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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.
Just The Way You Are
Tarrus Riley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
she wants to look like, them girls on the magazines
(she's got dreams) she's got big dreams
to see her self on the big screen
she ask do you love me
iI say you're just right, absolutely
I love you just the way you are girl
just the way you are girl, if you put on a boulder if you take off your bold ooh just the way you are girl
wake up with no make-up we nuh break up
just the way you are girl
and in my eyes you're a star girl
eyy, she feed me, and she gimme love plenty
she authentic, this ah the real thing this a no plastic, see
I've got big plans, a you fi be my wife and me your husband
she say, what is it you like about me
me say woman you affi change nothing
I love you just the way you are girl
you don't have to change you dont have to do a thing no
just the way you are girl
if you put on a boulder if you take off a bold ooh
just the way you are girl, wake up with no make-up we nuh break up
just the way you are girl, and in my eyes you're a star girl
yeah, wooh, oooh
star girl, Jah know, eyy
my girlfriend so classy eyy
with the brains and the body of a champion
she a my miss world me a the mr. man
and she broader than a Kardashian
eh eh
me nuh fi watch TV
inna mi yard me have a beauty queen eh eh
no man a lucky like me, am blessed to have you my baby
In Tarrus Riley's song "Just the Way You Are," the singer sings about his love for a girl who wants to be like the people she sees on TV and in magazines. Despite her aspirations to look like these women, he tells her that he loves her just the way she is - with or without makeup, whether she's wearing a boulder or nothing at all. He assures her that she doesn't have to change anything about herself to be with him, and that she's already a star in his eyes. The song is a testament to unconditional love and acceptance, and highlights the pressure that women often face to conform to narrow beauty standards.
The chorus of the song ("I love you just the way you are girl / you don't have to change you don't have to do a thing no / just the way you are girl / if you put on a boulder if you take off a bold ooh / just the way you are girl, wake up with no make-up we nuh break up / just the way you are girl, and in my eyes you're a star girl") is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the singer's devotion to his partner. He goes on to explain that she feeds him and gives him plenty of love, and that he sees her as authentic and "the real thing." He even expresses his desire to marry her and calls her his "miss world."
Overall, "Just the Way You Are" is a heartwarming tribute to a woman who is loved for who she is, not who she wants to be. The lyrics serve as a reminder that true love is accepting and supportive, and that people don't need to change themselves to fit into someone else's ideal.
Line by Line Meaning
she wants to be like, the people on TV
She desires to look like the perfect figures portrayed in the media.
she wants to look like, them girls on the magazines
She longs to have the flawless appearance of the models she sees in magazines.
(she's got dreams) she's got big dreams
She has grand aspirations for herself and her future.
to see her self on the big screen
She envisions herself becoming a movie star one day.
she ask do you love me
She inquires about whether or not he loves her.
iI say you're just right, absolutely
He responds that she is perfect just the way she is.
I love you just the way you are girl
He loves her for who she is and doesn't want her to change for anybody else.
you dont have to change you dont have to do a thing no!
He reassures her that she doesn't have to alter anything about herself.
if you put on a boulder if you take off your bold ooh just the way you are girl
Even if she wears more makeup or less, she is still perfect to him.
wake up with no make-up we nuh break up
Her natural appearance is just as lovely as when she wears makeup, and he won't let that come between them.
and in my eyes you're a star girl
He sees her as a shining star and values her for who she is.
she feed me, and she gimme love plenty
She takes care of him and gives him plenty of love.
she authentic, this ah the real thing this a no plastic, see
She is honest and genuine, not fake or superficial like some people are.
I've got big plans, a you fi be my wife and me your husband
He plans on marrying her and building a future together.
she say, what is it you like about me
She asks him what he loves about her.
me say woman you affi change nothing
He insists that there's nothing about her that needs to be changed.
yeah, wooh, oooh
An expression of excitement and joy.
star girl, Jah know, eyy
He sees her as a shining star and acknowledges the presence of God.
my girlfriend so classy eyy
He recognizes her elegance and sophistication.
with the brains and the body of a champion
She is not only physically attractive, but also intelligent and capable.
she a my miss world me a the mr. man
To him, she is the most beautiful, amazing woman in the world, and he is the luckiest man.
and she broader than a Kardashian
She has a more genuine and authentic personality than the famous Kardashian family.
me nuh fi watch TV
He doesn't need to watch TV because he has a real-life beauty queen in his life.
inna mi yard me have a beauty queen eh eh
He proudly has a beautiful and amazing partner in his life.
no man a lucky like me, am blessed to have you my baby
He considers himself extremely lucky and blessed to have her as his partner.
Contributed by Luke G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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❤ Tarrus always a vibe
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I n I