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Riley is the son of veteran singer Jimmy Riley and nurse Lavern Tatham-Riley. He was born in the Bronx and grew up in South Florida. He began his musical career as a deejay working with Busta Rhymes, taking his birth sign as his stage name at his mother's suggestion (the spelling later changed from Taurus to Tarrus), and recorded his first singles for his father's Love & Promotion label. He was guided in his early career by Dean Fraser, who also performs in his band and produces much of Riley's work.
Riley has released three albums, Challenges (2004), Parables (2006), and Contagious (2009). Contagious features guest appearances from Damian Marley, Vybz Kartel, Etana, Konshens, Demarco and Duane Stephenson. His commercial breakthrough came in 2006 with the Parables album and the Jamaican number one single "She's Royal".
Riley was awarded the Reggae Runnins Caribbean Heritage Award at the 2009 HOT 105 FM Caribbean-American Heritage Awards. He was nominated in the Best Reggae category of the 2009 MOBO Awards.
Human Nature
Tarrus Riley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Across the night time
The city winks a sleepless eye
Hear her voice
Shake my window
Sweet seducing sighs
Get me out
Four walls won't hold me tonight
And if this town
Is just an apple
Will you take a bite
And if they say
Why why
Tell them that it's human nature
Why why
He does it to me that way
Tell me why why
Tell them that it's human nature
Why why
He does it to me that way
Reaching out
To a stranger
Electric eyes are everywhere
And see that girl
She knows I'm watching
She likes the way I stare
And if they say
Why why
Just tell them that it's human nature
Why why
He does it to me that way
If they say
Why why
Tell them that it's human nature
Why why
He does it to me that way
I love living this way
I love living this way
Looking out
Across the morning
The city heart begins to beat
Reaching out
I touch her shoulder
I'm dreaming of the street
And if they say
Why why
tell them that it's human nature
Why why
He does it to me that way
Why why
Tell them that it's human nature
Why why
He does it to mea this way
Why Why
Tell them that it's human nature
Why why
Does he do me that way
They say why why
Tell them that it's human nature
Why why
Does he do me that way
Tell them that it's human nature
Why why
I love living that way
I love living this way
Tarrus Riley's song "Human Nature" is a cover of Michael Jackson's song of the same name. The lyrics tell the story of someone who is torn between the desire for freedom and the forces that constrain them. The first verse paints a picture of someone looking out over a sleepless city, feeling trapped in their four walls. The seductive sounds of the city outside call to them, enticing them to step out into the night and take a bite of the apple that is the city. The second verse takes on a more sexual tone, as the singer is drawn to a stranger with electric eyes. Despite the judgment of others, they can't help but be intrigued by this person and their mysterious ways.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking out
Observing the surroundings
Across the night time
During the night hours
The city winks a sleepless eye
The busy city never sleeps
Hear her voice
Listening to a seductive voice
Shake my window
The voice is so powerful that it shakes the windows
Sweet seducing sighs
The voice has a soft and tempting tone
Get me out
Craving freedom
Into the night time
Seeking adventure at night
Four walls won't hold me tonight
Feeling trapped and needing to escape
And if this town
If this place
Is just an apple
If this place is enticing
Will you take a bite
Will you go for it?
And if they say
If they question
Why why
Why do you do this?
Tell them that it's human nature
Justify your actions with the fact that it's natural human behavior
Why why
Why does it happen to you?
He does it to me that way
It's just the way it is
Reaching out
Extending oneself
To a stranger
To someone unknown
Electric eyes are everywhere
The atmosphere is charged with excitement
And see that girl
Spotting a girl
She knows I'm watching
She's aware of the attention
She likes the way I stare
She's attracted to the attention
Just tell them that it's human nature
Excusing oneself with the explanation that it's natural behavior
I love living this way
Enjoying the lifestyle
Across the morning
During the morning hours
The city heart begins to beat
The energy of the city awakens
Reaching out
Extending oneself
I touch her shoulder
Making physical contact with someone
I'm dreaming of the street
Daydreaming about the urban environment
Does he do me that way
Is it natural for him to treat me like this?
Contributed by Anthony N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@dijonay971
What a beautiful cover of MJ's song. Tarrus is amazing <3
@charlesruff677
dijonay971 simply great
@priscillagebben2256
Justin Bieber what do u maen
@theoankomah2178
A great reggae music. Well done.
@242shai
Tarrus is something special. Not many people can pull off doing Michael. I'm a huge Michael fan and I think he would have been truly honored hearing this. Truly awesome cover!!
@leveltone
Very few vocalists (if any) can truly a cover an MJ song. Loving how Taurus puts his own creative twist but still bats a homerun!
@elainewilliams4634
Great song
@michaelmcfarlane2321
S Crawford. junior Reid
@truthdude8849
shinehead
@SunnyGhandle
Lol didn't write the song, Steve Pocaro did