With You

"With You" is a heartfelt R&B ballad that explores the theme of profound, all-encompassing romantic love. The lyrics convey a message of deep affection and devotion, where the singer's world revolves around his partner. The central idea is that true happiness and fulfillment come from the emotional connection with a loved one, rendering material possessions like money and cars insignificant. The song celebrates a love that is both personal and universal, as suggested by the recurring line, "And the hearts all over the world tonight." This phrase broadens the scope of the song from a single relationship to a shared human experience of love and connection. The lyrics emphasize admiration and exclusivity, with phrases like "You're a class all your own" and "one of a kind," highlighting the partner's unique and irreplaceable value. Ultimately, "With You" is a sincere declaration of love's power to provide a sense of completeness and purpose.

The song begins with a heartfelt admission of need and a desire to be with a significant other, a sentiment echoed by lovers all over the world. The singer addresses his partner, calling her a "stunner" and a "winner," captivated by her unique beauty and charm. He expresses immense gratitude that she is his. Whenever she speaks to him, he feels as if the entire world comes to a halt; she is his sweetheart, a one-of-a-kind person who completes him.

He goes on to articulate the deep, mutual understanding they share, believing that together, there is nothing they cannot achieve. His love for her transcends material possessions; he proclaims that if he has her, he doesn't need money or cars because she is his everything. This emotional core is reinforced in the chorus, where he confesses how deeply he is into her and that no one else could ever take her place. Every kiss and hug from her makes him fall deeper in love. He recognizes this feeling isn't unique to him, betting that people worldwide are experiencing the same profound connection with the love of their lives.

The singer declares his unwavering commitment, stating he doesn't want anyone else because, without her, there is no one. He compares his need for her to the anticipation of getting a new pair of Jordans on a Saturday—an urgent, must-have desire. He asks for her reassurance, affirming his own loyalty, honesty, and dedication to being her everything. The bridge serves as a powerful vow; he will never deny that she is his entire life, going as far as to say he would die if she ever let him go. He doesn't need anyone else or anything else; having her love is all he requires to feel complete and free. The song concludes by reiterating the central theme: his overwhelming need and love for her, a feeling he believes is a universal human experience, shared by hearts across the globe.

"With You" was recorded by American singer Chris Brown for his second studio album, Exclusive (2007). The song was written by Johntá Austin, the Norwegian production duo Espionage (Espen Lind and Amund Bjørklund), and the Norwegian production team Stargate (Mikkel S. Eriksen and Tor Erik Hermansen). Stargate also handled the production of the track. The recording took place in 2007 at Battery Studios in New York City. Mikkel S. Eriksen engineered the recording, while Phil Tan mixed the track at Soapbox Studio in Atlanta, Georgia. Espen Lind provided the distinctive acoustic guitar arrangement that forms the base of the song, while Stargate performed all other instrumentation. Chris Brown stated that the song touched him immediately upon hearing it, which made it easy for him to infuse it with his personal feelings and experiences, aiming for a track that people of all ages could identify with. It was released as the third single from the album on December 4, 2007, in the United States and internationally on March 21, 2008.

While "With You" is lyrically direct, it uses some metaphors and symbolism to enhance its emotional weight. The most significant recurring image is the idea of "hearts all over the world tonight." This line serves as a powerful symbol, elevating a personal declaration of love to a universal human experience. It suggests that the feeling of profound connection and longing is shared by countless others, creating a sense of unity and shared emotion. The comparison of needing his partner to wanting "Jordans on Saturday" is a culturally specific simile that grounds the otherwise lofty romantic ideals in a tangible, relatable desire, emphasizing urgency and anticipation. Furthermore, the lyrics' rejection of material wealth ("I don't need money, I don't need cars") in favor of his partner's love symbolizes the prioritization of emotional and spiritual fulfillment over worldly possessions, a classic theme in love ballads.

The predominant emotional tone of "With You" is one of heartfelt, joyful, and sincere love. The atmosphere is overwhelmingly positive and romantic, created through a combination of gentle instrumentation and earnest lyrical content. The acoustic guitar provides a warm and intimate foundation, while Chris Brown's smooth vocal performance conveys tenderness and vulnerability. Lyrically, the song builds an emotional landscape of pure devotion, with lines like "you are my whole life" and "you make me fall in love" expressing a deep sense of happiness and completeness. There is also a strong sense of longing and need, particularly in the intro and pre-chorus, but it is a hopeful longing that is secure in the knowledge of mutual love. The song maintains this consistent emotional tone throughout, creating a soothing and uplifting listening experience.

"With You" was a massive commercial success and became one of Chris Brown's signature songs. It peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, where it remained for six non-consecutive weeks, and topped the US Pop Songs chart. The song also achieved significant international success, reaching number one in New Zealand and peaking within the top ten in numerous countries, including Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It has been certified Sextuple Platinum by the RIAA in the US and Quadruple Platinum in Australia. The song's music video, co-directed by Brown himself, highlighted his dancing abilities and won "Best Male Video" at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards. The lyrics to "With You" were the most searched-for song lyrics on Google in 2008, underscoring its immense popularity and cultural resonance at the time. The song solidified Brown's status as a leading R&B artist and remains a staple of late 2000s pop and R&B radio.

The song's rhythm is a mid-tempo R&B groove with a tempo of approximately 86 beats per minute (BPM). It's set in a 4/4 time signature, which provides a steady and danceable, yet relaxed, pace. The rhythmic structure is driven by a characteristic hip-hop influenced beat layered over a gentle acoustic guitar melody. This creates a soft, swaying feel that complements the romantic lyrics. The rhyme scheme is generally simple and follows a pattern that enhances its melodic flow, often using couplets (AABB) within its verses, such as "stunner/winner" and "yours/own." The chorus employs a more complex but still catchy rhyme structure. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical beat is smooth, with Brown's vocal phrasing often syncopated against the main beat, adding to the song's contemporary R&B feel.

"With You" employs a blend of musical and literary techniques to create its gentle and heartfelt atmosphere. Musically, the song is an R&B ballad built upon a simple, memorable acoustic guitar riff, a signature of its producers, Stargate. This acoustic foundation, combined with a stuttering hip-hop drum beat, creates a modern yet timeless feel that drew comparisons to other Stargate productions like Beyoncé's "Irreplaceable". Chris Brown's vocal delivery is smooth and sincere, showcasing his range from E♭4 to B♭5, which adds to the song's emotional honesty. Lyrically, the song uses direct address ("Hey! Little mama, Ooh, you're a stunner") to create a sense of intimacy and personal connection with the subject. The repetition of the hook "I need you, boo" and the chorus acts as an effective literary device to reinforce the song's central theme of devotion. The use of colloquialisms like "boo" and the "Jordans on Saturday" simile make the romantic message feel contemporary and grounded.

What is the song 'With You' by Chris Brown about?

The song 'With You' is a romantic R&B ballad about a deep and all-consuming love for a partner. It expresses the idea that this emotional connection is more valuable than any material possessions, like money or cars, and that this person is their 'everything.'

Who wrote and produced 'With You' for Chris Brown?

The song was written by Johntá Austin, Espionage (Espen Lind, Amund Bjørklund), and Stargate (Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen). Stargate also produced the track.

When was 'With You' by Chris Brown released?

'With You' was released as a single in the United States on December 4, 2007. It was part of Chris Brown's second studio album, 'Exclusive,' which came out in November 2007.

What genre of music is 'With You'?

'With You' is primarily categorized as an R&B ballad, with strong elements of Pop music. Its use of acoustic guitar also gives it a slightly folksy feel.

How did Chris Brown's song 'With You' perform on the charts?

The song was a major commercial success, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the U.S. and reaching number one in New Zealand. It also ranked in the top ten in several other countries, including Canada, Australia, and the UK.

What is the meaning of 'boo' in the lyrics 'I need you, boo'?

In the context of the song, 'boo' is a term of endearment, similar to 'baby' or 'sweetheart.' It's an affectionate slang term used to refer to a romantic partner, popular in American vernacular.

What award did the music video for 'With You' win?

The music video for 'With You,' which was co-directed by Chris Brown, won the award for 'Best Male Video' at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards.