Mary J. Blige, “He Think I Don’t Know” | Throwback Vibez

On the 42^nd edition of Throwback Vibez (2022), we recollect and reflect on “He Think I Don’t Know” by Mary J. Blige.   

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he vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez ! Throwback Vibez ️ is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace Throwback Vibez ️ are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils ! All genres of music are welcome – we don’t discriminate ‘round here! On the 42^nd edition of Throwback Vibez (2022), we recollect and reflect on  “He Think I Don’t Know”, performed by  Mary J. Blige.

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Theme & Lyrics 

“And he think I don’t know / He think I don’t know, oh.” What,  Mary J. Blige, does he think you don’t know? Hmm, well, he thinks she doesn’t know he’s unfaithful – HE’S A CHEATER! Mary’s anger and pain are our listening pleasure in  “He Think I Don’t Know”. She sings soulfully over a lush, minor key,  Gerald Isaac production.  Isaac didn’t only produce it though – he wrote this Grammy-winning gem.  That’s right, MJB won the Grammy for Best Female R&B Performance for this marvelous, five-and-a-half-minute-plus slow jam at the 45^th Annual Grammy Awards.  Notably, she beat out  Jill Scott,  Eartha,  Ashanti, and  Aaliyah.  Listen to it and you’ll understand WHY it was victorious. 

“I don’t know what gets me more

‘Bout your two-hour trips to the store

How they never have what you went there for

Yet you say to trust you more.” 

Yup, Mary is onto his adulterous ways! She’s a detective in the second verse, asserting, “On my way to work one night / As I made a left at the light / See, what I saw just wasn’t right / Guess what’s done in darkness gon’ come to light.” Of course, in the chorus, MJB keeps emphasizing how this no-good dude underestimates her intelligence: “And he think I don’t know / He must think I’m stupid.” Mary, girl, you’re anything but!

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Final Thoughts 

All in all, north of 20 years after its release, “He Think I Don’t Know” remains a compelling, well-rounded R&B joint.  Blige sings with incredible conviction, capably capturing this unfaithful fool. As for the writing and production, Gerald Isaac puts in some serious work.  It’s a shame that this  No More Drama (Version 2) gem didn’t chart on the Billboard Hot 100.

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 Mary J. Blige •  No More Drama (Version 2) •  Geffen •  2001

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Mary J. Blige, “He Think I Don’t Know”: Throwback Vibez ️ No. 42 (2022) [: Brent Faulkner, Geffen, Gerhard G., JL G via Pixabay,  Karl Hörnfeldt via Unsplash,  The Musical Hype]

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