Maxwell capitalized on his breakthrough with the MTV Unplugged EP, taken from his live MTV performance. It attracted attention and acclaim outside the R&B community with the left-field cover choices "This Woman's Work" (by Kate Bush) and "Closer" (by Nine Inch Nails). Additionally, the 'MTV Unplugged' version of "Whenever, Wherever, Whatever" earned him another Grammy nomination (for Best Male Pop Vocal). Anticipation for his second full-length album was high, and when Embrya was released in 1998, it entered the charts at number three. Reviews were more mixed this time around, with some critics charging that Maxwell's ambition had crossed the line into indulgence; still, the record duplicated its predecessor's platinum sales.
Maxwell adopted his middle name as his stage moniker, keeping his real identity a closely guarded secret out of concern for his family's privacy. Born of Puerto Rican and black Caribbean stock, Maxwell suffered the loss of his father (in a plane crash) when he was just three years old. The experience made him a deeply religious child, and he first began singing in his Baptist church. Still, he didn't really get serious about music until age 17, when he began writing his own songs using a cheap Casio keyboard given to him by a friend. Initially influenced by early-'80s urban R&B, and drawing his greatest inspiration from the concept of the R&B auteur (looking to artists like Marvin Gaye, Prince, Stevie Wonder). He progressed rapidly, and by 1991 he was performing on the New York club scene, despite ridicule from classmates who couldn't imagine the shy, awkward teenager doing anything of the sort. After making a name for himself, he signed a recording contract with Columbia in 1994.
In 1999, Maxwell scored his biggest hit to date with the single "Fortunate," an R. Kelly composition he recorded for the soundtrack of the film Life; it was a mammoth success, ranking as the number one R&B hit of the year in Billboard magazine. Later that year, he also cut two songs for the soundtrack of The Best Man.
In August 2001, Maxwell returned with his third full-length album, Now, which was touted as a return to the more straightforwardly romantic atmosphere of his debut. It entered the album charts at number one and quickly launched a hit single in "Lifetime." ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
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... He eventually got a record deal with Columbia Records in 1994 when he was 21 years old. His loss of his father at the age of three had a great impact on him as a person and as an artist. Maxwell played keyboard in church during his youth; however, he was not aware of his vocal talent during adolescence. His vocal ability was later discovered during a romantic affair which inspired the music for his first music release "Urban Hang Suite." Maxwell was heavily inspired by the work of artists such as Marvin Gaye, Prince, Sade, and lastly Anita Baker who he gives credit to "teaching him how to sing."
After taking several years off, Maxwell released his latest album BLACKsummers'night on July 7, 2009. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard Albums Top 200 chart, his second album to receive that ranking. Maxwell said his reason for leaving the music industry for such a long period was "to just take time off. The music industry has so much competition and there was no rush for me.
The follow-up to BLACKsummers'night and the second installment in a planned trilogy, blackSUMMERS'night, is set to be released late 2012 but the exact date is unknown.
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The name "Maxwell" also appears to be used by a hip hop beat producer from Oldenburg, Germany.
Sumthin' Sumthin'
Maxwell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If it's cool we can do a little sumthin' sumthin'
Let me grove with you so we can kick a little
Sumthin' sumthin'
Even though she pays me no attention
All I wanna show is my affection
Lose myself inside her ebony
If it's cool we can do a little sumthin' sumthin'(do a little sumthin' sumthin')
Let me grove with you so we can kick a little
Sumthin' sumthin'
Honey dew suga' chocolate dumplin' yeah
Sista with a certain sumthin' sumthin'
Flava with a cocoa kinda flow
Baby, baby, act like you know
So if it's cool I wanna rock with you (R-O-C-K with you, baby)
Slip you my mellow smooth (oh yeah)
Rock you until we blue
Only only if it's cool
If it's cool we can do a little sumthin' sumthin' (do a little sumthin' sumthin')
Let me grove with you so we can kick a little
Sumthin' sumthin' (whoa, whoah, whoah)
Oh baby
Lord, I love you, baby
And when I saw you, baby
You were on my mind
So if it's cool I wanna rock with you (I wanna rock with you, baby)
Slip you my mellow smooth
Rock you until we blue
Only only if it's cool
If it's cool we can do a little sumthin' sumthin' (do a little sumthin' sumthin')
Let me grove with you so we can kick a little
Sumthin' sumthin'
If it's cool we can do a little sumthin' sumthin' (do a little sumthin' sumthin')
Let me grove with you so we can kick a little
Sumthin' sumthin' (oh yeah yeah)
I recognize you by the way you move your body
Lord knows
Maxwell's song Sumthin' Sumthin' is an R&B and soul track that expresses a desire to gain the attention of a woman. The first verse starts with Maxwell expressing his interest in getting to know this woman better and asking if they can kick it with a little sumthin' sumthin'. He admits that she pays him no attention, but he still wants to show his affection and lose himself in her ebony.
In the chorus, Maxwell continues to express his desire to connect with this woman through sumthin' sumthin', emphasizing his interest by repeating the phrase. The verse that follows shows Maxwell describing her in detail, calling her "honey dew suga', chocolate dumplin'" and admiring her specific type of essence or "sumthin' sumthin'." He then goes on to ask if it's cool to rock with her and slip her his "mellow smooth" until they're both blue.
The song's tone is smooth and romantic, with Maxwell's falsetto vocals and the mid-tempo beat working together to produce a seductive vibe. The lyrics, although relatively straightforward, provide a glimpse into the mind of a man who's been captivated by a woman he barely knows. Sumthin' Sumthin' debuted in 1996 and has since become a classic R&B song.
Line by Line Meaning
All I wanna know is
I only want to ascertain
If it's cool we can do a little sumthin' sumthin'
If you approve, we can engage in some intimate acts
Let me grove with you so we can kick a little
Sumthin' sumthin'
Let's dance together and have some fun
Even though she pays me no attention
Although she ignores me
All I wanna show is my affection
I just want to express my love
Lose myself inside her ebony
I want to become lost in her dark skin
But she ain't even checkin' me
But she's not even noticing me
Honey dew suga' chocolate dumplin' yeah
You are as sweet as honey dew, sugar, and chocolate dumplings
Sista with a certain sumthin' sumthin'
You have a special aura and charm
Flava with a cocoa kinda flow
You have a unique and attractive personality
Baby, baby, act like you know
Hey, you should be aware of your effect on me
So if it's cool I wanna rock with you (R-O-C-K with you, baby)
So if you're OK with it, I want to dance with you
Slip you my mellow smooth (oh yeah)
I want to give you my tender and smooth affection
Rock you until we blue
We will dance until we get tired
Only only if it's cool
Only if you approve
Oh baby
Oh my love
Lord, I love you, baby
God, I love you, dear
And when I saw you, baby
When I first saw you, dear
You were on my mind
You captured my thoughts
If it's cool we can do a little sumthin' sumthin' (do a little sumthin' sumthin')
If you like, we can engage in some intimate acts
Let me grove with you so we can kick a little
Sumthin' sumthin' (whoa, whoah, whoah)
Let's dance together and have some fun
If it's cool we can do a little sumthin' sumthin' (do a little sumthin' sumthin')
If you approve, we can engage in some intimate acts
Let me grove with you so we can kick a little
Sumthin' sumthin' (oh yeah yeah)
Let's dance together and have some fun
I recognize you by the way you move your body
I am attracted to how you move and dance
Lord knows
God knows
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LEON WARE, MAXWELL MENARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mikemastro8837
That bassline though.......FIRE
@betsyelias6824
Literally… 🔥☄️
@marym5835
Maxwell's fire will never be extinguished! Do y'all hear that bass?! 🔥🔥🔥
@lb1798
I ALWAYS HEAR THE BASS👍🏾👏🏾👏👏🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
@maxwell-vp6mz
@@lb1798 Thanks for the love and support you showered on me,
@maxwell-vp6mz
Thanks for the love and support you showered on me,
@yeyoazucar
Bass player on Fire🌰💯
@razra6967
❤❤❤❤❤
@bobdonovan34
First date with my wife. When you catch a song like this at the right moment, you never forget. This was a warm night with the windows down in the car and she looked like a goddess moving to this song.
@cirofuchs3722
Yes, 1996.