Cell U Lar Device

Album: But U Cain't Use My Phone (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In early October 2015, Erykah Badu released a remix to Drake's single "Hotline Bling," which she originally recorded for her tour manager, Big Mike's, birthday. Inspired, she recorded a whole mixtape based around the song's telephone concept titled But You Caint Use My Phone (a play on her 1997 hit "Tyrone"). This is the original remix she recorded, now with the new title, "Cell U Lar Device."

    Badu recalled the story of the mixtape to Abu Dhabi Media's The National: "I first did a remake of Drake's Hotline Bling, because I thought it was an awesome song. I actually did it for Big Mike's birthday. Big Mike's my tour manager. That's his favourite song, as well as a lot of other people's, too. And it came out good. And I just stayed in that studio, in the bedroom, and I just kept writing songs, making songs. And about ten days later, I had this mixtape."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Donny Osmond

Donny OsmondSongwriter Interviews

Donny Osmond talks about his biggest hits, his Vegas show, and the fan who taught him to take "Puppy Love" seriously.

Carl Sturken

Carl SturkenSongwriter Interviews

Hitmaker Carl Sturken on writing and producing for Rihanna, 'N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Donny Osmond, Shakira and Karyn White.

American Hits With Foreign Titles

American Hits With Foreign TitlesSong Writing

What are the biggest US hits with French, Spanish (not "Rico Suave"), Italian, Scottish, Greek, and Japanese titles?

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

The Police

The PoliceFact or Fiction

Do their first three albums have French titles? Is "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" really meaningless? See if you can tell in this Fact or Fiction.