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.

Heaven I Need A Hug
R. Kelly Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm just bein' real, you know
I'm like the sun, I'm tryin' to shine on everybody
You know what I'm sayin'
But it's like situation after situation, you know
So I write about it to get it off my chest, you heard

Dear mama, you wouldn't believe what I'm goin' through
But still I got my head up just like I promised you

Every since you left your baby, boy's been dealin' with
Problem after problem, tell me what am I supposed to do
See, I get lost sometimes, don't understand this place
Look in the mirror sometimes and see a troubled face
And then my tears roll down and hit the sink
Then I hold my head up high, I hope the Man upstairs can hear my cry
All these questions deep inside my mind
Like if Jesus loved me, why he leave my side, mama
I'm still tryin' to get the answer why
You were young, 45, and you had to die
I'm always tryin' to help people out
And it's them same people tryin' to take food out my mouth

(Fo' real tho') It seems like the more money I make
(Fo' real tho') The more drama y'all try to create
(Fo' real tho') And through I try to move into the positive
(Fo' real tho') The more y'all don't want to let me live

When will you realize that I don't owe you nothin'
Need to get up off your butt and go get your own somethin'
I'm pullin' on my hair to keep from snappin' off
Fools ride up in my camp and be actin' off
Somebody out there please pray what I'm talkin' 'bout
Still young tryin' to figure it out

Heaven, I need a hug
Is there anybody out there willin' to embrace a thug
Feelin' like a change of heart
And all I really need is a sign or a word from God
So shower down on me, wet me with your love
I need you to take me and lift me up, oh, yeah

I gave 13 years of my life to this industry
Hit song or not, I've given all of me
You smile in my face and tell me that you love
But then before you know the truth, you're so quick to judge me
That's alright, go ahead, keep talkin'
'Cause I'ma hold my head up high and keep walkin'
And reach for the sky, focus on the plan
Rescue the kid with his paper a pen
And this is for the homies that we lost
Yo', we cannot forget y'all, so the hats come off
We pour a little liquor out for the memory
I know y'all up there sittin' on chrome in them pearly streets
The street survivors before careful, stay alive
I'm prayin' for your families, I hope you pray for mine

(Fo' real tho') Used to be a time you wished me well
(Fo' real tho') It hurts to know you want to see me fail
(Fo' real tho') And don't forget I kept you out of jail
(Fo' real tho') Where's my arms when you needed to be held

They turn they backs on you, who was there believin'
Who said your troubles were only for a season
In church together tryin' to pick up all the pieces
And now you betray me, I bind you in the name of Jesus
Somebody please pray what I'm talkin' 'bout
Still young tryin' to figure it all out

Heaven, I need a hug
Is there anybody out there willin' to embrace a thug
Feelin' like a change of heart
And all I really need is a sign or a word from God
(Please shower down)
So shower down on me, wet me with your love (Yeah)
I need you to take me and lift me up (Oh, oh, yeah, yeah, yeah)

Man, I tell you it's enough to make you want to give it up
Thank God for my fans 'cause through it all they show me love
To my sister and to brothers
Tell me why can't we just try to get along with one another
And stop hurtin' one another, fightin' one another
Man, I pray to God He get my family back together
Let me see what want to see, just to blind me
All of these luxuries, wine and dining
And then You push me out in front to get behind me
Then You sat me up by blessin' me to bind me
I'm a grown man with kids now, stakes are high
Gotta go to church now to avoid the fight
Frankly, y'all to keep it real I'm just tired
Have dreams of bein' dead, but the devil is alive

(Fo' real tho') Church folks, you need to stop judgin'
(Fo' real tho') Or you will be the first to be judged
(Fo' real tho') And women stop dependin' on us men
(Fo' real tho') And start dependin' on the Man above, feel me

And as for robbin', here's what I need to do
Get rid of them clowns and get myself a whole 'nother crew
Media, do your job
But please just don't make my job so hard
Somebody please pray what I'm talkin' 'bout
I'm still young tryin' to figure it all out

Heaven, I need a hug
Is there anybody out there willin' to embrace a thug
Feelin' like a change of heart
And all I really need is a sign or a word from God
So shower down on me (Shower down on me now), wet me with your love
I need you to take me (Please) and lift me up, yeah,
Yeah (Said I'm callin' on heaven)

Heaven, I need a hug
Is there anybody out there willin' to embrace a thug
Feelin' like a change of heart
And all I really need is a sign or a word from God
So shower down on me, wet me with your love
I need you to take me and lift me up (Lift me up),
Yeah, yeah (Heaven I need)

Heaven, I need a hug (Ooh, yeah, yeah)
Is there anybody out there willin' to embrace a thug
Said I'm Feelin' like a change of heart (Hey)
And all I really need is a sign or a word from God (Ooh, yeah)

So shower down on me (Shower down), wet me with your love (Take me)
I need you to take me and lift me up, yeah, yeah

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of R. Kelly's "Heaven I Need a Hug" convey the feeling of the singer's personal struggles with the challenges of life. Kelly pours his heart out in the song, touching upon several issues ranging from grief, betrayal, slander, and personal relationships. He mentions his mother, who passed away, and the pain that he feels about her departure. He also addresses the negativity and drama he experiences in the music industry, including the ungratefulness of those around him who try to bring him down and those who behave differently in his absence. Kelly's thoughts are that he is eager to get a signal or a sign from God that will give him refuge and take him to a better place in life, hence the title "Heaven I Need a Hug."

The song is a cry for help as Kelly seeks comfort, hope and solace in God, who he needs to intervene and uplift him from his misery. This song is a testament to the common struggles and difficulties that people may face in their lives. The lyrics express complex emotions that many may relate to, making it a powerful and impactful song that touches people's hearts on a personal level.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm just bein' real, you know
I am being honest and genuine

I'm like the sun, I'm tryin' to shine on everybody
I am trying to have a positive impact on everyone

You know what I'm sayin'
Do you understand what I mean?

But it's like situation after situation, you know
However, I keep encountering difficult situations

So I write about it to get it off my chest, you heard
So I express my feelings through writing to relieve myself

Dear mama, you wouldn't believe what I'm goin' through
Mother, you would not believe the challenges I am facing

But still I got my head up just like I promised you
But I keep my head held high as I promised you

Every since you left your baby, boy's been dealin' with
Ever since you passed away, I have been facing

Problem after problem, tell me what am I supposed to do
One problem after another, what am I supposed to do?

See, I get lost sometimes, don't understand this place
Sometimes, I feel confused and don't understand this world

Look in the mirror sometimes and see a troubled face
When I look in the mirror, I see a face filled with troubles

And then my tears roll down and hit the sink
And then tears stream down my face, falling into the sink

Then I hold my head up high, I hope the Man upstairs can hear my cry
Then I raise my head, hoping that God can hear my pleas

All these questions deep inside my mind
These questions are constantly on my mind

Like if Jesus loved me, why he leave my side, mama
Like why did Jesus leave me, mama, if He loves me?

I'm still tryin' to get the answer why
I am still searching for the answer

You were young, 45, and you had to die
You were only 45 years old when you passed away

I'm always tryin' to help people out
I constantly strive to assist others

And it's them same people tryin' to take food out my mouth
Ironically, those very people try to harm me

(Fo' real tho') It seems like the more money I make
Seriously, it appears that the more money I earn

(Fo' real tho') The more drama y'all try to create
The more conflict you all try to stir up

(Fo' real tho') And through I try to move into the positive
Despite my attempts to remain positive

(Fo' real tho') The more y'all don't want to let me live
The more you all try to hinder my success

When will you realize that I don't owe you nothin'
When will you understand that I don't owe you anything?

Need to get up off your butt and go get your own somethin'
You should stop being lazy and start working for your own success

I'm pullin' on my hair to keep from snappin' off
I'm holding onto my sanity to prevent myself from breaking down

Fools ride up in my camp and be actin' off
Idiots come into my circle and behave irrationally

Somebody out there please pray what I'm talkin' 'bout
Someone out there, please understand what I am saying

Still young tryin' to figure it out
I am still young and trying to make sense of everything

Is there anybody out there willin' to embrace a thug
Is there anyone willing to support and accept me as a tough person

Feelin' like a change of heart
I feel the need for a change in attitude

And all I really need is a sign or a word from God
What I truly need is a sign or guidance from God

So shower down on me, wet me with your love
Pour your love upon me, cleanse me thoroughly

I need you to take me and lift me up, oh, yeah
I need you to uplift me, give me strength

I gave 13 years of my life to this industry
I dedicated 13 years of my life to this music industry

Hit song or not, I've given all of me
Regardless of having successful songs, I have given my all

You smile in my face and tell me that you love
You pretend to care and express love to my face

But then before you know the truth, you're so quick to judge me
But once you discover the truth, you are quick to judge me

That's alright, go ahead, keep talkin'
That's fine, go ahead and continue talking

'Cause I'ma hold my head up high and keep walkin'
Because I will maintain my dignity and keep moving forward

And reach for the sky, focus on the plan
And strive for success, concentrate on my goals

Rescue the kid with his paper a pen
Save the young ones through my writing and influence

And this is for the homies that we lost
This is dedicated to the friends we have lost

Yo', we cannot forget y'all, so the hats come off
We must never forget them, so we respectfully remove our hats

We pour a little liquor out for the memory
We pour a small amount of alcohol in their memory

I know y'all up there sittin' on chrome in them pearly streets
I know you are in heaven, enjoying a luxurious afterlife

The street survivors before careful, stay alive
Those who survived the streets, be cautious and stay alive

I'm prayin' for your families, I hope you pray for mine
I am praying for your families, and I hope you do the same for mine

They turn they backs on you, who was there believin'
They turn their backs on you, who was there supporting you

Who said your troubles were only for a season
Who told you that your troubles would only last for a short time

In church together tryin' to pick up all the pieces
We were in church together, attempting to mend everything

And now you betray me, I bind you in the name of Jesus
And now you betray me, I condemn your actions in the name of Jesus

Man, I tell you it's enough to make you want to give it up
Man, I'm telling you, it's enough to make you want to quit

Thank God for my fans 'cause through it all they show me love
I am grateful for my fans because they continue to support me

To my sister and to brothers
To my sister and my brothers

Tell me why can't we just try to get along with one another
Why can't we simply attempt to have a harmonious relationship

And stop hurtin' one another, fightin' one another
And cease causing harm and fighting among ourselves

Man, I pray to God He get my family back together
I pray to God that He reunites my family

Let me see what want to see, just to blind me
Allow me to see what I want to see, even if it's deceiving me

All of these luxuries, wine and dining
These extravagances, wining and dining

And then You push me out in front to get behind me
And then You put me in the spotlight only to protect me

Then You sat me up by blessin' me to bind me
Then You elevated me through blessings, only to restrict me

I'm a grown man with kids now, stakes are high
I am now a mature man with children, and the stakes are high

Gotta go to church now to avoid the fight
Now, I must go to church to avoid conflicts

Frankly, y'all to keep it real I'm just tired
Honestly, everyone, I'm exhausted

Have dreams of bein' dead, but the devil is alive
I have dreams of death, but it's a reminder that the devil is still present

Church folks, you need to stop judgin'
Religious people, you should refrain from being judgmental

Or you will be the first to be judged
Otherwise, you will be the first to face judgment

And women stop dependin' on us men
Women, stop relying on us men

And start dependin' on the Man above, feel me
And begin relying on God, do you understand?

And as for robbin', here's what I need to do
Regarding deception, here's what I should do

Get rid of them clowns and get myself a whole 'nother crew
Remove those foolish people from my life and find a completely new group

Media, do your job
Media, perform your duties

But please just don't make my job so hard
But please do not make my job more difficult

Somebody please pray what I'm talkin' 'bout
Somebody, please understand what I am saying

I'm still young tryin' to figure it all out
I am still young and attempting to understand everything

Is there anybody out there willin' to embrace a thug
Is there anyone willing to accept and support a tough person

Feelin' like a change of heart
Feeling the need to transform my attitude

And all I really need is a sign or a word from God
What I truly need is a divine sign or guidance

So shower down on me, wet me with your love
Pour your love upon me, cleanse me thoroughly

I need you to take me and lift me up
I need you to uplift me and give me strength