Method Man spent a childhood split between separated parents in Long Island and Staten Island, and in an apparent precursor to his career in hip hop was introduced both to playing drums and to poetry by his father. Not only was Method interested in music, he was also fascinated by comic books and particularly Ghost Rider, a fascination which manifested itself years later in several of his many rap aliases. His pre-hip hop adult life was mostly split between drug dealing and low-paid jobs (including a stint working at the Statue of Liberty, along with future Wu-Tang colleague U-God). After becoming well known on the streets for his rhyming abilities, he joined with 8 friends to form the Wu-Tang Clan in the early 1992.
Since the Wu-Tang Clan's ascendancy to hip hop stardom, Method Man has always been one of the most visible members of the collective. He was one of only two of the group to get a solo song on the group's debut album Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers and he was the first to release a solo album under the Clan's unusual contract which allows its members to release albums under any record label (Method chose to sign with legendary rap label Def Jam). Method Man's solo debut, Tical (1994) was critically acclaimed and extremely popular, entering the American charts at #4 and eventually selling in excess of one million copies.
He soon collaborated with Mary J. Blige and Redman with a series of hit singles, one of which (the Blige duet "I'll Be There For You/You're All I Need To Get By") won a Grammy, before recording the second Wu-Tang album, Wu-Tang Forever.
His second solo album was Tical 2000: Judgement Day (1998), which was heavily influenced by the apocalypse theories surrounding the forthcoming end of the millennium, and which featured a vast amount of guest appearances, from his fellow Clansmen to Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, D'Angelo, Chris Rock, Mobb Deep, Redman and even Donald Trump. The album sold even better than his first, though reviews were mixed and its long running time and the abundance of between-song comedy skits were criticised by many.
Method Man then toured with Jay-Z and recorded Blackout! with Redman, a light-hearted, fun record with an EPMD-evoking emphasis on funky beats and the mischievous wit and cool flows of the two MCs.
In the twenty-first century, Method Man forged a successful career in acting. As well as his 1998 appearance in the film Belly along with fellow rappers Nas and DMX, Method has also appeared in 187 Oz, How High (a stoner film with Redman), The Wire, My Baby's Daddy, Garden State and Soul Plane, while continuing to record with the Wu-Tang Clan. He also co-starred with Redman in his own Fox sitcom called Method & Red, however after only a short time on the air the show was put on hiatus and never returned. Method Man later complained in the press about Fox's influence on the show's style, claiming that "there's been too much compromise on our side and not enough on their side" and bemoaning the network's decision to add a laugh track.
In 2004, Meth released his third album Tical 0: The Prequel, which spawned a successful single in "What's Happenin" with Busta Rhymes, but was poorly received both by critics and fans. There was trouble even before the album's release when Method apparently complained to the press about excessive interference from Def Jam over the album's beats (Meth supposedly desired more input from Wu-Tang leader RZA). On its release, many fans and critics were taken aback by its strong "mainstream" or "commercial" sound, highlighted by the guest appearances of pop-rap stars of the time Missy Elliot, P. Diddy and Ludacris. However, the album sold reasonably well, selling more than any of the other Wu-Tang solo projects released at around the same time. There was good news in early 2005 for fans who were disappointed with The Prequel as Method Man announced that a new RZA-produced album would be released later in the year. The album ultimately never materialized in 2005, though RZA and Meth continue to work on the album and are now aiming for a mid-2006 release date.
Aliases
Big John Stud
The Ghost Rider (from the comic Ghost Rider)
Hot Nickelz
Hot Nixon
Iron Lung
John-John
Johnny Blaze (from the comic Ghost Rider)
Johnny Dangerous
John-John Blaizini
Methtical (Meth-tical)
Meth
Mr. Meth
MZA ("The Mizza")
The Panty Raider
Shakwon (5% Nation "righteous name")
Tical
Ticallion Stallion
Albums
1994 Tical (Platinum)
1998 Tical 2000: Judgement Day (Platinum)
1999 Blackout! (with Redman) (Platinum)
2004 Tical 0: The Prequel
2006 4:21 The Day After
2009 Blackout! 2 (with Redman)
Singles and EPs
1994 "Bring The Pain"
1995 "I'll Be There For You/You're All I Need To Get By" (with Mary J. Blige)
1995 "Release Yo' Delf"
1998 "Break Ups 2 Make Ups"
1998 "Judgement Day"'
1998 "Grand Finale" (with DMX, Nas & Ja Rule)
1999 "Tear It Off" (Method Man & Redman)
1999 "Da Rockwilder" (Method Man & Redman)
1999 "Y.O.U." (Method Man & Redman)
2004 "What's Happenin" (with Busta Rhymes)
2005 "The Show"
Appears On
1993 Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers (album by the Wu-Tang Clan)
1994 "The What" (from the The Notorious B.I.G. album Ready to Die)
1995 "Dirty Dancin" (from the Ol' Dirty Bastard album Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version)
1995 "Got The Flava" (from the Showbiz & AG album Goodfellas)
1995 "Wu-Gambinos" & "Ice Cream" (from the Raekwon album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx)
1995 "Living In The World Today", "Shadowboxin" & "Gold" (from the GZA album Liquid Swords)
1995 "The Riddler" (from the Batman Forever Soundtrack)
1996 "Box In Hand" (from the Ghostface Killah album Ironman)
1996 "Box In Hand (Remix)" (Ghostface Killah single)
1996 "Got My Mind Made Up" (from the 2Pac album All Eyez On Me)
1996 "Do What Ya Feel" (from the Redman album Muddy Waters)
1996 "Extortion" (from the Mobb Deep album Hell On Earth)
1996 "Hit 'Em High" (from the Space Jam soundtrack)
1997 Wu-Tang Forever (album by the Wu-Tang Clan)
1997 "Milk The Cow", "Supa Ninjaz" & "Dart Throwing" (from the Cappadonna album The Pillage)
1997 "Next Up" & "Collaboration 98" (from the Sunz Of Man album The Last Shall Be First)
1997 "4,3,2,1" (from the LL Cool J album Phenonemon)
1998 "Well All Rite Cha" (from the Redman album Doc's Da Name 2000)
1998 "Pussy Pop" (from the Xzibit album 40 Dayz & 40 Nightz)
1998 "Whatcha Gonna Do" (from the Jayo Felony album Whatcha Gonna Do)
1998 "The Worst" (from the Onyx album Shut 'Em Down)
1999 "Rumble" (from the U-God album The Golden Arms Redemption)
1999 "Am I My Brother's Keeper" (from the Shyheim album Manchild)
1999 "Fuck Them" (from the Raekwon album Immobilarity)
1999 "Left & Right" (from the D'Angelo album Voodoo)
1999 "Stringplay" (from the GZA album Beneath The Surface)
1999 "N 2 Gether Now" (from the Limp Bizkit album Significant Other)
1999 "Half Man Half Amazin" (from the Pete Rock album Soul Survivor)
1999 "Three Amigos (If It's On)" (from the Popa Wu album Visions Of The Tenth Chamber)
1999 "NYC Everything" (from the RZA album Bobby Digital In Stereo)
1999 "Simon Says (Remix)" (from the Pharoahe Monch album Internal Affairs)
2000 "Buck 50" (from the Ghostface Killah album Supreme Clientele)
2000 "Fuhgidabowdit" (from the LL Cool J album G.O.A.T.)
2000 "Rollin' (Urban Assault Vehicle)" (from the Limp Bizkit album Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water)
2000 The W (album by the Wu-Tang Clan)
2000 "Ghetto Celebrity" (from the album In The Mode by Roni Size & Reprazent
2001 "La Rhumba" & "Glocko Pop" (from the RZA album Digital Bullet)
2001 "Enjoy Da Ride" (from the Redman album Malpractice)
2001 "Dog In Heat" (from the Missy Elliott album Miss E...So Addictive)
2001 "Party & Bullshit" (from the Rush Hour 2 soundtrack)
2001 Iron Flag (album by the Wu-Tang Clan)
2001 "Red Meth And Bee" (from the Cypress Hill album Stoned Raiders)
2002 "Flowers" (from the Ghostface Killah album Bulletproof Wallets)
2003 "Respect Mine" (from the Mathematics album Love, Hell Or Right)
2003 "Love @ 1st Sight" (from the Mary J. Blige album Love & Life)
2003 "We Pop (Remix)" (RZA single)
2003 "Bring The Pain" (from the Missy Elliott album This Is Not A Test!)
2003 "Ice Cream Part 2" (from the Raekwon album Lex Diamonds Story)
2003 "Noble Art" (from the IAM album Revoir Un Printemps)
2003 "Rock 'N' Roll" (from the Naughty By Nature album Icons)
2004 "Secret Rivals" (from the Masta Killa album No Said Date)
2004 "The Drummer" (from the Theodore Unit album 718)
2004 Disciples of the 36 Chambers: Chapter 1 (album by the Wu-Tang Clan)
2005 "Head Rush", "John 3:16" & "Spot Lite" (from the Mathematics album The Problem)
2005 "All My Niggas", "Shoot On Sight (S.O S.)" & "Street Education" (from the Streetlife album Street Education)
2005 "High Rollers" (from the Proof album Searching for Jerry Garcia)
2005 "Still On It" (from the Ashanti album Collectables by Ashanti)
2006 "9 Milli Bros." (from the Ghostface Killah album Fishscale)
4 Ever
Method Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We both know, that our love will grow
And forever, will be you and me
Give me a woman that get down for me, my one and only
That don't fuss or fuck around on me, or leave me lonely
Not just a honey, but a homey, just wanna hold me
'cause she got alotta love for me, and put it on me
It's sweet like candy, this time, I might just eat that
You steal my heart, sweetheart, then you can keep that
Let's bar hop and find us a spot where we can chief at
Push the seats back, you got the kinda body niggas beep at
Try to speak at, but get no feedback
Sophisticated, Miss Highly Edumicated
Living well, lady that made it, type of woman you stay with
[Chorus]
Give me a queen that respects a "king", just like Coretta
Get everything except the ring, for worse or better
Even through the stormy weather, rain, sleet, snow
Whatever, see if it go down, we go together
Like Twix bars, ain't no problem that we can't fix, ma
You ain't gotta sugar my tank, or key the kid car
'cause broken hearts leave big scars, when emotions get hit hard
Niggas get drunk and hit the strip bar
But that ain't even ya man's style, even back as a man child
That's where I stood, and where I stand now
I'm throwing rocks at your window pane
Trying to bang, girl, like injure pain, you know the game
[Chorus]
No matter what we go through (what we go through)
I'll be there for you (there for you)
I'll never let you down, I'll just hold you down, oh-ooh
No matter where we be (where we be)
I'll do it all again (all again)
The ups and down, I'll hold you down, oh-oh
Give me a woman that get down for me, my one and only
She don't fuss or fuck around on me, or leave me lonely
Not just a honey, but a homey, just wanna hold me
'cause she got alotta love for me, and now I gotta
Lotta love for her, might even take a slug for her
And everywhere we go, pull out that red rug for her
Yeah, them back rubs in the bathtub, got me cleaning my act up
I'm ready to shack up, now that's love
Nobody can love you like me boy
I'll promise to be your only girl
Don't ever leave, just stay
You will be down for me, anyway
Ah, you and me together, baby
[Chorus]
In the song "4 Ever," Method Man and Megan Rochell sing about a love that will stand the test of time. They describe the kind of ideal partner they want who will be there for them through thick and thin. They want someone who will not cheat on them or leave them lonely, but will be a friend and a lover. The song talks about how love should be respected and how it should be cherished. The chorus asserts that the love between the two will grow forever and that they will always be together.
In the first verse of the song, Method Man talks about his ideal woman, who is not just a friend, but also a soulmate. He wants someone with whom he can experience life with and who will love him for who he is. He assures his partner that he will be there for her, and he is not just in the relationship for a good time. In the second verse, he talks about how he has been hurt in the past and how the woman he loves is different. He speaks about how he wants to be with her forever, and he is willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen.
Line by Line Meaning
We both know, that our love will grow
We are aware that our love will only keep improving.
And forever, will be you and me
We will always be with each other.
Give me a woman that get down for me, my one and only
I want a loyal partner who is always by my side.
That don't fuss or fuck around on me, or leave me lonely
I need someone who won't create drama and who stays committed.
Not just a honey, but a homey, just wanna hold me
I want a partner who sees me not only as their lover but also their friend.
'cause she got alotta love for me, and put it on me
She loves me deeply and shows it in various ways
If I need that, plus she understand me when I beat that
She supports me and comprehends me in all situations, including the tough times.
It's sweet like candy, this time, I might just eat that
Our love is so good that I can't resist indulging in it.
You steal my heart, sweetheart, then you can keep that
She has captured my heart, and I want her to keep it forever.
Let's bar hop and find us a spot where we can chief at
Let us go to different places and discover places to sit, relax and unwind.
Push the seats back, you got the kinda body niggas beep at
She has a great physique that attracts attention from others.
Try to speak at, but get no feedback
Others may desire her attention, but they are not successful in acquiring it.
Sophisticated, Miss Highly Edumacted
She is a smart and refined individual.
Living well, lady that made it, type of woman you stay with
She is a successful woman who you want to remain with.
Give me a queen that respects a "king", just like Coretta
I want a partner who sees me as their equal and respects me.
Get everything except the ring, for worse or better
She has everything from me except a proposal for marriage, but we are still committed through good and bad times.
Even through the stormy weather, rain, sleet, snow
Our relationship is robust, and we remain committed through all types of situations.
Whatever, see if it go down, we go together
We tackle everything together, regardless of what it is.
Like Twix bars, ain't no problem that we can't fix, ma
We solve any issue that comes up easily and effectively.
You ain't gotta sugar my tank or key the kid car
You don't have to sabotage my life because I'm committed to you.
'cause broken hearts leave big scars when emotions get hit hard
Breaking up can cause significant damage to someone emotionally.
Niggas get drunk and hit the strip bar
Men sometimes do things they shouldn't when they get drunk.
But that ain't even ya man's style, even back as a man child
I have never engaged in such behavior in the past, nor will I begin now.
That's where I stood, and where I stand now
I have always been committed to you and will remain so always.
I'm throwing rocks at your window pane
I'm trying to grab her attention and get her to notice me.
Trying to bang, girl, like injure pain, you know the game
I'm ready to shoot my shot and make a move, and she knows my intentions.
No matter what we go through (what we go through)
We will remain committed no matter what issues come our way.
I'll be there for you (there for you)
I'll support you and be there for you always.
I'll never let you down, I'll just hold you down, oh-ooh
I won't disappoint you, and I'll always be your support system.
No matter where we be (where we be)
Our location is irrelevant as long as we're together.
I'll do it all again (all again)
I'd do everything again in a heartbeat.
The ups and down, I'll hold you down, oh-oh
I'll be with you no mater what comes our way.
She don't fuss or fuck around on me, or leave me lonely
My partner is loyal and dependable and won't leave me feeling sad and alone.
Lotta love for her, might even take a slug for her
I have immense love for her and would even risk my life for her.
And everywhere we go, pull out that red rug for her
I want to pamper her and make her feel special in every way possible.
Yeah, them back rubs in the bathtub, got me cleaning my act up
She's so great that she's making me improve as a person.
I'm ready to shack up, now that's love
I'm willing to take our relationship to the next level and start living together.
Nobody can love you like me boy
I'm the one who can love you the most.
I'll promise to be your only girl
I guarantee that I'll be your only lover.
Don't ever leave, just stay
I don't want you to leave me; please stay with me.
You will be down for me, anyway
I know you'll always be there for me.
Ah, you and me together, baby
We're a great team and belong together.
[Chorus]
Our relationship is strong and will continue to be so.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JONATHAN LEWIS, WAYNE LEWIS, DAVID LEWIS, CLIFFORD SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind