Born in London, he is the son of writer Ann Dexter-Jones and real estate tycoon Laurence Ronson. His mother later married Mick Jones, lead guitarist of multiplatinum selling rock band Foreigner. He has two sisters: fashion designer Charlotte Ronson and DJ Samantha Ronson. He spent his childhood in a wealthy suburb of London where he lived on the same street as Paul McCartney‘s family. When his parents divorced at age 8, he moved to New York, where he made friends with John Lennon's son, Sean Lennon.
Ronson played guitar and drums from an early age, but it wasn't until moving to New York City with his mother that Ronson discovered DJ culture. At age 16, already a fan of such popular hip-hop artists as Run-D.M.C. and the Beastie Boys, Ronson began listening to the various hip-hop mixtapes released every few months by DJs. Inspired, Ronson confiscated his father's record collection and began trying his hand at mixing.
The young DJ with the diverse taste soon caught the ears and eyes of various socialites and New York celebrities, including fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger, who featured Ronson along with other sons and daughters of celebrities in a 1997 fashion campaign. A year later, hip-hop mogul Sean "P. Diddy" Combs hired Ronson to DJ his fabled 29th birthday bash. These and other high-profile gigs boosted Ronson's "hip quotient" and helped promote his more serious-minded music career. Fusing his eclectic turntable skills with his knowledge of musical instruments and songwriting, Ronson eventually embarked on his first solo project. Featuring such diverse guest artists as dancehall rapper Sean Paul, hip-hop artist Mos Def, Jack White of the White Stripes, and Rivers Cuomo of Weezer, Ronson's debut album, Here Comes the Fuzz, bowed for Elektra in 2003.
Ronson's second album, Version, adds to his eclectic style. In this sophomore album, Ronson fuses a range of musical genres from Daniel Merriweather to Ol' Dirty Bastard to Phantom Planet with an up tempo contemporary funk sound. All the songs on this album are covers of previous Billboard top-10 pop songs, with a jazzy twist.
Career
Attending Vassar College and then New York University (NYU), Ronson became a regular at downtown hip-hop spots and made his name as a DJ on the New York club scene in 1993. He was soon one of the most respected DJs and was being called on for celebrities' private parties. Ronson is known for his diverse, genre-spanning selection, influenced by both the hip-hop scene of New York and the more rock influence of the UK, amongst others.
He moved on, however, to producing music. After producing Nikka Costa's song "Everybody Got Their Something," Ronson signed a record contract with Elektra Records. His first album Here Comes the Fuzz was released in 2003 and was a critically acclaimed success that featured artists of all genres, despite initially poor sales. The most well known song from the album, " Ooh Wee" samples " Sunny" by Boney M and features Nate Dogg, Ghostface Killah, and Trife Da God. He has since produced multiple songs on the albums of singers Christina Aguilera, Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen, and Robbie Williams.
In 2004, he formed his own record label, Allido Records, a subsidiary of Sony BMG's J Records, along with his longtime manager Rich Kleiman. The first artist he signed to Allido was rapper Rhymefest, most well-known for winning the Grammy for co-writing Kanye West's "Jesus Walks".
In March 2006, Ronson released a cover of Radiohead's " Just" as a single. In certain areas, such as the UK, it gained major radio play. It also saw release as part of Exit Music: Songs with Radio Heads, a full Radiohead covers CD, in April, later appearing on Ronson's second album, Version, which was released in the UK on 16 April 2007. It includes other covers of a diverse selection of rock & pop songs including: Kaiser Chiefs' " Oh My God" (featuring guest vocals from Lily Allen), an instrumental version of Coldplay's " God Put A Smile Upon Your Face", Britney Spears' "Toxic", Ryan Adams' "Amy", Maxïmo Park's " Apply Some Pressure", The Zutons' "Valerie" and Kasabian's "L.S.F.".
I Can
Mark Ronson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Alright
Oh yeah
All night
When I met you last night, baby
And you let me roll the dice
You said I'd be your lucky lady
I can't lose, I can't lose
When I'm 'round you
I can't lose, I can't lose
Now I found you
Oh yeah, alright
I can turn your luck around, baby
Ain't no hotter hand in town
Come and stake your love on me
Come lay it on the line
I bet you never felt this way before
I bet you never seen so much action on the floor
Rollin' fever I'm on fire
And tonight I'm goin' wild
Oh baby, you got to be my ace in the hole
I can't lose, I can't lose
When I'm 'round you
I can't lose, I can't lose
Now I found you
Oh yeah, alright
Oh yeah, all night
Oh yeah, alright
Oh yeah, all night
I can't lose, I can't lose
When I'm 'round you
I can't lose, I can't lose
Now I found you
Oh yeah, alright
Oh yeah, all night
Oh yeah, alright
Oh yeah, all night
The lyrics of Mark Ronson's "I Can" suggest a promising introduction to someone who seems to have a power to turn luck around, all night long. Running on the theme of winning and succeeding, the song appears to be a tribute to a significant other. Mark constantly reminds the partner of the luck and prosperity brought to his life ever since he/she arrived. As the lyrics go, "When I met you last night, baby, And you let me roll the dice, You said I'd be your lucky lady, I hit those numbers all night". The singer is implying that he can't lose and there's no hotter hand in town when he's around his significant other. The song has an upbeat and peppy tone throughout its entirety, indicative of the elation and euphoria the relationship bestows upon him.
Mark Ronson goes on to say that he bets the lover has never felt this way before and probably never seen so much action on the floor. The very energy and excitement his significant other has managed to bring into his life has sent him rolling feverishly. This part of the lyrics sings "Rollin' fever I'm on fire, And tonight I'm goin' wild, Oh baby, you got to be my ace in the hole". With the use of "ace in the hole," Ronson compares his lover to a game of cards because of the luck and prosperity she brings to his life.
In conclusion, "I Can" is a song that projects the positive energy and luck the singer gains from his significant other. Mark Ronson's high energy beats and lyrics convey the joy and exuberance of a new and promising relationship that he intends to keep for the long run.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh yeah
Expressing excitement and anticipation for what is to come.
Alright
Everything is good and on track.
Oh yeah
Reiterating excitement and anticipation.
All night
All throughout the night, without stopping.
When I met you last night, baby
Recalling a recent encounter with someone.
And you let me roll the dice
Describing a moment when taking chances was allowed.
You said I'd be your lucky lady
Claiming to have been promised good luck by someone.
I hit those numbers all night
Reporting an extended streak of favorable outcomes.
I can't lose, I can't lose
Expressing confidence in an ability to win.
When I'm 'round you
Attributing the feeling of invincibility to being near someone.
Now I found you
Grateful for the discovery of an advantageous person to be around.
I can turn your luck around, baby
Implying the ability to affect the outcomes of someone else's life.
Ain't no hotter hand in town
Asserting superiority over others who claim to possess similar skills.
Come and stake your love on me
Offering oneself as a worthwhile partner in a relationship.
Come lay it on the line
Issuing a challenge to take a risk and show commitment.
I bet you never felt this way before
Assuming uniqueness of one's charm or appeal to another person.
I bet you never seen so much action on the floor
Asserting the volume of activity resulting from one's actions or presence.
Rollin' fever I'm on fire
Describing a state of intense and successful activity.
And tonight I'm goin' wild
Announcing an intention to continue being active and successful in the near future.
Oh baby, you got to be my ace in the hole
Requesting that someone be relied upon as a valuable or secret advantage.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mark Ronson, Michael Chabon, Jeff Bhasker, Nathaniel Hale, Ricardo Brown
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mavroel6473
Mark Ronson never goes wrong. Love his style.
@NintendoGeek26
I believe he sampled some of AINT NO FUN from Snoop Doggs Doggystyle.
@deniseodras1076
I think this is a great song and video. I love her voice and hope she does more songs! I would love to hear an album full of that beautiful voice.
@sebYB67
This song has a nice 80's-90's feel to it.
@p0llenp0ny
I heard this song without knowing who it was. Thought it was once of those groups Prince produced back in the 80s.
@stryker1876
Oof u might be ded by now
@ZalomeZtudios
I can never get enough of these. Each one makes me feel good about choosing to make music for a living. Time to hit repeat!
@marose8279
J'adore. Excellent morceau. Merci Mark Ronson et Keyone Starr.
@sierradelta07
Such a retro sound. As soon as I heard it I thought of the 80s Britfunk grooves. Nice work Mr. Ronson.
@sahilkhan2470
it reminds me of a hit back in 70's or 80's but cant remember which one it is.. Mark Ronson is still hella dope! one a the few artist who comes with entirely new work,