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.
Smile
Lyfe Jennings Lyrics
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Rollin' my 67
Cadillac DeVille
Bumpin' that old Sugar Hill
Today I'm living proof
Your worst fear came true
I'm doing alright without you baby
I'm leaving all that darkness behind me
So when that sunshine finally finds me
I can stand fully in the light
Spread my wings and reach for sky
I never felt so alive
Kiss my kids goodnight
Tell 'em Daddy's alright I'm alright
[Chorus]
Honey child there's a whole world waiting on you
Took a while but we finally made it through
Go 'head you can smile now all that darkness' behind you
Smile. Smile. Smile.
Feels like I've been baptized
Almost drowned but I survived
She held me under for 5
Years of my life
But today I'm living proof
Your worst fear came true
I'm doing alright without you baby yes I am
I'm leaving all those grudges behind me
Throwing fear out the window
So when these blessings come to find me
They will have room to breathe and grow
Let my blessings overflow and get my life under control
So my kids will know, Daddy finally let go
I finally let go
[Chorus]
[Bridge]
Blue skies- blue skies are calling you
No more teary eyes, no more crying for you baby
And I don't despise you at all
I thank you for the lessons you have taught me
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Lyfe Jennings's song Smile are about moving on from a toxic and negative relationship, and finding happiness and peace. Lyfe starts the song by saying that he feels like he's in heaven while driving his Cadillac DeVille and listening to Sugar Hill. He also says that he's living proof that his former lover's worst fear came true, as he's doing well without her in his life. He's leaving all the darkness and negativity behind, making changes in his life, and waiting for the sunshine to finally find him. He wants to stand fully in the light, spread his wings, and reach for the sky. He feels like he's never been more alive, and he's happy to kiss his kids goodnight and tell them he's alright.
The chorus of the song is about embracing life and smiling after going through tough times. Lyfe says that there's a whole world waiting for his former lover, and although it took them a while, they made it through their struggles. He encourages her to smile and leave all the darkness behind, indicating that she too can overcome the negative emotions that come after a failed relationship.
In the second verse, Lyfe talks about being saved from drowning by someone who almost killed him. He is once again living proof that he's doing well without his toxic lover. He wants to leave all the grudges behind, throw fear out of the window and let blessings come to him. He wants his blessings to overflow so that he can get his life under control and let his kids know that he's finally let go.
Overall, Smile is an uplifting song about overcoming obstacles and finding happiness after being in a difficult relationship. The lyrics encourage listeners to embrace life, make positive changes, and leave all the darkness behind.
Line by Line Meaning
Feels like I'm in heaven
I am feeling very happy and content
Rollin' my 67 Cadillac DeVille
I am driving in my luxurious classic car
Bumpin' that old Sugar Hill
I am listening to classic music from a famous record label
Today I'm living proof
I am evidence that someone's worst fears came true and they lost me
Your worst fear came true
The person who lost me is now dealing with their worst fear becoming a reality
I'm doing alright without you baby
I am currently living a good life without the person who lost me
I'm leaving all that darkness behind me
I am getting rid of all negative things in my life and moving on
Making changes in my life
I am actively working to improve my life
So when that sunshine finally finds me
When good things come into my life, I will be able to fully appreciate them
I can stand fully in the light
I will be able to confidently stand in and enjoy a positive life
Spread my wings and reach for sky
I am ready to reach my full potential in life
I never felt so alive
I am feeling very happy, positive, and alive
Kiss my kids goodnight
I am showing love and affection to my children
Tell 'em Daddy's alright I'm alright
I am letting my children know that I am doing well
Honey child there's a whole world waiting on you
The future is bright and full of opportunities for you
Took a while but we finally made it through
We've been through a lot but we've finally made it to a better place
Go 'head you can smile now all that darkness' behind you
It's okay to be happy now that negative things are in the past
Feels like I've been baptized
I feel like I have been cleansed and renewed
Almost drowned but I survived
I almost fell prey to negative things but I was able to come out the other side
She held me under for 5 years of my life
Someone held me down or oppressed me for a long time
Throwing fear out the window
I am letting go of fear and taking bold steps forward
So when these blessings come to find me
When good things come into my life, I will be ready for them
They will have room to breathe and grow
I have created a positive environment for good things to flourish in my life
Let my blessings overflow and get my life under control
I am ready and willing to handle all the good things that come my way
So my kids will know, Daddy finally let go
I want my children to know that I am moving on from bad times and embracing positive changes
Blue skies- blue skies are calling you
The future is bright and full of opportunities for you
No more teary eyes, no more crying for you baby
You can be happy now and put difficult times behind you
And I don't despise you at all
I don't hate you, despite what you've put me through
I thank you for the lessons you have taught me
I am grateful for the lessons I have learned, even though they were difficult
Lyrics © CHESTER JENNINGS DBA LYFE IN MUSIC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DENNIS EARLE LAMBERT, BRIAN POTTER, CHESTER JERMAIN JENNINGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind