Melissa Arnette Elliott (born July 1, 1971 in Portsmouth, Virginia), bette… Read Full Bio ↴Melissa Arnette Elliott (born July 1, 1971 in Portsmouth, Virginia), better known by her stage name Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott, is an American Grammy Award winning rapper, singer, producer, actress and former member of the R&B group Sista. With sales of over seven million in the United States alone she is the only female rapper to have six albums certified platinum by the RIAA and has worked extensively as a producer for many other artists along with her childhood friend Timbaland. She released her debut album, Supa Dupa Fly in 1997 and has since released 1999's Da Real World, 2001's Miss E… So Addictive, 2002's Under Construction, 2003's This is Not a Test! and 2005's The Cookbook. She has been working on her seventh studio album, Block Party, since 2007.

Elliott is one of the first female hip hop superstars, known for a long series of hits including "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)", "Hit 'Em Wit Da Hee", "Get Ur Freak On", "One Minute Man", "Work It", and "Lose Control". In addition she has received recognition as one of the most successful songwriters of the modern music era, having crafted a number of hit records for artists such as Aaliyah, 702, Total, Ciara, Nicole Wray and Tweet, often with production-partner and childhood friend Timbaland. She was the third female rapper to ever go Platinum, behind Lil' Kim and Da Brat.

Born in Portsmouth, Virginia, she began her career in the all-girl R&B group, Sista in 1993. Eventually, the band folded and Elliott began her career as a solo rapper. Since the early 1990's, Elliott has won six Grammys, recently scoring one for her video of "Lose Control."

Other releases are 'Teary Eyed' and 'We Run This', and the last of these two songs will be the main single of the new greatest hits album titled 'Respect M.E.: Best Of' featuring 17 tracks from her six albums.

I'm Not Perfect featuring The Clark Sisters
Missy Elliott Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

We've been through things, feels like we've been to hell and back
And the ones you've lost, I'd give my life if I could bring them back
(bring them back, I'd give my life)
And your self esteem might be low from what people say (keep holding on)
Hold your head up high, I promise it's gonna be ok (ay, oh hey)

I'm not perfect just like you (I'm not perfect)
So come on let me give you a hug (come on let me give you a hug)

I got problems just like you (I got problems)
So don't nobody sit here and judge (just like you)
I'm not perfect just like you (we're gonna stick together)
So come on let me give you a hug (let's stick together)
I got problems just like you (woo, ooh, yeah)
And everybody needs some love

When you're feeling bad, some friends they can't be found
(look around, look around, be found)
Cause some people love it just to see you when you're down (down, yeah)
But it's ok, pick yourself up, start over again (that's what you gotta do)
If you try you will, you will succeed in the end
(the end, I know you will, oh yeah)

I'm not perfect just like you
So come on let me give you a hug (come on and let me give you)
I got problems just like you (I got problems)
So don't nobody sit here and judge (oh, yeah)
I'm not perfect just like you (no, no, no, no)
So come on let me give you a hug (come on and let me give you a hug)
I got problems just like you
And everybody needs some love

Shake a hand, shake a hand y'all, come on (oh shake somebody's hand)
To every woman, every man y'all, come on (oh, to every woman, every man)
Tell a friend, tell a friend y'all (ooh, shake a hand with someone)
Cause united we stand y'all (united we stand, by body we fall)

I'm not perfect just like you
(I'm not perfect, I've been through some things too)
I'm not perfect just like you
I'm not perfect just like you (ohh)
I'm not perfect just like you (ohh)

Ohh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Overall Meaning

Missy Elliott's song "I'm Not Perfect" is a powerful anthem about self-acceptance, love, and resilience. Throughout the song, Missy acknowledges the pain and struggles that she and her listeners have experienced, including loss, self-esteem issues, and the judgment of others. At the same time, she emphasizes the importance of coming together, supporting each other, and refusing to let these challenges define us.

In the first verse, Missy acknowledges the hardships that she and her listeners have faced, recognizing that they have gone "through things" that have taken them "to hell and back." She also acknowledges the pain of losing loved ones, expressing her willingness to "give [her] life" if she could bring them back. She then speaks directly to anyone experiencing low self-esteem due to the harsh words of others, encouraging them to "hold [their] head up high" and assuring them that "it's gonna be okay."

In the chorus, Missy highlights the commonalities between herself and her listeners, emphasizing that she is "not perfect just like you" and that everyone "got problems." She then offers a hug, a symbol of comfort and connection, and urges her listeners not to judge themselves or others. This theme is reinforced in the second verse, which encourages listeners to pick themselves up again and keep striving, with the promise that they "will succeed in the end."

Overall, Missy's message in "I'm Not Perfect" is one of compassion, resilience, and support. She acknowledges the pain and struggles that we all face but encourages us to come together, support each other, and refuse to let external judgments define us.

Line by Line Meaning

We've been through things, feels like we've been to hell and back
We've experienced a lot of hardships, it's as if we've gone through something extremely difficult.

And the ones you've lost, I'd give my life if I could bring them back
I empathize with the pain you feel for the people you lost. If I could, I would exchange my life for theirs.

And your self esteem might be low from what people say (keep holding on)
You might be feeling down because of what others say about you. Keep your chin up and persevere.

Hold your head up high, I promise it's gonna be ok (ay, oh hey)
Be confident in yourself and trust that everything will turn out okay.

I'm not perfect just like you (I'm not perfect)
Like you, I am not perfect. I have flaws and make mistakes.

So come on let me give you a hug (come on let me give you a hug)
Let me show you some compassion and give you a hug.

I got problems just like you (I got problems)
Like you, I have struggles and difficulties.

So don't nobody sit here and judge (just like you)
No one should judge us, because they too have their own imperfections.

And everybody needs some love
It's important for everyone to receive love and support.

(look around, look around, be found)
If you're feeling down, take a look around and find those who are willing to support you.

Cause some people love it just to see you when you're down (down, yeah)
Some individuals take pleasure in seeing others face adversities and struggles.

But it's ok, pick yourself up, start over again (that's what you gotta do)
It's alright to fail, just be resilient and get back up to try again.

If you try you will, you will succeed in the end
If you give it your all, you will eventually attain success.

Shake a hand, shake a hand y'all, come on (oh shake somebody's hand)
Let's promote unity and connection by shaking hands with each other.

To every woman, every man y'all, come on (oh, to every woman, every man)
This message applies to all genders, let's come together as humans and support each other.

Tell a friend, tell a friend y'all (ooh, shake a hand with someone)
Spread the love and tell your friends to connect with others as well.

Cause united we stand y'all (united we stand, by body we fall)
When we are united and work together, we are strong and can accomplish more.

(ohh)

Ohh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Contributed by Isaac Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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