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
Missing You
Raphael Saadiq Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't look at my smile
And think that I don't know
What's under and behind me
I don't want you to look at me
And think
What's in you is in me
What's in me is to help them
I assume the reasons that push us to
Change everything
I would like us to forget about
Their color
So they can be optimistic
Too many views on rave that make them
Desperate
Let's leave the doors wide open
So they can talk about their pain
And joy
Then we can give them information
That will bring us all together
It's not a second
7 seconds away
Just as long as I stay
I'll be waiting
Nothing can move us, we should
Be moving
From the ones who practice wicked
Charms
For the son and the stone
Bad to the bone
Man is not evil, even when it's born
And when a child is born into this world
It has no concept
The tone the skin is living in
It's not a second
7 seconds away
Just as long as I stay
I'll be waiting
There's a million voices
There's a million voices
To tell you what she should be thinking
So you better sober up for just a second
Raphael Saadiq's song "Missing You" is a deep and introspective look at the human experience. The opening lines of "Don't see me from a distance, don't look at my smile, and think that I don't know what's under and behind me" sets the tone for the rest of the song, bringing attention to the idea that there is more to people than what meets the eye. Saadiq then goes on to express a desire for people to see beyond the color of someone's skin to see them for who they truly are, not judging them based on preconceived societal biases. The lyric "Too many views on race that make them desperate, let's leave the doors wide open so they can talk about their pain and joy, then we can give them information that will bring us all together" is a call for unity and understanding.
As the song continues, Saadiq explores the idea that humanity has the power to move towards good or evil, but ultimately is not inherently one or the other. He sings, "Man is not evil, even when it's born," suggesting that it is environmental factors and societal influences that shape individuals. The song's bridge, "And when a child is born into this world, it has no concept, the tone the skin is living in," further underscores the idea that race and societal biases are learned behaviors. The song's chorus, "It's not a second, 7 seconds away, just as long as I stay, I'll be waiting," is a message of hope, indicating that even in the darkest of times, there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't see me from a distance
Please don't just judge me based on what you see from afar
Don't look at my smile
Don't assume that everything is okay just because I'm smiling
And think that I don't know
I am very much aware of what's going on around me
What's under and behind me
There's more to me than what meets the eye
I don't want you to look at me
I'd rather you get to know me before you pass judgment
And think
Assuming things about me without getting to know me isn't fair
What's in you is in me
We share more similarities than you think
What's in me is to help them
I have a desire to assist those in need
I assume the reasons that push us to
I try to understand why people do what they do
Change everything
Sometimes we want to completely alter our circumstances
I would like us to forget about
We should ignore or disregard
Their color
Judging, stereotyping or categorizing people based on their skin color is wrong
So they can be optimistic
Let everyone have hope and a positive outlook on life
Too many views on rave that make them
Negative opinions or perspectives can lead to desperation
Desperate
People can act recklessly when they feel hopeless
Let's leave the doors wide open
We should be welcoming and inclusive
So they can talk about their pain
Everyone should be able to share their struggles
And joy
We should celebrate our triumphs as well
Then we can give them information
Provide guidance, knowledge, and resources
That will bring us all together
Working together and sharing resources enriches us all
It's not a second
It doesn't take long
7 seconds away
Only 7 seconds away from a positive change
Just as long as I stay
If I remain persistent
I'll be waiting
I am patiently anticipating a positive outcome
Nothing can move us, we should
We must stay resolute against anything that discourages us
Be moving
We must stay in motion and continue pushing forward
From the ones who practice wicked
Stay away from those who do evil things
Charms
Manipulative tactics
For the son and the stone
Implying everyone from different walks of life
Bad to the bone
Many people are believed to be intrinsically bad but this is not true
Man is not evil, even when it's born
Humans are not inherently evil
And when a child is born into this world
A child is brought into the world
It has no concept
The child is not aware of
The tone the skin is living in
Racism, prejudice, or discrimination that comes with different skin colors
There's a million voices
Too many people have something to say
To tell you what she should be thinking
People have opinions about what's best for others
So you better sober up for just a second
You should clear your mind and rethink what you're about to say
Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dallas Austin, Neneh Cherry, Joi Elaine Gilliam, Cameron McVey, Youssou N'Dour, Jonathan Sharp
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kimberlysmith7145
Who still listening in 2024?
@drethewriter4761
🙋🏾♂️🙋🏾♂️
@pearlclutchers2087
We in this thang 🎉💃🏾
@salouis8402
This is when music was music, real music.
@user-bk2gl7gc6s
80's baby real pure genuine 🎶
@esthernoya2992
I am ...its still real good music
My good times 🎉
@Tan_Tan22
It’s 2023 and I still feel a calm resolve while listening to this. Brings back such good memories.
@cherylhoward6312
"A calm resolve" I like that 👌
@kingof85
Absolutely
@BeautifulChoas1
Yes!❤