The Resilience and Tenacity of Aaliyah: A Deep Dive into the Meaning of her Song, “Try Again”

Introduction

Aaliyah, an R&B icon of the late 90s to early 2000s, has made a huge impact in the music industry with her versatile voice, captivating dance moves, and mesmerizing presence on stage. One of her most popular singles, “Try Again,” has a story and hidden message behind it that encouraged and empowered her listeners.

In this article, we’ll be diving deep into the meaning of “Try Again” and what it reveals about Aaliyah’s resilience, tenacity, and productive attitude towards her dreams.

The Lyrics

The song “Try Again” was written by Static Major and Timothy Mosley (Timbaland). The lyrics go as follows:

“What would you do to get to me? What would you say to have your way? Would you give up or try again? If I hesitate to let you in.”

The chorus continues with,

“If at first you don’t succeed, then dust yourself off and try again. You can dust it off and try again.”

The Message: Resilience, Perseverance, Tenacity, and Productivity

“Try Again” is a song that promotes resilience, perseverance, tenacity, and productivity. Aaliyah recognizes that life can be a struggle but encourages her listeners not to give up and to keep pushing forward.

This song highlights the importance of grit and determination when it comes to achieving our goals. The notion that problems might arise as you work towards your goals is evident in the verses, “What would you do to get to me? What would you say to have your way? Would you give up or try again? If I hesitate to let you in.” This lyric creates a scene where one’s own vulnerability and livelihood are at stake, and this is where resilience is required.

Aaliyah was a role model to many young people that were trying to make it in life as artists or in any other field, and her message in “Try Again” resonates with anyone who is trying to achieve a goal.

Aaliyah’s Life

Aaliyah had a brief yet vibrant career. She signed with Blackground Records at the age of 12 and released her first album, “Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number,” when she was 15. In 1996, she released her sophomore album, “One In A Million,” which made her a household name in the R&B community. She cemented her status as a rising star with her final album, entitled as her self, “Aaliyah,” which included tracks such as “More Than a Woman” and “Rock the Boat.” Unfortunately, Aaliyah’s life and promising career were cut short in 2001 when she was involved in a tragic plane crash and died at the age of 22.

Despite Aaliyah being taken away from us too soon, her integrity, authenticity, and resilience still continue to inspire people all around the world.

The Music Video

The music video for “Try Again” was directed by Wayne Isham and produced by Chris Palladino. It was filmed on location in Los Angeles and features Aaliyah in multiple locations, including a rooftop, fire escapes, and an abandoned church. In the video, she is dressed in baggy white pants and a top with a braided hairstyle. The choreography features some martial arts moves and some hip-hop dance styles.

The video also includes scenes from the movie “Romeo Must Die,” in which Aaliyah played the lead actress. The movie and the video were released around the same time, and the video helped promote both the song and the movie.

Reception and Success

Upon its release in 2000, “Try Again” debuted at number 58 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Four weeks later, it peaked at number one, which marked the first time in history that a song had reached the top position based on the strength of its radio airplay alone. It was eventually named the third highest selling single of 2000, with over 500,000 copies sold.

“Try Again” also enjoyed success around the world, reaching the top 10 in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and many other countries.

Conclusion

Aaliyah’s life was brief, but she made an indelible impact on the music industry. Her message of perseverance and resilience through her song “Try Again” is a testament to her tenacity and productive attitude towards pursuing her dreams. Her message and talent live on, inspiring many young artists today.

Take it from Aaliyah – never give up, never let setbacks deter you from your goals, and always try again to achieve your dreams.