Love Yourself
by Mary J. Blige (featuring Kanye West)

Album: Strength Of A Woman (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The opening track of Strength of a Woman is a heartfelt empowerment anthem in which Mary J Blige declares that until she learns to love herself, she'll never be able to love others properly.

    Oh, you gotta love yourself
    If you really wanna be with someone else
    You gotta feed yourself
    Before you feed somebody else
    You gotta stay open, and don't be foolish
    'Cause everybody don't mean you well
    You gotta love yourself
    Before you love somebody else
  • The song features a verse by Kanye West on which he discusses his career and other struggles. It is the pair's first ever collaboration.
  • DJ Camper's production contains a sample of "Nobody Knows" by SCLC Operation Breadbasket Orchestra and Choir. The same song was previously used on cuts by 50 Cent ("I Don't Need 'Em") and T.I. ("I'm Talkin' To You").
  • Along with Blige, Kanye, and Camper, the songwriting roster includes Charles Hinshaw (aka Prince Charlez) and David D. Brown, the pair who co-wrote the album's previous single, "U + Me (Love Lesson)." Because of the SCLC sample, songwriter I. Andrews is also credited.
  • This was the album's third single. It peaked at #11 on the Adult R&B Songs chart and #34 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.
  • Blige recorded a remix version replacing Kanye with A$AP Rocky, who also appears in the music video. The clip, which was shot in New York City and Los Angeles, opens with Blige singing in a darkened penthouse and features the rapper performing in his own luxurious digs. It was directed by Taj, who also helmed videos for Jennifer Lopez ("On The Floor") and Usher ("Lil Freak").

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Tanita Tikaram

Tanita TikaramSongwriter Interviews

When she released her first album in 1988, Tanita became a UK singing sensation at age 19. She talks about her darkly sensual voice and quirky songwriting style.

Jon Foreman of Switchfoot

Jon Foreman of SwitchfootSongwriter Interviews

Switchfoot's frontman and main songwriter on what inspires the songs and how he got the freedom to say exactly what he means.

Kiss

KissFact or Fiction

Kiss is the subject of many outlandish rumors - some of which happen to be true. See if you can spot the fakes.

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)Songwriter Interviews

Steve Cropper on the making of "In the Midnight Hour," the chicken-wire scene in The Blues Brothers, and his 2021 album, Fire It Up.

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the Song

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the SongSong Writing

How a goofy detective movie, a disenchanted director and an unlikely songwriter led to one of the biggest hits in pop history.

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.