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)
Shoes
Marsha Ambrosius Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But it's so good
Still got on your shirt
My hair's all out of place (last night we made love)
Don't remember when's the last
Time I came over to your place
I remember we were drinking, laughing about the weekend
Then we swore it to be the last time, but every single time we say that (oh)
We just can't stop
We can't stop doing it, doing it, doing oh
Ooh and it's, ooh and it's, ooh it's so good
Baby, between me and her, you've got to choose
Choose (choose!) dude
Where are my shoes?
Panties and toothbrush and all?
Can't keep on doing this that long
Running back to you every time you call, I'm losing my cool
Where are my shoes?
What's the time, should I make you breakfast?
Should I just be quiet? (Shh) He's still laying, he's snoring
And I want some more and it puts me out of my fucking mind
We were drinking, touching and we were kissing
And we didn't care who would see
And we swore it to be the last time, but every single time we say that
I get you onto me
You can't stop doing it, doing it, doing oh
Ooh and it's, ooh and it's, ooh it's so good
Baby, between me and her, you've got to choose
Choose (choose!), come on dude!
Where are my shoes?
Panties and toothbrush and all?
Can't keep on doing this that long
Running back to you every time you call, I'm losing my cool
Where are my shoes?
Pretty bad to feel
'Cause I believe I'm better for you than she is
Better than she is babe
But you milk the cow for free
And I had said I wouldn't be the one for you
Wouldn't be the one for you babe babe
It's pretty 'bout to be the same
And be the other bother me to do (bother me to do)
But your loving makes me weak and I still overhear
Now what am I to do?
Where are my shoes?
Panties and toothbrush and all?
Can't keep on doing this that long
Running back to you every time you call (every time you call me babe) I'm losing my cool
Where are my shoes?
Panties and toothbrush and all? (Where is my panties babe?)
Can't keep on doing this that long
Running back to you every time you call, I'm losing my cool
Where are my shoes?
You that she's gonna find out at some point right?
I'll come clean
It wasn't me!
The lyrics to Marsha Ambrosius's song "Shoes" is about a person who knows their ongoing relationship with their lover is wrong, yet they keep coming back to it because the physical pleasure makes it hard to stay away. The person is struggling with the fact that they are not the only one in their lover's life and that they are just a side piece. They are left confused about the status of their relationship with their lover, as they constantly switch between wanting more and wanting to end it. There's a hint of anxiety and shame in the lyrics as the person tries to find their shoes while sneaking out of their lover's place unnoticed. The song captures the emotional turmoil and inner battle of someone who is stuck in a toxic and addictive relationship.
The hook of the song is catchy, yet the lyrics are raw and honest. The line "where are my shoes?" signifies that the person is trying to leave before they are caught by their lover's significant other. They are aware that they are in a situation that can blow up at any time, yet they can't resist the temptation of being with their lover. Ambrosius's soulful voice and storytelling add depth to the lyrics, making the song relatable to anyone who has been in a similar situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Damn, I can't believe I keep doing this to myself
I'm annoyed at myself for falling into this pattern over and over again, it's frustrating.
But it's so good
Even though it's frustrating, the pleasure is worth it.
Still got on your shirt
I'm wearing your shirt, it reminds me of you and what we did last night.
My hair's all out of place (last night we made love)
My hair is messy because we had sex last night.
Don't remember when's the last Time I came over to your place
I can't recall the last time I was at your house.
I remember we were drinking, laughing about the weekend
I remember us hanging out over the weekend, having a good time.
We went all the way to the top
We went all the way sexually, to the point of orgasm.
Then we swore it to be the last time, but every single time we say that (oh)
Despite promising it would be the last time, we can't help but repeat this pattern.
We just can't stop
We can't resist each other.
Where are my shoes?
I'm wondering where my shoes are.
Panties and toothbrush and all?
I'm also missing my panties and toothbrush, did I leave them here?
Can't keep on doing this that long
I know I can't keep doing this for an extended period of time.
Running back to you every time you call, I'm losing my cool
I always come running back to you when you call, I'm losing my mind over you.
What's the time, should I make you breakfast?
I'm wondering what time it is and contemplating making you breakfast.
Should I just be quiet? (Shh) He's still laying, he's snoring
I'm wondering if I should be quiet since you're still sleeping and snoring.
And I want some more and it puts me out of my fucking mind
Despite knowing that this is not healthy, I still want more and it's driving me crazy.
Baby, between me and her, you've got to choose
You need to choose between me and her.
Choose (choose!) dude
Make a decision already!
Pretty bad to feel
I feel pretty crappy.
'Cause I believe I'm better for you than she is
I think I'm better for you than your current significant other.
But you milk the cow for free
You're getting what you want from me without having to give much in return.
And I had said I wouldn't be the one for you
I said I wouldn't be the one to fall for you.
It's pretty 'bout to be the same
It's starting to look like I was wrong.
But your loving makes me weak and I still overhear
Your love for me weakens me and pulls me in, despite knowing better.
Now what am I to do?
I'm not sure what to do now.
You that she's gonna find out at some point right?
Do you realize that your significant other is going to find out about us eventually?
I'll come clean
I'll confess.
It wasn't me!
I'm denying my involvement.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MARSHA A AMBROSIUS, ANDREW Z CLIFTON, ERIC HUDSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
vevletjones77
I can't even get to the end. About half-way through, I start it over. One of the grittiest and honest songs I've heard in a while. I can't believe this has been out for two years and I have never heard it. What the game needs.
Lakesha Summons
yes sir yes sir
Sonya Baker
vevletjones77 This is the cut!!!
michelle shawntae
vevletjones77 hahahaha. Me either. One day maybe I'll hear the end.
Pat Willoughby
vevletjones77 right... She's amazing
Tonette Wilks
She is amazing, yeah.
Jazz
I listen to this song EVERYDAY!!! I love the beat, lyrics....everything!
Jerresa M. (Reesee)
The bass in this song is SICK! I love this song!
Leilani Ching
Daum, I love this song! I just love this whole album!
Dasani605
OMG! Marsha did this shit! This song is what made me go buy the album! It has to be a single! I'm looking for my shoes right now!