Somethin' 4 Da Honeyz

Album: This Is How We Do It (1995)
Charted: 15 21
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Somethin' 4 Da Honeyz" is the follow-up to Montell Jordan's first single, "This Is How We Do It," one of the biggest songs of the '90s. "Honeyz" was considered for his first single but cooler heads prevailed. The song was a modest hit, reaching #21 in the US in August 1995, two months after "This Is How We Do It" ended a seven-week run at the top. Jordan had a handful of other hits in the '90s as well, including "Let's Ride" (#2, 1998) and "Get It On Tonite" (#4, 1999).
  • Jordan doesn't care what the guys think of this song because it's for the ladies. He spends a lot of the song explaining his seduction technique: He plays the piano, waits for some honeys to arrive, then brings them to a party where they all kick it. The girls are expected to bring their friends - even the ugly ones are allowed.

    Unlike the club jam "This Is How We Do It," "Somethin' 4 Da Honeyz" is more smooth R&B. Jordan, who was signed to Def Jam records, had a unique way of intertwining his singing style with hip-hop elements, and he often put rap interludes in his songs, as he did here.
  • The groove is sampled from "Summer Madness," a 1974 track by Kool & the Gang. It's the same sample used in "Summertime" by DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince.
  • Jordan wrote this song with the track's producer, Doug Rasheed, and with his longtime collaborator, Oji Pearce. The writers of "Summer Madness" are also credited because of the sample.

    Jordan mentions Pearce in the "This Is How We Do It" bridge: "You and Oji are gonna make some cash." Pearce, who also worked with Coolio, died in 2006 at 46 from a lung disease.
  • Thanks to Salt-N-Pepa, the word shoop had entered the lexicon by this point, and Jordan used in in this song:

    Fat or skinny she likes to shoop
    With Montell and the SL Coup

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Spooner Oldham

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."

Hawksley Workman

Hawksley WorkmanSongwriter Interviews

One of Canada's most popular and eclectic performers, Hawksley tells stories about his oldest songs, his plentiful side projects, and the ways that he keeps his songwriting fresh.

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo Lyric

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo LyricMusic Quiz

In this quiz, spot the artist who put Romeo into a song lyric.

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.

Stan Ridgway

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.