1, Shaggy (born October 22… Read Full Bio ↴Shaggy is the name of, at least, two artists.
1, Shaggy (born October 22, 1969, in Kingston, Jamaica as Orville Richard Burrell), is a Jamaican reggae artist who takes his nickname from his shaggy hair. He is especially notable for his distinctive sub-baritone voice.
His family immigrated to the United States and they settled in the neighborhood of Flatbush, Brooklyn, located in New York City, New York, USA.
In 1988, he joined the United States Marine Corps and served during Operation Desert Storm during the Persian Gulf War.
On his return from Iraq, he decided to pursue his music career and his first hit in 1993: "Oh Carolina", was a dancehall re-make of a ska hit by the Folkes Brothers. The same year, Shaggy appeared on Kenny Dope's hip hop album "The Unreleased Project". He worked together with producers such as Sting Intl., Don One (who cut his first track), Lloyd 'Spiderman' Campbell and Robert Livingston. He had further big hits, including "Boombastic" in 1995.
He then had a major comeback in 2001, featuring worldwide number-one hit singles "It Wasn't Me" and "Angel," the latter of which was built around Merrilee Rush's 1968 hit "Angel of the Morning" (which was remade in 1981 by Juice Newton). The album Hot Shot, from which those cuts came, would hit number one on the Billboard 200.
However, his 2002 release Lucky Day, and the 2005 album Clothes Drop failed to match Hot Shot's success.
Shaggy performed the theme for Showtime (film), a 2002 movie.
2, Shaggy, a swedish rock/blues rock band from the 1970's. Released one album, "Lessons for beginners"
Keep’n It Real
Shaggy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Reality check
You know what I mean
Street life's eh
Scorpion yeah uh
When I was young
I use to dream of being rich
Couldn't know which one was which
And finding me a chick and getting hitched
Living the fairy tale life perfect without a ditch
You think that this would bring me happiness
If at the end of every rainbow
There was a treasure chest
Sometimes having more is really less
So take a look inside yourself
You'll realize you're really blessed
No matter how you're sad and blue
There's always someone who has it worse than you
Sometimes you gotta pay your dues
So don't worry just push on through
Keep'n it real
Gotta big up all my peoples who be working on the future
Though they know they gotta struggle
Keep'n it real
To all my homies working on the 9 to 5
And doing right to keep themselves up out of trouble
Keep'n it real
Although sometimes I know it seems impossible
There ain't no need in drowning in your sorrows
Keep'n it real
If things are as bad as they can be
You can be sure there'll be a brighter tomorrow
Keep'n it real
Gotta big up all my peoples who be working on the future
Though they know they gotta struggle
Keep'n it real
To all my homies working on the 9 to 5
And doing right to keep themselves up out of trouble
Keep'n it real
Although sometimes I know it seems impossible
There ain't no need in drowning in your sorrows
Keep'n it real
If things are as bad as they can be
You can be sure there'll be a brighter tomorrow
And I forgot to have myself the house, the mansion, and the Benz
I'm not the type of brother who be making mad ends
I got myself a girl but we be kickin' it as friends
Is not enough for me now that depends
Again- not everthing you want is everything you really need
The standard of society is modevated by greed
Are you prepared to follow
Tell me are you prepared to lead
So persevere and you'll succeed
Keep'n it real
Gotta big up all my peoples who be working on the future
Though they know they gotta struggle
Keep'n it real
To all my homies working on the 9 to 5
And doing right to keep themselves up out of trouble
Keep'n it real
Although sometimes I know it seems impossible
There ain't no need in drowning in your sorrows
Keep'n it real
If things are as bad as they can be
You can be sure there'll be a brighter tomorrow
*Hook*
All the harsh realities
Appears to come in twos and threes
Don't worry 'cause
There'll be a better day
One thing I can promise you
Just keep on keeping on
I swear to you
There's gonna be a brighter day
Keep'n it real
Gotta big up all my peoples who be working on the future
Though they know they gotta struggle
Keep'n it real
To all my homies working on the 9 to 5
And doing right to keep themselves up out of trouble
Keep'n it real
Although sometimes I know it seems impossible
There ain't no need in drowning in your sorrows
Keep'n it real
If things are as bad as they can be
You can be sure there'll be a brighter tomorrow
Back in the days
I use to dream of being rich
Have a lot of houses and cars
Couldn't know which one was which
And finding me a chick and getting hitched
Living the fairy tale life perfect without a ditch
You think that this would bring me happiness
If at the end of every rainbow there was a treasure chest
Sometimes having more is really less
So take a look inside yourself
You'll realize you're really blessed
No matter how you're sad and blue
There's always someone who has it worse than you
Sometimes you gotta pay your dues
So don't worry just push on through
Keep'n it real
Gotta big up all my peoples who be working on the future
Though they know they gotta struggle
Keep'n it real
To all my homies working on the 9 to 5
And doing right to keep themselves up out of trouble
Keep'n it real
Although sometimes I know it seems impossible
There ain't no need in drowning in your sorrows
Keep'n it real
If things are as bad as they can be
You can be sure there'll be a brighter tomorrow
That's right, see me, yeah
Give thanks fa wha you have, ya know
And when you think that its bad
There's always somebody that's worse
Know what I'm sayin'
Give Jah blessing, see me
Wa-wa, Wa-wa
Wa-wa, wa-wa
The lyrics of "Keep It Real" by Shaggy convey a message about the nature of happiness and the importance of gratitude. When the artist was young, he dreamt of luxury and wealth, but in adulthood, he discovered that having everything one desires does not necessarily lead to fulfillment. Shaggy advises listeners to look within themselves and realize that they are blessed, even if life is challenging. He also highlights the importance of perseverance and hard work, encouraging "homies" who are "working on the future," whether in the nine-to-five workforce or elsewhere, to keep themselves out of trouble and believe in a brighter tomorrow.
The lyrics contain a repetitive chorus that emphasizes the importance of keeping it real and holding on to hope, even when times are tough. The artist acknowledges that while sometimes it seems impossible to make it through, there is no need to drown in sorrows. Instead, the listener should remember that tomorrow is a new day and things will get better.
Line by Line Meaning
Uh- that's right
Acknowledgment of the forthcoming message
Reality check
An examination of what is real and important
You know what I mean
Asking for understanding from the listener
Street life's eh
Acknowledgment of the urban environment
Scorpion yeah uh
Affirmation of the artist's persona and attitude
When I was young
Recollection of the past
I use to dream of being rich
Desire for wealth and status
Have a lot of houses and cars
Materialistic yearning
Couldn't know which one was which
Overindulgence in possessions
And finding me a chick and getting hitched
Lustful desire for a partner and relationship
Living the fairy tale life perfect without a ditch
Idealistic hope for a flawless and problem-free existence
You think that this would bring me happiness
Questioning the worth of materialistic goals
If at the end of every rainbow there was a treasure chest
Fantasy scenario of effortless wealth
Sometimes having more is really less
Awareness of the negative aspects of abundance
So take a look inside yourself
Encouragement to reflect on personal values and blessings
You'll realize you're really blessed
Discovering the abundance that already exists
No matter how you're sad and blue
Asserting that even in difficult times there is hope
There's always someone who has it worse than you
Comparing personal struggles to those of others
Sometimes you gotta pay your dues
Acknowledgment of the necessity to work hard
So don't worry just push on through
Encouragement to persist despite adversity
Gotta big up all my peoples who be working on the future
Respect for those striving to achieve their goals in life
Though they know they gotta struggle
Awareness of the hardship involved in pursuing dreams
To all my homies working on the 9 to 5
Acknowledgment of those who work regular jobs
And doing right to keep themselves up out of trouble
Praising those who make positive choices
Although sometimes I know it seems impossible
Acknowledgment of obstacles that may seem insurmountable
There ain't no need in drowning in your sorrows
Advice to avoid becoming overwhelmed by troubles
If things are as bad as they can be
Recognizing when circumstances are at their worst
You can be sure there'll be a brighter tomorrow
Optimism for the future
And I forgot to have myself the house, the mansion, and the Benz
Acknowledgment that material possessions are not essential
I'm not the type of brother who be making mad ends
Acceptance of not having extreme wealth
I got myself a girl but we be kickin' it as friends
Contentment with a non-romantic relationship
Is not enough for me now that depends
Recognition that personal fulfillment is subjective
Again- not everthing you want is everything you really need
Affirmation of the difference between desire and necessity
The standard of society is modevated by greed
Criticism of the influence of materialism on culture
Are you prepared to follow
Questioning the willingness to conform to societal expectations
Tell me are you prepared to lead
Challenging the listener to consider their influence on others
So persevere and you'll succeed
Encouragement to persist through challenges
All the harsh realities
Acknowledgment of the difficulties of life
Appears to come in twos and threes
Observation about the multiple challenges that often arise
Don't worry 'cause
Advice to stay positive despite obstacles
There'll be a better day
Optimism about a brighter future
One thing I can promise you
The singer's assurance
Just keep on keeping on
Encouragement to persevere
I swear to you
The artist's emphasis
There's gonna be a brighter day
Optimism about the future
Back in the days
Reference to the past
Have a lot of houses and cars
Recollection of materialistic desires
If at the end of every rainbow there was a treasure chest
Fantastical scenario
So take a look inside yourself
Reflect on personal values and blessings
That's right, see me, yeah
Affirmation of the singer's message and persona
Give thanks fa wha you have, ya know
Gratitude for one's blessings
And when you think that its bad
Encouragement to remain positive despite difficulties
There's always somebody that's worse
Comparing personal struggles to those of others
Know what I'm sayin'
Verifying comprehension of the message
Give Jah blessing, see me
Wishing blessings upon the listener
Wa-wa, Wa-wa
Repetitive vocalization
Wa-wa, wa-wa
Repetitive vocalization
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ORVILLE BURRELL, RICKY DUCENT, GORDON DUKES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind