At the age of two he moved with his mother to Atlanta, Georgia where she raised him until her sudden death at the age of thirty-five. Afterwards, he was taken in by his grandfather, who was an avid music fan. It was through this relationship that he was introduced to many legendary artists that made up his grandfather's record collection. As soon as he heard the soulful sounds of Sam Cooke and Al Green, The-Dream was hooked. In the third grade he began his musical venture by enrolling in introductory trumpet classes at Grove Park Elementary School. He continued playing the trumpet through high school and later learned to play the drums and guitar.
In junior high and high school his musical influences extended toward such artists such as Timbaland , Missy Elliott, Aaliyah and Tupac Shakur. His talents continued to naturally develop and eventually lead The-Dream to begin singing, rapping and song writing.
In addition, he is an accomplished artist and has created many paintings and sculptures, some of which have been shown at various art galleries throughout Atlanta.
In 2001, The-Dream was introduced to Laney Stewart of Redzone Entertainment. Although their first meeting wasn't very successful, things fared better the second time around and Laney pulled him into his camp. The two immediately collaborated to write for the multi-platinum group B2K.
In early 2003, The-Dream was signed by Laney Stewart to a new publishing deal with Morningside Trail through a joint venture with peer music. Since then he has continued writing for other artists including the newest single "Me Against The Music" for Britney Spears. The-Dream recently worked on Jive artist Nivea's forthcoming sophomore effort (April 2005) including the hit single "Okay" featuring Lil' Jon and Youngbloodz.
In 2006, The-Dream was brought in by Tricky Stewart of Redzone to collaborate with various artists including Bayje (Atlantic), Dear Jane & J.Holiday (Capitol), and Brit & Alex (Interscope).
To kick off the New Year, The-Dream began 2007 with major success. With the help of Tricky Stewart, " umbrella" was created and taken to several different labels with artists ranging from Britney Spears at Jive to Mary J. Blige and Akon. Yet, it was the genius of Karen Kwak that got the record into the hands of Def Jam Record's CEO, LA Reid. Def Jam flew The-Dream and Tricky to LA to record with Rihanna, where they also wrote "Breakin' Dishes," a song off Rihanna's latest release, Good Girl Gone Bad.
Despite his current success, The-Dream never stops dreaming. Look out for The-Dream's future collaborations with hot artists such as Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Karina Pasian, Young Joc, Rihanna, Jay-Z, Jazzy Phae, Keke Palmer, Gia, Tricky Stewart, Don Vito, Wynter Gordon, Shontelle, and Lucy Walsh.
Where Have You Been
The-Dream Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Promise me you’re here for me
Can you love me for what I am
And love me for what I can be
Say you’re nothing like them other girls
Girl you’re nothing like them other girls
And for that I’ll cry for you
And for that I’ll die for you
Where have you been?
I'm all fucked up now
It’s all fucked up now
And I’m all destroyed
Where have you been?
I needed you then
Where were you then? It’s all your fault
Where have you been?
But I'm glad you’re here now
Hold me right now
Shit, I'm so lost
Where have you been?
You took your time, I'm glad you’re in my life
Now make this right
Where have you been?
Now that we’re together
I can curse you
I don't ask you what took you so long
Now that we’re together
First I wanna say I love you
And secondly what kinda shit you’ve been on?
You mess around with them other girls
Knowing damn well they ain't got nothing on me
I'm messing around with them guys
Knowing damn well they ain't got nothing on you
But I'm glad that the sun finally shined my way
Ever since you came around I ain't been the same
Saved my life, and I owe it to ya baby
Where have you been?
I'm all fucked up now
It’s all fucked up now
I’m so destroyed
Where have you been?
I needed you then
And where were you then? It’s all your fault
Where have you been?
You almost lost me
I almost lost you
Tell me what to do
Where have you been?
All my life, here’s your chance to make it right
Where have you been?
Have you been
Where have you been? Baby baby
Just when I thought my life was over
God sent you right me way
I needed a super woman to save me from this place
Found it inevitable
That I would never find love
Now that I found true love
I'm never giving it up
Where have you been?
I'm all fucked up now
It’s all fucked up now
And I'm all destroyed
Where have you been?
I needed you then
Where have you been? It’s all your fault
Where have you been?
I'm glad I found you
Tell me what to do
It's all your fault
Where have you been?
Baby, baby baby
Make this right
Where baby? Where?
Where?
Where baby? Where?
Where?
Where baby? Where?
Where?
Where?
The-Dream's song, Where Have You Been, is a passionate plea for love, forgiveness, and understanding. The song speaks of the pain of feeling lost and alone, but then finding someone who makes life worth living. The singer is yearning for someone to love and support them, promising to do the same for that person. They want their partner to love them for who they are and for who they can be. The lyrics hint at feelings of betrayal and disappointment, but ultimately there is a hope that things can be made right.
The singer appears to have gone through a difficult period in life, perhaps one in which they felt abandoned or taken for granted. They lament the fact that they were left to suffer alone, and the pain of that experience is evident in the repeated refrain, "Where have you been?" However, now that they have finally found someone who cares for them, they are willing to forgive and move on. The lyrics express a deep sense of gratitude for this person, who has helped them to see that love and happiness are possible.
Line by Line Meaning
Promise me you’ll make me better
Please give me your word that you will help me improve myself
Promise me you’re here for me
Please give me your word that you will always be there for me
Can you love me for what I am
Can you accept and love me despite my flaws and imperfections?
And love me for what I can be
Can you also love and support me for my potential to become a better person?
Say you’re nothing like them other girls
Please tell me that you are different from all the other girls I've met
Girl you’re nothing like them other girls
Thank you for showing me that you are indeed different from all the other girls I've met
And for that I’ll cry for you
I am so grateful and overwhelmed that I will shed tears of happiness for you
And for that I’ll die for you
I am willing to give my life for you because you mean so much to me
Where have you been?
I am wondering why you were not here when I needed you
I'm all fucked up now
I am in a bad place emotionally and mentally right now
It’s all fucked up now
My life is currently in shambles
And I’m all destroyed
I am completely broken and devastated
But I'm glad you’re here now
Although I am hurt and angry that you weren't here before, I am relieved that you are finally here
Hold me right now
Please comfort me and hold me close at this moment
Shit, I'm so lost
I am feeling so confused and lost right now
You took your time, I'm glad you’re in my life
Although I wish you were here sooner, I am grateful that you are now a part of my life
Now make this right
Let's work together to fix the problems in my life and our relationship
Now that we’re together
Now that we are in a relationship
I can curse you
Now that we are together, I can express my negative emotions towards you
I don't ask you what took you so long
I won't question why you weren't here before, I am just happy that we are together now
First I wanna say I love you
Before anything else, I want to express my love for you
And secondly what kinda shit you’ve been on?
I am curious about what you have been doing or who you have been with before we met
You mess around with them other girls
I have found out that you have been flirting with or dating other girls
Knowing damn well they ain't got nothing on me
You should know that I am better for you than any other girl
I'm messing around with them guys
I have also been flirting with or dating other guys
Knowing damn well they ain't got nothing on you
You should know that I prefer you over any other guy I've met
But I'm glad that the sun finally shined my way
I am happy that things have finally turned around for me and that you are now in my life
Ever since you came around I ain't been the same
My life has changed for the better since you came into it
Saved my life, and I owe it to ya baby
You have helped me through tough times and I am indebted to you
You almost lost me
You came close to losing me or our relationship
Tell me what to do
I am asking for your guidance and advice on how to proceed with our relationship and problems
All my life, here’s your chance to make it right
I have been waiting for someone like you my whole life and I hope that you won't mess it up
Baby baby baby
A term of endearment towards the person he is addressing
Just when I thought my life was over
Just when I was at my lowest point and thought I had no hope left
God sent you right me way
I believe that God brought you into my life for a reason
I needed a super woman to save me from this place
I needed someone who is strong, supportive, and caring to rescue me from my difficulties
Found it inevitable
I believed that I was destined to never find true love or happiness
That I would never find love
I thought that I would never experience love or find someone who truly cared about me
Now that I found true love
Now that I have found someone who loves me for who I am and supports me, I am grateful and happy
I'm never giving it up
I will cherish and hold onto this love and relationship forever
Baby baby baby
A term of endearment towards the person he is addressing
Make this right
Let's fix our problems and make our relationship work
Where baby? Where?
Asking where the person he is addressing is or what they are doing
Where?
Asking for the person he is addressing to reveal or explain something
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARCOS PALACIOS, ERNEST CLARK, KELLY ROWLAND, TERIUS NASH, MIYKAL SNODDY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Coco Love
One of my favorites from dream... I don't think he get enough credit for he's pen game..
Double Clutch
absolutely love this song dream makes you fall in love for sure ❣️🔥
SLICENSLASH
This song is deep. Atleast to me it is. I'm not even sure when Dream & Kelly made this song they intended it to have levels to it.
Great song.
XtremeSkillsTV
SLICENSLASH It's on The-Dream's album: "IV Play"
SLICENSLASH
XtremeSkillsTV I know. I have it.
Mr Tony Williams
@SLICENSLASH that first verse bring tears
d3b
This has been on repeat for the last 3 days.... Love it!
Paula Younger
Love the lyrics... on point for my current situation :)
Aldwin Thomas
This is the perfect song for a couple that's been thru it but managed to come together and be as one!!! If you've got the one person in ur life, let it be known!! Real talk..
iamadolphus
man this song hits the spot great work dream