Macy Gray was originally hesitant to record a studio album due to what is, arguably, her most recognizable feature -- her voice. She started her music career as a songwriter. Her first album was actually a mistake; she was at the studio waiting for the person who was supposed to be singing her song, and the producer wanted to hear what one of the songs was supposed to sound like. Once she started singing, the producer liked the rough sound of her voice so much he offered her a record deal.
What I Gotta Do
Macy Gray Lyrics
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Yeah, girl, a boy, and a girl
Never thought I'd have babies
Looking up to me
Wanna give them all the world
Yeah, trying to make it, always gone
You say, "Mommy don't go," oh, oh
It's what I gotta do
There's no place that I'd rather be than there with you
It's what I gotta do to take care of you
Make it right, oh (make it right, make it right)
And I never make it
But I have to hope you understand the circumstances
I'll be there the second I get the chance
What I gotta do
Yeah, only you can rely
Wanna give you the best of everything
So I miss some things
But you're always on my mind (always on my mind)
Yeah, I'm gonna show you the world
But it ain't easy, oh, oh
But I don't wanna leave you (I don't wanna leave)
It's what I gotta do
There's no place that I'd rather be than there with you
It's what I gotta do to take care of you (oh yeah)
Make it right, oh (make it right, make it right)
And I never make it
But I have to hope you understand the circumstances
I'll be there the second I get the chance (I'll be there)
What I gotta do
Stars are in your eyes
The sun is in your flower
Easy to my churches
You show me what my purpose is
Girl, a boy, and a girl
Sweetest in my world (sweetest in my world)
Hey hey, hey hey, hey, yeah
It's what I gotta
It's what I gotta
It's what I gotta take, oh
It's what I gotta do
There's no place that I'd rather be than there with you
It's what I gotta do to take care of you (a girl, a boy, and a girl)
Make it right, oh (make it right, make it right)
And I never make it
But I have to hope you understand the circumstances
I'll be there the second I get the chance
What I gotta do
What I gotta do
What I gotta do
What I gotta do
The song "What I Gotta Do" by Macy Gray speaks to the struggle of balancing personal and professional responsibilities as a parent. In the song, Macy Gray expresses her desire to give her children the world, but also acknowledges the difficulties of doing so while pursuing her career. The lyrics "trying to make it, always gone" reflect the struggle of balancing work life with being present for her children. She also mentions her daughter begging her not to go, but ultimately having to leave for her job. Despite the challenges, Macy Gray emphasizes her commitment to being there for her children when she can, singing "I'll be there the second I get the chance."
The chorus of the song, "It's what I gotta do to take care of you," highlights the theme of sacrifice for the ones you love. Macy Gray recognizes that she may miss out on certain things in her personal life, but ultimately it's for the greater good of her family. The chorus also has an upbeat tune, which contrasts with the heavier lyrics, emphasizing the importance of finding joy even in difficult times.
Overall, "What I Gotta Do" is a relatable and heartfelt song about the challenges of parenthood and the commitment to doing what is necessary to take care of one's family.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh
Expressions of emotions and feelings.
Yeah, girl, a boy, and a girl
The singer is a mother to two children, a boy, and a girl.
Never thought I'd have babies
The singer never expected to have children.
Looking up to me
Her children admire her and depend on her for support and love.
Wanna give them all the world
The singer wishes to provide everything her children need and deserve.
Yeah, trying to make it, always gone
The singer is making an effort to provide for her children, but it requires her to be absent from them for periods.
You say, "Mommy don't go," oh, oh
One of her children doesn't want her to leave and expresses that clearly to her.
And I don't wanna leave, uh uh (I don't wanna leave)
The singer doesn't want to leave and misses her children when she has to.
It's what I gotta do
The singer recognizes that she has a responsibility to provide for her children.
There's no place that I'd rather be than there with you
The singer would rather be with her children than anywhere else.
It's what I gotta do to take care of you
Providing for her children is crucial, so she has to be away from them to do so.
Make it right, oh (make it right, make it right)
The singer wants to make things right for her children when she is with them.
And I never make it
The singer recognizes that she can't always be there for her children even though she wishes she could.
But I have to hope you understand the circumstances
She hopes her children will understand why she has to be away sometimes.
I'll be there the second I get the chance
The singer promises to be there for her children as soon as she can.
Only you can rely
Her children are the only ones who truly depend on her.
Wanna give you the best of everything
She wants to provide her children with the best possible life.
So I miss some things
The singer has to sacrifice some things to provide for her children.
But you're always on my mind (always on my mind)
Her children are always on her mind even when she is away from them.
Yeah, I'm gonna show you the world
The singer wants to show her children everything that the world has to offer.
But it ain't easy, oh, oh
Providing for her children is challenging for the singer.
Stars are in your eyes
The singer appreciates the sparkle she sees in her children's eyes.
The sun is in your flower
Her children bring warmth and brightness to her life.
Easy to my churches
Her children make everything feel more comfortable and enjoyable for her.
You show me what my purpose is
Through her children, the singer has found her purpose and meaning in life.
Sweetest in my world (sweetest in my world)
Her children are the sweetest and most important things in her life.
Hey hey, hey hey, hey, yeah
Musical interlude.
It's what I gotta take, oh
Providing for her children is essential, and she has to do what it takes to accomplish that.
What I gotta do
The singer has to be away from her children at times to provide for them, and that's what she has to do.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOSHUA ALVAREZ, NATALIE HINDS, JEREMY RUZUMNA, CALEB SPEIR, JASON ANTHONY VILLAROMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anonymous
on I Try
Redemption Song - Macy Gray - Lyrics
Old pirates, yes, they rob I
Sold out to the merchant ships
Minutes after they took I
From the bottomless pit
But my hand was made strong
By the hand of the Almighty
We forward in this generation
Triumphantly
Won't you help me sing
These songs of freedom?
It’s all I ever have
Redemption songs
Redemption songs
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our minds
Have no fear for atomic energy
'Cause none of them can stop the time
How long shall they kill our prophets
While we stand aside and look?
Some say it's just a part of it
We've got to fulfill the book
Won't you help me sing
These songs of freedom?
It’s all I ever have
Redemption songs
Redemption songs
It’s all I ever have
Redemption songs
Redemption songs
It’s all I ever have
Redemption songs