Meanest Love Songs: No. 18
- Posted by Spinner Staff
- Comments (31)
'Ex-Factor'
--Lauryn Hill (1998)
"Yo, it ain't workin'." Gotta figure that's what someone in the studio said when the Wu-Tang Clan sampled Gladys Knight's version of 'The Way We Were' for their classic 'Can It Be All So Simple.' Ms. Hill then recycled the Wu's recycled version for this, her futile plea for the simple life. "Loving you is like a battle," she tells her man, who best be looking out: She's got skills.
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Reader Comments(1 of 2)
Kane718at 1-30-2008
This song is the shyt even if it gets old
Miachamboat 1-30-2008
Dull... Can't you think of anything with some fire?
brytephenixat 2-03-2008
ummm .... unless i read this wrong Lauren Hilll is Part of the fugees and not wu tang clan.... wu tang is a group of hard rappers... aol def messed up on this one... i guess all black ppl must look alike or something LOL im black by the way lol... i can tell the difference between my ppl lol
nikki williamsat 9-20-2009
Read it again and slowly they said she chopped up wu-tangs version which was oringinally glady night's
icecoldphenomat 2-03-2008
You ki9nda did read it wrong, bruh lol. AOL's actually droppin a bit of knowledge on ya. They're saying that the instrumental used for Lauryn's Ex-Factor was sampled from the Wu's song Can It All Be So Simple. And not only that, but WuTang sampled the beat from THAT song from Gladys Knight's song The Way We Were. So in other words, the music driving the lyrics of this song has a bit of history, especially since all 3 songs are certified classics.
R O C K Yat 2-13-2008
TELL ME ONE 1 THING.............. WHEN ARE THE 9-14 YEAR OLDS GOING TO STOP SELECTING THESE DREDFUL SONGS! WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO SONGS WHERE ONE CAN HEAR THE LYRICS TO AND AT LEAST HAVE A VOICE? THESE MUST BE THE GARBADGE YEARS.....
Jessat 10-06-2009
Besides most people who listen to her music and the music from the era are probably in their 20's and 30's now. Not exactly "new" stuff
Mayeblossomat 2-13-2008
ROcky, It is obvious that you've never listen to Lauryn Hill. She has a beautiful voice and the album this song is from swept the Grammy's when it came out.
someoneat 2-14-2008
mayeblossom, it's obvious he just assumed "black girl, black song
DJ Beatboxat 2-14-2008
This song is pure shyt.
Shannonat 5-13-2008
'I Used to Love Him, Now I Don't' is really good as well, sort of a get-it-out-of-your-system when you are angry about a breakup.
flilguyat 6-01-2008
Lauryn Hill, I always thought she sucked, guess I was right. Where is her big line of albums and hits?? The big Queen of remakes.
hiat 2-13-2009
that way u can have a baby momma who has lauryn hill
"black girl"at 9-20-2009
why is everything a race issue???? seriously people grow up......
"This aint black vs white....we off that" -Jay Z
get your lives together people...insecurity is not cute
brats3at 9-20-2009
Ms Hill is an artist thats it pure and simple. Either you like her music or you don't.
thatdudeat 9-20-2009
Lauren Hill was off the chain!That Marley guy jacked her up and she started playing the guitar and sing sorry sad songs... I still love her.I never believed that rumor about white people buying her music.Everybody knows that crossing over is what made her rich. Not the fugees...
nikki williamsat 9-20-2009
What happened was Lauryn was having an affair with Wyclef and she got caught up that is what X-factor was about he wanted his cake and eat it too and she was married also to Marley's son. Shit happens. You can FEEL the pain in that song and only someone actually going through it can write that great. And those hating if your not a fan of hers theres no way you can judge!
vickieat 9-20-2009
Lauryn Hill is a awesome singer with so much soul and much love in her heart I sorry what happen to her however it happens to a lot of beautiful sister when our men cannot except the true QUEENS,they feel more comfortable with the sojoiners!
keyshaat 9-20-2009
Ex factor is and always be a hit. I love that song.She should of just shot em lol. Her hurt from that child of Bob Marley warped her mind. Get better and whenever u come back u will be a hit maker. Look at Whitney.
smooove3at 9-20-2009
any one who has experienced true heartache in a relationship where you love that person so much but won't let go because it would hurt too much, can identify with this song