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.
Where
Syleena Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can get money
You can have power
Yea, but where is the love'
(You can get money, money can't buy love)
You can get money
You can have power
(money, power)
Money, power, respect
More ice than an Eskimo
Big crib, a C.E.O.
White Range on 44's
But no love to call your own (Hey)
You can get money
But what is it to gain a world
You can buy material things
When the greatest gift of all is love
You can get money
You can have power
Yea, but where is the love'
(You can get money, money can't buy love)
You can get money
You can have power
Yea, but where is the love'
(money, power)
Money, power, respect
Bright lights, fancy clothes,
Front row at fashion shows
First class and limousines
But what does it really mean (Hey)
You can get money
But what is it to gain a world
You can buy material things
When the greatest gift of all is love
You can get money
You can have power
Yea, but where is the love'
(You can get money, money can't buy love)
You can get money
You can have power
Yea, but where is the love'
(money, power)
Money, power, respect
You know that's real talk for ya
Yea
Teefa!
ha ha ha what up ma
lets sho 'em how Chicago do
Fo' Sho
Let's Go
He can provide for ya
?
Shops spend every quarter, nickle, dime on ya (yea)
He on the grind no time for ya
Benz dealership he'll cosign for ya
Drop the down payment the house & the games
This ain't love
This a business arrangement
Shit!
He wanna touch me, hold me
Keep me on display like I'm a trophy
They say diamonds a girls best homie
Dude won't even talk and try to get to know me
But if he did he'll realize
I don't really give a shit
He can keep the money and the crib, dig!
It's like a good job, where the salary is the shit
But you hate the gig
If it's no love it's bogus
Matter fact I quit
Fuck a two week notice
Ha ha
You can get money
You can have power
Yea, but where is the love'
(You can get money, money can't buy love)
You can get money
You can have power
Yea, but where is the love'
(money, power)
Money, power, respect
In this song, Syleena Johnson is questioning the value of money and power without love. She is suggesting that even when you have financial success and the ability to control others, it is still essential to have love. Johnson is also criticizing men who believe they can buy women's affection with their wealth, pointing out the hollowness of such arrangements.
The chorus of the song emphasizes that while money and power are desirable, they cannot substitute for love. The verses give examples of the material wealth you can obtain with financial success, such as expensive cars, clothing, and jewelry. Still, all of those things are ultimately meaningless if there isn't genuine love involved.
The rap verse by Teefa takes on the perspective of a woman who is the object of a man's financial advances. She recognizes that the man is providing for her and spending money on her, but he doesn't take the time to know her as a person. She sees it as a business arrangement rather than a loving relationship and decides to walk away.
Overall, "Where" by Syleena Johnson is a poignant reminder that love is the most meaningful and important component of life, and no amount of money and power can replace it.
Line by Line Meaning
You can get money
Acquiring wealth is not difficult
You can have power
Achieving status is attainable
Yea, but where is the love'
But love is something that they cannot buy
(You can get money, money can't buy love)
Having money does not equate to having love
Money, power, respect
The trinity of success in modern society
More ice than an Eskimo
Excessive jewelry is not the same as having love
Big crib, a C.E.O.
Having a large house and high-level job is not the same as having love
White Range on 44's
Having a fancy car does not equate to having love
But no love to call your own (Hey)
But without love, those things are meaningless
You can buy material things
It's possible to purchase possessions
When the greatest gift of all is love
Yet, love is the most precious gift one can receive
Bright lights, fancy clothes,
Wearing expensive clothing and attending events doesn't replace love
Front row at fashion shows
Having priority seating does not equate to love
First class and limousines
Luxury modes of transportation don't equate to love
But what does it really mean (Hey)
But without love, what's the point?
You know that's real talk for ya
These are straightforward truths
He can provide for ya
He can support you financially
Shops spend every quarter, nickle, dime on ya (yea)
He is willing to spend his money on you
He on the grind no time for ya
However, he doesn't have time for love
Benz dealership he'll cosign for ya
He'll even help you finance a car
Drop the down payment the house & the games
He's willing to make large purchases together, such as buying a home
This ain't love
But this arrangement is not love
This a business arrangement
Rather, it is strictly business
Shit!
An expression of irritation or frustration
He wanna touch me, hold me
He wants physical intimacy
Keep me on display like I'm a trophy
But he just wants to show off his partner
They say diamonds a girls best homie
People often associate diamonds with a woman's best friend
Dude won't even talk and try to get to know me
Yet, he doesn't even try to get to know her
But if he did he'll realize
If he made the effort, he might come to understand
I don't really give a shit
But she doesn't care either way
He can keep the money and the crib, dig!
She's fine with him keeping the financial assets and the house
It's like a good job, where the salary is the shit
Adequate pay doesn't make a job satisfying
But you hate the gig
And even despise the work
If it's no love it's bogus
Without love, everything is worthless
Matter fact I quit
In fact, she's done with it all
Fuck a two week notice
She doesn't even plan on giving a proper resignation
Ha ha
An expression of laughter
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JESSE WOODS JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@louisianacookingwithkay
2024 and I'm STILL here.
YASSSS!! NOSTALGIC, TIMELESS, CLASSIC
This lady's voice is freaking impeccable, it's ridiculous!! This gift was anointed by God. AND, ☝🏾 Sooo BEAUTIFULLY MELANATED
🤎👑🤎
@vancebrown2968
Im here with you 😊
@apritellolives3920
"I will love you til the day I die, but I will not love you enough to live a lie" BEST LINE
@miriamboyd8766
I felt this
@lutanyerscott6785
Sure is
@jaquelineharper-irving3461
That’s my favorite song
@michelleanderson4344
Rs
@michealraybradford9894
The same go with her LOL LOL LOL damn
@blkpan77
She was so slept on! Promise she had a song for EVERY mood!
@ald1111
Fact!