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.”
In the United States, “I Know What You Want” was available on 12" vinyl including the album and instrumental versions of the song as well as the remix of Busta's “Call The Ambulance” featuring Rah Digga and M.O.P.
In Europe, the “I Know What You Want” CD Single includes the Album version of the song and Busta's “Break Ya Neck.” The Enhanced CD Maxi Single includes the Album and Instrumental version of “I Know What You Want,” the song's music video and “Break Ya Neck.”.
The UK “I Know What You Want” Enhanced CD Maxi Single includes the Radio and Album version of the song, Busta's “Call The Ambulance” and the “I Know What You Want” music video. The 12" Vinyl includes the Album and Instrumental Versions of the song as well as the M.O.P. remix of “Call The Ambulance.” The Cassette Single includes the radio version of “I Know What You Want” and the M.O.P. remix of “Call The Ambulance.”
The Australian “I Know What You Want” CD Maxi Single, includes same tracks as the European release.
Busta Rhymes:
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
Mariah:
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
Spliff Star:
We been together for a few years, shared a few tears
Called each other nicknames like Sugar Plum and Poo 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
Patience's gettin' short, how 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
Baby Sham:
Hey yo to really be honest
You stuck with me through my whole struggle
Can't even express the 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 that ill shit about it we gon' 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
Busta Rhymes:
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
Mariah:
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
Busta Rhymes
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
(Listen) I'm never home, I always get up and go
Puttin' you through the unnecessary rigga-ma-ro
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
Rah Digga:
We started out broke, constantly on a roll
Cuttin' up in the streets like we would never get old
Went from Lucy's 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, boy
We like Scull and Mulder, walkin' shoulder to shoulder
Milkin' this game watchin' our seeds gettin' older
Busta Rhymes:
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
Mariah:
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
Busta Rhymes:
Yes you know I'll die for you
And you know I'll ride with you
I will always try with you
And give ya my love and cry with you
Mariah:
I will climb a mountain high
Until our love would touch the sky
So baby come and get more close to me
Cause this is where your love is supposed to be
Rampage:
I pull up to the house in a yellow Lamborghini
It's been a few months in PA you haven't seen me
Ya lookin' good in that Gucci bikini
38 carats ya 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
Busta Rhymes:
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
Mariah:
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 Trevor Smith, William Lewis, Roger McNair, Leroy Jones, Rashia Fisher, Ricardo Thomas.
Produced by Rick Rock.
