Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo met in Virginia Beach, Virginia at the ages of 12 at a summer camp for musicians, which they both disliked. They spent their free time making beats and performing in groups with fellow childhood friend Timbaland. Shay Haley began performing with Williams and Hugo in high school. After watching the duo perform at a high school talent show, Teddy Riley, a musician and producer, signed Williams and Hugo in 1992. After producing songs for several artists throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, the production duo formed N.E.R.D in 2001 as a side project.
Am I High
N.E.R.D Lyrics
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La la, la la
Listen
La la la
Hey
Didn't you know I can help or hurt you (didn't you know?)
So there's no reason to lie
Convince you that they are fly
I never said I was an angel
Said, "But I ain't like those other guys"
Listen
You're convinced that our experience rearranged you
Well maybe you should re-examine how you tried
Or
Am I high?
Hey, am I high, high, high?
Yeah, oh no, woah
Am I high?
Ooh ooh, high, I, I
Yeah, oh no, woah
I think I've loved you since our high school (remember that, baby)
But you only wanted friends of mine (that crushed me)
So when they replied, "Her? She's cool" (I still took you in)
Only then you gave our friendship time (damn, baby, damn)
You won't say it but you think I'm changing (what you think? Why? Why?)
Is it because the whole world calls me drugs?
But didn't I say I can help or hurt you? (Look)
You should be paranoid without me
And with me feel a buzz
Is that cocky
Or am I high? (High, high, high, high)
Hey, am I high, high, high? (High, high, high, high)
Yeah, oh no, woah
Am I high? (High, high, high, high)
Ooh ooh, high, I, I (high, high, high, high)
Yeah, oh no, woah (or am I?)
It's the kinda high that got me leaning
120 speeding in the rain
Meaning of a hydroplane
Play both sides of the field
See I know 'caine
Keep 'em high like Kurt Cobain, listen (am I high?)
I'm known for speaking my mind
Known for fleeing from the scene of a crime
Eyes redder than the beam of my nine
Eyes redder than the scene of that crime
All for the love of the lime
I'm so high
Insinuating you're not that way
I see how you look and use your eyes (I see it baby, I see it)
But when I ask you can I jump in (please?)
Then you start again with the lies
But if I dare you you'd blow a kiss to another (uhh)
Though my friends have no idea who you could be (don't worry about it)
Don't worry I would never tell another
But I ate your pussy as you laid there beside her, yeah she was sleep
But um am I high? (High, high, high, high)
Hey, am I high, high, high? (High, high, high, high)
Yeah, oh no, woah
Am I high? (High, high, high, high)
Ooh ooh, high, I, I (high, high, high, high)
Yeah, oh no, woah (or no?)
Why am I sitting here peering the sky? (High, high, high, high)
Is there something inside of me or am I high? (High, high, high, high)
From when we talk on the phone 'til when we fuck (high, high, high, high)
This sounds like deep lust to me but I get high on your love (high, high, high, high)
(High, high, high, high)
(High, high, high, high)
The song “Am I High” by N.E.R.D. Malice is a slow-tempo R&B song with lyrics that attempt to capture the complexity of relationships. The lyrics explore the idea of honesty, vulnerability, and acceptance in a relationship. Malice begins by acknowledging his ability to help or hurt his partner and encourages her to be truthful about her feelings. He then delves into the past and mentions his unrequited love for her during high school. He touches on the issue of identity and perception as well; he feels like his persona as a drug user is the reason for her perceived change towards him. He maintains that his love for her has remained steadfast, and he gets high on the love he shares with her. Overall, the song reflects on the dynamics of relationships and the importance of honesty, vulnerability, and acceptance.
One of the interesting facts about the song “Am I High” is that it’s one of the few songs in which Malice took the lead vocals without featuring his partner, Pusha T. Another fact is that the song features a sample of the “Café del Mar” by Energy 52. It was produced by The Neptunes, a production duo made up of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo. The song was released in 2002 as part of their debut album, “In Search Of…”. This album was originally released as an electronic album, but was later re-released with full live instrumentation. The song features a unique blend of guitar riffs and drum beats with a mellow and hypnotic feel. The melody and rhythm of the song give it a sensual vibe that adds to the intensity of the lyrics.
Lastly, the chords used in the song are Dm, G, C, Am, and F. The song is played in a 4/4 time signature, and the main chord progression goes as follows: Dm, G, C, and Am. The F chord is used in the pre-chorus to add to the tension and intensity of the lyrics. The instrumentation used in the song features guitar arpeggios, drum beats, and keyboards. The song is characterized by its laid-back tempo and mellow feel, which makes it a perfect song for relaxing and introspection. The overall skillful production and arrangement of the song make it a must-listen for anyone who loves quality R&B music.
Line by Line Meaning
La la la la
Opening of the song with no significant meaning.
Listen
Asking to pay attention to what is being said.
La la la
Repeating opening with no significant meaning.
Hey
Informal greeting to the audience.
Didn't you know I can help or hurt you
Explaining the power dynamic in their relationship.
So there's no reason to lie
Asking for honesty because they know the truth anyway.
I bet you let those other niggas jerk you
Implying that their partner has been deceived before.
Convince you that they are fly
The other guys have misled their partner to believe they are better than they actually are.
I never said I was an angel
Acknowledging some of their faults in relationships.
Said but I ain't like those other guys
Despite not being perfect, they are different from the other people their partner has been with.
Listen
Asking to pay attention to what is being said.
You're convinced that our experience rearranged you
Their partner's life was changed after being with them.
Well maybe you should reexamine
Suggesting their partner should think about his feelings towards them.
How you tried
What methods the partner has used to deal with their relationship.
Or
The start of a new thought.
Am I high? [3x]
Asking whether their thoughts are due to being high.
I think I've loved you since our high school
Stating their affection for their partner goes back to high school.
But you only wanted friends of mine
Their partner only wanted to hang out with their friends.
So when they replied
Their partner only became interested in them when his friends acknowledged them.
Her she's cool
Their friends thought they were cool.
Only then you gave our friendship time
The partner only decided to build a friendship after his friends thought they were cool.
You won't say it but you think I'm changing
The partner thinks they are changing, but hasn't voiced their opinion.
Is it because the whole world calls me drugs
The partner thinks he is changing due to their drug use.
Didn't I say I can help or hurt you
Reminding their partner of their power in the relationship.
You should be paranoid without me
Implying their partner would be worse off without them.
And with me feel a buzz
Implying they are the source of their partner's euphoria.
Is that cocky or what
Acknowledging their cockiness.
Or
The start of a new thought.
Am I high? [3x]
Asking whether their thoughts are due to being high.
It's the kinda high that got me leaning
Referring to the type of high they are experiencing.
One hundred and twenty speeding in the rain
Recalling a specific instance where they felt high.
Meaning of a hydroplane
Linking hydroplaning to his high.
Play both sides of the field
Referring to being bisexual.
See I know pain
Implying they have experienced pain in their life.
Keep 'em high like Kurt Cobain
Referencing Kurt Cobain, who was known for his drug use.
Listen
Asking to pay attention to what is being said.
I'm known for speaking my mind
Acknowledging they are known for being honest.
Known for fleeing from the scene of a crime
Joking that they have a tendency to run away from tough situations.
Eyes redder than the beam of my nine
Their eyes are red from smoking weed, referring to the beam from his gun.
Eyes redder than the scene of that crime
Continuing the analogy with the beam from his gun.
All for the love of the lime
Referring to a line of cocaine.
I'm so high
Acknowledging their current state of being.
Insinuating you're not that way
Implying their partner isn't honest with themselves.
I see how you look and use your eyes
Noticing their partner's behavior when they are high.
But when I ask you can I jump in
Asking if they can join their partner in their high.
Then you start again with the lines
The partner avoids answering the question and deflects.
But if I dare you you'd blow a kiss to another
Imagining how the partner would react if they were caught cheating.
Though my friends have no idea who you could be
The partner is unknown to their friends.
Don't worry I would never tell another
Assuring their partner of their discretion.
But I ate your pussy as you laid there beside her yes she was asleep
Revealing a sexual encounter with their partner's sleeping friend.
Am I high? [3x]
Asking whether their thoughts are due to being high.
Why am I sitting here
Questioning their current actions.
Peering the sky
Gazing up at the sky.
Is there something inside of me or am I high
Questioning their current state of mind.
From when we talk on the phone 'til when we fuck
Detailing the nature of their relationship with their partner.
This sounds like deep lust to me
Acknowledging the strength of their attraction to their partner.
But I get high on your love
Their partner's love is the source of their euphoria.
Am I high?
Final question of the song asking if they are truly high or not.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Chad Hugo, Gene Thornton Jr, Pharrell Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind