It's Like That

"It's Like That" is a song written by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Manuel Seal, and Johntá Austin, and produced by Carey, Dupri, and Seal for Carey's tenth studio album, The Emancipation of Mimi (2005). It borrows the hook "it's like that y'all" from the Run-D.M.C. tracks "Hollis Crew" (1984) and "Here We Go (Live)" (1983), and shares its name with another Run DMC song. It was the first single to be released from the album, in 2005. It was a top twenty hit in several countries, including the United States, and was nominated for a 2006 Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. "Stay the Night", produced by Kanye West, "Say Somethin'" featuring Snoop Dogg, and Shake It Off were all contenders for the lead single. Eventually, however, plans were changed when Island Records head L.A. Reid suggested to Carey she record a few more strong songs to ensure the album's success. After a writing and recording session with Dupri, "It's Like That" was chosen as the lead single.

[Intro: Jermaine Dupri] This is the point when I need everybody to get to the dance floor [Hook: Jermaine Dupri] It's like that y'all (That y'all) That y'all (That y'all) It's like that a a that A like that y'all (That y'all) It's like that y'al (That y'all) That y'all (That y'all) It's like that a a that A like that y'all (That y'all) [Sample: Slick Rick] MC [Verse 1: Mariah Carey] I came to have a party Open off that Bacardi Feeling so hot tamale Boy I know you watchin' me So what's it gonna to be Purple taking me higher I'm lifted and I like it Boy you got me inspired Baby come and get it If you're really feelin’ me [Pre-Chorus: Mariah Carey] 'Cause it's my night No stress, no fights I'm leavin’ it all behind No tears no time to cry Just making the most of life [Chorus: Mariah Carey & (Jermaine Dupri)] Everybody is livin' it up All the fellas keep lookin' at us 'Cause me and my girls On the floor like what While the DJ keeps on spinnin' the cut It's like that y'all (That y'all) That y'all (That y'all) It's like that a a that A like that y'all (That y'all) It's like that y'al (That y'all) That y'all (That y'all) It's like that a a that A like that y'all (That y'all) [Verse 2: Mariah Carey] You like this and you know it Caution, it's so explosive Them chickens is ash and I'm lotion Baby come and get it Let me give you what you need It's a special occasion Mimi's emancipation A cause for celebration I ain’t gonna let nobody's drama bother me [Pre-Chorus: Mariah Carey] 'Cause it's my night (my night) No stress no fights I'm leavin’ it all behind No tears no time to cry (No tears) Just making the most of life [Chorus: Mariah Carey & (Jermaine Dupri)] Everybody is livin' it up All the fellas keep lookin' at us 'Cause me and my girls On the floor like what While the DJ keeps on spinnin' the cut It's like that y'all (That y'all) That y'all (That y'all) It's like that a a that A like that y'all (That y'all) It's like that y'al (That y'all) That y'all (That y'all) It's like that a a that A like that y'all (That y'all) [Pre-Chorus: Mariah Carey] ('Cause it's) 'Cause it's my night (It's my, it's my night) No stress no fights (No stress, I'm leaving it all behind) I'm leavin’ it all behind No tears no time to cry (No tears) Baby I'm making the most of life [Chorus: Mariah Carey & Jermaine Dupri] Everybody is livin' it up (I said everybody) All the fellas keep lookin' at us (Looking at us on the floor like what) 'Cause me and my girls On the floor like what (While the DJ) While the DJ keeps on spinnin' the cut It's like that y'all that y'all That y'all that y'all It's like that a a that A like that y'all that y'all (It's like) It's like that y'all that y'all That y'all that y'all It's like that a a that A like that y'all that y'all [Outro: (Mariah Carey) & Fatman Scoop] (This is my night!) Let's go now, what Let's go now, what Here we go now, what Here we go now, what Let's go now, what Let's go now, what Here we go now, what Here we go now, what (Let's go now, what) (Let's go now, what) (Here we go now, what) (Here we go now, what) (Let's go now, what) (Let's go now, what) (Here we go now, what) (Here we go now, what)