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.
http://vimeo.com/3020000
Just a Man
Raphael Saadiq Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm trying to do all that I can
Don't know why you don't understand
The situations I've been in
They may have been other undercover secret lovers
But you're my main thing (you're my main thing)
I've been trying to figure this out
What this is all about
There's been days that I lie to you
And did you lie to me too?
Once again (you don't trust me)
I know you can't (I'm not worth it)
I'm not worth it
But I think we've come too far
Girl you know
(They don't like it, she is working it out)
You're my main thing
We'll make it work somehow
What is said and done, it was all my fault
I guess I didn't ever thought
That you would ever put me out
Now I'm trying to walk a line for you
That's what I want to do
Know I wasn't true yeah
Tell me when, when can I talk to me
Show you how I can make it right
You know I really wasn't worth it
A position wasn't right
You see I'm just a man
I'm trying to do all that I can
Don't know why you don't understand
The situations I've been in
They may have been other undercover secret lovers
But you're my main thing (you're my main thing)
In Raphael Saadiq's song "Just a Man," the singer is admitting his mistakes and trying to make amends with his partner. He starts by acknowledging that he is just a man who is doing his best. However, his partner doesn't seem to understand the difficult situations he has been in. He admits that he may have had secret lovers in the past but now she is his main thing.
The singer then expresses his frustration with their constant fighting and lies. He questions if she has lied to him as well. He knows she doesn't trust him and thinks he's not worth it, but he believes they have come too far to give up. He wants to make it work and takes responsibility for his mistakes, but he's not sure if she will take him back.
Overall, the song speaks to the complexities of relationships and the importance of communication, understanding, and forgiveness. The singer is humble and vulnerable, admitting his faults and hoping for a second chance.
Line by Line Meaning
You see I'm just a man
I'm a human being with flaws and limitations
I'm trying to do all that I can
I'm doing my best to improve our relationship
Don't know why you don't understand
I'm struggling to communicate my feelings to you
The situations I've been in
I've had experiences that have shaped who I am
They may have been other undercover secret lovers
I've had past relationships that weren't as important to me as you are
But you're my main thing (you're my main thing)
You are the most important person in my life
I've been trying to figure this out
I'm trying to understand our relationship better
What this is all about
I want to know the reasons behind our conflicts
All we do is fight, scream and shout
Our relationship is filled with arguments and misunderstandings
There's been days that I lie to you
I've been dishonest with you on some occasions
And did you lie to me too?
I suspect that you may have also deceived me
Once again (you don't trust me)
Your lack of trust in me is a recurring issue in our relationship
I know you can't (I'm not worth it)
You may feel that I'm not worth your time and effort
I'm not worth it
I feel unworthy of your love
But I think we've come too far
I believe our relationship has potential to succeed
Girl you know
I'm addressing you affectionately
(They don't like it, she is working it out)
Our problems are nobody else's business and we will solve them together
We'll make it work somehow
I'm optimistic that we can overcome our difficulties
What is said and done, it was all my fault
I accept responsibility for the mistakes made in our relationship
I guess I didn't ever thought
I didn't consider the consequences of my actions
That you would ever put me out
I didn't anticipate you ending our relationship
Now I'm trying to walk a line for you
I'm changing my behavior to earn your trust and love
That's what I want to do
I'm committed to being a better partner for you
Know I wasn't true yeah
I admit that I haven't always been honest with you
Tell me when, when can I talk to me
I'm asking for an opportunity to communicate my feelings to you
Show you how I can make it right
I want to prove to you that I can be a trustworthy partner
You know I really wasn't worth it
I acknowledge that I haven't always been a good partner to you
A position wasn't right
I made mistakes in our relationship due to my own flaws
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RAPHAEL SAADIQ, DEVIN C. COPELAND, GLENN DON II STANDRIDGE, ROBERT C. JR. OZUNA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jon A. Scholt
Devin is a national treasure
Felix Doyle Hammond 2
Damn right
Mike Harris
Timeless classic
Bambaveli
love this, 1 of the most underrated artists out there, it's a shame most people (including my mates) just know him for fuck you' '
Felix Doyle Hammond 2
Most people don't even know he's on it
Dominique Conrad
love the hell out this song
joe schmoe
I went to a Devin show in like 2003 in Portland, and he was just chillin smokin with us in the crowd during the opening acts. Dude is one of the most humble people you ever met. Should be a household name. Damn shame
Joel Román Pineda
GOOD SONG, REAL TALENT...!!!
Net 💫
Earlier this year I was obsessed with Devin and now I'm obsessed with Raphael... this is THE shit!!
Danko Cooper
It's been a minute since I herd this. This is one tight ass song.