The Way I Are

The Way I Are is a song by Timbaland, released as the second single from his second album, Timbaland Presents Shock Value. The song features R&B singer Keri Hilson and rapper D.O.E., both of whom are signed to Timbaland's Mosley Music Group label. It was released digitally worldwide in May 2007. The song is featured in a 2007 McDonald's commercial; it not only plays in the background, but the viewer sees at the beginning a DJ placing the "The Way I Are" record onto a turntable. The song was also featured on Dancing with the Stars when Spice Girls member Melanie Brown performed her freestyle dance to the live band's version of the song with her professional partner, Maksim Chmerkovskiy. The song is on the soundtrack of NBA Live 08 on all consoles. The music video for the song was shot in the City of Salford in Greater Manchester, UK, on May 18, 2007. It was directed by Shane Drake. Drake commented on the video and said: I like to tell stories with my videos — and Timbaland’s new video is going to be unlike any other. Utilizing the tools of incendiary cinematography and fierce lighting schemes, I plan to sculpt an edgy masterpiece, oozing with style and impact. With each rhythmic pulse and beat we will time crafty edits, sharp as tacks and smooth as steel. This video is going to be an artistic expression of Timbaland's music. As an added element of force and velocity, we will follow Timbaland as he cruises around the city. From the colors, to the wardrobe — to the edits, we will craft a slick masterpiece that defies genre and truly defines cool & will show off Timbaland in a "super" music video. The video version includes an extra verse from Timbaland's brother Sebastian. This verse was added to 'pad out' the song, as the album version of the song has an elongated period of time in which nothing but the beat is played. Though being unusual for American music video productions, the video world premiered and received its first official airing on June 15 on the German music television channel VIVA. The video also includes three English freestyle football players. A "director's cut" of the video is now on YouTube and it features Timbaland in an black cab and shows him in a more casual perspective. The music video has received over 60 million views on YouTube.

[Intro: Timbaland] State of emergency Yeah, yeah (Yeah) Yeah, yeah (Yeah) Remember the time, baby Yeah, yeah (Yeah) [Verse 1: Timbaland] I ain't got no money I ain't got no car to take you on a date I can't even buy you flowers But together we can be the perfect soulmates Talk to me, girl [Pre-Chorus: Keri Hilson] (Oh) Baby, it's alright now, you ain't gotta flaunt for me If we go Dutch, you can still touch my love, it's free We can work without the perks, just you and me Thug it out 'til we get it right [Chorus: Keri Hilson, Timbaland, Both] Baby, if you strip, you can get a tip 'Cause I like you just the way you are I'm about to strip and I'm well-equipped Can you handle me the way I'm are? I don't need the G's or the car keys Boy, I like you just the way you are Let me see ya strip, you can get a tip 'Cause I like, I like, I like [Verse 2: Timbaland] I ain't got no Visa I ain't got no Red American Express We can't go nowhere exotic It don't matter 'cause I'm the one that loves you best Talk to me, girl [Pre-Chorus: Keri Hilson] (Oh) Baby, it's alright now, you ain't gotta flaunt for me If we go Dutch, you can still touch my love, it's free We can work without the perks, just you and me Thug it out 'til we get it right [Chorus: Keri Hilson, Timbaland, Both] Baby, if you strip, you can get a tip 'Cause I like you just the way you are I'm about to strip and I'm well-equipped Can you handle me the way I'm are? I don't need the G's or the car keys Boy, I like you just the way you are Let me see ya strip, you can get a tip 'Cause I like you just the way you are [Verse 3: John Doe/D.O.E.] Yeah, baby girl I don't got a huge ol' house, I rent a room in a house Listen, baby girl I ain't got a motorboat, but I can float ya boat So listen, baby girl Once you get a dose of D.O.E., you gon' want some mo' So listen, baby girl When I make it, I want you there, want you there, yeah