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 Harlem at the Showtime 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 was released in August 2006. The first single, "S.E.X.", feautures Jennings' protégé, singer LaLa Brown.
Must Be Nice
Lyfe Jennings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Having someone who understands the life you live
Must be nice
Having someone whose slow to take and quick to give
Must be nice
Having someone who sticks around when the rough times get thick
Someone whose smile is bright enough to make the projects feel like a mansion
Must be nice
Must be nice
Having someone who talks the talk but also walks the walk
Must be nice
Having someone who understands that a thug has feelings too
Someone who loves you for sho'
You just remember to never let 'em go
'Cause even when your hustling days are gone
She'll be by your side still holding on
Even when those twenties stop spinning
And all those gold-digging women disappear
She'll still be here
Must be nice
Having someone you can come home to from a long day of work
Must be nice
Having someone you don't have to show; they know exactly where it hurts
Must be nice
Having someone who trusts you despite what they've heard
Someone as mighty as a lion but still as gentle as a bluebird
Must be nice
Having someone you don't have to tell you don't want to be alone
Must be nice
Having someone you can grow old with until God calls y'all home
Must be nice
Having someone who understands that a thug has feelings too
Someone who loves you for sho'
You just remember to never let 'em go
'Cause even when your hustling days are gone
She'll be by your side still holding on
Even when those twenties stop spinning
And all those gold-digging women disappear
She'll still be here
'Cause even when your hustling days are gone
She'll be by your side still holding on
Even when those twenties stop spinning
And all those gold-digging women disappear
She'll still be here
'Cause even when your hustling days are gone
She'll be by your side still holding on
Even when those twenties stop spinning
And all those gold-digging women disappear
She'll still be here
Lyfe Jennings’ “Must Be Nice” is a love song that’s different from other love songs in various ways. The song acknowledges the struggles of hustling and being in a difficult environment while recognizing the value of having someone to love and support you through it all. The lyrics express the desire for a loving, steadfast partner who understands them and is willing to stick with them even in the tough times. Jennings wants someone who can turn the “projects” into a “mansion” just by smiling.
The lyrics also touch on the typical conditions of many African American urban upbringings, such as financial instability, social tensions, and limited opportunities. Jennings suggests that having a committed partner can help one endure and navigate these challenges. He mentions that some people will come and go with changing fortunes, but a faithful and understanding partner will remain. The singer reiterates that having somebody who loves him despite his mistakes or bad decisions means the world to him.
Jennings’ depiction of love is essential, especially for someone who feels alone and may be struggling in life. The song provides a reminder to listeners that regardless of their situation, they are worthy of finding love and support.
Line by Line Meaning
Must be nice
It would be great
Having someone who understands the life you live
Having a person who comprehends the lifestyle one leads
Having someone whose slow to take and quick to give
Having a person who is unhurried to take but swift to give
Having someone who sticks around when the rough times get thick
Having a person who stays when the tough seasons become arduous
Someone whose smile is bright enough to make the projects feel like a mansion
Someone who possesses a smile so radiant that it can make the projects feel like a splendid mansion
Having someone who loves you despite your faults
Having a person who loves one despite their flaws
Having someone who talks the talk but also walks the walk
Having a person who not only talks the talk but also walks the walk
Having someone who understands that a thug has feelings too
Having a person who comprehends that a criminal also has emotions
Someone who loves you for sho'
Someone who truly loves you
You just remember to never let 'em go
One must never forget to hold on to such a person
Even when your hustling days are gone
Even when the days of striving to make ends meet have passed
She'll be by your side still holding on
That person will still be sticking with you
Even when those twenties stop spinning
Even when the money stops flowing in
And all those gold-digging women disappear
And all those women who are after your money vanish
Having someone you can come home to from a long day of work
Having a person to come home to after working all day
Having someone you don't have to show; they know exactly where it hurts
Having a person who doesn't need to be shown what's wrong, they know just where it hurts
Having someone who trusts you despite what they've heard
Having a person who trusts you despite hearing negative things about you
Someone as mighty as a lion but still as gentle as a bluebird
A person who is powerful like a lion, yet gentle like a bluebird
Having someone you don't have to tell you don't want to be alone
Having a person who understands that you don't want to be alone without being told
Having someone you can grow old with until God calls y'all home
Having a person to grow old with until both of you are called home by God
Lyrics © CHESTER JENNINGS DBA LYFE IN MUSIC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LYFE JENNINGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tedday4141
The time life was rough, got thrown out of apartment as we didn’t have money, she stuck by me. In chilling winter, a friend showed us cold shoulder we ended spending in -20 degrees outside, she stood by me. We got a house but no items, no mattresses she still stood by me sleeping on the floor. We spent days eating by chance many days went without food, she stood by my side. She has been the most beautiful woman on planet and she still is for eternity. She is has love and nothing else, she is simple, kind and genuine human being. Loving her everyday.
@brownsuga7461
God bless you and your beautiful queen and what a real woman means .blessings and grace to y'all that's genuine love
@shahemeholden4797
Similar story brother marry her I'm about to tired of the bs💙💪
@CNIETO8212
God bless you bro I listen to this back in 2004 locked.. I just lost her may 2019 I should of changed
@droprescott106
I had one like that but I fucked it up I’m still sick behind it till this day 💔🤞🏿
@tiffanycampbell8198
You are so Blessed!! She is your Gift from God!! ❤🙌🏽
@michaelatyson1912
This was my Daddy’s favorite song by lyfe. He would sing his heart out to this song.. Found out he died today and this is just keeping me going today..
@Bobby-ky2nb
My pops loved this song after he got locked up rip to our pops
@sallysson
🙏
@rubenochoa5334
Rip