Grammy-winning Jamaican superstar Shaggy’s 2000 hit, “It Wasn’t Me“, has long been thought of as a guide to cheating, with the catchy refrain advising a friend to deny everything.
However, in a recent interview with People, the singer set the record straight, revealing that the song is actually an anti-cheating anthem. Shaggy explained that many listeners had missed the bridge towards the end of the track, in which RikRok sings,
“Gonna tell her that I’m sorry / For the pain that I’ve caused / I’ve been listening to your reasonin’ / It makes no sense at all.” He goes on to tell Shaggy, “You may think that you’re a player / But you’re completely lost.”
Despite this, the song’s opening lines, “Honey came in, and she caught me red-handed / Creeping with the girl next door”, have become famous as a reminder of the pitfalls of infidelity. Shaggy acknowledges that the song’s message may have been lost on some listeners but insists that it was always intended to be an anti-cheating anthem. He laments that few people seem to have taken note of RikRok’s remorseful lyrics, which he believes are a crucial part of the song.
Shaggy’s revelation will likely change how many people view his most famous song. The multi-award-winning entertainer, who has sold more than 70 million records worldwide, insists that he has always been committed to creating positive, uplifting music that resonates with his fans.
In his interview with People, he also spoke about his recent collaboration with Sting, which he described as a “big leap of faith” that had allowed him to explore new musical territory.
Despite the confusion surrounding “It Wasn’t Me,” Shaggy remains one of the most popular and respected artists in the music industry.
