Bio
Musiq Soulchild was born and raised in Philadelphia and grew up with his family—including eight brothers and sister]. As a teenager, he began plans for a career in music. He released his debut album, ‘’Aijuswanaseing’’ (read: “I Just Want to Sing”), in 2000, which was well-received by critics and audiences. Musiq did much of his own songwriting, and most of the record was produced and co-written by Ivan “Orthodox” Barias and Carvin “Ransum” Haggins, then of the A Touch of Jazz production company headed by Jazzy Jeff, now of Karma Productions. The singles “Just Friends (Sunny)”, “Love”, and “Girl Next Door” received exposure in America mainly on the more underground music video network, MTV2, as well as on BET. His singles also received a good amount of airplay on urban and urban contemporary radio stations.
In 2002, he released his sophomore album, ‘’Juslisen’’ (read: “Just Listen”), as simply ‘’Musiq’‘. He had continued urban and MTV2 success with its singles, “halfcrazy” and “dontchange”, the former of which was one of the most played music videos on MTV2 in the summer of 2002 and during the year overall. Both videos also got substantial play during the year on VH1 Soul. The singles had heavily amounts of airplay on both urban and urban contemporary radio sations in 2002. He also gained exposure during that year by opening concerts for Alicia Keys.
In late 2002, Musiq contributed guest vocals to “Break You Off”, the first single from The Roots’ ‘’Phrenology’’ album. Once again, its video got heavy play on MTV2 and VH1 Soul, as well as on MTV Jams. He also appeared in Santana’s song “Nothing at All” which is featured in his 2002 album ‘’Shaman’‘.
In 2003, the singles and videos “forthenight” and “whoknows” from his third LP, ‘’Soulstar’‘. “forthenight” was one of VH1 Soul’s most played videos of 2004, and also had a very successful run on American urban radio stations.
Recently, Musiq Soulchild (who has added the “Soulchild” to his moniker again) has parted ways with Def Soul and has signed with Atlantic Records. A new Musiq Soulchild album is slated for a spring 2007 release. He will be making guest appearances on rapper Lloyd Banks’s ‘’Rotten Apple’‘, Talib Kweli “Eardrum”, Black Ice “The Death of Willie Lynch”, pay tribute to Soul music legends Earth Wind and Fire and appear on the soundtrack “Daddy’s Little Girls”.
Musiq Soulchild released his debut album, Aijuswanaseing (I Just Want to Sing), in 2000, which included the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop single, “Just Friends (Sunny)”. Musiq’s second single, “Love”, spent 22 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Musiq’s sophomore album, 2002’s Juslisen (Just Listen), debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Charts and went platinum; “Halfcrazy” and “Dontchange”. In 2003, Musiq released his 3rd album, Soulstar. It included the singles “Forthenight” and “Whoknows”.
After a four year break and changing his management to Solqi Management and his record label to Atlantic Records, in 2007, Musiq’s released his fourth album Luvanmusiq (Love and Music) which included the singles “B.U.D.D.Y.”, “Teachme”, and “Makeyouhappy”. According to the singer himself, via his September 18 concert at the Warfield in San Francisco, his fifth album On My Radio will be released on December 2, 2008. The lead single, “Radio” has posted on both Musiq’s MySpace page and official website.
Musiq Soulchild has had 2 platinum albums, 2 gold albums and 7 hit singles. He has received awards from Billboard, BET, ASCAP, BMI, and Soul Train. Musiq has also earned award nominations from MTV, American Music Awards, NAACP, and 9 Grammy nominations, including 3 for his 2007 album Luvanmusiq. Besides being a successful recording artist, Musiq is notable for his creative and unique way of titling his albums and songs by ignoring the rules of capitalization, punctuation and spelling.
He recently performed at the Antigua & Barbuda first Romantic Rhythms Music Festival in the Caribbean which was held from June 12-15,2008 which features legendary artists such as Kenny Rogers, Brian McKnight, Lionel Richie, Keyshia Cole, Maxi Priest, Destra, Heather Headly, Shaggy and many other local artist from the island including The Burning Flames.
He has also made guest appearances on rapper Lloyd Banks’s album Rotten Apple, Talib Kweli’s Eardrum, The Roots’s Phrenology (album), Black Ice’s The Death of Willie Lynch and pays tribute to soul music legends Earth Wind and Fire, appearing on the soundtrack to Tyler Perry’s movie Daddy’s Little Girls. And Ice Cube announced that Musiq will appear on his upcoming album, Raw Footage. He also lent a song from his latest album Luvanmusiq to the soundtrack for Perry’s later movie Why Did I Get Married?. He then recorded a remake of Arrested Development’s song “People Everyday” with British rapper Estelle for the soundtrack to Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns entitled “People Everyday (Metamorphosis Mix)”.
Outside of music, he has been featured in television and print ads for McDonald’s, Nike, Inc., Coca-Cola, Levi Strauss & Co. and The Gap. He also made a special appearance in The CW’s #1 comedy The Game on Monday, October 29, 2007.
Medicine
Musiq Soulchild Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shawty tell me what's on your mind
And I promise to try to do what I can do to change how you feel inside
Ain't nobody here but you and I
So you don't have to hide here with me
You can just be you girl
'Cause I know
When you've got so much goin' on in your life
But what nobody can see
Is that you can hardly breathe
And your at the point where everything's too much
(Just)Turn the lights down low
Find some music
Turn off your phone
Come to me
Let me be
Your medicine
I can be
Your medicine
(And I bet I can take all your pain away)
Medicine
(And I bet I can take all your pain away)
Come to me
Let me be
Your medicine
I can be your
(Ayye)
Look
Everybody's gotta make a dime
But when do you make the time
To break away
Find some things to do to make you smile
'Cause it can't be good for your health
Always tryin' to please somebody else
But now and then you gotta think about yourself
'Cause I know
What it feels like
When you've got so much goin' on in your life
But what nobody can see
Is that you can hardly breathe
And your at the point where everything's too much
(Just)Turn the lights down low
Find some music
Turn off your phone
Come to me
Let me be
Your medicine
I can be
Your medicine
(And I bet I can take all your pain away)
Medicine
(And I bet I can take all your pain away)
Come to me
Let me Be
Your medicine
I can be your
Medicine
Whatever is hurting
Got something I think can work
You take for body aches nerves or wherever it may concern
If the pain keeps getting worse
Just breathe
Breathe
Just breathe
Breathe
Breathe
Til the whole world fades away
(Just)Turn the lights down low
Find some music
Turn off your phone
Come to me
Let me be
Your medicine
I can be
Your medicine
(And I bet I can take all your pain away)
Medicine
(And I bet I can take all your pain away)
Come to me
Let me be
Your medicine
I can be your
(Just)Turn the lights down low
Find some music
Turn off your phone
Come to me
Let me be
Your medicine
I can be
Your medicine
(And I bet I can take all your pain away)
Medicine
(And I bet I can take all your pain away)
Come to me
Let me be
Your medicine
I can be your
The song 'Medicine' by Musiq Soulchild is about being someone's refuge from the stresses of their life. The song starts with Musiq urging his partner to tell him what's on her mind and promising to do what he can to make her feel better. He recognizes that sometimes life can feel overwhelming, and it can be hard to cope with everything going on. However, he tells her that she doesn't have to hide her feelings from him and can be herself around him. Musiq is aware that sometimes people need someone to lean on, and he is offering himself as that support system.
The chorus of the song encourages his partner to take a break from everything and turn to him for comfort. He tells her to turn down the lights, find some music, and turn off her phone. He wants her to be with him and let him be her medicine. He believes that he can take her pain away and wants to be the one person who can make her feel better. The song's bridge reinforces this sentiment, with Musiq telling her that he has something that can work for whatever is hurting her, and she needs to just breathe until the whole world fades away.
In summary, 'Medicine' is about being someone's safe haven and giving them a break from the stresses of their life. It is about being present for someone, listening to them, and offering support when they need it most.
Line by Line Meaning
Ayye, uh
Introductory expression to capture attention
Shawty tell me what's on your mind
Asking the girl to open up about her feelings
And I promise to try to do what I can do to change how you feel inside
Making a commitment to help the girl feel better
Ain't nobody here but you and I
Assuring the girl of privacy and safety to express herself
So you don't have to hide here with me
Encouraging the girl to be herself and not hide her true feelings
You can just be you girl
Reiterating the importance of being genuine and authentic
'Cause I know
Acknowledging understanding of the girl's situation
What it feels like
Referring to the overwhelming feeling of emotional pain and distress
When you've got so much goin' on in your life
Acknowledging the girl's complicated life situation
But what nobody can see
Highlighting the hidden nature of emotional pain
Is that you can hardly breathe
Emphasizing the suffocating effect of emotional pain
And your at the point where everything's too much
Stressing the overwhelming nature of the girl's situation
(Just)Turn the lights down low
Suggesting a relaxing atmosphere to help the girl unwind
Find some music
Recommending the effect of music in uplifting the girl's mood
Turn off your phone
Encouraging the girl to disconnect from stressors
Come to me
Inviting the girl for comfort and support
Let me be
Offering to be there for the girl
Your medicine
Symbolizing the role of the singer as a source of relief and healing
I can be
Reinforcing the singer's commitment to helping the girl
(And I bet I can take all your pain away)
Confident assertion of his ability to provide emotional healing
(Ayye)
Repetition of the introductory expression
Look
Drawing attention to what follows
Everybody's gotta make a dime
Acknowledging that everyone has financial obligations
But when do you make the time
Questioning the balance between financial responsibilities and emotional well-being
To break away
Suggesting the importance of leisure time to unwind and recharge
Find some things to do to make you smile
Highlighting the importance of engaging in enjoyable activities
'Cause it can't be good for your health
Stating the negative effects of neglecting emotional needs
Always tryin' to please somebody else
Pointing out the tendency to prioritize others' needs
But now and then you gotta think about yourself
Encouraging the girl to prioritize her own needs too
Whatever is hurting
Addressing the cause of pain
Got something I think can work
Offering a solution to alleviate the pain
You take for body aches nerves or wherever it may concern
Suggesting the versatility of his support and comfort
If the pain keeps getting worse
Addressing the possibility of the pain worsening
Just breathe
Encouraging the girl to take deep breaths to calm down
Til the whole world fades away
Using imagery to depict the effect of relaxation on the girl's surroundings
(Just)Turn the lights down low
Reiterating the importance of a calm environment
Find some music
Encouraging the girl to use music again
Turn off your phone
Repeating the need to disconnect from stressors
Come to me
Inviting the girl for comfort and support again
Let me be
Offering to be there for the girl again
Your medicine
Reiterating his symbolic role as a source of relief and healing
I can be
Reinforcing his commitment to help the girl
(And I bet I can take all your pain away)
Repeating his confident assertion of his ability to provide emotional healing
Come to me
Inviting the girl for comfort and support again
Let me be
Offering to be there for the girl again
Your medicine
Reiterating his symbolic role as a source of relief and healing again
I can be your
Offering himself as a reliable source of support
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CARL A. ADAMS, TAALIB JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind