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."
Still Standing
Monica Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, you gotta walk by faith
And not by sight
Real talk, you gotta listen
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, ooh, yeah
Oh, listen to me now, I'm gonna say it loud
I been through the storm, had dirt on my name
I'm still holding on, champion of the game
(They said)
Whatever, don't kill, you make you stronger
Well, I must be the world's strongest woman
See I done, done a whole lotta growin'
Everything you say, I'm already knowin'
'Cause I
I been up against ropes
Everything you're going through
I been there before, seen them all come
And I seen them all go
You can bet your last
That my head won't hit the floor, never
I'm still standing, standing, standing, standing
I'm still standing, standing, standing, standing
I had a lover take his own in front of me
I asked God, why is this happening to me?
But I didn't fold, I held my own
And now I'm deep in love with who I belong
(This is my life)
They say with age comes wisdom
And the white flag, I can't give 'em
Tryna tell you how it's supposed to be
See, this is more than just a song to me
'Cause I
I been up against ropes
Everything you're going through (everything)
I been there before, seen them all come
And I seen them all go
You can bet your last (oh no-no, no-no, no-no)
That my head won't hit the floor, never
I'm still standing, standing, standing, standing
I'm still standing (I'm unbreakable, baby)
(Yes, I am) standing (Luda)
(Yes, I am) standing (yeah), standing
(It's a family affair, what up cuz'?) Standing
I may have done the things they say I did (did)
But I'm not who they say I am (am)
Try to throw my name in the dirt
But I really don't give a damn (damn)
I'm still standing like the Statue of Liberty
And I put my name in the history books
So you'll forever remember me
Remember me as the toughest warrior
Or the ultimate fighter
'Cause I'm the truth and nothing but it
Like my hand's on the Bible
And it's the survival of the fittest
The realest, it's not a façade
Still standing on my two feet
'Cause I'm a child of God
Do something
I been up against ropes
Everything you're going through
I been there before (yeah)
Seen them all come (I've been there before)
And I seen them all go (yeah yeah)
You can bet your last
That my head won't hit the floor, never (you can be you're last on me, 'cause I)
I'm still standing, standing, standing, standing
I'm still standing, standing, standing, standing (I'm not gonna give up, never)
(Come too far to look back, ooh)
I been up against ropes
Everything you're going through
I been there before, seen them all come
And I seen them all go (I seen it, I seen it)
You can bet your last (I done it, I done it, I'm done)
That my head won't hit the floor, never (let me live my life now)
I'm still standing (I let it go)
Standing (I let God)
Standing (I let it go)
Standing (and I let God)
I'm still standing, standing
Don't hate me now
I ain't who I used to be no more
I'm still standing, I'm still standing
I'm still standing, oh, I'm still standing
I'm still standing, you can't take this joy I have, hey
The lyrics to Monica's song Still Standing communicate a message of perseverance through painful experiences. The first verse specifically references the importance of "walking by faith, and not by sight," indicating that the singer has gone through experiences that may not have initially made sense. The singer then shares that they have encountered many struggles, such as having "dirt on their name" and being up against ropes. However, instead of giving up or falling apart, the singer has somehow managed to keep going and remain strong. They also suggest that all of the challenges they have faced have provided them with wisdom and knowledge that help them to navigate life more successfully.
The second verse begins with the singer recalling a traumatic event, in which a lover took their own life in front of them. This event could easily have broken the singer, but they made the choice to "hold their own" and move forward. Throughout the song, the singer's main message is that they have faced difficult situations, but have been able to come through them still standing. They are proud of their resilience and determined to continue living their life to the fullest.
Overall, the song's uplifting message encourages listeners who may be facing their own struggles to keep fighting and to know that they, too, can come out the other side still standing.
Line by Line Meaning
Mama always told me
My mother would say to me
Baby, you gotta walk by faith
You have to face life without knowing what lies ahead
And not by sight
You have to act on your beliefs rather than what you can see
Real talk, you gotta listen
Listen to what I'm saying right now
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, ooh, yeah
An interjection adding emphasis
Oh, listen to me now, I'm gonna say it loud
I'm going to speak clearly
So you won't be confused 'bout what we talkin' 'bout
To avoid confusion about the topic
I been through the storm, had dirt on my name
I suffered adversity and people talked badly about me
I'm still holding on, champion of the game
Despite everything, I'm still persevering and winning
(They said)
An indication of a previous comment
Whatever, don't kill, you make you stronger
Challenges make you stronger
Well, I must be the world's strongest woman
I've experienced a lot of difficulties and I'm still standing, so I must be incredibly strong
See I done, done a whole lotta growin'
I've grown a lot through my experiences
Everything you say, I'm already knowin'
I'm aware of whatever you may say
Cause I
A continuation of a previous statement
I been up against ropes
I've been in difficult situations
Everything you're going through
I've experienced that too
I been there before, seen them all come
I've been through similar situations and have survived them all
And I seen them all go
I've also witnessed others overcome their struggles
You can bet your last that
You can be certain
My head won't hit the floor, never
I won't give up or lose hope
And I'm still standing, standing, standing, standing
I'm still persevering, no matter what
I had a lover take his own in front of me
I witnessed my partner commit suicide in front of me
I asked God, why is this happening to me?
I questioned why these unfortunate things were happening to me
But I didn't fold, I held my own
I didn't give up and instead persevered
And now I'm deep in love with who I belong
I found true love and the person I am meant to be with
(This is my life)
This is referring to her life
They say with age comes wisdom
People become wiser as they grow older
And the white flag, I can't give 'em
I can't surrender or give up
Tryin' to tell you how it's s'posed to be
I'm giving this advice because it's what needs to be said
See, this is more than just a song to me
This song has a deep meaning to me, beyond just lyrics and melody
I'm unbreakable, baby
A reference to her strength and resilience
Luda, yeah, it's a family affair
Ludacris is related to her in some way
I may have done the things they say I did
She may have done some of the things people are accusing her of
But I'm not who they say I am
Those things don't define her as a person
Try to throw my name in the dirt
People tried to slander her reputation
But I really don't give a damn
She doesn't care about their opinions of her
I'm still standing like the Statue of Liberty
A symbol of strength and perseverance
And I put my name in the history books
She has achieved great things that will be remembered forever
So you'll forever remember me
Her legacy will always be remembered
Remember me as the toughest warrior
She wants to be remembered as someone who never gave up in the face of adversity
Or the ultimate fighter
Another way of saying that she fought until the very end
Cause I'm the truth and nothing but
She is honest and genuine
It's like my hands on the Bible
A reference to giving a solemn oath or making a promise
And it's the survival of the fittest
Only the strongest and most resilient will survive
The realist, it's not a facade
She is authentic and not pretending
Still standing on my two feet
She is still persevering
Cause I'm a child of God
A reference to her faith in God and belief that he will guide and protect her
Do something
An invitation to take action and follow her lead
I'm not gonna give up, never
She will never give up or let go of her hopes/dreams
Come too far to look back, oh
She has come too far to look back on her hardships and let them get in the way of her future
I let it go, I let God, I let it go, and I let God
She has let go of the pain she endured and given it to God
Don't hate me now
She is telling listeners not to resent or envy her
I ain't who I used to be no more
She has changed and grown since her past struggles and won't let them define her
I'm still standing, I'm still standing
She is still persevering
I'm still standing, oh, I'm still standing
A repetition of the previous line adding emphasis
You can't take this joy away
No one can take away the joy she has from persevering through hardships
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Monica Arnold, Christopher Bridges, Bryan-Michael Cox, Taurian Adonis Shropshire
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cocosworld5859
Mama always told me
Baby you gotta walk by faith
And not by sight
Real talk
You gotta listen
Oh, oh, oh, oh-oh-oh
Ooh, yeah
Oh, listen to me now
I'm gonna say it loud
So you won't be confused
'Bout what we talkin' 'bout
I been through the storm
Had dirt on my name
I'm still holding on
Champion of the game (they said)
Whatever don't kill you make you stronger
Well, I must be the world's strongest woman
See I done done a whole lotta growin'
Everything you say I'm already knowin'
'Cause I
I been up against ropes
Everything you're going through
I been there before
Seen them all come
And I seen them all go
You can bet your last that my head won't hit the floor
Never
I'm still standing, standing, standing, standing
I'm still standing, standing, standing, standing
I had a lover take his own in front of me
I asked God why is this happening to me
But I didn't fold, I held my own
And now I'm deep in love with who I belong
(This is my life)
They say with age comes wisdom
And the white flag, I can't give 'em
Tryin' to tell you how it's s'posed to be
See, this is more than just a song to me
'Cause I
I been up against ropes
Everything you're going through
I been there before
Seen them all come
And I seen them all go
You can bet your last that my head won't hit the floor
Never
I'm still standing, standing, standing, standing
I'm still standing, standing, standing, standing (I'm unbreakable, baby)
Luda, yeah, it's a family affair
I may have done the things they say I did
But I'm not who they say I am
Try to throw my name in the dirt
But I really don't give a damn
I'm still standing like the statue of liberty
And I put my name in the history books
So you'll forever remember me
Remember me as the toughest warrior
Or the ultimate fighter
'Cause I'm the truth and nothing but
It's like my hands on the bible
And it's the survival of the fittest
The realest, it's not a facade
Still standing on my two feet
'Cause I'm a child of God
Do something
I been up against ropes
Everything you're going through
I been there before
Seen them all come
And I seen them all go
You can bet your last that my head won't hit the floor
Never
I'm still standing, standing, standing, standing
I'm still standing, standing, standing, standing (I'm not gonna give up, never)
I been up against ropes (come too far to look back, oh)
Everything you're going through
I been there before
Seen them all come
And I seen them all go (I've seen it, I've seen it)
You can bet your last that my head won't hit the floor (I've done it, I've done it, I'm done)
Never (let me live my life now)
I'm still standing, standing, standing, standing (I let it go, I let God)
I let it go, and I let God
Don't hate me now
I ain't who I used to be no more
I'm still standing, I'm still standing
I'm still standing, oh
I'm still standing
I'm still standing
You can't take this joy I have, hey
@mirandamcbride2304
It's 2022 and I'm still rocking this song💞💞💞
@beemarie8395
Always and forever ❤️❤️
@musikdamuse
Same ❤
@cristinesheperd395
She had a show where can I watch her show on what app
@thebest22butraces44
Same
@msthsngpryor5116
It's going to be 2023 in a week and this will never get old period......
@watkins7107
she makes music for real people with real issues. Still standing after its all said and done, something we all can testify to in some way or another. We need more Monica for people who like real music.
@evettewalker1990
Facts💪💯💯
@annetterhue3513
< Ds
@jarshak.walker3790
Most definitely. She my favorite R&B artist & im a 96 baby , I take pride in saying she my favorite.