Inspire Me

Album: I Decided (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This touching tribute to Sean's school teacher mother, Myra Anderson, celebrates the significant role she's played in his life.

    Mama you know you inspire me
    You deserve early retirement
    You text me, tell me to take my vitamins
    When I got a new love you invite 'em in
    When we break up, you don't like 'em then (no)
    Loyal, loyal, swear you super loyal
    Worth more to me than striking oil


    Sean considers his mom to be his inspiration and mentor. She appears via phone recording on I Decided's closing track, "Bigger Than Me."
  • You tried to keep me away from temptation
    Introduced me to The Temptations
    Marvin Gaye and Isley Brothers
    Dancing so hard the living room shaking


    In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Sean explained that I Decided is a concept album inspired partly by his love of Motown. "I was just at this Motown exhibit with Berry Gordy with my mom," he said. "He was talking about Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder and the Temptations and how one of the things they did was inspire people. They inspired people to have a good time, to do better — to be a better version of themselves. That really stuck with me. That's what I want to do, too."
  • Other rappers that have dedicated entire songs to their mothers include 2Pac ("Dear Mama "), Nas ("Dance"), Kanye West ("Hey Mama") and Drake ("You & The 6").

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

John Waite

John WaiteSongwriter Interviews

"Missing You" was a spontaneous outpouring of emotion triggered by a phone call. John tells that story and explains what MTV meant to his career.

Charlie Daniels

Charlie DanielsSongwriter Interviews

Charlie discusses the songs that made him a Southern Rock icon, and settles the Devil vs. Johnny argument once and for all.

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")Songwriter Interviews

A top country songwriter, Barry talks about writing hits for Little Big Town, Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean.

Director Nick Morris ("The Final Countdown")

Director Nick Morris ("The Final Countdown")Song Writing

Nick made some of the biggest videos on MTV, including "The Final Countdown," "Heaven" and "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)."

John Kay of Steppenwolf

John Kay of SteppenwolfSongwriter Interviews

Steppenwolf frontman John Kay talks about "Magic Carpet Ride," "Born To Be Wild," and what he values more than awards and accolades.

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."