Way Back Wednesdays…Erykah Badu-“Tyrone”: Back In 1997, Badu Offered Society A New Way To Tell An Annoying Partner To Kick Rocks

Roll it back to 1997 with a flashback from beloved singer and songwriter Erykah Badu.: “Tyrone” became an instant classic–and an anthem for many women who were looking to give an annoying man the boot.

Released on October 27, 1997, as the lead single from her album Live, the song became an R&B sensation and is widely considered her signature anthem. Lyrically, it is a humorous yet sharp public breakup song where Badu calls out a selfish, cheap boyfriend and famously instructs him to have his friend Tyrone help move his…”stuff”.

How “Tyrone” Impacted Culture & Entertainment

Created on Stage: The song started as a casual groove during rehearsals with her keyboardist, Norman “Keys” Hurt. Badu completely freestyled the specific lyrics and the iconic “call Tyrone” hook live on stage during a concert.

Cultural Legacy: The track became an instant “viral” radio hit. It has been referenced heavily in pop culture, including by Beyoncé in her song “Kitty Kat”, and it inspired the title and a 2023 re-recorded version for the Netflix movie They Cloned Tyrone.

Musical Call-Outs & Covers

• Beyoncé – “Kitty Kat” (2006): Again, Beyoncé gives a direct shout-out to Badu’s lyrics during the track when she sings, “Let’s go, let’s go… up in the closet is back up / Get your T-shirt, your Puma sneakers / Give your cousin back his beeper… call Tyrone.”
• 3LW – “No More (Baby I’ma Do Right)” (2000): During the rap bridge of this massive 2000s R&B hit, the group spits the line, “I’m gettin’ tired of your / Creepin’ up on my block / Call Tyrone on the phone, tell him come get your truck.”
• R. Kelly – “When a Woman’s Fed Up” (1998): Released shortly after Badu’s track, this R&B record references the consequences of treating a woman poorly by stating she will end up calling Tyrone to move your things. [1]
• My Morning Jacket (2004): In an unexpected genre crossover, the prominent American indie-rock band recorded a popular cover of “Tyrone” for their compilation album, Early Recordings.

The Live album was Badu’s second of the year, and followed her debut album Baduizm. Both albums would go multi-platinum.

The Live album was also nominated for Best R&B Album at the 1999 Grammy Awards, while the track “Tyrone” was nominated for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

Watch Erykah Badu’s Live Performance Of “Tyrone” Below (Warning: Explicit Lyrics)