Busta Rhymes' 2003 album It Ain't Safe No More… features a collaboration with Mariah and the Flipmode Squad on a track titled “I Know What You Want.” “I definitely thought Mariah was the perfect person for it. That was the initial idea,” Busta told Rolling Stone. “I just wanted her to add her sexiness to it. I didn't want nothing over the top or nothing elaborate. I just wanted the right vibe and the right voice tone, the right feel and the right breathing — the right sexy overall feeling. She was perfect for that. She's one of the greatest people I've met — she's sweet. It ain't no bullshit with her. It's just real genuine love.”
“I Know What You Want” was released as the album's second single on March 17, 2003, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. It was later included on selected editions of Mariah's Charmbracelet album as well as on her The Remixes compilation, released on October 14, 2003.
| Song | Remix | Run time |
|---|---|---|
| I Know What You Want | A Cappella |
4:28 |
| I Know What You Want | Instrumental |
4:15 |
| I Know What You Want | Single Edit |
4:18 |
| I Know What You Want | Radio Edit |
4:12 |
The “I Know What You Want” music video was filmed in Malibu in April 2003 and directed by Chris Robinson. “I just knew Chris, cinematically, would be able to turn what this song was about into a moment that would have a very interesting twist to it,” Busta explained. “And that's really what I wanted, I didn't want it to just be the obvious. I already had a working history with Chris Robinson and he is one the most incredible directors to ever exist.”
“The first time I head ‘I Know What You Want’ I was on a plane and I immediately wrote the treatment for it,” director Chris Robinson explained. “I was reading a graphic novel called 100 Bullets. I was listening to the track and I was just like, ‘Man this should be a story.’ The song felt epic, it felt like there was a heroine, a hero, a bad guy… so I created this story and worked with a great storyboard artist named Dave Hogan and we just put together this visual along with the treatment, that felt like a graphic novel.”
Baby, if you give it to me, I'll give it to you
I know what you want, you know I got it
Baby, if you give it to me, I'll give it to you
As long as you want, you know I got it
Baby, if you give it to me, I'll give it to you
I know what you want, you know I got it
Baby, if you give it to me, I'll give it to you
As long as you want, you know I got it
We been together for a few years, shared a few tears
Called each other nicknames like Sugar Plum and Pooh Bear
I'm always on the road, hardly ever home
Always busy this, busy that, can't talk on the phone
I know you aggravated, walk around frustrated
Your patience's gettin' short, how much longer can you tolerate it
Listen ma, I'm just motivated, I do this for us
Step on the grind tryin' to elevate it now
Hey yo to really be honest
You stuck with me through my whole struggle
Can't even express through words how much the kid loves ya
I'mma stand as a man, never above ya
I can tell that you different from most, slightly approach you
And the ill shit about it? We don't sex every day
But when we sex we tease in a passionate way
I love the way you touch it, those little elaborate ways
Got the god feelin' released to relax for the day
It's on you ma
Baby, if you give it to me, I'll give it to you
I know what you want, you know I got it
Baby, if you give it to me, I'll give it to you
As long as you want, you know I got it
Baby, if you give it to me, I'll give it to you
I know what you want, you know I got it
Baby, if you give it to me, I'll give it to you
As long as you want, you know I got it
Shh, mami listen
I feel ya love for me baby and how it move through you
I been longin' for the moment to talk the truth to you
I'm never home, I always get up and go
Puttin' you through the unnecessary rigmarole
I never meant to put a thousand pounds of stress on ya head
I love the way we sleep and how we always cuddle in bed
Baby, I stay embracin' ya patience, sheddin' ya tears with me
I ask you my mami, please continue to bear with me
We started out broke, constantly on a roll
Cuttin' up in the streets like we would never get old
Went from looseys and buses and fifty cent sodas
And Novas to Hondas to Lexus to Rovers
Mad years passed, still got each other back
Word is bond never screw none of these industry cats
We like Scull and Mulder, walkin' shoulder to shoulder
Milkin' this game, watchin' our seeds gettin' older
Baby, if you give it to me, I'll give it to you
I know what you want, you know I got it
Baby, if you give it to me, I'll give it to you
As long as you want, you know I got it
Baby, if you give it to me, I'll give it to you
I know what you want, you know I got it
Baby, if you give it to me, I'll give it to you
As long as you want, you know I got it
Yes you know I'll die for you
And ya know I'll ride with you
I will always try with you
And give you my love and cry wit you
I will climb a mountain high
Until our love will touch the sky
So baby come and get more close to me
'Cause this is where your love is supposed to be
I pull up to the house in a yellow Lamborghini
It's been a few months in PA, you haven't seen me
You lookin' good in that Gucci bikini
38 carats, your ring lookin' freezy
No matter what I do in the world you never leave me
Fall back ma, I'll make ya lifestyle easy
I appreciate the things ya do to please me
Lookin' at my daughter you'll never do me greasy
Baby, if you give it to me, I'll give it to you
I know what you want, you know I got it
Baby, if you give it to me, I'll give it to you
As long as you want, you know I got it
Baby, if you give it to me, I'll give it to you
I know what you want, you know I got it
Baby, if you give it to me, I'll give it to you
As long as you want, you know I got it
Written by T. Smith, W. Lewis, R. McNair, L. Jones, R. Fisher, R. Thomas.
Produced by Rick Rock.
