Description
“Are You That Somebody?” by Aaliyah is one of the most innovative R&B and pop songs of the late 1990s. Released on May 26, 1998, the song appeared on the soundtrack for the film Dr. Dolittle and was issued through Blackground Records and Atlantic Records. It was written by Stephen “Static Major” Garrett and Timothy “Timbaland” Mosley, with Timbaland also producing the track and performing a guest rap.
Musically, “Are You That Somebody?” blends R&B, pop, avant-funk, soul, and hip-hop influences. Instead of relying on a traditional band arrangement, the song is built around Timbaland’s experimental production style: staccato guitar sounds, beatboxing, drum programming, drum-and-bass-inspired rhythms, off-beat percussion, baby sound effects, and Aaliyah’s smooth lead vocals. The track is also described as having a neotango rhythm, giving it a mysterious, syncopated movement.
The main musical elements of the song include Aaliyah’s lead vocal, Timbaland’s guest rap and ad-libs, programmed drums, guitar riffs, beatbox textures, and the famous baby laugh sample. According to the article, the song is composed in F major, set in common time, and moves at a slow tempo of around 66 beats per minute, while Aaliyah’s vocal range spans from F♯3 to B♭4.
Lyrically, “Are You That Somebody?” is about a secret romantic relationship. Aaliyah sings from the perspective of someone who wants intimacy, but also needs discretion because of her celebrity status. The lyrics create a playful but cautious mood, asking whether the other person can be trusted enough to keep the relationship private.
One of the biggest curiosities about the song is its famous baby sound. Timbaland added a sample of a baby crying and laughing, taken from Jac Holzman’s 1964 sound-effects track “Happy Baby” from Authentic Sound Effects Volume 8. At first, Timbaland was unsure whether the sound would work in the beat, but after discussing it with Aaliyah, he kept it in the final production.
Another interesting detail is that Timbaland said the beat was partly inspired by the “Oompa Loompa” rhythm from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. He wanted to reinterpret that rhythm in a hip-hop way, which helps explain the song’s unusual bounce and playful, futuristic feel.
The recording process was also unusually fast and intense. “Are You That Somebody?” was recorded at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, and engineer Jimmy Douglass described the session as a complete “soup-to-nuts” session, meaning the full song was recorded and mixed in one sitting. The team reportedly worked from 11:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m., with the baby noises and Timbaland’s ad-libs added near the end.
Commercially, the song became a major success despite an unusual chart situation in the United States. It was not initially released as a retail single, so it depended heavily on radio airplay. After Billboard changed its rules to allow airplay-only songs onto the Hot 100, “Are You That Somebody?” peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also reached No. 1 in New Zealand, No. 3 in the Netherlands, and No. 11 in both Canada and the United Kingdom.
The song’s music video, directed by Mark Gerard, became another important part of its legacy. Originally, Hype Williams was expected to direct the video, but Gerard took over after Williams left the project. The video was filmed in a cave at Griffith Park in Los Angeles, the same cave used as the Batcave in the 1966 Batman television series. It features Aaliyah dancing with a group of performers, clips from Dr. Dolittle, an appearance by the group Playa, and a memorable final flamenco-inspired dance sequence.
“Are You That Somebody?” received major award recognition. Aaliyah earned a Grammy nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, while the video received nominations at the MTV Video Music Awards and the NAACP Image Awards. Over time, the song has been praised as one of the greatest and most forward-thinking R&B records of the 1990s.
Lyrics
Dirty South, can y'all really feel me?
East coast feel me?
West Coast feel me?
Boy, I've been watchin you
Like a hawk in the sky at night
'Cause you are my prey (my prey)
Boy, I promise you if we keep bumpin heads
I know that one of these days (days)
We gon hook it up while we talk on the phone
But see, I don't know if that's good
I been holdin back this secret from you
I probably shouldn't tell it but
If I, If I let you know you can't tell nobody
I'm talkin bout nobody
Are you responsible
Boy I gotta watch my body
'Cause I'm not just anybody
Is it my go, is it your go
Sometimes I'm goody-goody
Right now I'm naughty-naughty
Say yes or say no
'Cause I really need somebody
Tell me your that somebody
Boy, won't you pick me up at the park right now
Up the block while everyone sleeps (sleeps sleeps)
I'll be waitin there with my dukes, my locs, my hat
Just so I'm low key
If you tell the world
(Don't sleep, you know that we'll be weak)
Oh boy, see I'm trusting you with my heart
My soul I probably shouldn't let ya but
If I If I let this go
You can't tell nobody
I'm talkin bout nobody
I hope your responsible
Boy gotta watch my body
'Cause I'm not just anybody
Is it my go, is it your go
Sometimes I'm goody-goody
Right now I'm naughty-naughty
Say yes or say no
'Cause I really need somebody
Tell me your that somebody
Baby girl
I'm the man from the big VA
Won't you come play round my way
And listen to what I gotta say
Timbaland don't you know I'm the man
Rock shows here to Japan
Have people shaking-shaking my hand
Baby girl, better known as Aaliyah
Give me hives, corns, and high fevers
Make the playa haters believe
Don't cha know gotta tell somebody cause
'Cause I really need somebody
Tell me your that somebody
If I let this go
You can't tell nobody
I'm talking about nobody
Are you responsible
Boy I gotta watch my body
'Cause I'm not just anybody
Is it my go is it your go
Sometimes I'm goody-goody
Right now I'm naughty-naughty
Say yes or say no
'Cause I really need somebody
Tell me your that somebody
You can't tell nobody
I'm talking about nobody
I hope your responsible
Boy I gotta watch my body
'Cause I'm not just anybody
Is it my go is it your go
Sometimes I'm goody-goody
Right now I'm naughty-naughty
Say yes or say no
'Cause I really need somebody
Tell me your that somebody
Is it my go is it your go
Sometimes I'm goody-goody
Right now I'm naughty-naughty
'Cause I really need somebody
Tell me your that somebody
You can't tell nobody
I'm talking about nobody
Youtube video
Songs links
Specification
“Are You That Somebody?” by Aaliyah is one of the most innovative R&B and pop songs of the late 1990s. Released on May 26, 1998, the song appeared on the soundtrack for the film Dr. Dolittle and was issued through Blackground Records and Atlantic Records. It was written by Stephen “Static Major” Garrett and Timothy “Timbaland” Mosley, with Timbaland also producing the track and performing a guest rap.
Musically, “Are You That Somebody?” blends R&B, pop, avant-funk, soul, and hip-hop influences. Instead of relying on a traditional band arrangement, the song is built around Timbaland’s experimental production style: staccato guitar sounds, beatboxing, drum programming, drum-and-bass-inspired rhythms, off-beat percussion, baby sound effects, and Aaliyah’s smooth lead vocals. The track is also described as having a neotango rhythm, giving it a mysterious, syncopated movement.
The main musical elements of the song include Aaliyah’s lead vocal, Timbaland’s guest rap and ad-libs, programmed drums, guitar riffs, beatbox textures, and the famous baby laugh sample. According to the article, the song is composed in F major, set in common time, and moves at a slow tempo of around 66 beats per minute, while Aaliyah’s vocal range spans from F♯3 to B♭4.
Lyrically, “Are You That Somebody?” is about a secret romantic relationship. Aaliyah sings from the perspective of someone who wants intimacy, but also needs discretion because of her celebrity status. The lyrics create a playful but cautious mood, asking whether the other person can be trusted enough to keep the relationship private.
One of the biggest curiosities about the song is its famous baby sound. Timbaland added a sample of a baby crying and laughing, taken from Jac Holzman’s 1964 sound-effects track “Happy Baby” from Authentic Sound Effects Volume 8. At first, Timbaland was unsure whether the sound would work in the beat, but after discussing it with Aaliyah, he kept it in the final production.
Another interesting detail is that Timbaland said the beat was partly inspired by the “Oompa Loompa” rhythm from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. He wanted to reinterpret that rhythm in a hip-hop way, which helps explain the song’s unusual bounce and playful, futuristic feel.
The recording process was also unusually fast and intense. “Are You That Somebody?” was recorded at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, and engineer Jimmy Douglass described the session as a complete “soup-to-nuts” session, meaning the full song was recorded and mixed in one sitting. The team reportedly worked from 11:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m., with the baby noises and Timbaland’s ad-libs added near the end.
Commercially, the song became a major success despite an unusual chart situation in the United States. It was not initially released as a retail single, so it depended heavily on radio airplay. After Billboard changed its rules to allow airplay-only songs onto the Hot 100, “Are You That Somebody?” peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also reached No. 1 in New Zealand, No. 3 in the Netherlands, and No. 11 in both Canada and the United Kingdom.
The song’s music video, directed by Mark Gerard, became another important part of its legacy. Originally, Hype Williams was expected to direct the video, but Gerard took over after Williams left the project. The video was filmed in a cave at Griffith Park in Los Angeles, the same cave used as the Batcave in the 1966 Batman television series. It features Aaliyah dancing with a group of performers, clips from Dr. Dolittle, an appearance by the group Playa, and a memorable final flamenco-inspired dance sequence.
“Are You That Somebody?” received major award recognition. Aaliyah earned a Grammy nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, while the video received nominations at the MTV Video Music Awards and the NAACP Image Awards. Over time, the song has been praised as one of the greatest and most forward-thinking R&B records of the 1990s.
Specification
“Are You That Somebody?” by Aaliyah is one of the most innovative R&B and pop songs of the late 1990s. Released on May 26, 1998, the song appeared on the soundtrack for the film Dr. Dolittle and was issued through Blackground Records and Atlantic Records. It was written by Stephen “Static Major” Garrett and Timothy “Timbaland” Mosley, with Timbaland also producing the track and performing a guest rap.
Musically, “Are You That Somebody?” blends R&B, pop, avant-funk, soul, and hip-hop influences. Instead of relying on a traditional band arrangement, the song is built around Timbaland’s experimental production style: staccato guitar sounds, beatboxing, drum programming, drum-and-bass-inspired rhythms, off-beat percussion, baby sound effects, and Aaliyah’s smooth lead vocals. The track is also described as having a neotango rhythm, giving it a mysterious, syncopated movement.
The main musical elements of the song include Aaliyah’s lead vocal, Timbaland’s guest rap and ad-libs, programmed drums, guitar riffs, beatbox textures, and the famous baby laugh sample. According to the article, the song is composed in F major, set in common time, and moves at a slow tempo of around 66 beats per minute, while Aaliyah’s vocal range spans from F♯3 to B♭4.
Lyrically, “Are You That Somebody?” is about a secret romantic relationship. Aaliyah sings from the perspective of someone who wants intimacy, but also needs discretion because of her celebrity status. The lyrics create a playful but cautious mood, asking whether the other person can be trusted enough to keep the relationship private.
One of the biggest curiosities about the song is its famous baby sound. Timbaland added a sample of a baby crying and laughing, taken from Jac Holzman’s 1964 sound-effects track “Happy Baby” from Authentic Sound Effects Volume 8. At first, Timbaland was unsure whether the sound would work in the beat, but after discussing it with Aaliyah, he kept it in the final production.
Another interesting detail is that Timbaland said the beat was partly inspired by the “Oompa Loompa” rhythm from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. He wanted to reinterpret that rhythm in a hip-hop way, which helps explain the song’s unusual bounce and playful, futuristic feel.
The recording process was also unusually fast and intense. “Are You That Somebody?” was recorded at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, and engineer Jimmy Douglass described the session as a complete “soup-to-nuts” session, meaning the full song was recorded and mixed in one sitting. The team reportedly worked from 11:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m., with the baby noises and Timbaland’s ad-libs added near the end.
Commercially, the song became a major success despite an unusual chart situation in the United States. It was not initially released as a retail single, so it depended heavily on radio airplay. After Billboard changed its rules to allow airplay-only songs onto the Hot 100, “Are You That Somebody?” peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also reached No. 1 in New Zealand, No. 3 in the Netherlands, and No. 11 in both Canada and the United Kingdom.
The song’s music video, directed by Mark Gerard, became another important part of its legacy. Originally, Hype Williams was expected to direct the video, but Gerard took over after Williams left the project. The video was filmed in a cave at Griffith Park in Los Angeles, the same cave used as the Batcave in the 1966 Batman television series. It features Aaliyah dancing with a group of performers, clips from Dr. Dolittle, an appearance by the group Playa, and a memorable final flamenco-inspired dance sequence.
“Are You That Somebody?” received major award recognition. Aaliyah earned a Grammy nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, while the video received nominations at the MTV Video Music Awards and the NAACP Image Awards. Over time, the song has been praised as one of the greatest and most forward-thinking R&B records of the 1990s.
Specification
“Are You That Somebody?” by Aaliyah is one of the most innovative R&B and pop songs of the late 1990s. Released on May 26, 1998, the song appeared on the soundtrack for the film Dr. Dolittle and was issued through Blackground Records and Atlantic Records. It was written by Stephen “Static Major” Garrett and Timothy “Timbaland” Mosley, with Timbaland also producing the track and performing a guest rap.
Musically, “Are You That Somebody?” blends R&B, pop, avant-funk, soul, and hip-hop influences. Instead of relying on a traditional band arrangement, the song is built around Timbaland’s experimental production style: staccato guitar sounds, beatboxing, drum programming, drum-and-bass-inspired rhythms, off-beat percussion, baby sound effects, and Aaliyah’s smooth lead vocals. The track is also described as having a neotango rhythm, giving it a mysterious, syncopated movement.
The main musical elements of the song include Aaliyah’s lead vocal, Timbaland’s guest rap and ad-libs, programmed drums, guitar riffs, beatbox textures, and the famous baby laugh sample. According to the article, the song is composed in F major, set in common time, and moves at a slow tempo of around 66 beats per minute, while Aaliyah’s vocal range spans from F♯3 to B♭4.
Lyrically, “Are You That Somebody?” is about a secret romantic relationship. Aaliyah sings from the perspective of someone who wants intimacy, but also needs discretion because of her celebrity status. The lyrics create a playful but cautious mood, asking whether the other person can be trusted enough to keep the relationship private.
One of the biggest curiosities about the song is its famous baby sound. Timbaland added a sample of a baby crying and laughing, taken from Jac Holzman’s 1964 sound-effects track “Happy Baby” from Authentic Sound Effects Volume 8. At first, Timbaland was unsure whether the sound would work in the beat, but after discussing it with Aaliyah, he kept it in the final production.
Another interesting detail is that Timbaland said the beat was partly inspired by the “Oompa Loompa” rhythm from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. He wanted to reinterpret that rhythm in a hip-hop way, which helps explain the song’s unusual bounce and playful, futuristic feel.
The recording process was also unusually fast and intense. “Are You That Somebody?” was recorded at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, and engineer Jimmy Douglass described the session as a complete “soup-to-nuts” session, meaning the full song was recorded and mixed in one sitting. The team reportedly worked from 11:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m., with the baby noises and Timbaland’s ad-libs added near the end.
Commercially, the song became a major success despite an unusual chart situation in the United States. It was not initially released as a retail single, so it depended heavily on radio airplay. After Billboard changed its rules to allow airplay-only songs onto the Hot 100, “Are You That Somebody?” peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also reached No. 1 in New Zealand, No. 3 in the Netherlands, and No. 11 in both Canada and the United Kingdom.
The song’s music video, directed by Mark Gerard, became another important part of its legacy. Originally, Hype Williams was expected to direct the video, but Gerard took over after Williams left the project. The video was filmed in a cave at Griffith Park in Los Angeles, the same cave used as the Batcave in the 1966 Batman television series. It features Aaliyah dancing with a group of performers, clips from Dr. Dolittle, an appearance by the group Playa, and a memorable final flamenco-inspired dance sequence.
“Are You That Somebody?” received major award recognition. Aaliyah earned a Grammy nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, while the video received nominations at the MTV Video Music Awards and the NAACP Image Awards. Over time, the song has been praised as one of the greatest and most forward-thinking R&B records of the 1990s.
