A soulful house remix of the tune by Mathias Helbronn and it’s inclusion on numerous compilations, including Body and Soul, has made the tune a bonafide dance floor classic and solidified Monique’s place in underground music history. She went on to write and perform “Pure” with Naked Music’s Blue Six in 2000. This was the first of her solo recordings and was an international success in serious set rotation by the likes of Louie Vega. The UK releases “Don’t You Love Me” on Sir Piers’ Curious label in 2002 and “Go-Getter” with Matty Heilbronn championed by Papa Records in April 2004, let anyone who did not already know that this chick seriously knew what she was doing when it came to writing a song. Both hit No. 2 and No. 6 on DJ Mag’s Hype Chart.
In early 2003 she got a call from the legendary Timmy Regisford’s ClubShelter for a live PA. “They asked me how much I would charge them for the gig and I was like keep your money. I just want to have dinner with Timmy.” The Maestro has since been instrumental in making sure that Monique’s vocal and songwriting talent do not stay underground for much longer. Timmy is personally seeking publishing deals for Monique and banging her records every Saturday night in the NYC at his after-hours institution, “I think what gets my records recognized in the club scene is the fact that they are real songs! They’re not these forgettable insipid house tracks. They hold up anywhere. Not just on the dancefloor.” Her most recent releases include “Flight” on the Japanese act Studio Apartment’s 2004 album, World Line. A remix by Frankie Feliciano was released November 2004 by Hisa Ishioka’s Kingstreet label. Japanese nu-jazz wonder producer, Okada Taxi aka Kanoe has included Monique’s “Come and Live with Me” on his 2004 album “Wise Retrogression.” Her recent collaboration with House Music Award nominee, Quentin Harris, is certain to be a club anthem. “Your Can’t Have New York” will be released by Freddy Sanson’s Shelter Records in early 2005. “I write songs because I want to turn myself on the same way Sly and the Family Stone turned me on the first time I heard it. I’m not interested in making music people can ignore. What is the point of that?”
Poor People
Monique Bingham Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can′t afford no dreams
And the only thing gettin' cheaper
Is me it seems
Look out my window
Still the same
Same bunch of no count niggas being don′t count niggas
Nothin' changed
We talking ′bout
Poor People (bckup vocal)
Talkin' bout poor people
Poor People
Talkin′ bout poor people
Vocal lick
(Bckup vocal)
Dun Dun
Du Nah
Dun Dun dah
Du Nah
II
Your momma had you
With no plan
Did what she had to do
With no man
Aint nothin' special about you
Your momma said
Just gonna be no count nigga after no count nigga
Up ahead
What we talkin′ 'bout
We talkin′ 'bout
Poor People (bckup vocal)
Talkin' bout poor people
Poor People
Talkin′ bout poor people
Vocal lick
(Bckup vocal)
Dun Dun
Du Nah
Dun Dun dah
Du Nah
III
Some wear no make-up wear no rings
Some bitches like to say them things
Some light skin and proud
Or bald headed and loud
Some get their hair done
And keep they nails tight
Some work the whole day
Others work the whole night
Some girls real pretty in the hood
Won′t do no good
What we talking 'bout
Out
Poor People (bckup vocal)
Talkin′ bout poor people
Poor People
Talkin' bout poor people
Poor People (bckup vocal)
Talkin′ bout poor people
Poor People
Talkin' bout poor people
Poor People (bckup vocal)
Talkin′ bout poor people
Poor People
The song "Poor People" by Monique Bingham is a poignant and reflective piece that speaks to the struggles of those living in poverty, particularly in urban areas. The lyrics speak to the difficulties of making ends meet and the frustration that can come from living in a world that seems to be passing you by. Monique starts by painting a picture of her own financial struggles, noting that she doesn't have the money to afford her dreams and that she feels like she is getting cheaper as time goes on. Looking out her window, she sees the same people she always has, stuck in a cycle of poverty and unable to break free.
The lyrics then shift to focus on the idea of generational poverty. Monique reflects on the fact that many people are born into this cycle, with parents who had no plan and had to do what they could to survive. As a result, there is often nothing special about these individuals in the eyes of the world. They are simply seen as "no count niggas" and are expected to follow in the same path as those who came before them. This kind of hopelessness can be a heavy burden to bear and can lead to a sense of feeling trapped and unable to make any kind of meaningful change.
Finally, the song touches on the various ways that poverty can manifest itself. From women who can't afford makeup or rings, to those who work around the clock just to make ends meet, the struggles faced by poor people are complex and multifaceted. Yet, despite all of these challenges, the song underscores the dignity and worth of those who are struggling. The backup vocals repeatedly declare "talkin' bout poor people," reminding us that these are real individuals with real stories to tell.
Line by Line Meaning
Aint got no green
I don't have any money
Can't afford no dreams
I can't afford to pursue my goals and aspirations
And the only thing gettin' cheaper is me it seems
I feel like my worth is decreasing as my financial situation worsens
Look out my window, still the same
My surroundings and the people in them have not changed for the better
Same bunch of no count niggas being don't count niggas
The people I see around me are stuck in their poverty and aren't making progress
Nothin' changed
Things have stayed the same, or even gotten worse
What we talkin' 'bout
What are we discussing or focusing on
Poor People (bckup vocal)
Referring to the group of people who are struggling financially
Talkin' bout poor people
We are discussing the struggles of those in poverty
Your momma had you with no plan
Your mother had you without a clear idea of how to support you financially or otherwise
Did what she had to do with no man
She had to raise you without the help or support of a partner
Ain't nothin' special about you
You are not unique or exceptional, and are experiencing the same struggles as many others
Your momma said, just gonna be no count nigga after no count nigga up ahead
Your mother predicted that you would continue to struggle in poverty, along with the others in similar circumstances
Some wear no make-up wear no rings, some bitches like to say them things
Some women choose to forgo makeup, jewelry, and other accessories, while others may feel pressured to wear them to feel more adequate or attractive
Some light skin and proud, or bald headed and loud
People embrace different aspects of their identity and culture, such as their skin color or hair style, with pride and confidence
Some get their hair done and keep they nails tight
Some people prioritize taking care of their physical appearance and grooming
Some work the whole day, others work the whole night
People work long hours, sometimes sacrificing their sleep in order to make ends meet
Some girls real pretty in the hood won't do no good
Some women who are considered conventionally attractive still struggle with poverty and may face additional obstacles because of their appearance
Out
End of the song
Writer(s): Monique Ann Marie Bingham, Quentin Harris
Contributed by David J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@silviapenza8321
Still good to hear in 2024.😂😂😂😂❤❤
@kevinswindle516
2023 Monique Bingham Timeless Sweetness
@kabelogreenhouse8873
2024 we here
@nicliamckenzie3683
When house music in South Africa was at its best❤
@lwazimemela7123
It's still the best, just search for it you will find it.
@rasseed4255
To us Poor people 💞💞💞🏃🔥🔥🔥👊👊
@omphemetsemoalosi1012
The Mother of House Music - Monique Bingham. 🤌
@myst3_
Listening in 2022!
@veronicagray3486
THIS IS A SUPURB TRACK AND WORDS SO REAL TILL IT HURTZZZ AAAAAOOOOOWWAAAAHHHH
@ABillionTimesTV
Lengoma ingkhumbuza enye injayami ebathi uGeneral 😭🙏🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾🔥