Music Review: Aaliayh "Are You That Somebody?"

Are You That Somebody?
Album: Dr. Dolittle soundtrack
Year: 1998

Aaliyah is looking for a down-to-earth guy in the peculiar "Are You That Somebody."

Timbaland introduces the song with a jumpy keyboard. He asks people in living in the south and on the east and west coasts if they are enjoying the beat so far. It sets an ordinary tone.

"Dirty South (uh-huh)/Can ya'll really feel me (feel us)/East coast feel me (feel us)/West coast feel me/Dirty south (say what)/Can ya'll really feel me (huh)/East coast feel me (baby girl)/West coast feel me (huh uh)/Dirty south (yeah)/Can ya'll really feel me (say what)/East coast feel me (feel us)/West coast feel me (feel us)/Dirty south (dirty dirty)/Can ya'll really feel me (yeah)/East coast feel me (baby girl)/West coast feel me (ha)."

In the first verse, Aaliyah has memorized her crush's schedule and has been following him around everywhere. She says after "accidently" meeting so many times, they will eventually have a phone conversation. Then, they will date. However, she hasn't told him she's interested in him.

"Boy/I've been watching you/Like a hawk in a sky/That flies, and/You were my prey (my prey)/Boy, I promise you/If we keep bumpin’ heads/And you know that one of these days (days)/We gon' hook it up/Probably talk from the phone/But see I don't know if that's good/I've been holdin' back/This secret from you/Probably shouldn't tell you but if I."

In the chorus, she says she's worried about him telling the tabloids he's dating her. He can't even tell his family. She asks him if he's a rational guy. She adds that she needs someone won't put in her danger. After all, she is a star. She wonders if it's her move or his. She flirts that she's the naughty kind of good girl. Then, she desperately asks if he's wants to be her boyfriend. She really needs to have a boyfriend right now. The sound of a baby cooing is heard throughout the chorus.

"If I let you know/You can't tell nobody/I'm talkin' bout nobody/Are you responsible?/Boy I gotta watch my body/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 are you that somebody."

In the second verse, she asks him to meet him at night in the park. She will be wearing a trenchcoat and a hat. She doesn't want anyone to recongnize her. She once again tells him not to say anything and to remember to pick her up. She thinks he's a good guy who isn't going to use her for her celebrity.

"Boy/Won't you pick me up at the park right now/Up the block while everyone/
Sleep, sleep, sleep/I'll be waitin' there/With my trench, my lugs, my hat/Just so Im low key/If you tell the world/Don't sleep, you know that we'llbe weak/Oh boy/See I'mm trusting you/ With my heart, my soul/I probably shouldn't let you but, if I/If I let this go."

The chorus is sung again.

In the bridge, Timbaland says that he's from Virginia and introduces himself. He adds that he's the hottest producer in the industry. He's traveling from Virgina to Japan where he has meet and greets with his fans. He says that Baby Girl is Aaliayh's nickname. He likes the way she sings. She's also a really nice person. After meeting her, people who didn't like her were her friends. Then, Aaliyah adds the last part of the chorus at the end.

"Baby girl/I'm the man from the big VA/Won't you come play 'round my wayGotta listen to what I gotta say/Timbaland/Don't you know I am the man/Rock shows from Virginia to Japan (what)/Have people shakin' shakin' my hand (what)/Baby Girl/Better known as Aaliyah/
Give me goosebumps and high fevers/Making playahaters to believers/Don't you know/Gotta tell somebody 'cause/'Cause I really need somebody (Uh huh)/Tell me are you that somebody! (say what!)"

The chorus is sung twice.

The thumping bass and the sound effect of a baby laughing and playing with a rattle has solo.

The last of the chorus ends the single.

"Is it my go, is it your go/Sometimes I'mm goody goody/Right now I'm naughty naughty/Say yes or say no/'Cause I really need somebody/Tell me are you that somebody."

Aaliyah is quite full of herself in the single. She cares more about her image than anything else. Her problem is that she treats him like a lovesick fan. However, he hasn't even taken notice of her yet. A pop star hesitant to date a normal person is insulting. Assuming that his family is going to be starstruck as well if they find out is a bit much. It's doubtful his parents even know who she is.

Timbaland can build terrific beats around unusual sounds (the operatics in Justin Timberlake's "Cry Me a River.") However, the sounds of a baby cooing is random and does not make sense in the context of the single.

Ego and unexplained weirdness sink "Are You That Somebody?"

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