Be Without You Lyrics

[Intro]
I wanna be with you, gotta be with you, need to be with you
(Oh-oh, oh-oh)
I wanna be with you, gotta be with you, need to be with you
(Oh-oh, oh-oh)
Ooh (Oh-oh, oh-oh)
Ooh (Oh-oh, oh-oh)

[Verse 1]
Chemistry was crazy from the get-go
Neither one of us knew why
We didn't build nothin' overnight
'Cause a love like this takes some time
People swore it off as a phase, said we can't see that
Now from top to bottom, they see that we did that
(Yes) It's so true that
(Yes) We been through it
(Yes) We got real shit
(Yes) See, baby

[Chorus]
We've been too strong for too long
And I can't be without you, baby
And I'll be waitin' up until you get home
'Cause I can't sleep without you, baby (Oh)
Anybody who's ever loved you know just what I feel
Too hard to fake it, nothin' can replace it
Call the radio if you just can't be without your baby, yeah

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[Verse 2]
I got a question for ya (See, I already know the answer)
But still I wanna ask you, will you lie? (No)
Make me cry? (No)
Do somethin' behind my back and then try to cover it up?
Well, neither would I, baby
My love is on the up and up
(Yes) I'll be faithful
(Yes) I'm for real
(Yes) And with us you'll always know the deal

[Chorus]
We've been too strong for too long
And I can't be without you, baby (Oh)
And I'll be waitin' up until you get home
'Cause I can't sleep without you, baby (Oh, oh)
If anybody who's ever loved you know just what I feel
Too hard to fake it, nothin' can replace it
Call the radio if you just can't be without your baby, yeah

[Bridge]
See, this is real talk, I'ma always stay (No matter what)
Good or bad (Thick and thin)
Right or wrong (All day, every day, hey)
Now if you're down on love or don't believe this ain't for you
(No, this ain't for you)
And if you got it deep in your heart
And deep down you know that it's true
(Come on, come on, come on)
Well, let me see you put your hands up (Hands up)
Fellas, tell your lady she's the one
Fellas, tell your lady she's the one
Oh, put your hands up (Hands up)
Ladies, let him know he's got you locked
Look him right in his eyes and tell him

[Chorus]
We've been too strong for too long
And I can't be without you, baby
Can't be without you, baby
I'll be waitin' up until you get home
'Cause I can't sleep without you, baby
Oh, if anybody who's ever loved you know just what I feel
Too hard to fake it, nothin' can replace it
Call the radio if you just can't be without your baby

[Outro]
I wanna be with you, gotta be with you, need to be with you
I wanna be with you, gotta be with you, need to be with you
I wanna be with you, gotta be with you, need to be with you
I wanna be with you, gotta be with you, need to be with you
I wanna be with you, gotta be with you, need to be with you

Embed

About

Genius Annotation

MJB’s 2007 Grammy award-winning single off The Breakthrough for Best R&B Song.

The video, shot in NYC, depicts MJB and her partner arguing to the point where he walks out of their apartment. Alone, Mary begins to miss her partner while reminiscing over some of the good times. But don’t worry, in the end MJB’s partner comes home and the video has a happy ending :)

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What have the co-writers said about the song?

Genius Answer

Johntá Austin:

Again, Chris Higgs made a connection with her husband Kendu Isaacs at the time. I hate saying all my hits came quick, but “Be Without You” was like a 20 minute session. I don’t think [Interscope Records co-founder] Jimmy Iovine was sure about putting the record out as a single. But I remember hearing the stories about [veteran A&R] Ron Fair vouching for the record. He went in to do additional touch-ups and produced Mary’s vocals. I wasn’t in the studio with her, but I remember hearing it for the first time. When she hit that note at the end, it’s like “Woah, we got one!” It came out crazy and the rest was history! I knew it was going to be a hit, but not at the level that it went on to become. And of course, the Grammy wins [for Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance] were just icing on the cake. “Be Without You” came right on the heels as Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together” was dying down, so I’m proud of that accomplishment. That was a great one-two punch in the history of R&B."

Via Billboard

Who produced “Be Without You” by Mary J. Blige?

When did Mary J. Blige release “Be Without You”?

Who wrote “Be Without You” by Mary J. Blige?