In 1991, at the age of eleven, Monica was discovered by music producer Dallas Austin at the Center Stage auditorium in Atlanta performing Whitney Houston 1986's Greatest Love of All. Amazed by her voice, Dallas offered her a record deal with his Arista Records-distributed label Rowdy Records and consulted rapper Queen Latifah to work as Monica's first manager. Shortly afterwards Dallas and then staff producers Tim & Bob entered the studio with Monica to start writing and producing her debut Miss Thang which was eventually released in July 1995 and scored number thirty-six on the U.S. Billboard 200 and number seven on the Top R&B Albums chart. It was certified triple platinum by the RIAA for more than three million store-shipped copies and produced three top ten singles, including debut single Don't Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days) and Before You Walk out of My Life both of which made Monica the youngest artist ever to have two consecutive chart-topping hits on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart. Miss Thang subsequently won Monica a Billboard Music Award and garnered her an American Music Award nomination in the Favorite Soul/R&B New Artist category.
After a label change to Clive Davis's Arista Records, Monica mainstream success was boosted, when Diane Warren-written For You I Will, from the Space Jam soundtrack, became her next top ten pop hit. The following year she was asked to team up with singer Brandy and producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins to record The Boy Is Mine, the first single from both of their second albums. Released in May 1998, surrounding highly publicized rumors about a real-life catfight between both singers, the duet became both the biggest hit of the summer and the biggest hit of 1998 in general in America, spending record-breaking thirteen weeks on top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It earned the pair a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and garnered multi-platinum sales (to date, it remains as one of the top twenty most successful American singles in history based on Billboard chart success).
Jermaine Dupri, David Foster and Austin consulted on the album The Boy Is Mine, which was released later that year and eventually became Monicaโs biggest-selling album, becoming certified triple platinum by the RIAA for more than three million store-shipped copies. It yielded another two U.S. number-one hits with The First Night and Angel of Mine, a cover of Eternal's 1997 single, as well as a remake of Richard Marx' Right Here Waiting. Rolling Stone Magazine proclaimed it as "closer to soul's source... hearking back past hip-hop songbirds like Mary J. Blige and adult-contemporary sirens like Toni Braxton," while Allmusic called the album an "irresistible sounding [and] immaculately crafted musical backdrop [...] as good as mainstream urban R&B gets in 1998."
In 2000, Monica contributed chorus vocals for I've Got to Have It, a collaboration with Jermaine Dupri and rapper Nas. Released as the Big Momma's House theme song, the song saw minor success in the United States only. The following year, she released the Ric Wake production track Just Another Girl, recorded for the Down to Earth soundtrack, as a single.
A year later, Arnold channeled much of her heavily media-discussed experiences into the production of her third studio album, All Eyez on Me, her first release on mentor Clive Davis newly-founded J Records label. "I just wanted to give the people back something that had personal passion, instead of just, 'Oh, let's dance to this record'," she said about the issues worked into the tracks. The first single All Eyez on Me a Rodney Jerkins-produced R&B-dance track, saw minor to moderate success on the international charts but failed to enter the higher half of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. A follow-up song, Too Hood, also got a lukewarm response and as a result, the album's tentative release was pushed back several times. "I don't think people wanted to hear a big fun record from me, after knowing all the things that I had personally experienced," Monica second-guessed her new material which saw both early and heavy bootlegging via internet at that time.
After the Japan-wide release of All Eyez on Me Monica was asked to substantially reconstruct the record with a host of new producers, and as a result the singer re-entered recording studios to start work with songwriters Kanye West, Jazze Pha, Andre "mrDEYO" Deyo, Bam & Ryan and Dupri-replacing executive producer Missy Elliott. Finally released in June 2003, After the Storm debuted at number one on Billboard`s Top R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart, and on top of the official Billboard 200, with sales of 186,000 copies emerging as Monica's first and only number-one album to date. It eventually received a gold certification, and has sold over one million copies domestically. Media reception of the CD was generally enthusiastic, with the Allmusic saying the album "has all the assuredness and smart developments that should keep Monica's younger longtime followers behind her โ all the while holding the ability to appeal to a wider spectrum of R&B and hip-hop fans." The album's lead single, Elliott-penned So Gone, was one of Monica's biggest commercial successes in years, becoming her first top ten single since 1999's Angel of Mine. In addition, it reached the top position of the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Tracks and Hot Dance Club Play charts. Subsequently, After the Storm spawned another three singles, with final single U Should've Known Better reaching number nineteen on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
In 2005, Monica appeared on the Tyler Perry's Diary of a Mad Black Woman soundtrack. The track was one of Monica's last production by Dallas Austin.
Returning from yet another musical hiatus, Arnold's fourth studio album The Makings of Me was released in October 2006. Titled after Curtis Mayfield's 1970 recording The Makings of You, the album saw her particularly reuniting with producers Elliott, Dupri, and Bryan Michael Cox, all of whom had previously contributed to After the Storm (2003). The Makings of Me received a positive reception from most professional music critics, with Allmusic calling it a "concise and mostly sweet set of songs," and Entertainment Weekly declaring it "a solid addition" to Monica's discography. While it debuted at number one on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart, and at number eight on the official Billboard 200, it received a domestic sales total of 328,000 copies, it widely failed to revive the success of its predecessors and became the singer's lowest-selling effort to date. Singles such as snap-influenced Everytime Tha Beat Drop featuring Atlanta hip hop group Dem Franchize Boyz and Elliott-produced A Dozen Roses (You Remind Me) failed to reach the top forty of the regular pop charts.
In 2009, Arnold lent her voice to the ballad Trust a duet with Keyshia Cole, that peaked in the top five on Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The recording of Arnold's sixth studio album Still Standing was chronicled by her BET reality series of the same name. Featuring production by Stargate, Ne-Yo, and Polow da Don, it was released in March 2010 and garnered a generally positive response by critics, who perceived its sound as "a return to the mid-'1990s heyday" of contemporary R&B, The album debuted atop on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart, and number two on the U.S. Billboard 200 with opening week sales of 184,000 copies, becoming the singer's second highest-charting debut since 2003's After the Storm. The leading single Everything to Me scored Monica her biggest chart success since 2003's So Gone, reaching the top position of the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Tracks charts for seven weeks. The album was certified gold by the RIAA with domestic shipments of 500,000 copies within a single month. With it success, the album and Everything to Me was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, presented at the 53rd Grammy Awards in 2011. In August 2010, Arnold joined Trey Songz on his Passion, Pain & Pleasure Tour, her first North American concert tour in ten years.
The New Life (Intro) Songfacts reports that New Life was Monica's debut release with RCA, following the disbandment of her former label, J Records in October 2011. The album was dropped on April 10, 2012 in the US. She explained the meaning of its title on Twitter: "A good word goes a long way. Life is hard enough. Me and my followers believe in God, love, strength, family, unity and growth [...] Don't be afraid of new things, new people, new opportunities or new love. It just may give you a New Life."
All Eyez On Me
Monica Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got my eyez on you
Let me see what you workin' with
Let's dance yeah come on, come on
When I step in the club
There's so much Love
All Eyez on Me
Glasses go up
It's that time baby
If you're looking right
And your game is tight
Come chill with me
Get up on the floor
And dance some more
The night's just beginning
I can feel your eyez on me
You're watchin'
And off up in the club
Tonight it's poppin'
And I can tell that you're feeling it, too
Know u do
I can feel your eyez on me
You're watchin'
And off up in the club
Tonight it's poppin'
And I can tell that you're feeling it, too
Know u do
Now when I'm doin' my thang
You checkin' for me
Just step my way
Don't you be
Too shy or be ashamed
You get love from me
So when we movin' close
We're toe to toe
Just dance with me
And when we've come to an end
Me and my friends
We'll do it again
I can feel your eyez on me
You're watchin'
And off up in the club
Tonight it's poppin'
And I can tell that you're feeling it, too
Know u do
I can feel your eyez on me
You're watchin'
And off up in the club
Tonight it's poppin'
And I can tell that you're feeling it, too
Know u do
I can feel your eyez on me
You're watchin'
And off up in the club
Tonight it's poppin'
And I can tell that you're feeling it, too
Know u do
I can feel your eyez on me
You're watchin'
And off up in the club
Tonight it's poppin'
And I can tell that you're feeling it, too
Know u do
Come on let me see you work it out
I'm a pretty young thang
Imma turn it out
Party all night
Workin' it out
Till the lights out
Till the early morn
Come on let me see you work it out
I'm a pretty young thang
Imma turn it out
Party all night
Workin' it out
Till the lights out
Till the early morn
Don't you know now is the perfect time
I can make it right
Makin' you all mine
Baby tonight if you hold it down
I can give you all that I got
I can feel your eyez on me
You're watchin'
And off up in the club
Tonight it's poppin'
And I can tell that you're feeling it, too
Know u do
I can feel your eyez on me
You're watchin'
And off up in the club
Tonight it's poppin'
And I can tell that you're feeling it, too
Know u do
I can feel your eyez on me
You're watchin'
And off up in the club
Tonight it's poppin'
And I can tell that you're feeling it, too
Know u do
I can feel your eyez on me
You're watchin'
And off up in the club
Tonight it's poppin'
And I can tell that you're feeling it, too
Know u do
I can feel your eyez on me
You're watchin'
And off up in the club
Tonight it's poppin'
And I can tell that you're feeling it, too
Know u do
I can feel your eyez on me
You're watchin'
And off up in the club
Tonight it's poppin'
And I can tell that you're feeling it, too
Know u do
I can feel your eyez on me
You're watchin'
And off up in the club
Tonight it's poppin'
And I can tell that you're feeling it, too
Know u do
I can feel your eyez on me
You're watchin'
And off up in the club
Tonight it's poppin'
And I can tell that you're feeling it, too
Know u do
I see you (ah baby!)
You watchin' me (ah baby!)
I see you (ah baby!)
All Eyez On Me (ah darling!)
I see you (ah baby!)
You watchin' me (ah baby!)
I see you (ah baby!)
All Eyez On Me (ah darling!)
The song "All Eyez On Me" by Monica features the vocals of Rodney Jerkins, a record producer known as Darkchild. The song starts with Darkchild acknowledging Monica's presence and assuring her that all eyes are on her. Monica then sings about how when she enters the club, all the girls and thugs have their glasses raised up and are looking at her. Monica invites anyone who is looking good and has got their game tight to come chill with her and hit the dance floor. She then affirms that she can feel someone's eyes on her, watching her, and she knows that they are feeling the music as well.
Monica calls out to anyone checking out her moves to "just step my way" and dance with her because she is ready to party all night. She then reassures her admirer that now is the perfect time and that she can make it all right by making him all hers tonight. The song then ends with the chorus being repeated, emphasizing the fact that all eyes are on her.
The lyrics of "All Eyez On Me" can be interpreted as Monica's way of expressing her confidence and self-assurance in herself and her attractiveness. She has an air of knowing that she is the center of attention when she walks into any room, and she is not afraid to show it. The song can also be seen as a flirty invitation to anyone who wants to dance with her, but also a warning to those who might try to step up to her and not measure up.
Line by Line Meaning
I see you girl, Darkchild
Acknowledging the presence of someone special in the club
I got my eyez on you
Showing interest and attraction towards that special someone
Let me see what you workin' with
Asking that special someone to showcase their talents and dance moves
Let's dance yeah come on, come on
Inviting that special someone to dance and have a good time together
When I step in the club
Starting off the night with excitement and energy
There's so much Love
Feeling the positive vibes and energy in the club
All Eyez on Me
Basking in the attention and admiration of those around
All the girls and thugs
Referring to the diverse crowd in the club
Glasses go up
The atmosphere gets even more exciting as everyone raises their glasses
It's that time baby
Ready to have a great night and enjoy the moment
If you're looking right
Noticing others who catch the eye and look good in the club
And your game is tight
Being attracted to someone who is confident and has an edge in their personality
Come chill with me
Inviting someone who meets the criteria to come hang out
Get up on the floor
Encouraging everyone to dance and enjoy themselves
And dance some more
Not wanting the night to end and wanting to dance more and more
The night's just beginning
Feeling like there's still so much fun and excitement left to experience
I can feel your eyez on me
Sensing the attention and desire of that special someone
You're watchin'
Seeing that special someone admire and desire the singer
And off up in the club
Acknowledging that both the singer and that special someone are at the club, having a good time
Tonight it's poppin'
Feeling the club is lively and packed with people
And I can tell that you're feeling it, too
Observing how into the moment that special someone is feeling
Know u do
Having confidence and assurance about how that special someone feels
Now when I'm doin' my thang
In the zone and feeling herself while performing her song on stage
You checkin' for me
Noticing that special someone is still watching the singer perform on stage
Just step my way
Inviting that special someone to come closer to the singer
Don't you be
Encouraging that special someone to not be nervous or shy
Too shy or be ashamed
Reassuring that special someone that they have no reason to be embarrassed and should come closer
You get love from me
Implying the singer is willing to show that special someone love and attention
So when we movin' close
Moving in close to that special someone on the dance floor
We're toe to toe
Being in sync and in close proximity with that special someone
Just dance with me
Asking that special someone to dance with the singer
And when we've come to an end
Not wanting the dance to end but knowing it eventually will
Me and my friends
With the singer's group of friends
We'll do it again
Willing to repeat the experience of dancing and having fun with that special someone
Come on let me see you work it out
Encouraging that special someone to dance and show off their moves again
I'm a pretty young thang
Feeling young and attractive
Imma turn it out
Promising to have a great time and impress others on the dance floor
Party all night
Wanting to continue the fun and excitement of the night
Till the lights out
Staying until the club closes
Till the early morn
Leaving just as the sun starts to rise
Don't you know now is the perfect time
Feeling that this moment in the club is the perfect time to make a move
I can make it right
Having the confidence to make things right and good with that special someone
Makin' you all mine
Wanting to make that special someone her own
Baby tonight if you hold it down
Asking that special someone to stay with the singer and show their support
I can give you all that I got
Promising to give that special someone all the love and attention the singer has to offer
I see you (ah baby!)
Acknowledging that special someone once again
All Eyez On Me (ah darling!)
Feeling the attention and admiration from all in the club and that special someone in particular
Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FRED JERKINS III, JAMES INGRAM, RODNEY JERKINS, LASHAWN DANIELS, QUINCY JONES III, MONICA ARNOLD, Fred Iii Jerkins, LASHAWN AMEEN DANIELS, Quincy Iii Jones
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@keithmyers1926
UNDERRATED JAM...and with Michael in the background pure gold!
@ChyleTryMe
The ORIGINAL REELS TOO!!!
@rashawnda-professor2999
Good Morning. When Monica and Darkchild asked MJ for permission to sample PYT not only did he agree, he personally delivered the master recording to Monica with additional ad-libs that were unreleased.
@ChyleTryMe
@@rashawnda-professor2999 heโs was huge Monica fan. Asked her to perform at his Anniversary Special and for his Birthday.
@JY008
The vocal arrangement from 1:30-1:40 are very intricate to pull off and she makes it sound so simple. Brandy rightfully gets credit for her runs/riffs but Mo has a couple of 1 2 combos up her sleeve too lol.
@Jazmeyne
When I say I practiced this everyyyyyyyyyyyday omgggg that was such a cool part to me back then and now.
@EArmandE
The vocal production on this is astounding. Monicaโs execution of lashawnโs direction is amazing
@doneboyremo
Darkchild the mastermind
@warrior1975ify
Monica looks so pretty in this video! Rest in peace LaShawn Daniels who was a writer on this song!
@vaiona5156
rip LASHAWN๐๐๐๐๐๐