He was signed with Elektra in 1995 by Darryl Williams. In 1997, he performed in a television special with his sister, but despite the mainstream attention, he was dropped by Elektra soon after. His easygoing image and boyish looks appealed to the producers of Brandy's television show, Moesha, scoring him a role on the popular UPN series starting in 1999. He also started producing, putting together the music for several commercials and a few of the demos for his second record. In 1997 he also released his debut album Everything You Want, recorded the year before, which spawned two singles. "Let It Go" was the lead single of the smash soundtrack for Set It Off (Brandy also appeared on the soundtrack; and her song "Missing You" with Tamia, Chaka Khan and Gladys Knight peaked also at number 25). It peaked number 25 in the U.S. and number 11 in New Zealand. The second single peaked at number 54 on the U.S. R&B chart.
After appearing on the last episode of Moesha in 2001, Norwood stepped back into the studio and recorded "Another Day In Paradise" with Brandy, which was a Top Ten success in Austria, UK, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, Norway, Ireland, the Netherlands and number 11 in Australia and France. The song was the lead single of the R&B/Hip Hop tribute Urban Renewal, in which he co-produced and performed songs. Norwood also worked with The Neptunes, Rodney Jerkins and Lil' Kim, and several other hitmaking producers and singers for his second studio album This Ain't A Game, a Hip hop-oriented record that featured more of his rapping than his debut. The album was released in 2001, but despite a strong promotional push from new label Atlantic Records, it wasn't a breakthrough success. The lead single "Wait A Minute" appeared in the lower half of the charts in Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Great Britain. The second single did even worse peaking on the R&B/Hip hop chart only.
In 2002 he appeared in the video for his sister's smash-hit "What About Us", which was produced by Jerkins, and was released as her third album, Full Moon's lead single during the first quarter of 2002 (see 2002 in music). While "What About Us?" entered the Top 20 on the majority of the charts it appeared on, it reached the Top 10 in Australia, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, the Philippines, the UK, and the United States.
After a two year break, Norwood returned to recording studios, adding the finishing touches on his third studio album Raydiation with help from producers such as Rodney Jerkins, Timbaland, and R. Kelly. A joint venture by Sanctuary Records and Ray-J's own label, independent Knockout Entertainment, the album was finally released on September 27, 2005 in North America after several delays, debuting at number forty-eight on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 18,321 copies in the first week. Boosted by the album's lead single "One Wish," a top 20 success in Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, the U.S.. Raydiation eventually sold over 400,000 copies domestically.[2]
In 2005, Norwood joined the cast of UPN's One On One,[3] where he played the character of D-Mack for the final season.
More recently, Knockout Entertainment announced a multi-million dollar album deal with Koch Records and Shaquille O'Neal’s "Deja 34" entertainment company.[2] The first album for this deal is Norwood's upcoming fourth album All I Feel, which featuresThe Game, and remixes with Manny and Gil (MP Productions) among others. It was released on April 1st,2008.[4] The album's first single is "Sexy Can I" featuring rapper Yung Berg peaked at number three on the Top Singles (Hot 100) for six weeks. A video for the track, directed by R. Malcolm Jones, was shot in December 2007
Takin' Control
Ray J Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My car wit the windows down just think about you, I'm trippin.
From the way I introduced myself, she knew that I was stakin wealth
She wasn't in it for the dollars she had doe herself
I pulled up in my dirty ass Lexo, girl I've been workin hard so what you expect yo
She smiled and laughed and just that fast the way she made me feel had me trippin man
I think I felt this way befo', but see that girl wasn't feelin me so dat don't count yo
The type to make me wear my seat belt and say baby please drive slow,
Her ex man she (pause) she had to let him know
She don't need yo stress now 'cause she know I got dro,
I think Ray J's the one you should
Fall fo' you have no idea how good I'll make ya feel,
Everything will be great and I'll always keep it real,
So hop up in the driver's seat and dip on these chrome wheels
She's takin control, control of, me
She's takin control, control of, me
She's got me open and it's so deep
And I don't know what to do about it baby
She's takin control, control of, me
She's takin control, control of, me (she got me goin crazy)
She's got me doin things I can't believe
And I don't know what to do about it baby
I can't fake it love, 'cause everytime I open my eyes I picture me and you wakin up,
She alway's teasin me doin that sexy stuff, now it's goin up and down and down and up
Sometimes she wears weaves and got a nice round butt,
She like to smoke weed and not talk to much,
She let me be me and not givin a fuck, and maybe one day
I'll get her finger froze up, will see when we get older (older),
But now I'm doin it Prince style
With the mink fox on my shoulders, "Heat" tucked in my tux pushin a VT ?,
She's always on my mind that's why I know she's controlin' me,
She like's kissin and holdin me
And she real cool with my Moms and Brandy,
My Pops and the rest of the family, that's another reason
I thought she was right for me
She's takin control, control of, me
She's takin control, control of, me
She's got me open and it's so deep
And I don't know what to do about it baby
She's takin control, control of, me
She's takin control, control of, me (she got me goin crazy)
She's got me doin things I can't believe
And I don't know what to do about it baby
Ay,a yo yo, If I'm a ? cold you warmin me, and when it get's hot you the wind blowin me
Yeah you know park in the Benz,
Low in the seat, and the way I teach ladies you'll be a pro in a week,
You can be my Mignon and I can be your Filet,
You can be my Janet and I'll be better than Rene,
We can hit crustaceans and eat soufle,
And you know I keep my keys when I park valet, I spark that
A, still got you spoiled that way, it's hard that way
But you know it ain't nothin hard for Ray,
I do it that way and don't care, the crib you can go there,
We can get engaged and take photos (yeah, yeah),
Couple for Willies and ? there (yeah),
Push the blue R+R four doors (yeah),
Like the artist formally known nothing compares,
You gon be my girl 'cause I be there for years.
When I'm up in the club I be thinkin bout you
When I'm rollin on dubs I be thinkin bout you
I think I'm in love 'cause it's all a bout you (baby, baby)
When I'm up in the club I be thinkin bout you
When I'm rollin on dubs I be thinkin bout you
I think I'm in love 'cause it's all a bout you (baby, baby)
It's all about you I thought you knew that
I told all my niggaz about you
She's takin control, control of, me
She's takin control, control of, me
She's got me open and it's so deep
And I don't know what to do about it baby
She's takin control, control of, me
She's takin control, control of, me (she got me goin crazy)
She's got me doin things I can't believe
And I don't know what to do about it baby
She's takin control, control of, me
She's takin control, control of, me
She's got me open and it's so deep
And I don't know what to do about it baby
She's takin control, control of, me
She's takin control, control of, me (she got me goin crazy)
She's got me doin things I can't believe
And I don't know what to do about it baby
The lyrics of Ray J's song "Takin' Control" talk about a man who is head over heels for a woman who is taking control of him. He describes how he has been driving around in his car, thinking about her and how he feels lost without her. The woman he is talking about is independent and has her own money. Although it is not clear whether they are in an official relationship, he really wants her to fall for him because he promises to make her feel good and always keep it real. Throughout the verses, he highlights how the woman makes him feel and how she controls him emotionally. He is so into her that he wants to be with her for years to come.
Apart from the romantic message conveyed in the lyrics, the song is also characterized by a catchy beat with a soothing melody. Ray J's vocals add depth to the lyrics, and his skilled use of melodies and harmonies make the song more enjoyable to listen to. Overall, the song is all about love and the feeling of being controlled by someone all-consuming.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, yo this one's for you boo (yeah), ha ha you know what's up, been drivin around in
My car wit the windows down just think about you, I'm trippin.
The singer has been thinking about their significant other while driving and realizes they are in love.
From the way I introduced myself, she knew that I was stakin wealth
She wasn't in it for the dollars she had doe herself
The singer believes that their significant other was attracted to them for who they are, not for their money.
I pulled up in my dirty ass Lexo, girl I've been workin hard so what you expect yo
She smiled and laughed and just that fast the way she made me feel had me trippin man
The singer's significant other appreciated their honest work ethic and their love for them made them feel overwhelmed with emotion.
I think I felt this way befo', but see that girl wasn't feelin me so dat don't count yo
The artist thinks they've been in love before, but it didn't work out with the previous person they had feelings for.
This mommy that I'm talkin bout she kind of light brown yo,
The type to make me wear my seat belt and say baby please drive slow,
Her ex man she (pause) she had to let him know
She don't need yo stress now 'cause she know I got dro,
The significant other of the artist is described as a light-skinned woman who is cautious about driving and broke up with her previous partner because she didn't want the extra stress. She trusts the artist and knows he can provide her with the necessary comfort.
I think Ray J's the one you should
Fall fo' you have no idea how good I'll make ya feel,
Everything will be great and I'll always keep it real,
So hop up in the driver's seat and dip on these chrome wheels
The singer states that Ray J is the one the significant other should fall for because he will always make them feel good and be upfront with them about everything. He invites the significant other to join him on a drive.
She's takin control, control of, me
She's got me open and it's so deep
And I don't know what to do about it baby
The singer is in love and feels completely under the control of their significant other, not sure what to do about the overwhelming emotions they are feeling.
She's got me doin things I can't believe
I can't fake it love, 'cause everytime I open my eyes I picture me and you wakin up,
She alway's teasin me doin that sexy stuff, now it's goin up and down and down and up
The artist is so infatuated with their significant other that they feel like they are doing things they never thought they would do. They can't help but think of a future together and they enjoy the playful teasing.
Sometimes she wears weaves and got a nice round butt,
She like to smoke weed and not talk to much,
She let me be me and not givin a fuck, and maybe one day
I'll get her finger froze up, will see when we get older (older),
The artist describes the physical attributes and personality traits of their significant other. She is described as wearing weaves and having a nice behind, liking to smoke marijuana, and accepting the artist for who they are. They even contemplate getting married someday.
But now I'm doin it Prince style
With the mink fox on my shoulders, "Heat" tucked in my tux pushin a VT ?,
She's always on my mind that's why I know she's controlin' me,
She like's kissin and holdin me
And she real cool with my Moms and Brandy,
My Pops and the rest of the family, that's another reason
I thought she was right for me
The artist is dressing in a fancy manner like Prince would, but their significant other is still always on their mind and in control of their emotions. They also mention that their significant other gets along with their family, which is another reason why they believe they are perfect for each other.
Ay,a yo yo, If I'm a ? cold you warmin me, and when it get's hot you the wind blowin me
Yeah you know park in the Benz,
Low in the seat, and the way I teach ladies you'll be a pro in a week,
You can be my Mignon and I can be your Filet,
You can be my Janet and I'll be better than Rene,
We can hit crustaceans and eat soufle,
And you know I keep my keys when I park valet, I spark that
A, still got you spoiled that way, it's hard that way
But you know it ain't nothin hard for Ray,
I do it that way and don't care, the crib you can go there,
We can get engaged and take photos (yeah, yeah),
Couple for Willies and ? there (yeah),
Push the blue R+R four doors (yeah),
Like the artist formally known nothing compares,
You gon be my girl 'cause I be there for years.
The singer continues to express his love for his significant other, saying that they warm him up when he's cold and cool him down when he's hot. He compares them to a high-quality meal and states that he will always be there for her in the long run.
When I'm up in the club I be thinkin bout you
When I'm rollin on dubs I be thinkin bout you
I think I'm in love 'cause it's all a bout you (baby, baby)
It's all about you I thought you knew that
I told all my niggaz about you
The artist is constantly thinking about their significant other and believes that they are in love because they are always on their mind. They have even told their friends about their feelings.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: NORA PAYNE, WILLIE RAY NORWOOD JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind