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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Uptown
Raphael Saadiq Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm leavin' this town, I'm goin' uptown
I'm leavin' this town, I'm goin' uptown
I'm leavin' this town, I'm goin' uptown
I'm leaving this town, I'm movin' out my bags today
I'm leaving this town, no matter what they tell me
'Cause selling dope would kill me
I'm leavin' this town, I'm goin' uptown
I'm packing my bags, baby
I'm leavin' this town, I'm goin' uptown
I'm leavin' this town
I'm leavin' this town 'cause I want no problems
I'm leavin' this town tomorrow night I'm all packed up
I'm leaving this town 'cause I gotta go, the Lord knows
I'm leaving this town to become a star, I'm goin' far
I'm leaving this town, I'm on my may
I'm leaving this town, I'm goin' to stay
I'm leaving this town for no one knows me better
And no ones gonna treat me like I do now
Watchin' I just hang around and watch my friends
Well, my friends I'm leaving this town
I'm leavin' this town, I'm goin' uptown
I'm leavin' this town, I'm goin' uptown
I'm packing my bags, baby
I'm leavin' this town, I'm goin' uptown
I got a one way ticket outta here
I'm leavin' this town, I'm goin' uptown
I'm leavin' this town, I'm goin' uptown
I'm leavin' this town, I'm goin' uptown
I'm leavin' this town, I'm goin' uptown
I'm leavin' this town, I'm goin' uptown
I'm leavin' this
I'm leavin' this town, I'm goin' uptown
I'm leavin' this
I'm leavin' this town, I'm goin' uptown
I'm leavin' this town, I'm goin' uptown
I'm leavin' this town, I'm goin' uptown
I'm leavin' this town, I'm goin' uptown
I'm leavin' this town, I'm goin' uptown
I'm leavin' this town, I'm goin' uptown
I'm leavin' this town, I'm goin' uptown
I'm leavin' this town, I'm goin' uptown
I'm leavin' this town, I'm goin' uptown
The lyrics of Raphael Saadiq's song "Uptown" tell the story of someone who has had enough of their current situation and is determined to leave their current town and start a new life. The singer is packing their bags and getting ready to leave, stating that staying in their current town would lead them down a dangerous path. The decision to leave is fueled by a desire to become successful and make something of themselves, and the singer is willing to take the risk to achieve their dreams.
Throughout the song, the repeated refrain of "I'm leaving this town, I'm going uptown" highlights the singer's determination to make a change and leave their past behind. The use of the term "uptown" further emphasizes the idea of moving up in the world and reaching for a higher status.
Overall, "Uptown" is a song about taking control of one's life and pursuing one's dreams, no matter how difficult that path may be.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm leavin' this town, I'm goin' uptown
I'm leaving this town and moving to a better, more prosperous neighborhood
I'm leaving this town, I'm movin' out my bags today
I'm leaving this town today and I have already packed my bags
'Cause selling dope would kill me
I'm leaving this town to avoid getting involved in illegal activities like drug dealing
I'm leavin' this town 'cause I gotta go
I'm leaving this town because I have to pursue my dreams and goals
I'm packing my bags, baby
I'm getting ready to leave by packing my luggage
I'm leavin' this town 'cause I want no problems
I'm leaving this town to avoid any more complications and issues associated with living here
I'm leaving this town tomorrow night I'm all packed up
I'm ready to leave this town tomorrow night and I have already packed my bags
I'm leaving this town to become a star, I'm goin' far
I'm leaving this town to pursue my dream of becoming a famous artist and I'm willing to go far to achieve it
I'm leaving this town, I'm on my way
I'm leaving this town and already on the path toward my destination
I'm leaving this town for no one knows me better
I'm leaving this town to start afresh in a place where I am not known or burdened by my past
And no ones gonna treat me like I do now
I'm leaving this town to find a place where I am valued and treated better than how I am being treated now
Well, my friends I'm leaving this town
I'm leaving this town, even though it is difficult to leave behind my friends
I'm goin' to stay
I'm going to make a new life and settle down in the new neighborhood I'm moving to
I got a one way ticket outta here
I purchased a one way ticket to leave this town and never come back
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RAPHAEL SAADIQ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind