Robert Sylvester Kelly (born January 8, 1967 in Chicago, Illinois), better … Read Full Bio ↴Robert Sylvester Kelly (born January 8, 1967 in Chicago, Illinois), better known by his stage name R. Kelly, is a Grammy award winning American R&B singer-songwriter, rapper, actor and record producer. Debuting in 1991 with the group Public Announcement, Kelly went solo in 1993, starting off a successful career with the release of the album 12 Play. He has since released a further nine studio albums, collaborated with Jay-Z on two albums and has had many successful singles including Bump N' Grind, I Believe I Can Fly, Ignition, The World's Greatest and the hip-hopera Trapped in the Closet.

Kelly has also produced and performed in many tracks by other R&B and hip-hop artists. In 1994, Kelly produced and wrote the debut album of R&B singer Aaliyah and in 1995, Kelly co-produced and wrote the song "You Are Not Alone" for Michael Jackson, which was included on Jackson's album, HIStory. Kelly has sung the hooks for many notable hip-hop songs, such as "Fuckin' You Tonight" by The Notorious B.I.G., "We Thuggin'" by Fat Joe, "Gigolo" by Nick Cannon, and "Go Getta" by Young Jeezy, and has collaborated for two albums with Jay-Z.

Be Happy
R. Kelly Lyrics

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Everyday and night I pray
Love will swing you back this way
Life without you here with me
Ain't the same without you G

Baby hear me, I never meant to hurt you
Baby come and talk to me
Let me know what's on your mind

Every time I see you
You're running from me all the time

Baby hear me, I never meant to hurt you
I only wanted you to be happy
You to have the best of things
To be down with me, baby
'Cause your lovin', it's so good

You're giving me the run-around
Thought our love was going down
Baby don't you know
That I'm down until the day I die
Baby hear me, never meant to hurt you
Now you know I'll never do anything to hurt you
'Cause baby I love you

Every night and day I pray
Your love returns
Oh I'd give my life
If it would only make you happy

[Notorious B.I.G]
Sittin' reminiscin' on when you started dissin'
Spittin' in faces in public places
Rolexes with faces had you chipper for months
Made some dough, did some shows, now you're starting to front
Smokin' blunts on the veranda with Amanda
She's fillin' your head with he said, she said
Poppa doin' this, Poppa doin' that
But don't tell him I said it 'cause my Jeep might get wetted
Forget it, go on take her word like the Koran
Y'all stay friends, I'll stay and smoke Phil Benzs
Honeysuckle sets, Biggie secret pyjama sets
You were the Reebok vandal, now you were Chanel sandals
I made you, why would I play you?
Think about it while the streets you roam
It's all peas and crispies in the fridge when you get home

[Chorus]
You to be, be happy
You to have the best of things
Baby everything you want it for baby
You to be down with me
So give me that ass back baby
'Cause your lovin' is so good, so damn good, babe

Everyday and night I pray love will swing you back this way
Life without you here with me ain't the same without you G

[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to R. Kelly’s song “Be Happy” are a plea for forgiveness and a plea for a second chance, as the singer laments the loss of his love and prays for reconciliation. The opening lines set the scene, with the singer admitting to praying every day and night for the return of his love. He pleads for the return of his love, acknowledging that his life is not the same without her. He apologizes for any hurt he may have caused and asks her to talk to him and let him know what's on her mind.

The second verse sees the introduction of rapper Notorious B.I.G., who takes a more confrontational approach. He reminisces about the past, when the relationship was good, but now he sees that his partner is starting to distance herself from him. Notorious B.I.G. advises the singer to think for himself and not be swayed by others' opinions. He consoles himself with the thought that he made her into the woman she is today, and he won't play her for a fool.

The chorus repeats the message of the song, that the singer only wants his love to be happy, have the best of things, and to be down with him. He acknowledges that her love is so good and that he would do anything to make her happy.

Line by Line Meaning

Everyday and night I pray
I keep praying day and night

Love will swing you back this way
That you will come back to me

Life without you here with me
My life is incomplete without you

Ain't the same without you G
It's not the same without you, my love

Baby hear me, I never meant to hurt you
Listen to me my love, I never wanted to cause pain

Baby come and talk to me
Please communicate with me

Let me know what's on your mind
Please tell me what you are thinking

Every time I see you
Every time I catch a glimpse of you

You're running from me all the time
You always seem to be avoiding me

I only wanted you to be happy
I just wanted you to be joyful

You to have the best of things
And to have everything you desire

'Cause your lovin', it's so good
Because your love is so amazing

You're giving me the run-around
You are making things difficult

Thought our love was going down
I thought our love was in trouble

Now you know I'll never do anything to hurt you
But now you should know I will never do anything to harm you

Every night and day I pray
I keep praying every night and day

Your love returns
That your love for me will come back

Oh I'd give my life
I would sacrifice my life for you

If it would only make you happy
If it would bring you joy

You to be, be happy
I want you to be happy

So give me that ass back baby
Come back to me fully, my love

'Cause your lovin' is so good, so damn good, babe
Because your love is amazing, baby

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROBERT S KELLY, CHRISTOPHER WALLACE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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