Tyrone

Erykah Badu

About Tyrone

"Tyrone" is a song by singer Erykah Badu. It was released as the lead single in support of her album Live and does not feature on her debut album Baduizm. The song was recorded professionally during a Badu concert and is the version sent to radio. The song has been referenced in other media, most notably in the film Next Friday (1999), when Tyrone (Deebo's accomplice/younger sibling) is making a fake call at a restaurant. The song title is also referenced by Beyoncé in the song "Kitty Kat" off her second album B'Day and in the rap of 3LW's hit single "No More (Baby I'ma Do Right)," as well as R. Kelly in the song "When a Woman's Fed Up" from its 1998 double album R. 


Year:
1997
3:41
104 
#1

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I'ma test this out right quick on y'all
Now keep in mind I'm an artist and I'm sensitivie about my shit
So y'all be nice about it, alright
Sisters how y'all feel, brothers y'all alright
Let me see how y'all groove to this

Alright, I'm gettin' tired of your shit
You don't never buy me nothin'

See every time you come around
You got to bring Jim, James, Paul, and Tyrone

See why can't we be by ourselves, sometimes
See I've been having this on my mind for a long time
I just want it to be, you and me, like It used to be, Baby
But ya don't know how to act

So matter of fact, I think ya better call Tyrone (call him)
And Tell him come on, help you get your shit (come on, come on, come on)
You need to call Tyrone (call him)
And tell him I said come on

Now everytime I ask you for a little cash
You say no and turn right around and ask me for some ass
Oh, Well hold up, listen partna, I ain't no cheap thrill
Cause Miss Badu is always comin' for real you know the deal, nigga

Every time we go somewhere, I gotta reach down in my purse
To pay your way and your homeboys way and sometimes your cousin's way

They don't never have to pay, don't have no cars
Hang around in bars try to hang around with stars
Like Badu, I'ma tell you the truth
Showing groove or get the boot

I think ya better (call him)
And tell him come on, help you get your shit

You need to call Tyrone (call him)
Hold on but ya can't use my phone

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Erykah Badu

Erica Abi Wright (born February 26, 1971), better known by her stage name Erykah Badu /ˈɛrɨkə bɑːˈduː/, is a Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter, record producer, activist and actress. Her work includes elements from R&B, hip hop and jazz. She is best known for her role in the rise of the neo soul sub-genre, and for her eccentric, cerebral musical stylings and sense of fashion. She is known as the "First Lady of Neo-Soul" or the "Queen of Neo-Soul". more »

4 fans

Written by: ERICA WRIGHT, NORMAN HURT

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, KEY CLUB MUSIC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


23 facts about this song

Release Date
"Tyrone" was released on Erykah Badu's debut album "Baduizm" in 1997. However, the famous live version was recorded in 1999.
Song Origin
The song was actually improvised during a live concert, which is why the studio version is much less known than the live version.
Writing and Composition
Badu wrote "Tyrone" along with Norman "Keys" Hurt, and it's performed in C minor. It's arguably her most popular song.
Lyrics
The lyrics to "Tyrone" are a humorous criticism of a lover who is neglectful, cheap, and inconsiderate, in which Badu suggests that he needs to get his act together or else call "Tyrone" to help him move his stuff out.
Live Recording
The version of "Tyrone" that most people are familiar with is actually a live recording. It was recorded at the Electric Lady Studios in New York City.
Recognition
The song didn't chart on the Billboard Hot 100, but it did reach number 1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. This made Badu a household name almost overnight.
Significance
The song became an anthem for women who were dealing with less-than-perfect romantic partners. Its popularity has led to countless covers and parodies over the years.
Pop Culture Reference
The song has been referenced in popular culture many times. It was used in the movie "Next Friday", the TV show "Chappelle's Show", and was even referred to in a "Saturday Night Live" digital short.
Legacy
The phrase "Call Tyrone" has entered vernacular speech as a euphemism for a break-up. The phrase has been referenced in pop culture several times.
Live Performances
"Tyrone" remains a staple in Erykah Badu's live performances. The live version has been included in various compilation albums and soundtracks.
Music Video
Interestingly, there is no official music video for "Tyrone". Despite this, the song continues to receive frequent airplay on radio stations worldwide.
Release and Popularity
Released in November 1997, "Tyrone" became one of Erykah Badu's most famous songs, well-known worldwide for its honest and soulful delivery.
Recording
Interestingly, the version of "Tyrone" being played on the radio and released as a single is the live version recorded during her performance on the "BET's Comic View" show.
Writing
Erykah Badu co-wrote "Tyrone" together with Norman Hurt and it contains semi-autobiographical elements as well as fictional inputs.
Content
The song strongly reflects Badu's take on relationship issues. It's about a woman who is fed up with her unhelpful and leeching partner and finally asks him to call his friend Tyrone to come and help him move out.
Certification Levels
"Tyrone" played a significant part in making Erykah's "Baduizm" album certified triple platinum in the USA, and the single itself received gold certification.
Recognition
"Tyrone" quickly became an anthem for women who could relate to its story. Upon release, it dominated the rhythm and blues billboard charts.
Live Performance
Erykah Badu is known for delivering outstanding and unforgettable performances of “Tyrone” at her live concerts. It became one of her signature songs.
Influence and Impact
The song is often regarded as iconic. Its sound became influential in neo-soul music, and it continues to be covered by various artists.
Music Video
Despite its popularity, the song did not have an official music video. Nonetheless, the live performances of the song are widely enjoyed by fans around the globe.
Unconventional Composition
Most notably, “Tyrone” is unique because it was composed as a continuation of another song, ”Other Side of the Game", played during a performance. This unconventional process shows Badu's instinctive creativity.
Musical Style
The song blends soul, R&B, and a touch of jazz, creating a smooth melody that perfectly complements the storytelling and expressive lyricism of Badu.
Cultural References
Erykah Badu's “Tyrone” is often cited in popular culture, including movies, series and books as a reference to assertive women demanding respect and better treatment in relationships.

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