rejects this notion, acknowledging that men go through problems as well. The song encourages vulnerability, honesty, and the importance of emotional expression.
The message of Cry is not just about crying, but also about overcoming societal expectations of masculinity and allowing oneself to be vulnerable. It's a powerful reminder that it's okay to show emotion and to seek support. Overall, the song serves as a call to action for listeners to embrace their emotions and not feel ashamed for being human.
Line by Line Meaning
I done had money
I have experienced financial stability
I done been broke
I have experienced financial hardship
I done been talked about something awful
I have been the subject of gossip and rumors
Done been lied on by so many folks
Many people have spread lies about me
I done even been depressed at times
I have experienced depression
And didn't wanna cry cause my pride was too strong
I was hesitant to cry because I didn't want to appear weak
But over the years I thought it over
After some reflection, I began to reconsider my views on crying
And after struggling for so long and still holding on
Despite enduring many difficult situations, I have persisted
I figured, can't be nothing all that wrong with crying
I came to the realization that there is nothing inherently wrong with crying
If anybody says that they're that strong they're lying
Those who claim to not cry are not being truthful about their emotions
See crying is like taking your soul to the Laundromat
Crying can cleanse your emotional well-being like washing your clothes in a laundromat
It's like the feeling that you get
Crying can produce a cathartic sensation
When you see your Grand-mama smile
Seeing the smile of a loved one can evoke emotion
Or the heavens open up and blessing rain down
Experiencing a positive outcome can be emotionally moving
Go on child and cry
It is okay to cry
Go on and cry, cry, cry
Express your emotions through crying
We can cry together
Sharing a crying experience can offer support
See I done been a player
I have been involved in romantic relationships where I played and was played
I done been played
I have been deceived in romantic relationships
I done went for some of the oldest tricks
I have fallen for manipulative tactics in romantic relationships
From some of the coldest chicks God done ever made
I have been involved with deceitful and heartless women
Said I done even had a venereal disease
I have suffered from a sexually transmitted infection
And didn't wanna go to the clinic, all that attention embarrassing me
I was too embarrassed to seek medical attention
But over the years I've learned to understand
Through experience, I have become more knowledgeable
That I don't really give a damn what nobody say, I'm a man
I am confident in my masculinity and don't care about others' opinions
And we cry
Men are capable of crying
We can cry, we can cry, we can cry together
Men can support each other through crying
Talkin' bout wo wo wo yea yea yea
Expressing emotion through sound
They say a man ain't supposed to cry
There is a societal expectation that men should not cry
But I know, know, know
Through personal experience and reflection, I know that men can cry
Fasho' sho', sho'
Slang for 'for sure', emphasizing the previous line
That even men go through problems sometimes
Men experience obstacles and struggles in life
Cry
Express your emotions through crying
Lyrics © CHESTER JENNINGS DBA LYFE IN MUSIC
Written by: LYFE JENNINGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jaydabrown3619
I done had money
I done been broke
I done been talked about something awful
Done been lied on by so many folks
I done even been depressed at times
And didn't want to cry cause my pride was too strong
But over the years I thought it over
And after struggling for so long and still holding on
I figured, can't be nothing all that wrong with crying
If anybody says that they're that strong they're lying
See crying is like taking you soul to the Laundromat
It's like the feelings that you get
When you see your Grand-mama smile
Or the heavens open up and blessing rain down
Go on child and cry
Go on child and cry, cry, cry
We can cry together
See I done been a player
I done been played
I done been went for the some of the oldest tricks
From some of the coldest chicks God done ever made
Said I done even had a venereal disease
And didn't want to go to the clinic, all that attention embarrassing me
But over the years I've learned to understand
That I don't really give a damn what nobody say, I'm a man and we cry
We can cry, we can cry, we can cry together
Talkin' bout wo wo wo yea yea yea
They say a man ain't supposed to cry but I know, know, know
Fasho' sho', sho'
That even men go through problems sometime cry
@BriAkilah
This album deserved way more attention! So raw & transparent ❤️
@markdawson9437
I'm sitting in my car listening to this song and I feel like crying because last week before Thanksgiving my wife told me that she didn't want to be married anymore. It hurts like hell thinking you're going to be together forever but it doesn't turn out that way. Crying as a man doesn't make you a punk,it cleanses your soul. It hurts right now,but with God's help,I'll make it. Please pray for me!!!
@OlSkoolAJ
sometimes the world beats you down so bad that even as a man you need to shed tears and I'm glad lyfe kept it 100.
@lasheaky23
Love this song
@lorenzosams1219
gator mane
@lorenzosams1219
gator mane slab
@tangreene27
AJ Smith Keep God 1st, Keep pushing
@lamontweaver3466
AJ Smith .t hui zzz: unih
@anthonydavis4780
It's like every song he makes, he's actually talking about my life. I not only "FEEL" his music, I've actually lived it. His words, my tears, was the strength that I needed to make it through the hardest times that I've experienced in life. Thanks for the inspiration.
@ishad7552
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤