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 Monica’s 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 — 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."
Searchin
Monica Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They're questioning me the way
The way that they should live
I often wonder
Wonder what to do
To help them make it through
In a world that's gone astray
That it's up to me
Searchin' for the answers to these problems
I'm always facing things that are tryin' me
Testing all the things that I believe
Sometimes I feel so down
And no one here's around
But you, you never left me lonely
And now I see, what a true friend means
And I trust that you would always be here for me
Lord I give you all
Open my heart to see
That this lies with me
Searchin' for the answers to these problems
I'm always facing things that are tryin' me
(I'm standing right here)
Testing all the things that I believe
Now I'm here before you
So tell me what to do
(Guess I will open my heart)
My heart to you
Here I am
Searching for all the answers to my problems
Lord I'm facing things
Can you help me
You're trying all that I need
The things I believe
Lord, no no no no
Here I am
Here I am
I'm searching for, searching for it
Lord I need, need, need
That's tryin' me
Testing all the things that I believe
No
No
Here I am
Lacking all the understand the things I can't see
I am your child
Ooh oh oh
That're tryin' me
Can you help me
I'm lacking understanding
I'm your child no matter what they say
I'm yours every day
Protect me every day
Protect me oh oh
The song "Searchin'" by Monica is a powerful and heartfelt plea for guidance and understanding in a world that seems overwhelming, especially for children who are growing up in it. Monica sings about feeling lost and uncertain about what to do to help these children make it through these challenging times. She acknowledges that the responsibility of finding answers to these problems lies with the individual, and that through faith and trust in a higher power, one can overcome these obstacles. The lyrics speak of the trials and tests that one must endure, but also the comfort and security that can be found in the unwavering loyalty of a true friend.
The chorus repeats throughout the song, emphasizing the need to search for answers to life's challenges, and the importance of relying on faith and inner strength when facing these challenges. Monica's powerful voice and emotive delivery add an extra layer of depth and authenticity to the lyrics, making the listener empathize with her struggles and share in her belief that hope and light can be found in even the darkest of moments.
Overall, "Searchin'" is a thought-provoking and inspiring song that encourages listeners to look inward for the strength they need to face life's difficulties, and to trust in the support of those who care about them, while relying on the guidance of a higher power.
Line by Line Meaning
When I hear the children of today
As I listen to the youth of today, they pose challenging questions to me about how they should live in a world where morality is distorted.
They're questioning me the way
Young people are asking me for guidance and seeking direction.
The way that they should live
The youth are searching for an authentic way to exist in the midst of a world that has lost its moral compass.
I often wonder
As I ponder the direction of the world, I often ponder the best way to help the youth find their purpose.
Wonder what to do
I often become lost and unsure of my actions in the midst of all the chaos.
To help them make it through
I want to aid them in finding a way to make it through their struggles.
In a world that's gone astray
In a world that has gone off track in terms of morals and values.
Open my heart to see
I will open up my heart to seek clarity and truth to find wisdom.
That it's up to me
It is my responsibility to find a solution for helping the youth find their way.
Searchin' for the answers to these problems
I am actively seeking solutions for the issues that plague the youth today.
I'm always facing things that are tryin' me
I am constantly confronted with things that challenge me and make me question my beliefs and values.
Testing all the things that I believe
I am examining my beliefs and what I stand for in the midst of all these struggles.
Sometimes I feel so down
At times, I lose hope and feel discouraged.
And no one here's around
When I need someone, there is often no one there to give me emotional support.
But you, you never left me lonely
But I know that you, God, have always been with me and have never left me feeling truly alone.
And now I see, what a true friend means
Through my struggles, I have come to realize the true meaning of what it means to have a genuine friend, like God.
And I trust that you would always be here for me
I have faith that God will always be with me to comfort and support me through my tough times.
Now I'm here before you
I am now in your presence, God, seeking your guidance.
So tell me what to do
I am reaching out to you in hopes that you will give me direction and clarity on how to help the youth.
My heart to you
I am offering my heart to you, God, and asking for your help.
Searching for all the answers to my problems
I am actively looking for solutions to the issues that are plaguing me.
Lord I'm facing things
I am dealing with the struggles and challenges of life.
Can you help me
I am asking for assistance and guidance.
That's tryin' me
Things that are testing my ability to cope and challenging my beliefs.
No no no no
A simple expression of frustration and pain.
Lacking all the understand the things I can't see
I am lacking the comprehension to deal with things that I can't fully perceive or grasp.
I am your child
I am a child of God and seeking to connect with my Father in this time of struggle.
That're tryin' me
My Heavenly Father, I am struggling with things that are testing my faith.
Protect me every day
I am asking for God's protection to help me through the trials of each day.
Can you help me
I am pleading for help and guidance from God.
That're tryin' me
I am struggling with obstacles that are testing my faith and ability to cope.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRYAN MICHAEL PAUL COX, HAROLD LILLY JR, HAROLD SPENCER JR LILLY, MONICA ARNOLD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kristopher Davis
those runs and rifts! True singer! Monica's voice just makes my heart melt! The true vocal bible
David Bates
LMAO
Dennis Stuckey
This song needs to be available on all digital platforms.
Herby85
Everytime I listen to this song I say to myself "You better SLAY in the name of the Holy Spirit" Monica!!!
T B
Played this until I wore out the cd. I will always love this song ❤
MsHarris2u
Listen 2 this everytime I'm going thru Anything! Her voice takes me There.... great Singer!
Racheal Späni
I came just here for that...going through some things.
LeKa Danielle
“Can you help me? I’m lacking understanding. I’m your child no matter what they say I’m yours everyday” THAT PART!! ❤️
Racheal Späni
Enjoying my quarantine with these throw backs
Lovely Ishername
Love this song. It reminds me a lot of Faith Evans.