Braxton was born in Severn, Maryland to Michael and Evelyn Braxton. The youngest of the Braxton's six children, Tamar started singing as a toddler. Evelyn, herself an opera singer, recognized her children's talents when one day, Tamar, sang "Can you please get me some toilet paper!" Evelyn quickly started training her girls, and eventually enrolled them in singing lessons. The Braxton children also would eventually enter in their church choir, where Michael Braxton was pastor.
Brought up in a strict Christian household, secular music was initially frowned upon, causing the children to sneak and sing along to Soul Train when the parents were out of the house. They would soon start harmonizing, forming a girl group. Tamar says of this period "I was always the highest note." Her voice was in sharp contrast to her older sister's husky contralto. One day, A Toni was pumping gas at a local gas station while singing along, when she caught the attention of a producer. He heard her sing and was amazed, and decided to pull the five sisters into a group; he envisioned a female version of the Jackson 5. They released a single on Atlantic Records in 1990 as "The Braxtons," and caught the attention of producers Antonio "L.A" Reid and Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds. The two had just started a then fledgling record label, LaFace, with Arista Records. The guys passed on the group, as they had just signed a new trio named TLC, but they were looking for a solo female artist and loved Toni's voice. So the girls talked it over, and Toni decided to embark on her now famous solo career.
The sisters worked as backup singers for Toni (you can see them in Toni's video Seven Whole Days). Eventually, the girls (minus Toni) would release an album for Atlantic, to which the group was still signed, in 1996 entitled So Many Ways.
In 1999, Tamar first explored her gospel side on T.D Jakes Love Songs album. Later, Tamar would meet up with Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, a rapper/producer (also famous for bringing Blu Cantrell to national attention) based in Atlanta, Georgia. She recorded her solo debut album, Ridiculous, so named because of the many different musical styles on the album. The album would be retooled and released by Dreamworks as Tamar on January 18, 2000. It was lead in by the first single for the album, "Get None" with guest appearances by Jermaine Dupri and rapper Amil and featured the second single, If You Don't Wanna Love Me. The singles failed to gain significant radio & video airplay and ultimately the album didn't sell well, and Tamar was dropped from her contract,it is also worth noting that tamar proved that she could do the whistle register on money can't buy you love on tamar's deut album.
Tamar sang for the Kingdom Come soundtrack, with Toni Braxton appearing in the movie as Juanita Slocumb. Currently she sang background for Toni's album More Than A Woman (released 2002),and 2005 album Libra and resides in Atlanta. She also negotiated a new contract with Tommy Mottola's Casablanca Records, and is working to record a new album. She also sang backup in her sister Toni's famous headlining show in Las Vegas entitled, "Toni Braxton: Revealed" but has been replaced by singer Sparkle. She is currently working on a new album and her own record company with fiance, producer Vincent Herbert.
If I Don't Have You
Tamar Braxton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Off in my room
Thinking of you
I'm at the brink of me breaking' down
'Cause all these thoughts of me and you apart
Won't leave my head right now
Baby, baby call me crazy
'Cause I know without you I won't be no good
You should know
If I don't have you
Rocks me to the core
I can't love no more
If I don't have you
Know I'm done for sure
Nobody worth fighting for
I'll tear down these walls
That's on my life
I'll lose my mind if I don't have you
Looking at my phone
But you ain't even call
I put it in a drawer
'Cause I wanna be right next to you
If you wanna talk
Baby come on through
Before it's all done
Tell me I'm your only one
Baby, baby call me crazy
'Cause I know without you I won't be no good
When the latch on my heart comes to you
You should know
If I don't have you
Rocks me to the core
I can't love no more
If I don't have you
Know I'm done for sure
Nobody worth fighting for
I'll tear down these walls
That's on my life
I'll lose my mind if I don't have you
(If I don't have you)
It's way too late to start things over
Can't seem to get it together
We're trying, we try
But we won't look wrong
Dead in their eyes
Let's try and make it right
'Cause I don't wanna fight
Can't see myself without you, in my mind
Please don't say you're done with me
'Cause you're my baby
Baby
You should know
If I don't have you
Rocks me to the core
I can't love no more
If I don't have you
Know I'm done for sure
Nobody worth fighting for
I'll tear down these walls
That's on my life
I'll lose my mind if I don't
If I don't have you
Rocks me to the core
I can't love no more
If I don't have you
Know I'm done for sure
Nobody worth fighting for
I'mma tear down these walls
And that's on my life
I'll lose my mind if I don't have you
Tamar Braxton's "You Don't Know" is a passionate love song that explores the emotions of missing and desperately wanting someone. The chorus of the song is a plea to her lover, telling him that without him she can't love anymore and that nobody else is worth fighting for. Tamar is at the end of her rope, feeling like she's on the brink of breaking down due to the constant thoughts about her separation from her lover. She analyses her own crazy behavior and knows that she won't be any good without her partner. She even takes her phone and puts it in a drawer, fully committed to disconnecting from the world around her and focusing on her love interest.
The second verse is a cry for help, with Tamar urging her partner to come to her if they want to talk. She is so fixated on the idea of being with her lover that she can't imagine functioning properly without them. In the bridge, Tamar pleads with her lover to try and fix things with her, telling him that she doesn't want to fight and can't see herself without him. She tells him not to say he's done with her because she needs him and he's her baby.
Overall, "You Don't Know" reveals the all-consuming nature of a passionate and intense relationship, where everything feels amplified to the point where life feels like it's on the line.
Line by Line Meaning
Sitting in the dark
Feeling sad and alone
Off in my room
In my private space
Thinking of you
Thoughts consumed with you
I'm at the brink of me breaking' down
Emotionally unstable
'Cause all these thoughts of me and you apart
Fearful of losing you
Won't leave my head right now
Persistent and overwhelming thoughts
Baby, baby call me crazy
Admitting to an irrational love
'Cause I know without you I won't be no good
Unable to function without you
When the latch on my heart comes to you
Emotional vulnerability
You should know
You need to understand
If I don't have you
Losing you would be devastating
Rocks me to the core
Shakes me to my very essence
I can't love no more
Unable to feel love for anyone else
Know I'm done for sure
Certain of the consequences
Nobody worth fighting for
No one is as important as you
I'll tear down these walls
Breaking down personal barriers
That's on my life
Swearing to the truthfulness of this statement
I'll lose my mind if I don't have you
Unable to cope without you
Looking at my phone
Checking for messages
But you ain't even call
You haven't reached out
I put it in a drawer
Giving up on communication
'Cause I wanna be right next to you
Desire to be physically close
If you wanna talk
Extending an invitation to communicate
Baby come on through
Come to me
Before it's all done
Before it's too late
Tell me I'm your only one
Reassurance of love and commitment
It's way too late to start things over
Past mistakes cannot be undone
Can't seem to get it together
Unable to fix the relationship alone
We're trying, we try
Attempting to find a solution
But we won't look wrong
Refusing to admit fault
Dead in their eyes
With no way to deny
Let's try and make it right
Making the effort to fix things
'Cause I don't wanna fight
Desire for peace and reconciliation
Can't see myself without you, in my mind
Imagining life without you is impossible
Please don't say you're done with me
Imploring for another chance
'Cause you're my baby
Affirmation of love and devotion
I'mma tear down these walls
Breaking down all barriers to make it work
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARCOS PALACIOS, ERNEST CLARK, TIYON MACK, MAKEBA RIDDICK, LASHAWN DANIELS, TAMAR BRAXTON, TONY RUSSELL, KEVIN RANDOLPH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TC-vp6bl
The concept behind the video is like the love story of "Moulin Rouge" (prostitute falling in love and vice versa)
The "Great Gatsby" theme was obviously made by the same film maker of both films. "Baz Luhrmann"
The meaning of the song is about being in love unconditionally. And not wanting or the backlash of letting go or separation. I see the tie in.
Not all music videos have any relation with the song nowadays (Ex. Beyonce & Rihanna) but the song is amazing and the quality/ visuals of the video is Top Notch!
❤️ you Tamar! #Tamartian
@quinntelliafields5712
Tamar's background vocals are everything!
@La5tMinute
Quinntellia Fields thank SongwriterTC for that
@honeyjohnson8536
La5tMinute I think she meant her back ground singing for herself
@jaerich02
Yes indeed!!
@Freekygrandma
@@honeyjohnson8536I know this is old but TC sounds like a woman when he sings. His voice is 🔥.
@AzarelNeriya
That chorus with those background vocals and bass line is a little piece of melodic heaven even now in 2023
@Trinijojo
Yes amazing 👏🏽
@jerrardwelch2272
That's precisely what just made me comeback to this track.
@adl1585
I just know Toni is SOOO proud of her baby sister!! 😌😌
@kimberlygriffin6400
+adloud ---I would b, they seem like the kind of family that's there 4 each other, she deserves the grammy nod, & 2 win !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!