Music Review: Samantha Mumba & Damian Marley "I'm Right Here"

Samantha Mumba & Damian Marley

I’m Right Here

Album: N/A

Year: 2002

          Samantha Mumba now has a matured outlook on relationships in the  ardous “I’m Right Here.”

            Stuttering synths open the single, setting an insecure tone.  She had no idea what she was thinking. In her late teens and early 20s, she based her choices on looks. All her ex-boyfriends then were handsome. She figured excellent physical attraction amounted to a decent relationship. She was wrong. It helped her realize what she doesn’t want, though. Hopefully, it will draw the type of man she would like to date. (“Back in the day I did not know/What to look for in my new beau/So I would just settle for guys I should never/Even have dated but now I know better/Because I've experienced/All types of relationships/Now I know what I need/So I shall just lead/My dream guy into real life with me.”)

           In the pre-chorus, she’s trying to find a great guy who will take care of her. It’s not going to happen tomorrow. But in a year or two, she would like to be with her ideal. (“I'm lookin' for guy;To play the lead in my life/I'm sure that in due time/That I'll find my Mr. Right.”)

           In the chorus, she tells the women to make themselves available to the guys they may have overlooked before. (“ To all of the men who are out there/All the single ladies wanna know where/So put your hands up in the air/And say, "I'm right here"/To all of the men who are out there/All the single ladies wanna know where/So put your hands up in the air/And say, "I'm right here.”)

             Oh God. She sees him approach her and tries to not to make eye contact. In a designer suit and a charming grin on his face, he offers to take her to dinner. She turns her head away from, getting a huge whiff of patchouli She gives him a polite thank you and tells him she’s not interested. Five years ago, she would’ve jumped at the chance.  Now, she would like to find out where he stands on social issues and the importance of family to him. He would have to a transcedent connection with her that no one could break. He would have to know her as well as herself. (“You got a real style, beautiful smile/Wears that cologne that drives women wild/Takes more than just looks to get me shook/If he catches my mind he'll have me hooked/Want a guy with intelligence/A perfect gentleman/To be more than a lover, be more than my man/A guy who could be my best friend.”)

        The pre-chorus and chorus are sung again.

       In the bridge, she keeps a constant lookout for a suitable man. She has told her friends if they know someone, she’d be willing to go out with them. Her mom is even trying for her. (“I wanna where (I wanna where)/Could they be over there (Could they be over there)/No, they're right here (No, they're right here)/I think they're over there (Could they be over there)/Say I wanna where (Say I wanna where)/I think they're over here (I think they're over here)/I know they're here somewhere (I know they're here
somewhere)/I know there are good men out there.”)

                Damian Marley, in his rap, says he knows women like cosmetics, drugs and smoking cigarettes. It’s all women need.(“I sing a man with a fun cun job/Sing to them about lots of makeup with lots of red lots/She sum only love physical conduct, she needs a lot of makeup/Lot a six, put the leaves in your jeans and a dry on your butt/I give you lovin’ everyday/I me on off with most effects like a done/ Teredoct this sure is the part I love.”)

            The chorus is sung twice.

         A variation of the chorus ends the single. (“To all of the men who are out there /All the single ladies wanna know where/So put your hands up in the air/And say, "I'm right here"/To all of the men who are out there/All the single ladies wanna know where.”)

         Mumba’s disappointed vocals ward off desperation. She has become particular about her dating choices. Marriage and children are her priorities right now. Not any man will do. In the process, she has become competitive with other women.

        Marley’s clueless rap misses the point and he chooses to take her lyrics as an attack. He undercuts her, saying it’s just how guys are and not to expect too much.

        The cutthroat “I’m Right Here” breaks heels and toes over a man, forgetting her who she is.