“Be Without You” is a 2005 hit by American singer-songwriter Mary J. Blige. Penned by Blige, Bryan-Michael Cox, Jason Perry, and Johnta Austin, and produced by Cox and Young Smoke, the song is a contemporary R&B and hip hop soul ballad that delves into heartbreak and loss. As the lead single from Blige’s seventh studio album, The Breakthrough, it soared to the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US, securing a Grammy for Best R&B Song in 2007. The song’s raw lyrics, emotive vocals, and simple yet impactful melody, combined with its subtle production, make it a timeless R&B classic that resonates globally.
Be Without You Lyrics
Intro]
I wanna be with you, gotta be with you, need to be with you
(Oh-oh, oh-oh)
I wanna be with you, gotta be with you, need to be with you
(Oh-oh, oh-oh)
Ooh (Oh-oh, oh-oh)
Ooh (Oh-oh, oh-oh)
[Verse 1]
Chemistry was crazy from the get-go
Neither one of us knew why
We didn’t build nothin’ overnight
‘Cause a love like this takes some time
People swore it off as a phase, said we can’t see that
Now from top to bottom, they see that we did that
(Yes) It’s so true that
(Yes) We been through it
(Yes) We got real shit
(Yes) See, baby
[Chorus]
We’ve been too strong for too long
And I can’t be without you, baby
And I’ll be waitin’ up until you get home
‘Cause I can’t sleep without you, baby (Oh)
Anybody who’s ever loved you know just what I feel
Too hard to fake it, nothin’ can replace it
Call the radio if you just can’t be without your baby, yeah
[Verse 2]
I got a question for ya (See, I already know the answer)
But still I wanna ask you, will you lie? (No)
Make me cry? (No)
Do somethin’ behind my back and then try to cover it up?
Well, neither would I, baby
My love is on the up and up
(Yes) I’ll be faithful
(Yes) I’m for real
(Yes) And with us you’ll always know the deal
[Chorus]
We’ve been too strong for too long
And I can’t be without you, baby (Oh)
And I’ll be waitin’ up until you get home
‘Cause I can’t sleep without you, baby (Oh, oh)
If anybody who’s ever loved you know just what I feel
Too hard to fake it, nothin’ can replace it
Call the radio if you just can’t be without your baby, yeah
[Bridge]
See, this is real talk, I’ma always stay (No matter what)
Good or bad (Thick and thin)
Right or wrong (All day, every day, hey)
Now if you’re down on love or don’t believe this ain’t for you
(No, this ain’t for you)
And if you got it deep in your heart
And deep down you know that it’s true
(Come on, come on, come on)
Well, let me see you put your hands up (Hands up)
Fellas, tell your lady she’s the one
Fellas, tell your lady she’s the one
Oh, put your hands up (Hands up)
Ladies, let him know he’s got you locked
Look him right in his eyes and tell him
[Chorus]
We’ve been too strong for too long
And I can’t be without you, baby
Can’t be without you, baby
I’ll be waitin’ up until you get home
‘Cause I can’t sleep without you, baby
Oh, if anybody who’s ever loved you know just what I feel
Too hard to fake it, nothin’ can replace it
Call the radio if you just can’t be without your baby
[Outro]
I wanna be with you, gotta be with you, need to be with you
I wanna be with you, gotta be with you, need to be with you
I wanna be with you, gotta be with you, need to be with you
I wanna be with you, gotta be with you, need to be with you
I wanna be with you, gotta be with you, need to be with you
