What You Got

Album: Colby O (2008)
Charted: 14
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Latino Colby O'Donis has been recording music since the age of 9.
  • This features O'Donis music mentor Akon, who also produced the track and appears in its video. In an interview with djbooth.net O'Donis discussed working with Akon: "It's crazy because, for one, with 'What You Got,' the song, we actually did that on a studio bus in Canada. It was on a bus, we were on the road, we were on the highway when we made 'What You Got.' He did it in ten minutes, the whole song. Like, literally, he made it so fast I was like, 'Wow...' He knocked it out like that. Akon calls me his little prodigy, his secret weapon prodigy, he likes to call me that all the time. He actually teaches me a lot."
  • O'Donis told Reload magazine about the song's meaning: "Its pretty much about a girl that got the world handed to her, and she keeps talking about it and I'm like you don't have to keep talking about it because you are so fly that we already see."
  • Djbooth.net asked O'Donis whether any particular woman inspired this song. The New York born singer replied: "Pretty much on the record, it can be generalized. I think everyone has experienced someone like that, that has everything, but wants more, and keeps talking about everything they got. 'Cause pretty much the song is about, like you said, that one girl that has everything - pretty much the world is handed to her. And the thing is, she keeps talkin' about it to everybody, 'Oh, I got this, and I'm wearing Gucci shoes, I got this Gucci purse,' and it's all in plain sight, we can all see it. So, pretty much, it could be generalized for guys and girls, because everyone knows someone that's always talkin' about what they got. I think that's why everyone loves it so much, because everyone can pretty much relate to it. But it's pretty much like it could be prioritized in that way."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

The Girl in That Song

The Girl in That SongFact or Fiction

Billie Jean, Delilah, Sara, Laura and Sharona - do you know who the girls in the songs really are?

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & Tears

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & TearsSongwriter Interviews

The longtime BS&T frontman tells the "Spinning Wheel" story, including the line he got from Joni Mitchell.

Christmas Songs

Christmas SongsFact or Fiction

Rudolf, Bob Dylan and the Singing Dogs all show up in this Fact or Fiction for seasonal favorites.

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Gary Numan

Gary NumanSongwriter Interviews

An Electronic music pioneer with Asperger's Syndrome. This could be interesting.