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Track List
01) Are You That Somebody?
02) Are You That Somebody? (instrumental)
03) Are You That Somebody? (a cappella)
01) Are You That Somebody?
02) Are You That Somebody? (instrumental)
03) Are You That Somebody? (a cappella)
4:27
4:28
4:27
Data Complete
60%
Total Rating
60%Total Rating
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Back Cover
CD Art
3D Case
3D Thumb
3D Flat
3D Face
3D Spine
First Released
1998
R&B
Good Natured
Urban/R&B
---
Medium
Single
0 copies
Album Description
Available in:
"Are You That Somebody?" is a song recorded by American singer Aaliyah for the Dr. Dolittle soundtrack (1998). It was co-written and composed by Static Major–who also sang backing vocals–and Timbaland, who, in addition to writing the song, produced it and performed a guest rap. The song was sent to urban contemporary radio stations in the United States on May 26, 1998.
"Are You That Somebody?" was a commercial success, reaching number 21 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number 11 in the United Kingdom, number three in the Netherlands, and number one in New Zealand. Critically acclaimed, the song earned Aaliyah a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.
Recording and production
According to a Static Major in an interview for Vibe, when Timbaland first presented the song to Aaliyah, she initially showed disdain for it. However, she eventually agreed to record it. In a behind-the-scenes video featuring Timbaland, he reveals that the song was recorded in a couple of hours after a show and that it was almost scrapped.
"Are You That Somebody?" was recorded at the Capitol Studios in Los Angeles and, according to engineer Jimmy Douglass, the recording session for the song was "a soup-to-nuts session", meaning that the entire song was recorded and mixed in one session. The group worked on the song from 11:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. and the last portions that were added to the song were the baby noises and Timbaland's ad-libs.
Music and lyrics
Musically, "Are You That Somebody?" is an R&B, pop, and avant-funk song. Journalist Larry Flick from Billboard, felt that Aaliyah had returned to her Funk/Hip hop roots on the record. In addition, the song also has a Neotango rhythm with Aaliyah displaying "coy vocals". Its production features a variety of sounds, such as frenetic staccato guitars, beatboxing, and drum and bass courtesy of drum programming. Flick described the guitar riff as, "jiggly", and that it gives "the track the feel good vibe of a '70s-era throw down". Other sounds that are utilized within the instrumental is a sample of a baby crying and laughing, taken from producer Jac Holzman's 1964 track "Happy Baby" from Authentic Sound Effects Volume 8. On “Are You That Somebody?” Aaliyah has a "no-nonsense delivery, along with popping syncopation, a playfully funky bassline and that brilliantly bizarre baby chirp".
Lyrically, "Are You That Somebody?" is about "a late-night rendezvous with a special someone that needed to be kept on the hush". On the song, Aaliyah issues a "will you still love me tomorrow sentiment". Her, "sweet but street" persona is in full effect, as she declares: "Sometimes I'm goody-goody / Right now I'm naughty naughty." There's also a sense of longing in the appearance of the song's title ("'Cause I really need somebody / Tell me are you that somebody") and in the way Aaliyah performed it, stretching out the syllables to the point of desperation and then keeping up with the beat with "hurried, jumbled phrasings".
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Available in:
"Are You That Somebody?" is a song recorded by American singer Aaliyah for the Dr. Dolittle soundtrack (1998). It was co-written and composed by Static Major–who also sang backing vocals–and Timbaland, who, in addition to writing the song, produced it and performed a guest rap. The song was sent to urban contemporary radio stations in the United States on May 26, 1998.
"Are You That Somebody?" was a commercial success, reaching number 21 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number 11 in the United Kingdom, number three in the Netherlands, and number one in New Zealand. Critically acclaimed, the song earned Aaliyah a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.
Recording and production
According to a Static Major in an interview for Vibe, when Timbaland first presented the song to Aaliyah, she initially showed disdain for it. However, she eventually agreed to record it. In a behind-the-scenes video featuring Timbaland, he reveals that the song was recorded in a couple of hours after a show and that it was almost scrapped.
"Are You That Somebody?" was recorded at the Capitol Studios in Los Angeles and, according to engineer Jimmy Douglass, the recording session for the song was "a soup-to-nuts session", meaning that the entire song was recorded and mixed in one session. The group worked on the song from 11:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. and the last portions that were added to the song were the baby noises and Timbaland's ad-libs.
Music and lyrics
Musically, "Are You That Somebody?" is an R&B, pop, and avant-funk song. Journalist Larry Flick from Billboard, felt that Aaliyah had returned to her Funk/Hip hop roots on the record. In addition, the song also has a Neotango rhythm with Aaliyah displaying "coy vocals". Its production features a variety of sounds, such as frenetic staccato guitars, beatboxing, and drum and bass courtesy of drum programming. Flick described the guitar riff as, "jiggly", and that it gives "the track the feel good vibe of a '70s-era throw down". Other sounds that are utilized within the instrumental is a sample of a baby crying and laughing, taken from producer Jac Holzman's 1964 track "Happy Baby" from Authentic Sound Effects Volume 8. On “Are You That Somebody?” Aaliyah has a "no-nonsense delivery, along with popping syncopation, a playfully funky bassline and that brilliantly bizarre baby chirp".
Lyrically, "Are You That Somebody?" is about "a late-night rendezvous with a special someone that needed to be kept on the hush". On the song, Aaliyah issues a "will you still love me tomorrow sentiment". Her, "sweet but street" persona is in full effect, as she declares: "Sometimes I'm goody-goody / Right now I'm naughty naughty." There's also a sense of longing in the appearance of the song's title ("'Cause I really need somebody / Tell me are you that somebody") and in the way Aaliyah performed it, stretching out the syllables to the point of desperation and then keeping up with the beat with "hurried, jumbled phrasings".
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