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)
You & I
Marsha Ambrosius Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can we get together now?
You and I
Let's make this forever, now
Known each other for so many years
Counting cool and we were best of friends (best of friends)
You were my shoulder to cry on when it all ended
Lost your number, I moved out of town
Came on back to see if you're around
Need to find your love some way, somehow
(Find your love somehow, find your love somehow)
You and I
Can we get together now?
You and I
Let's make this forever, now (babe, babe)
Hope you still the same as when I left
Still remember the first time we kissed
You left an impression on my heart I won't forget
(No I won't forget) No I won't forget
Ran into your mother at the station (station)
She showed me the wedding invitation
I am praying that it's not too late
(Pray it's not too late, pray it's not too late for)
You and I
Can we get together now?
You and I
Let's make this forever, now
Hate and love, hate and love
I love you, ooh, I love you boy
I want your love
I need your love (I need your love)
Need your love
Hate and love, hate and love
I love you, ooh, I love you boy
I want your love
I need your love (I need your love)
Need your love
Hate and love, hate and love
I love you, ooh, I love you boy
I want your love
I need your love
I need your love
Hate and love, hate and love
I love you, ooh, I love you boy
I want your love
I need your love
I need
You and I
Can we get together now? (Now)
You and I
Let's make this forever, now
Baby, love, hate and love
I need you
I need you
I need your love
I need your love
Baby
Baby
I said baby
Baby
Baby
The lyrics to Marsha Ambrosius's song "You & I" revolve around the theme of rekindling an old flame. The song's protagonist expresses their desire to reconnect with a former lover and make their relationship last forever.
The lyrics start with the singer asking if they can get together with their old flame and start a relationship. The two individuals have known each other for a long time and were best friends. The singer lost touch after moving out of town and is now trying to find their former lover. They are hoping that their old flame is still the same and still loves them.
The song takes an interesting turn when the singer runs into the old flame's mother, who shows them the wedding invitation. The singer starts to panic, hoping that they have not missed their chance to rekindle their relationship with their old lover.
Line by Line Meaning
You and I
The singer wants to start a romantic relationship with the person they are addressing.
Can we get together now?
The singer is asking if the addressee is willing to start a romantic relationship with them in the near future.
Let's make this forever, now
The singer wants their romantic relationship with the addressee to last a long time, perhaps indefinitely.
Known each other for so many years
The singer and the addressee have been acquainted for a significant amount of time.
Counting cool and we were best of friends (best of friends)
The singer and the addressee were close friends in the past and enjoyed each other's company.
You were my shoulder to cry on when it all ended
The addressee was there for the singer during a difficult time when the singer needed emotional support.
Find your love somehow, find your love somehow
The singer hopes that the addressee will find someone to love, even if it's not the singer themselves.
Lost your number, I moved out of town
At some point, the singer and the addressee lost touch because the singer moved away and didn't have the addressee's phone number.
Came on back to see if you're around
The singer returned to their old neighborhood to see if the addressee was still living there or nearby.
Hope you still the same as when I left
The singer hopes that the addressee hasn't changed too much since they last saw each other.
Still remember the first time we kissed
The singer has a fond memory of the first time they and the addressee kissed.
You left an impression on my heart I won't forget
The addressee has had a lasting impact on the singer's emotions and feelings towards them.
Ran into your mother at the station (station)
The singer randomly encountered the addressee's mother at a train station.
She showed me the wedding invitation
The addressee's mother revealed to the singer that the addressee is getting married soon.
I am praying that it's not too late
The singer hopes that they still have a chance to pursue a romantic relationship with the addressee, despite the addressee's upcoming wedding.
Hate and love, hate and love
The singer has experienced both feelings of love and hate towards the addressee at different times.
I love you, ooh, I love you boy
The singer currently feels strong romantic love towards the addressee.
I want your love
The singer desires the addressee's romantic love and affection.
I need your love (I need your love)
The singer feels that the addressee's love and affection is a necessity for their happiness.
Need your love
Reinforcing the singer's need for the addressee's love to fulfil their emotional desires.
Baby
A term of endearment towards the addressee.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: WARREN FELDER, MORRIS BUTCH STEWART, STERLING SIMMS, MARSHA AMBROSIUS, ANDREW WANSEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind