In 1998, she was cast as the lead in The Hot Mikado, a jazzy production based on Gilbert and Sullivan's opera. She also appeared in several Irish television shows, using the opportunity to be recognised as a singer.
At the age of 15, Mumba was discovered in a night club by Irish svengali Louis Walsh (manager of Boyzone and Westlife). Walsh was impressed by her talent and she was signed to Polydor Records, subsequently spending several months moving between Denmark, Sweden, England and Ireland, where she co-wrote and recorded her debut album, Gotta Tell You. She eventually dropped out of school to focus on her music career, citing that it was becoming a difficult task for her to stay in school and work on her music.
Mumba's first hit, Gotta Tell You, was released in 2000 and shot to the #1 spot on three Irish charts, later reaching #2 on the United Kingdom charts. She also scored American success with her debut single, peaking at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album stayed on the charts for a staggering 6 months and eventually certified Platinum for shipments of 1 million copies. Five more Top 10 hits followed in the UK and another top 50 hit in the US, leading some to call her the "black Britney Spears" of pop music, although she has rejected this title. To date, her album has sold over 4 million copies world-wide. Mumba was nominated for a 2002 Grammy award for her song Baby, Come Over (This is our night) in the 'best remixed recording, non-classical' category, but did not win.
In 2002, Mumba prepared to release her follow-up album, entitled Woman, but with the poor sales of the lead single, "I'm Right Here," in both the US and UK, she was dropped from her label and the album was cancelled.
In 2012, she married Charles Porter.
In 2006, she collaborated with Filipino artist Jay-R on a new song, "Just The Way You Are", which will be featured on his upcoming album, scheduled to be released later in the year. It was stated in an article in PC World magazine that Samantha is working on her follow up album with a new label. In October 2008, three new songs "Candyland", "Turn The Beat Up" and "Bad Boy" were posted on her MySpace and YouTube profiles. In a January 2009, Mumba suggested a new would be released in 2010. She also resumed her career as an actress. She will star in the Irish Horror film "Loftus Hall" due for release in October 2010.
Body II Body
Samantha Mumba Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't you play around town
But I just can't control myself
Picking up that boy tonight
Ain't gonna put him down 'til it feels all right
People stop and stare
Cause looking is fair
It's getting hot in here
My biorhythm's jumping
Got my circulation pumping
We are
[Chorus]
Body to body
Funk to funky
We know how to rock your party
Body to body
Funky to funky
We know how
We know how we're wrecking up your party
It's physical
Not just spiritual attraction
I hear you coming when I ring the dinner bell
Got my phazer set to stun
Now we're gonna have some fun
I got my people up inside
Baby want to ride
Party's fairly jumping but we're gonna have to slide
I need a miracle
Turn it up a little higher
The roof is on fire
We are
[Chorus: x2]
Struck out another line
Making an all time flow
[Repeat: x2]
My mama said
To get things done
You gotta go to school
Ain't gonna have no fun
My mama said
You're still too young
You gotta slow it down
Ain't gonna have no fun
[Repeat: x3]
Cause we are
In Samantha Mumba's "Body II Body," the singer expresses her desire to pick up a boy and have a physical relationship with him. Despite her mother's warning to be careful, Mumba cannot control herself and is determined to have fun. The chorus is a call to action, inviting others to join in on the lively and energetic atmosphere that Mumba and her friends have created. The song is all about the physical attraction between people and the excitement that comes with letting loose and having a good time.
Throughout the song, Mumba sings about the energy in the room and how it is only going to get more intense. She uses the metaphor of her biorhythms jumping and her circulation pumping to describe the physical sensations and excitement that she and others are feeling. The chorus is a high point in the song, with Mumba singing about the physical and funky nature of the party that she and her friends are hosting. Overall, "Body II Body" is a catchy and upbeat song about letting go and having a good time.
Line by Line Meaning
Mama said
A warning from her mother.
Don't you play around town
Stay away from boys in the area.
But I just can't control myself
She's going against her mother's advice.
Picking up that boy tonight
Going out to hook up with a guy.
Ain't gonna put him down 'til it feels all right
She's not going to stop until she feels satisfied.
People stop and stare
Others are watching them.
Cause looking is fair
It's normal to be curious about what they're doing.
Come on over baby let me show you how I care
Inviting the guy to have some fun with her.
It's getting hot in here
Things are getting heated up.
My biorhythm's jumping
She's feeling sexually aroused.
Got my circulation pumping
Her blood is flowing due to excitement.
We are
The two people involved in the hook up.
Body to body
Physical connection.
Funk to funky
Fun and energetic movement.
We know how to rock your party
They know how to make things fun and exciting for everyone.
Struck out another line
Starting a new phase.
Making an all-time flow
Creating a great experience.
I hear you coming when I ring the dinner bell
She can sense his arousal towards her.
Got my phazer set to stun
She's ready to have some intense fun.
Now we're gonna have some fun
The hook up is about to happen.
I got my people up inside
She's gathered her group and is ready to have a good time.
Baby want to ride
The guy is ready to hook up.
Party's fairly jumping but we're gonna have to slide
There are a lot of people at the party, but they're going to find a place to be alone.
I need a miracle
She wants an intense experience.
Turn it up a little higher
She wants the excitement to increase.
The roof is on fire
Things are getting extremely intense.
My mama said
Her mother's advice.
To get things done
Focus on what you need to accomplish.
You gotta go to school
Education is important.
Ain't gonna have no fun
Fun must be sacrificed for future success.
You're still too young
She's not mature enough to handle all the fun she wants.
You gotta slow it down
She needs to take a break from all the excitement.
Cause we are
Reiterating that they're still involved in their intimate situation.
Lyrics © SONY ATV MUSIC PUB LLC, THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC. , TINTORETTO MUSIC, UNIVERSAL MUSIC PUB GROUP
Written by: DAVID BOWIE, LUKAS BURTON, SACHA SKARBEK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Justasouthern Gal
Underrated song. This would have smashed it in today's charts
Mmjayewrites
Totally agree.
mikestagramming
It was a huge hit in Ireland & UK
David Śteel
David Bowie did a great job when he sampled this.
the occupier
LOL :)
Francois Suissae
No he did a good job in royalties son
But the reality is this was a Gangstar hit in early 2000s at the club i got down to this on the dance globe with honeys erry time always
the occupier
@Francois Suissae You do realise that the comment "David Bowie did a great job when he sampled this." ... Is what is commonly known as Humour don't you ...
Talk about Hook Line & Sinker ... You took the Rod as well :)
Krasimir Koychev
Unrated comment
the occupier
@Krasimir Koychev Wombat!
Jamie
No seatbelt, No excuses.