Album: My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1) (2011)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song finds Mary wondering where her relationship has gone wrong. "Why, why, why?/Can't we get it right?/Just can't get it right," The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul croons. The song was released as the third single from her My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1) album, after Mary's first televised performance of the tune on the March 8, 2012 episode of American Idol.
  • The song was helmed by New Jersey producer Eric Hudson whose previous credits include Ne-Yo's single "Can We Chill," and Kanye West's hit "Flashing Lights." He has also manned the boards on several other of Mary's tracks including her first single from the album, "25/8."
  • This features Rick Ross, who proclaims about the singer, "Hold your glasses up, baby/ You're in the presence of greatness/ It's the queen of our time, Mary J." The duo recorded the track in the Los Angeles based studio of the late Marvin Gaye. Mary told XXL magazine: "It's a private studio that one of our friends, he was really close to Michael Jackson, he let us use it. It's actually Marvin Gaye's studio. It [has] murals of Michael Jackson all over the [walls], and Marvin Gaye. That was the last place [Michael] actually worked at before he passed. It's such a good vibe."
  • Rick Ross also joins Blige in the Colin Tilley-directed video after the singer, up late fretting over the state of her relationship, leaves her sleeping lover and meets up with the rapper at a swanky lounge. Tilley also directed the clip for "Someone to Love Me (Naked)."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.

Amy Lee of Evanescence

Amy Lee of EvanescenceSongwriter Interviews

The Evanescence frontwoman on the songs that have shifted meaning and her foray into kids' music.

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. Televangelists

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. TelevangelistsSong Writing

When televangelists like Jimmy Swaggart took on rockers like Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica, the rockers retaliated. Bono could even be seen mocking the preachers.

Chris Frantz of Talking Heads

Chris Frantz of Talking HeadsSongwriter Interviews

Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz on where the term "new wave" originated, the story of "Naive Melody," and why they never recorded another cover song after "Take Me To The River."

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & Tears

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & TearsSongwriter Interviews

The longtime BS&T frontman tells the "Spinning Wheel" story, including the line he got from Joni Mitchell.

Hardy

HardySongwriter Interviews

The country hitmaker talks about his debut album, A Rock, and how a nursery rhyme inspired his hit single "One Beer."