R&B's best kept secret is finally out. Another chapter in Syleena Johnson's book has been written. This time, it is more than recording an album. After amicably leaving an eight-year record deal with Jive Records in 2006, Syleena has launched her own label, Aneelys Records (Syleena spelled backwards). This opportunity comes by way of a label deal with Federal/Universal Music Group.
Syleena previously worked with countless artists and producers such as R. Kelly, Bob Power, Kay Gee, Busta Rhymes, Cam' Ron, Common, Jermaine Dupri, and Twista. Kanye West blessed her with his production on "Bulls-Eye (Suddenly)," from Chapter 3: The Flesh. Syleena proved to be Kayne's saving grace as she provided last minute vocals on the hit, "All Falls Down," which led to a Grammy nomination for both artists.
Artists often fall by the wayside and are rarely heard after leaving a major record label. But, Syleena didn't allow her split with Jive Records to rip out any pages from her next chapter. She simply took matters into her own hands and decided to go the independent route. With her label, Syleena will finally see the benefits of all her hard work, whether it be working on a personal project or signing other acts. She will finally have the creative control and power to see things through and plan out her career as she sees fit.
With this control, Syleena will give birth to her newest release, Chapter 4: Labor Pains, due January 13, 2009. Along with running her own label and being an artist, Syleena has also become a wife and mother within the past year. "My husband is an excellent man, I couldn't ask for a better one and my son is my best work yet," Syleena says. Naturally, this experience lent a hand in Syleena writing Chapter 4: Labor Pains, as she describes the pain of having a baby as the worst pain in life, but rewarding in the end. Syleena shadows her life on the principle that you reap what you sow "Nothing good comes easy. All the struggle, strife, work and pain we go through, that's the price you have to pay to reap the benefits in the end," Syleena expresses.
As always, Syleena speaks on behalf of a woman's struggles. But, she leads off on a lighter note with her first single from, Chapter 4: Labor Pains, "It Is True." She sings a heavenly love ballad about new found, true love with her husband and the product of that love. "It is everything I felt about my husband when we first met, and now the love of my son follows suit," Syleena swoons. There's no denying that Syleena is passionately in love as she angelically sings "over and over again, in my dreams and in my head, I'm imagining you all in my future, us continuing through 'til we get older, and I swear that I've never met, a boy like you, a true soldier, my knight in shining armor, you saved me boy, you bring me joy and that's how I know it's true."
The buzz continues and the drama unfolds in Chapter 4: Labor Pains, as Syleena displays her songwriting and storytelling skills in "Shoo Fly," an alternative tale of baby mama drama. The story comes from the point of view of a woman with a man who has a baby mama and what that woman goes through when the baby mama wants him back all the while using the child as leverage. In the chorus Syleena sings, "so shoo fly he's mine, for the last time, don't make me say it no more, damn girl to move on, be gone, so long, get gone." This is a different angle giving the woman's perspective on baby mama drama. Other notable tracks on Chapter 4: Labor Pains are "Labor Pains," the title track which is dedicated to women and sisterhood, "My First," a grown and sexy song about a man who is the first to actually give good love and affection, and "Personal Trainer," a song about the mental stimulus of physical attraction.
While dealing with real issues, Syleena never strays away from God in her music. This signature approach is what makes her unique as she shows how God applies to every aspect of life. She tells the passionate, hard truth with a voice and spirit which has been anointed by God and speaks directly to the mind and spirit of women. "I always come from a spiritual view as a Christian woman in the real world, the here and now, the issues we as women have to deal with," Syleena testifies.
Chapter 1: Love, Pain, & Forgiveness, was the beginning of how God established a relationship and peace within Syleena. He then gave her the Garden of Eden in Chapter 2: The Voice. But she disobeyed Him and ate the forbidden fruit in Chapter 3: The Flesh. Now Syleena must pay the price, which is Chapter 4: Labor Pains. Biblically, labor pains are a woman's curse, but Syleena takes it all as a blessing. "At the end, I want people to feel uplifted and motivated, that's my goal. Not to just motivate people, but myself in the process," Syleena professes. Be prepared for the experience of Chapter 4: Labor Pains.
Despite releasing four albums, Syleena is more than a singer. She caught the acting bug and showed off her multi-dimensional talent by playing a significant role in Eric Jerome Dickey's Cheater's-The Stage Play in 2005. She also added modeling to her many talents as she modeled for Ashley Stewart after signing with Wilhelmina modeling agency as a plus-size model.
Johnson released her new album, "Chapter 5: Underrated" on September 27, 2011, which features Toxic (the producer behind Keyshia Cole & Monica's "Trust", as well as much of Twista's work number) and a number of other high-profile producers and artists. The albums' lead single titled "A Boss" was released on June 21, 2011.
Everybody Wants Something
Syleena Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And let it control you
Hungry for the piece of the pie you think someone owes you
But you don't try to survive past what you think you know
You say afloat never swim, let the waves take your soul.
Everybody wants something
(but they don't earn it)
(from me)
Gotta go for what you know (what you know)
What you get ain't all what you see.
Relationships are up to you to manifest destiny
You fuss and fight all the time, seems like you can't agree
No compromise, everyone thinks they're so damn wise
But I know one thing's for certain
What you do brings everything, while what you say don't mean a damn thing
What you say don't mean a damn thing, oh, oh.
(2x) what you see ain't always what you get
What you see ain't always what you get
What you see ain't always what you get.
In Syleena Johnson's song, "Everybody Wants Something," she delves into the concept of working hard to achieve success, but questioning whether or not it's worth it. The lyrics suggest that many people are so focused on getting what they believe they deserve, that they neglect to put in the effort to truly earn it. The artist uses the analogy of being lost at sea, allowing the waves to take your soul, to describe how many people are simply going through the motions, without truly living or striving for anything beyond what they believe they are entitled to.
The second verse shifts to the topic of relationships and how they require effort and compromise to succeed. The artist suggests that many people are unwilling to compromise or believe they know better than everyone else, leading to continual conflict. However, she reminds the listener that actions speak louder than words and what they do is far more important than what they say.
Overall, the message of the song is that success and happiness require hard work, compromise, and a willingness to go beyond what one thinks they deserve. The lyrics challenge listeners to question their own values and whether they are truly willing to put in the effort to achieve their goals.
Line by Line Meaning
You work a good nine to five
You work on a regular schedule during weekdays
And let it control you
You allow your job to dominate your life
Hungry for the piece of the pie you think someone owes you
You have an intense desire to get something that you believe you're entitled to
But you don't try to survive past what you think you know
You don't attempt to surpass your current knowledge and experience in order to grow and prosper
You say afloat never swim, let the waves take your soul.
You stay above water without making any real progress, letting external forces have power over your life
Everybody wants something
Everyone has a desire for something they lack
(but they don't earn it)
(but they don't work hard or smart enough to achieve it)
But you're not gonna get from me
You're not going to be able to obtain what you want from me
(from me)
Gotta go for what you know (what you know)
You need to pursue what you're already capable of doing or achieving
What you get ain't all what you see.
What you receive may not be exactly what you expect or want
Relationships are up to you to manifest destiny
The course of your relationships depends on your own efforts and beliefs
You fuss and fight all the time, seems like you can't agree
You frequently argue and disagree, making it seem like you can't find common ground
No compromise, everyone thinks they're so damn wise
No one is willing to make concessions or meet in the middle, and everyone arrogantly thinks they know best
But I know one thing's for certain
Despite the chaos, there's one thing that's absolute
What you do brings everything, while what you say don't mean a damn thing
Your actions are what really matter and lead to consequences, while your words alone have no real impact or significance
What you say don't mean a damn thing, oh, oh.
Your words alone are completely meaningless
(2x) what you see ain't always what you get
(Two times repeated) What you perceive or expect isn't always what you end up receiving
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBERT POWER, SYLEENA N. BETTS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind