Hailing from Liverpool, England, fans first got a taste of Marsha’s talent as the singing half of the duo Floetry. Their 2000 debut Floetic produced signature singles like “Say Yes" and "Getting Late" as well as four Grammy nods. Following the 2005 release of their second studio album, Flo’Ology, the ladies veered creatively and personally. While the split was difficult, Marsha continued to build a name for herself as a songwriter and producer, creating “Butterflies” for the late Michael Jackson and other hits for artists such as Alicia Keys, Justin Timberlake, Jamie Foxx and Nas. She’s been nominated for a total of six Grammys and has been honored by BMI as their Songwriter of the Year.
Over the years, Marsha has stayed relevant as an artist via touring, writing/producing and mixtapes like 2007’s Neo Soul is Dead, 2008’s Yours Truly and 2010’s Yours Sincerely. She also appeared as a featured artist on projects from Patti Labelle, The Game, Busta Rhymes, Jamie Foxx and Earth, Wind & Fire, among others. Eventually, Marsha signed with Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Records however a much-buzzed about solo debut never materialized due to creative glitches. Equipped with plenty of her own talent, she found herself being given songs from producers that were “great but not songs that made sense in relation to each other.” Marsha calls her sound “honest and consistent” and it was important for her to make an album with an overall cohesive sound. She explains, “I think with an album everything has to make sense, like ‘Where is this story going?’”
But that wasn’t the only situation posing a challenge for Marsha. A basketball player since childhood, when her music career took off, her diet remained the same as when she was regularly active. Constantly on the road touring and promoting wasn’t conducive to a healthy diet and resulted in her gaining 70 pounds in just one year. She finally got serious about her health and lost the weight safely and slowly over about a two-year period.
Now at a strong place mentally and physically, Marsha’s ready to present her sound to the world. The first single, “Hope She Cheats on You (With a Basketball Player),” is an anthem that women and men can relate to. Marsha explains, “It’s the reality of a bad break up. We wanna be decent human beings and say the right thing, you know, ‘I wish you well.’ But this is ‘Everything that could go wrong for him I want it to because my ego is bruised and I’m acting out.’” There’ve been many songs written about heartbreak, but Marsha’s approach to “Hope She Cheats on You” gets in your face rather than plays the victim.
LATE NIGHTS & EARLY MORNINGS is destined to be a classic, as Marsha offers a candid glimpse of her life and perspectives as a woman. Inspired by musical icons like Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Prince, she concedes there is an overall male influence in her songwriting, such as the assertive sentiments heard on hits like “Say Yes.” She explains, “My pen and my point of view has a certain aggression to it because I’ve listened to a lot of male influenced music, which I think makes me one of the most outspoken writers out here. Sometimes as a woman you don’t wanna say what’s on your mind for fear of being judged. But why wouldn’t I say it like that if that’s how I felt?” Musical peers recruited to contribute to the project include Alicia Keys, a reunion with Dre and Vidal (producers of “Say Yes”), Just Blaze and Focus.
While her success in the industry is already solidified, Marsha knows it’s never easy to win over fans as a solo artist. Fortunately, she says, “It’s like being thrown in the deep end. ‘Okay I have to swim? Oh well.’ I’ve taken that attitude and it’s carried me forward.”
(from MarshaAmbrosius.com)
Butterflies
Marsha Ambrosius Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't acknowledge my smile when I try to say hello to you
All you got to do is not answer my call
When I am trying to get through
Keep me wondering why why
When all I can do is sigh
(I just wanna tell you)
Said I wish that I could be with you tonight
'Cause you give me butterflies
Inside baby
All I got say is that I must be dreaming
Can't be real
You're not here with me
See but I can feel you near to me
I confess to let you taste, just hopefless, for lesson
I will give you anything, just make my dreams come true
Oh baby you give me butterflies
I just want your touch and your kisses
Said I wish I could be with you tonight
You give me butterflies inside
I just want your touch and your kisses
Said I wish I could be with you tonight
You give me butterflies inside
If you will take my hand
Baby I will show you the way
If you will be my love
Baby I will love you till the end of time
I just want your touch and your kisses
Said I wish I could be with you tonight
You give me butterflies inside
I just want your touch and your kisses
Said I wish I could be with you tonight
You give me butterflies inside
The lyrics of Marsha Ambrosius's song, Butterflies, capture the longing and desire for someone who is unattainable. The singer of the song is asking the person they desire to walk away and pass them by, not to acknowledge their smiles or answer their calls. Though they are left wondering why and sighing, they still cannot help wishing for more from the person. The singer admits to the object of their desire giving them butterflies, a feeling of excitement and nervousness.
Despite not being with the person, they feel near to them, as if they are dreaming. The singer hopes to be able to be with the person they desire and confesses their emotions. They wish they could give the person anything just to make their dreams come true. Throughout the song, the singer repeats that they want the person's touch and kisses and wish they could be with them tonight.
The lyrics showcase the feeling of desire, longing, and unrequited love. Despite the singer's wishes, their love is not returned, and they are left with only their feelings and desires.
Line by Line Meaning
All you got to do is just walk away and pass me by
Just ignore me and pretend like I don't exist
Don't acknowledge my smile when I try to say hello to you
Don't show any sign of recognition when I try to greet you with a smile
All you got to do is not answer my call
Simply don't respond when I call you
When I am trying to get through
When I attempt to reach out to you
Keep me wondering why why
Cause me to constantly wonder why you're not responding
When all I can do is sigh
When I express my disappointment through a deep breath
(I just wanna tell you)
(I just want to confess my feelings to you)
I just want your touch and kiss
I desire your affectionate touch and kiss
Said I wish that I could be with you tonight
I express my desire to spend time with you tonight
'Cause you give me butterflies
Because you give me a feeling of nervous excitement, like butterflies in my stomach
All I got say is that I must be dreaming
All I can say is that this must be a dream
Can't be real
It can't be happening in real life
You're not here with me
You're not physically present with me
See but I can feel you near to me
But I can sense your presence close to me
I confess to let you taste, just hopeless, for lesson
I admit that I allowed you to experience me, even though it was a hopeless situation meant to teach me a lesson
I will give you anything, just make my dreams come true
I'm willing to offer you anything to make my dreams of being with you a reality
Oh baby you give me butterflies
Oh baby, you give me a feeling of nervous excitement, like butterflies in my stomach
If you will take my hand
If you will hold my hand
Baby I will show you the way
I will guide you and lead the way
If you will be my love
If you become my partner and show me love
Baby I will love you till the end of time
I will love you unconditionally for eternity
I just want your touch and your kisses
I desire your affectionate touch and kisses
Said I wish I could be with you tonight
I express my longing to spend tonight with you
You give me butterflies inside
You give me a feeling of nervous excitement, like butterflies in my stomach
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARSHA AMBROSIUS, ANDRE HARRIS, SOLA AKINGBOLA, WALLIS BUCHANAN, SIMON KATZ, JASON KAY, DERRICK MCKENZIE, TOBY SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind