Raphael Saadiq (born Charlie Ray Wiggins on May 14, 1966 in Oakland, Califo… Read Full Bio ↴Raphael Saadiq (born Charlie Ray Wiggins on May 14, 1966 in Oakland, California) is an acclaimed American music artist. He is a singer, songwriter and record producer associated with the neo-soul music movement.

Taking an interest in music from the age of 6, joining gospel groups and attending Young Musicians Program at Berklee during middle school, Saadiq got the chance phone call of a lifetime, when Sheila E. called one day looking for touring musicians to join Prince on his Parade tour. Saadiq spent two years on the road, a time he called "My University".

Saadiq made a name for himself as the lead vocalist in the rhythm and blues and dance trio Tony! Toni! Toné!. He went by his birth name during the beginning of Tony! Toni! Toné!, where he was joined by his brother Dwayne Wiggins, and his cousin Timothy Christian. He adopted the name of Raphael Saadiq in the mid-1990s.

After the 1996 Tony! Toni! Toné! album, House of Music, (when he performed under his current name) Saadiq started his solo career. He produced a few solo tracks, but Saadiq's next big project became the R&B supergroup Lucy Pearl. He recorded the self-titled album with Dawn Robinson (En Vogue) and Ali Shaheed Muhammad (A Tribe Called Quest). This group only lasted for one album. His solo album Instant Vintage, released in 2002, also earned 5 Grammy nominations.

Saadiq released his third solo album, The Way I See It, on September 16 2008, featuring collaborations with Stevie Wonder and Joss Stone. Saadiq acknowledges the album's old school soul sound, which he says includes nods to Gladys Knight & The Pips, Al Green, The Four Tops, The Delfonics and The Stylistics.

Various artists have tapped Saadiq to produce their work through the years. Some of Saadiq's most notable work has been with D'Angelo. The 2000 collaboration "Untitled" won D'Angelo a Grammy award for Best R&B Album. In 2007, Saadiq was called on to produce the whole third album from UK Soul singer Joss Stone. Other artists he has collaborated with include The Roots, Macy Gray, Snoop Dogg, Kelis, Q-Tip and Young Bellz.

In 2002, Saadiq founded his own record label, Pookie Entertainment. Among the artists on the label are Joi and Truth Hurts.

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100 Yard Dash Remix
Raphael Saadiq Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I tried to run but couldn't get too far
My heart is bumpin' but still runnin' in place
No matter how hard I try to get your touch
When you're away to love a girls is too much
But every time I run I oh so bad

But I'm running as still my heart's beatin' so fast
I heard that you could make a man change his plan

That's why I'm running fast, I'm running to honey your (dash)

I run for the heels, girl that you wore
How you appeal you see I never know
I told her folks (her love a double face)
Delight me a smoke so I can sing some jazz

Now here come in late, here come those eyes
And me the one I can never deny
I try to ?, move as I can
But I guess I need another plan
I need you lovin' baby, oh so bad

Girl I'm runnin' as (still') my heart's beatin' so fast
I heard that you could make a man change his plan
That's why I'm running fast, I'm running to honey your (dash)

Your love gets stronger
And it feels like everyday it's getting longer
I feel your love like a monkey on my back
Girl your honey's so big see I can feel the attack

Oh oh
I need some lovin'
I, I want your lovin'

I can have your lovin'
I need to, got to, got to have your lovin'

Overall Meaning

"100 Yard Dash" is a groovy R&B track from Raphael Saadiq's 2008 album "The Way I See It." It's a song about chasing after someone who has caught your heart.

The song starts with the singer expressing how hard it is to move on from his love. He's trying hard to get over her, but every time he tries to run away, his heart still takes him back to her. He's heard that the girl he's after has the power to change a man's plans, and that's why he's running towards her, trying to win her over. He mentions running for the heels the girl wore, which indicates that he is doing the legwork in trying to understand her better by paying close attention to her habits and mannerisms, which only a person in love would do. Despite all his efforts, he feels like he needs another plan as things are not working out for him at the moment. He wants her love so bad that he could feel his heart beating so fast.

In the chorus, Saadiq repeats that he is running as his heart beats. This could be interpreted as him running towards his love with all his heart, despite the obstacles he may face. He's heard that the girl he's after has the power to change a man's plans, and that's why he's running fast to get to her.

Overall, "100 Yard Dash" is a love song with smooth vocals and catchy lyrics that convey a sense of urgency and passion.

Line by Line Meaning

I tried to run but couldn't get too far
I attempted to escape from my emotions, but they still consume me.

My heart is bumpin' but still runnin' in place
My heart races with passion, but I'm not making any progress.

No matter how hard I try to get your touch
I cannot attain physical or emotional closeness to you, no matter how much effort I exert.

When you're away to love a girls is too much
The struggle to love and remain faithful to someone who is not physically present is overwhelming.

But every time I run I oh so bad
Every attempt to escape my feelings only makes them more intense.

But I'm running as still my heart's beatin' so fast
Although I'm not moving forward physically, my emotions continue to escalate.

I heard that you could make a man change his plan
Rumors suggest that you have the power to change even the most stubborn man's intentions.

That's why I'm running fast, I'm running to honey your (dash)
This is why I'm hurrying to get to you, hoping you can alter my current course.

I run for the heels, girl that you wore
I can still visualize the shoes you once wore, and they motivate me to pursue you.

How you appeal you see I never know
I can't put into words why I find you so irresistible.

I told her folks (her love a double face)
I warned her family that loving me is a risky decision.

Delight me a smoke so I can sing some jazz
Give me a cigarette, so I can perform a joyful song.

Now here come in late, here come those eyes
You arrive late, but your captivating eyes are right on time.

And me the one I can never deny
I can never resist your allure.

I try to ?, move as I can
I attempt to make a move, but I'm struggling to execute it.

But I guess I need another plan
My current approach to winning you over isn't working.

I need you lovin' baby, oh so bad
I crave your love intensely.

Girl I'm runnin' as (still') my heart's beatin' so fast
I'm energetically pursuing you, even though I'm not making tangible progress.

Your love gets stronger
My feelings for you intensify.

And it feels like everyday it's getting longer
The time we spend apart seems to drag on forever.

I feel your love like a monkey on my back
I feel emotionally weighed down by my love for you.

Girl your honey's so big see I can feel the attack
Your allure is so strong; I feel the impact of it intensely.

I need some lovin'
I require love.

I, I want your lovin'
I want your specific love.

I can have your lovin'
I am capable of receiving your love.

I need to, got to, got to have your lovin'
I must have your love, it is necessary for me.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RAPHAEL SAADIQ, ROBERT C. JR. OZUNA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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