Mark Morrison's first official recording was the 1993 vinyl release, Where Is Our Love, pressed on his own private Joe'Mel label.
Main career
In mid-1995, Morrison released his debut single, Crazy, which became a Top 20 hit in the UK. The follow-up single, Let's Get Down, also entered the Top 40. They were followed in the spring of 1996 by Return of the Mack which became a smash international hit spending two weeks at #1 on the UK charts. Morrison became the first black UK male solo artist to reach #1 in the 1990s.
His debut album, also titled Return of the Mack, followed and became a multi-platinum success. It reached number four in the UK chart, and sold 3 million albums worldwide. It spun off several more hit singles over the next year. Crazy (Remix), Trippin', Horny, and Moan & Groan would all reach the UK Top 10 making him the first artist in British pop history to have five Top 10 hits from a debut album.
Although his career was going well, Morrison was constantly in trouble with the law. In 1997, he was imprisoned the same year he received four Brit Awards nominations, Mercury Prize nomination, an MTV Europe Music Awards nomination, and five Music of Black Origin Awards (MOBO) nominations as the single Return of the Mack began to climb its way to #2 on the American Billboard charts receiving platinum status en-route. It stayed on the Billboard charts for an incredible 25 weeks.
He also performed at the 1997 Brit Awards. The performance at the Brit's influenced WEA and Morrison to release Only God Can Judge Me, a 9-track EP which contained live performances, interviews, prayers, and three full-length songs including Who's The Mack! which reached #13 in the UK.
Legal issues
Morrison has faced various criminal charges during his career including a 1997 conviction for attempting to bring a firearm aboard an airliner for which he served three months just as his hit song, Return of the Mack, began rising up the US Billboard charts.[1][2] In 1998, he failed to appear in court on charges of possessing an offensive weapon, choosing to instead fly to the West Indies island of Barbados. He was arrested and remanded into custody upon his return to the United Kingdom.[3][4] He was later cleared of the offensive weapon charge.[5]
He was convicted of affray for his part in a brawl resulting in one fatality and sentenced to community service.[2] Morrison later was incarcerated in Wormwood Scrubs for a year for paying a lookalike to perform his court-appointed community service in his stead, while Morrison himself went on tour.[2][6] While in prison, Morrison reportedly converted to Islam and attempted to change his name to Abdul Rahman.[7] Also in 1998, Morrison was banned from driving for six months and fined £1,380 after twice being caught driving without a licence.[8]
In 2002, Morrison was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and car theft.[9] He was released on bail but a policemen was later arrested on suspicion of taking a bribe from Morrison in return for his release.[9] Morrison failed to appear in court to face the charges and a warrant was issued for his arrest.[9]
In 2004, he was arrested and spent a night in custody after a fracas started when his medallion went missing.[10]
In 2009, Morrison was arrested for an assault in London.[11]
Return to music
Morrison appeared on the 1999 Brit Awards where he presented an award, introduced Whitney Houston and announced his return to music. In September 1999, a single titled Best Friend featuring Connor Reeves & Gabrielle became Morrison's ninth Top 40 hit single, reaching #23 on the UK Singles Chart.[12] The following year, it was announced by Billboard that Morrison had signed a five-year worldwide deal with Death Row Records founder Marion "Suge" Knight, making him the first, and only British artist to be signed with Death Row Records.[13]
He later signed to soccer player Kevin Campbell's 2 Wikid label in 2003. His only release for the label, a single entitled Just a Man/Backstabbers, was a minor UK hit, reaching #48 in the UK Singles Chart in August 2004.[14]
In May 2006, Morrison released the limited edition CD/DVD album entitled Innocent Man in the United Kingdom on his private label, Mack Life Records/Mona Records. The title track, Innocent Man, featuring DMX was released in March 2006. It was well received and reached #46 on the UK Singles Chart. In 2007, he was featured on hip-hop artist Cassidy's single titled Innocent (Misunderstood) from the B.A.R.S. The Barry Adrian Reese Story album. The track sampled Morison's vocals from the song, Innocent Man, and charted on Billboard's Bubbling Under Singles chart.
In 2008, Morrison announced the release of a 'best of' compilation, King of British R&B: The Best Of.. Mark Morrison, although it remains unreleased.[15]
In 2010, he announced the planned release of a new album entitled I Am What I Am which has a tentative release date of 2012. Plans for a world-wide tour to accompany the new release was also announced.
In 2012, Mark Morrison appeared as a guest feature on the Houston rapper Trae Tha Truth's "I'm On 2.0" which features notable rappers Big Krit, Jadakiss, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, B.O.B, Tyga, Gudda Gudda and Bun B.
Tears for You
Mark Morrison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well I tried to tell you so (yes, I did)
But I guess you didn\'t know, as I said the story goes
Baby, now I got the flow
\'Cos I knew it from the start
Baby, when you broke my heart
That I had to come again, and show you that I\'m real
(You lied to me) yes, I tried, yes, I tried
(You lied to me) even though you know I\'d die for you
(You lied to me) yes, I cried, yes, I cried
1-(Return of the Mack) it is
(Return of the Mack) come on
(Return of the Mack) oh my God
(You know that I\'ll be back) here I am
(Return of the Mack) once again
(Return of the Mack) pump up the world
(Return of the Mack) watch my flow
(You know that I\'ll be back) here I go
So I\'m back up in the game
Running things to keep my swing
Letting all the people know
That I\'m back to run the show
\'Cos what you did, you know, was wrong
And all the nasty things you\'ve done
So, baby, listen carefully
While I sing my come-back song
2-(You lied to me) \'cos she said she\'d never turn on me
(You lied to me) but you did, but you do
(You lied to me) all these pains you said I\'d never feel
(You lied to me) but I do, but I do, do, do
(Return of the Mack) here it is
(Return of the Mack) hold on
(Return of the Mack) don\'t you know
(You know that I\'ll be back) here I go
(Return of the Mack) oh little girl
(Return of the Mack) wants my pearl
(Return of the Mack) up and down
(You know that I\'ll be back) round and round
(rpt 2, 1)
(You know that I\'ll be back) don\'t you know
(Return of the Mack) here it is
(Return of the Mack) hold on
(Return of the Mack) be strong
(You know that I\'ll be back) here I go
(Return of the Mack) my little girl
(Return of the Mack) wants my pearl
(Return of the Mack) up and down
(You know that I\'ll be back) round and round
The chorus of this song is about the singer, who has been lied to and had their heart broken, coming back stronger than ever. The first verse describes how the singer tried to warn their significant other but was not listened to, and that now they are back with a powerful flow, having known from the start that their heartbreak would lead to their comeback. The second verse discusses how the significant other betrayed the singer's trust and caused them pain. However, the singer is making a comeback and is letting everyone know that they are back in control.
The lyrics of the song are about the idea of the comeback, rising up from heartbreak, and refusing to let others hold one down. The singer is aware of the fact that they were lied to but choose to use that betrayal to fuel their comeback. The chorus of the song, with its catchy repetition of "return of the Mack," is both a statement of intent and a declaration of the singer's arrival, letting everyone know that they are back and stronger than ever.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, oo-o-oh, come on, ooh, yeah
Excited exclamation to grab attention
Well I tried to tell you so (yes, I did)
I warned you about your behavior
But I guess you didn't know, as I said the story goes
You didn't understand my message, like it happens in fables
Baby, now I got the flow
I have the rhythm and the confidence
'Cos I knew it from the start
I sensed it since the beginning of our relationship
Baby, when you broke my heart
You hurt me deeply, romantically
That I had to come again, and show you that I'm real
I need to prove my authenticity, my genuineness
(You lied to me) all those times I said that I love you
You were deceitful when I shared my emotions
(You lied to me) yes, I tried, yes, I tried
I felt the urge to give it a chance, many times
(You lied to me) even though you know I'd die for you
You had knowledge of my deep devotion, still you lied
(You lied to me) yes, I cried, yes, I cried
I experienced pain and tears due to your behavior
(Return of the Mack) it is
I'm making a comeback with style
(Return of the Mack) come on
Join me in this excitement
(Return of the Mack) oh my God
It's a glorious return
(You know that I'll be back) here I am
I'm present, and I won't give up
(Return of the Mack) once again
I'm repeating my success, my talents
(Return of the Mack) pump up the world
I'm making the world aware of me again
(Return of the Mack) watch my flow
Observe, be amazed by my skills
(You know that I'll be back) here I go
I'm trying again, I'm determined to succeed
So I'm back up in the game
I'm competitive again
Running things to keep my swing
I'm in control again
Letting all the people know
Communicating to everyone around
That I'm back to run the show
I want to lead again
'Cos what you did, you know, was wrong
Your actions were incorrect, unfair
And all the nasty things you've done
I'm reminding you of your negative deeds
So, baby, listen carefully
Pay attention to me
While I sing my come-back song
I'm expressing my resurgence through music
(You lied to me) 'cos she said she'd never turn on me
You made promises of loyalty, but broke them
(You lied to me) but you did, but you do
You actually committed disloyalty repeatedly
(You lied to me) all these pains you said I'd never feel
You gave me the impression there'd be no painful consequences
(You lied to me) but I do, but I do, do, do
I am indeed feeling the hurt now
(Return of the Mack) hold on
Wait, there's more to come
(Return of the Mack) don't you know
Don't you recognize me now?
(Return of the Mack) be strong
Overcome negative thoughts and attitudes
(Return of the Mack) my little girl
You are someone special to me
(Return of the Mack) wants my pearl
You desire my unique qualities
(Return of the Mack) up and down
Our relationship has had its ups and downs
(You know that I'll be back) round and round
I'll keep trying, indefinitely
Contributed by Sarah T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.