Just a Friend

Biz Markie

About Just a Friend

"Just a Friend" is a song written, produced and performed by American hip hop artist Biz Markie. It was released in September 1989 as the lead single from his album, The Biz Never Sleeps. It is Markie's most successful single, reaching #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1990. The song interpolates the 1968 song "(You) Got What I Need" recorded by Freddie Scott, whose basic chord and melody provided the base for the song's chorus and made it famous. Markie's lyrics describe romantic frustration after pursuing a woman who is actually romantically involved with another man who she falsely claims is "just a friend. " Due to the widespread popularity of the song along with its acclaim and its influence on pop culture (and Markie's failure to have another charting Hot 100 song), Biz was classified by VH1 as a one-hit wonder, and "Just a Friend" was ranked 81st on VH1's 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders in 2000, and later as number 100 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop in 2008. Karma, a staff record producer for Cold Chillin' Records, told Vibe magazine in 2005 that he produced the single, but never received credit. The single was certified platinum on April 12, 1990. 


Year:
1997
4:03
166 
#3

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Have you ever met a girl that you tried to date
But a year to make love she wanted you to wait
Let me tell ya a story of my situation
I was talkin' to this girl from the U.S. nation
The way that I met her was on tour at a concert
She had long hair and a short miniskirt
I just got onstage drippin', pourin' with sweat
I was walkin' through the crowd and gues who I met
I whispered in her ear, come to the picture booth
So I can ask you some questions to see if you are a hundred proof
I asked her her name, she said blah-blah-blah
She had 9/10 pants and a very big bra
I took a couple of flicks and she was enthused
I said, how do you like the show?
She said, "I was very amused"
I started throwin' bass, she started throwin' back mid-range
But when I sprung the question, she acted kind of strange
Then when I asked, do ya have a man, she tried to pretend
She said, "no I don't, I only have a friend"
Come on, I'm not even goin' for it
This is what I'm goin' sing

You, you got what I need but you say he's just a friend
And you say he's just a friend, oh baby
You, you got what I need but you say he's just a friend
But you say he's just a friend, oh baby
You, you got what I need but you say he's just a friend
But you say he's just a friend

So I took blah-blah's word for it at this time
I thought just havin' a friend couldn't be no crime
'Cause I have friends and that's a fact
Like Agnes, Agatha, Germaine, and Jacq
Forget about that, let's go into the story
About a girl named blah-blah-blah that adored me
So we started talkin', getttin' familiar
Spendin' a lot of time so we can build up
A relationship or some understanding
How it's gonna be in the future we was plannin'
Everything sounded so dandy and sweet
I had no idea I was in for a treat
After this was established, everything was cool
The tour was over and she went back to school
I called every day to see how she was doin'
Every time that I called her it seemed somethin' was brewin'
I called her on my dime, picked up, and then I called again
I said, yo, who was that? Oh, he's just a friend
Don't gimme that, don't ever gimme that
Jus' bust this

You, you got what I need but you say he's just a friend
And you say he's just a friend, oh baby
You, you got what I need but you say he's just a friend
But you say he's just a friend, oh baby
You, you got what I need but you say he's just a friend
But you say he's just a friend

So I came to her college on a surprise visit
To see my girl that was so exquisite
It was a school day, I knew she was there
The first semester of the school year
I went to a gate to ask where was her dorm
This guy made me fill out a visitor's form
He told me where it was and I as on my way
To see my baby doll, I was happy to say
I arrived in front of the dormitory
Yo, could you tell me where is door three?
They showed me where it was for the moment
I didn't know I was in for such an event
So I came to her room and opened the door
Oh, snap! Guess what I saw?
A fella tongue-kissin' my girl in the mouth,
I was so in shock my heart went down south
So please listen to the message that I say
Don't ever talk to a girl who says she just has a friend

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Biz Markie

Marcel Theo Hall (born April 8, 1964,Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey) better known by his stage name, Biz Markie, is an American rapper, beatboxer, DJ, comedian, singer, reality television personality, and commercial spokesperson. He is best known for his single "Just a Friend", an American Top 10 hit in 1989. In 2008, "Just a Friend" made #100 on VH1's list of the 100 greatest hip hop songs of all time. more »

0 fans

Written by: Marcel Theo Hall

Lyrics © CAK MUSIC PUBLISHING, INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


15 facts about this song

Release Date
"Just a Friend" by Biz Markie was released in September 1989.
Album Attribution
The song is included as a track on Markie's second studio album, "The Biz Never Sleeps.”
Chart Performance
It peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States, making it the rapper’s highest-charting single.
Music Video
The music video for "Just a Friend" is known for its distinctive scenes featuring Biz Markie wearing a powdered wig, playing a piano and singing off-key.
Bootstrap Story
Markie wrote "Just a Friend" based on his personal experiences when a woman he was interested in romantically told him they could be just friends.
Collaborations
The song has been sampled and interpolated by numerous artists, such as Ghostface Killah, Mario, and Austin Mahone.
Song's Legacy
In 2008, the enduring popularity of "Just a Friend" led it to be ranked at number 100 on VH1's list of the 100 Greatest Hip Hop Songs.
Shout-Outs
Rolling Stone Magazine mentioned "Just a Friend" as one of the greatest one-hit wonders of all time.
Pitch-Perfect Appearance
The song was also featured prominently in the 2009 hit movie "The Hangover."
Memorable Lyrics
Known for its repetitive theme and catchy chorus, "Oh baby, you, you got what I need. But you say he's just a friend..."
Song's Uplifting Tone
Despite its themes of unrequited love and friend-zoning, "Just a Friend" has a light and almost cheerful tone that has made it a fan-favorite.
Grammy
It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance, but lost to Young MC's "Bust A Move."
Global Recognition
The song's fame wasn't just limited to the U.S., it reached number 24 in the UK Singles Chart in April 1990.
Song's Structure
"Just a Friend" features Markie alternately rapping and singing, giving the song its unique and enjoyable flavor.
Sample Origin
The song includes a sample of the 1968 song "You Got What I Need" recorded by Freddie Scott.

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    Just a Friend

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1990

    Billboard #9


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