Raised in Lower Merion, PA, Howard’s musical passion was ignited at age 7, … Read Full Bio ↴Raised in Lower Merion, PA, Howard’s musical passion was ignited at age 7, when he jammed on his first drum set. Four years later, it was with the legendary TR808 beat machine, that led him to master the art of production. At 15, Russell was discovered by Chris Swartz, the CEO of Ruffhouse Records, who introduced him to great artists like Cypress Hill and The Fugees. With the unique opportunity to witness these hip-hop legends in their prime, Russell was compelled to make his own mark in the rap game.

As a producer, Russell caught the attention of Kobe Bryant, just as he was making his leap to the NBA. While recording a track with Kobe, Russell was paid a visit from hip-hop icon, Jay-Z, who was blown away with the quality and style of his beats. Russell then produced two tracks, “S. Carter” and “There’s Been a Murder,” on Jay-Z’s multi-platinum selling album The Life and Times of Shawn Carter Vol.3.

Russell has developed into a legitimate triple threat. Aside from rapping and producing, he is also an established composer for a number of TV shows, including VH1′s Tough Love, and ABC’s The Bachelor. You can also spot him acting in shows like CSI:Miami, and on the big screen in Love Don’t Cost a Thing.

With an unwavering focus and dedication to his craft, Russell W. is determined to make his mark as a hip-hop artist.

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Russell w. Howard Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I remember late nights
When you used to come
At 1 AM, exited
And we fucked till 4
We didn't care
Woke up, and we texted through work
All day
How we can't get enough

So we met again at night
A little while back I met this bitch who I fell in love with
And I don't mean it as an insult she was really a bitch
She used to hate it when I said it but it is what it is
I hate it too but it is what it is
Can't Believe really thought that I׳d stay laid back and relaxed
That you can throw me out like I'm trash
Of course I'm fighting back
When I was turtling up you kept swinging
But I'm still on my feet and my one two is light speed
If we just took a step back and talked, we'd work it all out
But no, with you it cannot work like that
You go crazy, you lose it and start shouting
Since we don't talk anymore, let me catch you up on what's happening
You know
I'm jumping on my bike at nights
You know
Getting ramen and I'm trying to write
You know
But when nothing comes up cuz I'm a purist like that
I go home and watch the fights
Yes, I can see you're getting restless
What's the matter? Shit wasn't about you for like eleven seconds
I forgot, your'e so selfish and self centered
I won't be surprised if you end up marrying your vibrator
Get it? cuz your'e so cold and robotic
Narcissistic, and whatever else makes up a bitch
Truth is, doesn't matter what you are
I just wish you were here right now
I remember late nights
When you used to come
At 1 AM, exited
And we fucked till 4
We didn't care
Woke up, and we texted through work
All day
How we can't get enough
So we met again at night
I remember late nights
When you used to come
At 1 AM, exited
And we fucked till 4
We didn't care
Woke up, and we texted through work
All day
How we can't get enough
So we met again at night
I feel I must explain how I could fall so hard for her
She's so one of a kind I can't lie or pretend
But destructive as we pick em' she went crazy at the end
Cuz I wasn't ticking boxes in some check list in her brain
So how's life now? Is it all stable?
How can you put a fucking plate on your kitchen table?
How can you sit down and eat
Knowing all the weird shit that had happened At the same spot your plate is?
I think that you should burn your whole apartment
From the bathroom to the kitchen and especially those sexy garments
I'm not gonna be the experimental chicken from you story
Don't fucking call me
You bitch
I'm not the one who quits
You bitch
But I'm not fighting over you you bitch
You bitch
Bitch It is what it is
I guess it is what it is
Yes it is what it is
You bitch
I'm not the one who quits
You bitch
But I'm not fighting over you you bitch
You bitch
Bitch It is what it is
Guess it is what it is
Yes it is what it is
I remember late nights
When you used to come
At 1 AM, exited
And we fucked till 4
We didn't care
Woke up, and we texted through work
All day
How we can't get enough
So we met again at night
I remember late nights
When you used to come
At 1 AM, exited
And we fucked till 4
We didn't care
Woke up, and we texted through work
All day
How we can't get enough
So we met again at night
I remember late nights
When you used to come
At 1 AM, exited
And we fucked till 4
We didn't care
Woke up, and we texted through work
All day
How we can't get enough
So we met again at night
I remember late nights
When you used to come
At 1 AM, exited
And we fucked till 4
We didn't care
Woke up, and we texted through work
All day
How we can't get enough
So we met again at night
I remember late nights
When you used to come
At 1 AM, exited
And we fucked till 4
We didn't care
Woke up, and we texted through work
All day
How we can't get enough
So we met again at night
I remember late nights
When you used to come
At 1 AM, exited
And we fucked till 4
We didn't care
Woke up, and we texted through work
All day
How we can't get enough
So we met again at night
I remember late nights
When you used to come
At 1 AM, exited
And we fucked till 4
We didn't care
Woke up, and we texted through work
All day

How we can't get enough
So we met again

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Russell W. Howard's "It Is What It Is" describe a relationship that started off as purely physical and passionate but ended in disillusionment and bitterness. The song tells a story of late-night hookups that gave way to texting all day and then meeting again at night. The relationship was intense, and the two parties involved could not get enough of each other, but things changed when the singer met someone else. The new love interest was a "bitch" who was "one of a kind," and the singer fell hard and fast for her. However, the relationship broke down because the new love interest had a strict checklist of requirements that the singer could not satisfy.

What follows is a bitter outpouring of resentment and anger from the singer towards his former love interest. He calls her narcissistic, selfish, and robotic and tells her that he wishes she were there with him right now, even as he calls her a "bitch" repeatedly. The lyrics reveal a relationship that was exciting and passionate in the beginning but soured as expectations and demands crept in. The singer seems to be hurt and disappointed that he could not live up to his former flame's high standards, and the song ends on a note of resigned acceptance: "It is what it is."

Line by Line Meaning

I remember late nights
Recalling past memories of staying up late

When you used to come
Referring to the other person coming to their place

At 1 AM, exited
The other person arriving late at night, probably excited

And we fucked till 4
Engaging in sexual activity for several hours

We didn't care
Not having any concerns or worries about their actions

Woke up, and we texted through work
Communicating through messages during work hours

All day
Continuing communication throughout the day

How we can't get enough
Expressing desire for more time together

So we met again at night
Agreeing to meet up again at night

A little while back I met this bitch who I fell in love with
Describing meeting someone who they loved, but used a derogatory term to refer to them

And I don't mean it as an insult she was really a bitch
Trying to justify using the term by claiming that it accurately describes the other person

She used to hate it when I said it but it is what it is
Acknowledging that the other person didn't like being called a bitch, but continuing to do so anyway

I hate it too but it is what it is
Admitting that they don't like using the term either but feel like it's necessary to do so

Can't Believe really thought that I׳d stay laid back and relaxed
Expressing surprise that the other person expected them to be calm and relaxed about the situation

That you can throw me out like I'm trash
Feeling like the other person is treating them poorly and disrespectfully

Of course I'm fighting back
Asserting that they are not going to allow the other person to mistreat them

When I was turtling up you kept swinging
Describing how the other person continued to attack them even when they were trying to protect themselves

But I'm still on my feet and my one two is light speed
Stating that they are able to stand up for themselves and defend themselves quickly

If we just took a step back and talked, we'd work it all out
Proposing that they can resolve their issues if they communicate effectively

But no, with you it cannot work like that
Recognizing that the other person is not willing or able to have a calm conversation to resolve their issues

You go crazy, you lose it and start shouting
Describing how the other person becomes overly emotional and argumentative

Since we don't talk anymore, let me catch you up on what's happening
Acknowledging that they no longer communicate with the other person, but still wanting to inform them of their current situation

You know
Starting to provide an update on their current activities and feelings

I'm jumping on my bike at nights
Describing a new hobby or activity they engage in

Getting ramen and I'm trying to write
Sharing what they do in their free time

But when nothing comes up cuz I'm a purist like that
Explaining that they have trouble finding inspiration for writing because of their commitment to staying true to their style

I go home and watch the fights
Revealing another pastime or entertainment they enjoy

Yes, I can see you're getting restless
Acknowledging that the other person may no longer be interested in hearing about their life

What's the matter? Shit wasn't about you for like eleven seconds
Making a sarcastic comment about the other person's self-centeredness

I forgot, your'e so selfish and self centered
Reiterating their belief that the other person is self-absorbed

I won't be surprised if you end up marrying your vibrator
Making a crude and insulting remark about the other person's sexual preferences and behavior

Get it? cuz your'e so cold and robotic
Explaining the reasoning behind their previous insulting comment

Narcissistic, and whatever else makes up a bitch
Adding additional negative labels to describe the other person

Truth is, doesn't matter what you are
Admitting that it doesn't matter what the other person is like or how they behave

I just wish you were here right now
Revealing their true feelings and desire for the other person's company

I feel I must explain how I could fall so hard for her
Describing their intense feelings for the other person

She's so one of a kind I can't lie or pretend
Acknowledging that they genuinely value the other person and their unique qualities

But destructive as we pick em' she went crazy at the end
Admitting that the relationship ultimately ended negatively and the other person's behavior became harmful

Cuz I wasn't ticking boxes in some check list in her brain
Explaining that they did not meet the expectations the other person had for their romantic partner

So how's life now? Is it all stable?
Asking about the other person's current situation

How can you put a fucking plate on your kitchen table?
Raising concerns about the other person's hygiene and cleanliness habits

How can you sit down and eat
Continuing to express disgust at the other person's actions

Knowing all the weird shit that had happened At the same spot your plate is?
Referencing strange or unpleasant events that occurred in the same spot the other person is eating

I think that you should burn your whole apartment
Suggesting that the other person's home is so unclean or unlivable that it should be destroyed

From the bathroom to the kitchen and especially those sexy garments
Listing specific areas of the home that they believe are unsanitary or unpleasant, including clothing items

I'm not gonna be the experimental chicken from you story
Refusing to be manipulated or used as a test subject by the other person

Don't fucking call me
Demanding that the other person does not contact them further

You bitch
Insulting the other person again

I'm not the one who quits
Asserting that they are not the type of person to give up on something easily

But I'm not fighting over you you bitch
Making it clear that they are not willing to continue fighting with the other person

Bitch It is what it is
Repeating the phrase that summarizes their overall feelings about the situation

I guess it is what it is
Repeating the phrase that summarizes their overall feelings about the situation, but with less conviction

Yes it is what it is
Repeating the phrase again to signify finality

Guess it is what it is
Ending the song with a resigned acceptance of the situation

So we met again
Returning to the idea of meeting up again, which began earlier in the song

Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Itay Howard

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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