Tony Rich got his start in the music industry as a staff writer at LaFace Records. While there, Rich penned hits for Boyz II Men, Johnny Gill, TLC and Toni Braxton.
While living in Detroit, Rich started playing in jazz fusion and soul bands and worked with local Detroit songwriters. It was at this time that John Salley, Detroit Pistons player and record producer, encouraged Rich to work with his artists and to even make his own tracks.
Meeting with R&B singer Pebbles, Tony Rich was introduced to her then-husband L.A. Reid. As co-founder of LaFace Records, Reid convinced Rich to move to Atlanta and to begin writing and producing for established acts. One of Rich's first projects was a session with Elton John and Sounds of Blackness for a Curtis Mayfield tribute LP. He then expanded his portfolio to include work with the previously mentioned stars.
In early 1996, Rich made his solo debut with the cd Words and the hit single Nobody Knows, which made it to number 2 on the top 100. Both the album and single went platinum and in 1997, Tony Rich won the Grammy for Best Male R&B album. The album featured two Grammy-nominated singles, Like A Woman and Nobody Knows.
The album was followed up in 1998 by Birdseye which, while critically praised, failed to generate much commercial success. Rich seemingly disappeared from the music world for several years after his album's release.
In 2003, Rich came back on the scene with the album Resurrected. Carrying a very different style this time around, the album featured Rich rocking out on the guitar as well as singing smooth ballads.
In 2006, Rich released a fourth album, Pictures. The album contains snapshots of a relationship, and is far more in the veins of his earlier works.
In 2008, he released his fifth album, Exist through Hidden Beach Recordings. Originally it was set for release on September 16, however it was pushed back to September 23, 2008. The album features download-only single, Part the Waves.
According To You
The Tony Rich Project Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm stupid,
I'm useless,
I can't do anything right.
According to you
I'm difficult,
hard to please,
forever changing my mind.
can't show up on time,
even if it would save my life.
According to you. According to you.
But according to him
I'm beautiful,
incredible,
he can't get me out of his head.
According to him
I'm funny,
irresistible,
everything he ever wanted.
Everything is opposite,
I don't feel like stopping it,
so baby tell me what I got to lose.
He's into me for everything I'm not,
according to you.
According to you
I'm boring,
I'm moody,
you can't take me any place.
According to you
I suck at telling jokes cause I always give it away.
I'm the girl with the worst attention span;
you're the boy who puts up with it.
According to you. According to you.
But according to him
I'm beautiful,
incredible,
he can't get me out of his head.
According to him
I'm funny,
irresistible,
everything he ever wanted.
Everything is opposite,
I don't feel like stopping it,
so baby tell me what I got to lose.
He's into me for everything I'm not,
according to you.
I need to feel appreciated,
like I'm not hated. oh no
Why can't you see me through his eyes?
It's too bad you're making me dizz-ay
According to me
you're stupid,
you're useless,
you can't do anything right.
But according to him
I'm beautiful,
incredible,
he can't get me out of his head.
According to him
I'm funny,
irresistible,
everything he ever wanted.
Everything is opposite,
I don't feel like stopping it,
baby tell me what I got to lose.
He's into me for everything I'm not,
according to you. [you, you]
According to you. [you, you]
According to you
I'm stupid,
I'm useless,
I can't do anything right
The lyrics to The Tony Rich Project's song "According To You" express the contrasting perspectives of the singer and their significant other. The singer starts by acknowledging the negative opinions and criticisms that they receive from the person they are addressing. According to them, they are deemed stupid, useless, and incapable of doing anything right. They are labeled as difficult, hard to please, and constantly changing their mind. The person also points out their flaws, such as being a mess in appearance, always being late, and failing to prioritize their own life.
However, the tone changes when the singer shifts the focus to how their significant other sees them. According to this person, the singer is viewed as beautiful, incredible, and unforgettable. They find the singer funny, irresistible, and everything they have ever desired. The singer feels that everything between them is opposite from what the critic believes. They have no intention of stopping this relationship and ask what they have to lose. The significant other is attracted to the singer for who they are, embracing everything that the critic deems as flaws.
The singer then expresses a desire to be seen through the eyes of their significant other. They long for appreciation and to be free from the hatred expressed by the critic. The singer is frustrated by the conflicting perspectives and finds it unfortunate that the critic's viewpoint is causing them confusion and spinning their emotions.
In the end, the singer confronts the critic, turning their words around. According to the singer, the critic is the one who is stupid, useless, and incapable of doing anything right. Through this reversal, the singer emphasizes how much they value and rely on the perception of their supportive and loving significant other.
Line by Line Meaning
According to you
In your opinion
I'm stupid
I lack intelligence
I'm useless
I have no purpose or value
I can't do anything right
I constantly make mistakes
According to you
In your opinion
I'm difficult
I am hard to please
Hard to please
I have high standards that are challenging to meet
Forever changing my mind
I frequently change my decisions and preferences
I'm a mess in a dress
I appear chaotic and disorganized despite my outward appearance
Can't show up on time
I struggle to arrive punctually
Even if it would save my life
Even if being timely is crucial
According to you. According to you.
In your perspective. In your perspective.
But according to him
In his view
I'm beautiful
I possess attractiveness
Incredible
I am extraordinary
He can't get me out of his head
He constantly thinks about me
According to him
In his opinion
I'm funny
I have a good sense of humor
Irresistible
I am extremely appealing
Everything he ever wanted
I fulfill all his desires
Everything is opposite
Contrary to your beliefs
I don't feel like stopping it
I have no intention to halt this relationship
So baby tell me what I got to lose
Please tell me the negative consequences of this situation
He's into me for everything I'm not
He appreciates me despite my flaws
According to you
In your opinion
According to you
In your opinion
I'm boring
I am uninteresting
I'm moody
I experience frequent changes in mood
You can't take me any place
You find it difficult to enjoy my company in any location
I suck at telling jokes cause I always give it away
I am terrible at delivering jokes since I spoil the punchline
I'm the girl with the worst attention span
I have the least ability to focus among girls
You're the boy who puts up with it
You tolerate and endure my lack of focus
According to you. According to you.
In your perspective. In your perspective.
But according to him
In his view
I need to feel appreciated
I require recognition and acknowledgement
Like I'm not hated
As if I am not despised
Why can't you see me through his eyes?
Why can't you perceive me from his point of view?
It's too bad you're making me dizz-ay
It is unfortunate that you are confusing and disorienting me
According to me
In my opinion
You're stupid
You lack intelligence
You're useless
You have no purpose or value
You can't do anything right
You constantly make mistakes
But according to him
In his view
I'm beautiful
I possess attractiveness
Incredible
I am extraordinary
He can't get me out of his head
He constantly thinks about me
According to him
In his opinion
I'm funny
I have a good sense of humor
Irresistible
I am extremely appealing
Everything he ever wanted
I fulfill all his desires
Everything is opposite
Contrary to your beliefs
I don't feel like stopping it
I have no intention to halt this relationship
Baby tell me what I got to lose
Please tell me the negative consequences of this situation
He's into me for everything I'm not
He appreciates me despite my flaws
According to you
In your opinion
According to you
In your opinion
I'm stupid
I lack intelligence
I'm useless
I have no purpose or value
I can't do anything right
I constantly make mistakes
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bonnieetukify
I love this song.......Classic Tony Rich
@juks082554
love this!!
@motown1nyc
Detroit-Tony Rich