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 (razor s
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 lyrics of Method Man and Mary J Blige's song "I'll Be There For You" express unwavering commitment to someone they love. The song compares the feeling of meeting someone special for the first time to the freshness of morning dew. The singer realizes that this person is their destiny and they are willing to throw away their pride to be with them.
The lyrics go on to promise a lifetime of dedication and sacrifice. The singer will follow their loved one wherever they go and be there for them in times of need. Even when they feel like giving up, their partner will be there to push them forward. The love between them is so strong that there is no need to look back because they have everything they need in each other.
The song also touches upon the idea of protection and strength. The singer promises to protect their loved one like an eagle protects its nest and stand by them like an unshakeable tree. Together, they can conquer anything and open any door. The love they share inspires them to be better people and achieve their goals.
Overall, the lyrics of "I'll Be There For You" convey a deep sense of devotion and a willingness to do anything for the one they love.
Line by Line Meaning
Like the sweet morning dew,
I felt refreshed and rejuvenated upon seeing you.
I took one look at you,
It only took one glance for me to know you were the one.
And it was plain to see you were my destiny.
It was obvious that we were meant to be together.
With my arms open wide, I threw away my pride.
I humbled myself and opened up to you completely.
I'll sacrifice for you dedicate my life for you.
I am willing to make sacrifices and dedicate my life to you.
I will go where you lead always there in time of need.
I will follow you wherever you go and be there for you when you need me.
And when I lose my will you'll be there to push me up the hill.
You will provide motivation and support when I am feeling down.
There's no, no looking back for us, we got love sure 'nough, that's enough.
We have a strong love that will carry us forward without looking back.
You're all, you're all I need to get by.
You are my everything and I cannot live without you.
Like an eagle protects his nest for you I'll do my best,
I will protect you with all my might like an eagle protecting its nest.
Stand by you like a tree, dare anybody to try and move me.
I will stand by your side unwaveringly and no one can make me budge.
Darlin' in you I found strength where I was torn down
You have given me strength and restored me where I was once broken.
Don't know what's in store but together we can open any door.
We may not know what the future holds, but together we can overcome any obstacle.
Just to do what's good for you and inspire you a little higher.
I want to do what is best for you and motivate you to reach greater heights.
I know you can make a man out of a soul that didn't have a goal.
I believe in your ability to transform someone who was once lost without purpose.
'Cause we, we got the right foundation and with love and determination.
Our relationship is built on a solid foundation of love and determination.
You're all, you're all I want to strive for and do a little more.
You are my motivation to keep striving for more in life.
All, all the joys under the sun wrapp'd up into one.
You bring me all the happiness and joy I could ever ask for.
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