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)
I'll Be There For You / You're All I Need To Get By
Method Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I took one look at you
And it was plain to see
You were my destiny
You're all (you're all)
I need (all I need)
To get by (to get by)
I need (all I need)
To get by (yeah, ay)
Check it out
Shorty I'm there for you anytime you need me
For real girl, it's me in your world, believe me
Nothin' make a man feel better than a woman
Queen with a crown that be down for whatever
There are few things that's forever, my lady
We can make war or make babies
Back when I was nothin'
You made a brother feel like he was somethin'
That's why I'm with you to this day boo, no frontin'
Even when the skies were gray
You would rub me on my back and say, "Baby it'll be okay"
Now that's real to a brother like me, baby
Never ever give my- away and keep it tight, a'ight
And I'ma walk these dogs so we can live
In a phat crib with thousands of kids
Word life you don't need a ring to be my wife
Just be there for me and I'ma make sure we
Be livin' in the lap of luxury
I'm realizing that you didn't have to wit' me
But you did, now I'm going all out kid
And I got mad love to give, you my nigga
You're all (you're all)
I need
To get by (you're all, all I need)
You're all (you're all)
I need
To get by (all I need, all I need)
I got a love jones for your body and your skin tone
Five minutes alone I'm already on the bone
Plus I love the fact you got a mind of your own
No need to shop around you got the good- at home
Even if I'm locked up North you in the world
Rockin' three-fourths of cloth
Never showin' your stuff off, boo
It be true me for you that's how it is
I can be your Noah, you can be my Wiz
Then I can be your sun, you can be my earth
Resurrect the God through birth
Best believe
You're all that I need, I'll be there for you
If you keep it real with me, I'll keep it real wit'chu (you're all)
Loving your whole steeze, it be in there boo (I need)
On top of that you got the good power-U (to get by)
You're all that I need, I'll be there for you
If you keep it real with me, I'll keep it real wit'chu (you're all)
Loving your whole steeze, it be in there boo (I need)
On top of that you got the good power-U (to get by)
You're all (you're all)
I need (all I need)
To get by (yeah, yeah)
You're all (you're all)
I need (all I need)
To get by (to get by)
You're all (you're all)
I need ((all I need)
To get by (oh, you're all)
You're all (you're all)
I need
To get by (all I need, all I need)
You're all
I need
To get by
You're all (you're all)
I need (all I need)
To get by
The song You're All I Need is a collaboration between Method Man and Mary J. Blige. The song is about a man who knows that he has found his soulmate in the lady he loves. The song begins by the man describing his lady as sweet as morning dew and how he knows that she is his destiny. He then goes on to say that she is all he needs to get by in life. The man tells his lady that he is there for her anytime she needs him and that nothing makes him feel better than being with her. The verse by Mary J. Blige complements the man's love for the lady, and she tells her that she loves him too.
As the song progresses, the man acknowledges that the relationship has survived through thick and thin. He describes some of the trying moments they have had, and how his lady has been there for him through it all. The man then goes on to describe his physical attraction to his lover, highlighting that he loves her skin tone and the fact that she has a sound mind. He concludes the song expressing his unending love for his lady, telling her that she is all that he needs to get by.
Line by Line Meaning
Like sweet morning dew
Seeing you was refreshing, like the dew on a summer morning
I took one look at you
From the first moment I saw you, I knew you were someone special
And it was plain to see
It was crystal clear that you were meant for me
You were my destiny
Fate brought us together, and I know we are meant to be
Shorty I'm there for you anytime you need me
I'll always be there for you, no matter what happens
For real girl, it's me in your world, believe me
You can trust me, I'm committed to you and our love
Nothin' make a man feel better than a woman
There's nothing more fulfilling than a strong, supportive woman by your side
Queen with a crown that be down for whatever
You are my queen, and I know you'll always be there for me
There are few things that's forever, my lady
Nothing lasts forever in this world, but I know our love will
We can make war or make babies
We may have our disagreements, but we can overcome anything together
Back when I was nothin'
Before I met you, I felt like I had nothing going for me
You made a brother feel like he was somethin'
You believed in me and gave me the confidence to be the best I can be
That's why I'm with you to this day boo, no frontin'
I'm still with you because you've always been there for me, no false pretenses
Even when the skies were gray
Even in the toughest times, you were there to support me
You would rub me on my back and say, "Baby it'll be okay"
Your comforting words and actions helped me get through rough times
Now that's real to a brother like me, baby
Your love and support mean everything to me, and I appreciate it more than you can know
Never ever give my- away and keep it tight, a'ight
I'll always be faithful to you and our love, and I hope you do the same
And I'ma walk these dogs so we can live
I'll work hard to provide for us and make sure we have a good life
In a phat crib with thousands of kids
I want to have a big, happy family with you
Word life you don't need a ring to be my wife
We don't need a piece of jewelry to signify our love and commitment to each other
Just be there for me and I'ma make sure we
If you stand by my side, I'll make sure we have everything we need and more
Be livin' in the lap of luxury
We'll have everything we could ever want and live a life of ease and comfort
I'm realizing that you didn't have to wit' me
You could have had anyone, but you chose to be with me
But you did, now I'm going all out kid
I'm going to do everything I can to show you how much I appreciate you and our relationship
And I got mad love to give, you my nigga
I have an abundance of love to give, and I want to give it all to you
I got a love jones for your body and your skin tone
I'm deeply infatuated with your physical appearance and the way you look
Five minutes alone I'm already on the bone
Just a few minutes with you alone makes me aroused and excited
Plus I love the fact you got a mind of your own
I admire and respect your intelligence and independence
No need to shop around you got the good- at home
I don't need to look for anyone else, because I've found everything I could ever want in you
Even if I'm locked up North you in the world
Even if I'm far away and can't physically be with you, you'll still be in my heart
Rockin' three-fourths of cloth
Even when you're dressed casually or not revealing a lot of skin, you're still attractive to me
Never showin' your stuff off, boo
You don't need to flaunt your body to get my attention, I already love everything about you
It be true me for you that's how it is
You can always count on my loyalty and commitment to our relationship
I can be your Knower, you can be my Wiz
We can work together like a team, supporting and helping each other in every way
Then I can be your sun, you can be my earth
I can provide warmth and light in your life, while you are the foundation and support that grounds me
Resurrect the God through birth
Together we can create life, and honor the divine power that brought us together
Best believe
Trust me, what I'm saying is true
You're all that I need, I'll be there for you
You are the only one I need, and I'll always be there for you
If you keep it real with me, I'll keep it real wit'chu (you're all)
If you're honest and true to me, I'll do the same for you
Loving your whole steeze, it be in there boo (I need)
I love everything about you, your style, personality, and presence
On top of that you got the good power-U (to get by)
In addition to everything else, you have a strong, positive energy that helps us overcome any obstacle
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Robert F. Diggs, Clifford Smith, Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DreThomasMusic
Mary and Meth sitting on the roof nodding their heads is ICONIC!
@eddiesaninocencio6635
I'd be on the roof smoking a joint in the Bronx.
@insanenative445
1984 baby yo
@stellabellafontay9366
Yesss
@catherinelittle3095
DreThomasMusic this is rapping old but always the best
@alyciajaade4290
Yep...they were bobbin their heads to the beat yall. I👏Still👏Love👏 It. #GrammyWinner1995🏆 #LongLiveTheWu 💖
@TapiwaMunyanyi
Whose bumping to this in 2024 ?
@levarhicks1000
Me ✋
@Iheartdonutslove
Me🎉🎉🎉
@thewrightmissy8700
In 2024 and every year to come!!
This shyt timeless