What You Got

Album: Colby O (2008)
Charted: 14
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Latino Colby O'Donis has been recording music since the age of 9.
  • This features O'Donis music mentor Akon, who also produced the track and appears in its video. In an interview with djbooth.net O'Donis discussed working with Akon: "It's crazy because, for one, with 'What You Got,' the song, we actually did that on a studio bus in Canada. It was on a bus, we were on the road, we were on the highway when we made 'What You Got.' He did it in ten minutes, the whole song. Like, literally, he made it so fast I was like, 'Wow...' He knocked it out like that. Akon calls me his little prodigy, his secret weapon prodigy, he likes to call me that all the time. He actually teaches me a lot."
  • O'Donis told Reload magazine about the song's meaning: "Its pretty much about a girl that got the world handed to her, and she keeps talking about it and I'm like you don't have to keep talking about it because you are so fly that we already see."
  • Djbooth.net asked O'Donis whether any particular woman inspired this song. The New York born singer replied: "Pretty much on the record, it can be generalized. I think everyone has experienced someone like that, that has everything, but wants more, and keeps talking about everything they got. 'Cause pretty much the song is about, like you said, that one girl that has everything - pretty much the world is handed to her. And the thing is, she keeps talkin' about it to everybody, 'Oh, I got this, and I'm wearing Gucci shoes, I got this Gucci purse,' and it's all in plain sight, we can all see it. So, pretty much, it could be generalized for guys and girls, because everyone knows someone that's always talkin' about what they got. I think that's why everyone loves it so much, because everyone can pretty much relate to it. But it's pretty much like it could be prioritized in that way."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull

Ian Anderson of Jethro TullSongwriter Interviews

The flautist frontman talks about touring with Led Zeppelin, his contribution to "Hotel California", and how he may have done the first MTV Unplugged.

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"They're Playing My Song

Gramm co-wrote this gorgeous ballad and delivered an inspired vocal, but the song was the beginning of the end of his time with Foreigner.

Edie Brickell

Edie BrickellSongwriter Interviews

Edie Brickell on her collaborations with Paul Simon, Steve Martin and Willie Nelson, and her 2021 album with the New Bohemians.

Loudon Wainwright III

Loudon Wainwright IIISongwriter Interviews

"Dead Skunk" became a stinker for Loudon when he felt pressure to make another hit - his latest songs deal with mortality, his son Rufus, and picking up poop.

Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper/Lou Reed)

Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper/Lou Reed)Songwriter Interviews

The co-writer/guitarist on many Alice Cooper hits, Dick was also Lou Reed's axeman on the Rock n' Roll Animal album.

Bass Player Scott Edwards

Bass Player Scott EdwardsSong Writing

Scott was Stevie Wonder's bass player before becoming a top session player. Hits he played on include "I Will Survive," "Being With You" and "Sara Smile."