Get It Together

The core meaning of "Get It Together" revolves around the themes of emotional maturity and accountability in relationships. The song posits that a successful, lasting partnership cannot be built on romantic feelings alone; it requires both individuals to be stable and self-aware. The narrative, a dialogue between a man and a woman, highlights the woman's exhaustion with past pain and her need for a reliable, loving partner. Her plea is not for grand gestures but for the consistency of "little things," signifying a desire for a love that is practical and present in everyday life.

The central, repeated line, "You need me to get that shit together, so we can get together," is a frank acknowledgment of personal shortcomings being a direct obstacle to romantic union. It moves beyond blame and becomes a statement of shared understanding: for the 'we' to exist, the 'me' and 'you' must first be in order. The song argues that true intimacy is born from this foundation of self-improvement and mutual respect. It's a modern love song that trades idealism for a more pragmatic, yet deeply romantic, vision of love as a conscious choice and a collaborative effort.

The narrative unfolds as a conversation between two lovers, each at a crossroads. The woman, voiced by Jorja Smith, begins by expressing her emotional exhaustion from past relationships. She declares she has been hurt so many times that she reached a breaking point, deciding she couldn't endure it any longer. This vulnerability leads to a clear articulation of her needs: not just a partner, but someone who will hold her, need her, and genuinely love her. She communicates that for their relationship to truly blossom, her partner needs to achieve personal stability and order—he needs to "get that shit together."

Her desires are not for dramatic, over-the-top displays of affection but for simple, profound romantic gestures. She craves the "little things" that build intimacy and affirm the connection. These small acts, she explains, are what excite her as a woman. She provides concrete examples: a kiss goodnight over the phone when he's working late or out of town. It's a call for consistent, thoughtful communication that makes her feel valued and needed. She emphasizes that they both deserve this kind of fulfilling partnership, but it's conditional on his personal growth.

Drake's perspective echoes this sentiment, acknowledging the role he must play. The recurring chorus, sung by both, becomes the song's central thesis: "You need me to get that shit together, so we can get together." This isn't an accusation but a mutual understanding. It's an admission that his lack of personal organization or emotional readiness is the primary barrier to their union. The repetition of this line underscores its importance and the cyclical nature of their conversation. The song isn't about one person's flaws, but about the shared responsibility in a relationship. It's a mature realization that a successful partnership requires two whole individuals, and the journey to that wholeness is a prerequisite for their shared future.

"Get It Together" was released on March 18, 2017, as a track on Drake's project More Life, which he described as a "playlist." The song's creation is heavily rooted in sampling. Its entire instrumental backdrop is a rework of "Superman," a 2010 jazzy house track by the acclaimed South African DJ and producer Black Coffee, featuring vocals from Bucie. Drake's production team, including producers Nineteen85 and Noah "40" Shebib, repurposed the beat for "Get It Together." The song also contains an uncredited sample of "More Life" by Nigerian artist Burna Boy.

The track features vocals from British singer Jorja Smith, who replaced the original vocals by Bucie. Initially, there were rumors and snippets suggesting that Jennifer Lopez would be featured on the track, stemming from her brief, rumored romance with Drake. However, the final version featured Smith, who also appeared on the preceding track, "Jorja Interlude." Jorja Smith recounted that she was initially hesitant to record the song because she hadn't written it and felt it didn't relate to her at the time. However, after experiencing personal relationship issues, she connected with the lyrics and agreed to be on the track, recording her part in London.

The primary metaphor in "Get It Together" is the act of "getting that shit together." This phrase serves as a powerful and direct symbol for achieving personal and emotional stability. It represents sorting out one's internal chaos, career, and emotional baggage as a necessary foundation before one can successfully merge their life with another's. It's a metaphor for self-improvement as an act of love for both oneself and a partner.

The emphasis on the "little things" acts as a symbol for a mature and grounded form of love. In contrast to the "dramatic" love affairs often depicted in music, the desire for a "kiss goodnight over the phone" symbolizes a preference for consistent, genuine intimacy over grand, infrequent gestures. This highlights a shift in priorities from the performative aspects of a relationship to its quiet, foundational moments of connection.

The emotional atmosphere of "Get It Together" is a complex blend of longing, vulnerability, and hopeful resolve. The song opens with a declaration of past hurt, establishing a tone of cautiousness and emotional weariness. Jorja Smith's smooth, soulful vocal delivery conveys a deep yearning for security and genuine love. There is a palpable tension in the lyrics; the desire to be together is strong, but it's held back by the acknowledgment that work needs to be done first.

However, the track is not melancholic. The upbeat, warm Afro House instrumental provides a hopeful and sensual backdrop, suggesting that the desired union is achievable and worth striving for. The straightforwardness of the lyrics, particularly the central hook, creates a feeling of sincerity and clarity. The overall emotional landscape is one of mature reflection—recognizing the problems but also seeing a clear, albeit challenging, path forward. It's a mix of frustration with the present state and optimism for a future together.

"Get It Together" was a standout track from Drake's highly successful 2017 playlist More Life, which debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 and broke several streaming records. The song itself received critical acclaim upon its release, with publications like Pitchfork naming it "Best New Track."

Its most significant cultural impact was its role in popularizing the South African house sound for a mainstream global audience. By sampling and featuring DJ Black Coffee, Drake shone a spotlight on the genre and the artist, contributing to Black Coffee's international recognition. Similarly, the song was a major introduction for British singer Jorja Smith to a wider audience, significantly boosting her career. The track is often cited as a prime example of Drake's ability to curate and incorporate global sounds into his music, a hallmark of his influence throughout the 2010s.

"Get It Together" is built on a steady, four-on-the-floor rhythm characteristic of house music, with a tempo of approximately 123 BPM. This consistent, danceable beat creates a hypnotic and smooth foundation that contrasts with the emotional weight of the lyrics. The interplay between the rhythmic pulse of the piano-led instrumental and the more fluid, soulful vocal melodies of Jorja Smith is a key element.

The rhyme scheme is not rigidly structured, especially within the verses, which prioritize a natural, conversational flow. The song's lyrical power comes from its directness rather than complex wordplay. The central hook, "You need me to get that shit together / So we can get together," employs a simple, perfect rhyme that makes the core message impactful and memorable. This refrain acts as both a lyrical and rhythmic anchor, its repetition driving home the song's central theme with a clear, resonant cadence.

Musically, the most significant stylistic technique is its genre fusion. The track blends the South African house sound of Black Coffee with Drake's signature R&B and hip-hop sensibilities, creating a warm, danceable, and emotionally resonant soundscape. This was notable for bringing the Afro House genre to a massive mainstream audience.

The song is structured as a conversational duet, a literary technique that presents two distinct but intertwined perspectives on the relationship. Jorja Smith's soulful, melodic verses establish the emotional premise and vulnerability, while Drake's chorus serves as the direct, accountable response. This call-and-response format makes the song's narrative feel immediate and personal.

From a production standpoint, the heavy reliance on a reworked sample as the entire instrumental bed is a key technique. Rather than building a new beat, the producers lifted Black Coffee's existing track, demonstrating Drake's curatorial approach on the More Life project, which he billed as a "playlist."

What is the meaning behind Drake's song 'Get It Together'?

The song is about the need for personal growth and emotional maturity as a foundation for a healthy relationship. It expresses that both partners must be individually stable—'get their shit together'—before they can successfully be together as a couple.

Who sings the female part on 'Get It Together' by Drake?

The female vocalist on "Get It Together" is the British singer Jorja Smith. She is also featured on the album's preceding track, "Jorja Interlude."

What song does Drake's 'Get It Together' sample?

The song is built on a direct sample of "Superman," a 2010 Afro House track by South African producer Black Coffee, featuring vocals by Bucie. It also contains an uncredited sample from Burna Boy's song "More Life."

Was Jennifer Lopez supposed to be on 'Get It Together'?

There were widespread rumors that Jennifer Lopez would be featured on the track, fueled by snippets and her rumored relationship with Drake at the time. However, the final version released on the 'More Life' playlist featured Jorja Smith instead.

What genre of music is 'Get It Together'?

The song is primarily categorized as Afro House or South African house music, blended with R&B and dancehall elements. Its sound is heavily influenced by the song it samples, Black Coffee's "Superman."

What album is 'Get It Together' from?

The song is the sixth track on Drake's 2017 project titled "More Life." Drake described the project not as a traditional album, but as a "playlist."