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.
Cool Like That
The Tony Rich Project Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I just wanna tell you that I love you
It's worth more love to me
That I treat you like a lady
After all we've been through
When you think it's cool like that
You can just believe it'll get better
Even though we'll fight sometime
Just know it could be a hell of a lot worse
After all we've been through
Remember we had it out
That night I said that I would leave you
But baby, I'd be a fool
When I know damn well
I can't live without you
After all we've been through
When you think it's cool like that
You can just believe it'll get better
Even though we'll fight sometime
Just know it could be a hell of a lot worse
After all we've been through
I know I shouldn't have took you
Through so much pain
And I know that our love still remains
In your heart, I see that you love me, babe
In spite of all I do, you know that I love you
When you think it's cool like that
You can just believe it'll get better
Even though we'll fight sometime
Just know it could be a hell of a lot worse
After all we've been through
When you think it's cool like that
You can just believe it'll get better
Even though we'll fight sometime
Just know it could be a hell of a lot worse
After all we've been through
The Tony Rich Project's song "Cool Like That" is a powerful depiction of the ups and downs of a romantic relationship. The singer begins by admitting that they don't want to fight with their partner, but rather express their love for them. They understand the importance of treating their partner with respect and care, especially considering all that they have been through together. The singer acknowledges that there have been tough times in the relationship, but encourages their partner to have hope that things will get better. Even when they argue, the singer emphasizes that their love could be much worse.
The singer reminisces about a moment when they almost left their partner. Despite their initial urge to walk away, they realized they couldn't live without the person they love. The singer understands that they haven't always treated their partner well, but promises that their love remains strong. They recognize that their partner still loves them, despite their mistakes.
Overall, "Cool Like That" highlights the complexities of a relationship, with all the highs and lows that come with it. It encourages listeners to have hope and faith in their relationships and to always treat their partners with love and respect.
Line by Line Meaning
I really don't wanna fight
The singer is expressing a desire for peace and harmony in the relationship.
I just wanna tell you that I love you
The singer wants to express their love for their partner.
It's worth more love to me
The singer values love over any conflict or negative experiences.
That I treat you like a lady
The artist wants to show respect and care towards their partner.
After all we’ve been through
The artist acknowledges the history and shared experiences of the relationship.
When you think it’s cool like that
The singer is telling their partner that they should maintain a positive attitude towards the relationship.
You can just believe it'll get better
The singer is encouraging their partner to have faith in the relationship.
Even though we'll fight sometime
The artist acknowledges that disagreements and conflict are a natural part of any relationship.
Just know it could be a hell of a lot worse
The artist wants their partner to appreciate the good aspects of the relationship and not take them for granted.
Remember we had it out
The artist is recalling a previous argument or disagreement.
That night I said that I would leave you
The singer threatened to end the relationship during a past argument.
But baby, I'd be a fool
The artist recognizes that leaving their partner would be a mistake.
When I know damn well
The singer is confident in their knowledge of the relationship.
I can't live without you
The singer expresses their emotional dependence on their partner.
I know I shouldn't have took you
The singer acknowledges that they made mistakes in the relationship.
Through so much pain
The artist recognizes that their mistakes caused their partner emotional hurt.
And I know that our love still remains
The artist is confident in the continued existence of love in the relationship.
In your heart, I see that you love me, babe
The singer believes that their partner still loves them despite past mistakes.
In spite of all I do, you know that I love you
The singer wants their partner to know that their love is enduring despite any difficulties in the relationship.
Contributed by Arianna V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.