Fantasia Barrino burst onto the scene with the hit R&B song “When I See U,” which was released in 2007.

It was the second single from her self-titled second studio album, Fantasia. However, the song was originally written for an either 11 year old or 13 year old Tori Kelly depending on the source.

Similar to Fantasia, Kelly was highly appreciated on a contest show similar to America’s Idol called America’s Most Talented kids. The track became one of Fantasia’s most iconic songs, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and earning her critical acclaim for its soulful and heartfelt delivery.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Neighborhood Talk (@theneighborhoodtalk)

Some may wonder about the content of the song being appropriate for a child, but others believe the lyrics show it to be a girl with a crush at a young age.

LYRICS

I put your picture on my mirror
Start to blush when somebody says your name
In my stomach there’s a pain
See you walk in my direction
I go the other way
I start to stutter when I speak
Start to stand but my knees go weak
What’s happening to me?
In the dark, can you tell me what it means?
I lay my head on my pillow
Staring out the window
Wish on a star for a sign
What’s the reason why
You’re always on my mind
When you come around I get shy
When I see you (see you)
When I see you
I never know when you might walk by
So I gotta be right on time
When I see you
When I see you
I scribble x and O’s in my notebook
Checking how my hair and my nails look
I feel myself in a zone
I get nervous when you call
So I say I’m not home
I see your face
When I hear my favorite song
Should I send an e-mail at home?
You’re the number one topic on the phone
I wonder if you know or do you have a clue, yeah
I lay my head on my pillow
You got me staring out the window
Wish on a star for a sign
What’s the reason why, yeah yeah yeah
You’re always on my mind (You’re always)
When you come around I get shy
When I see you (So sexy boy)
When I see you (You’re sexy boy)
I never know when you might walk by
So I gotta be right on time
When I see you
When I see you
Something now is taking over me
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I’m not gonna run not
Just gonna stand here and see
Oh, oh, oh, yeah
You’re always on my mind (Hey baby)
When you come around I get shy
When I see you
When I see you (You’re so sexy boy, you’re so sexy boy)
I never know when you might walk by (I don’t know)
So I gotta be right on time
When I see you (But I get nervous around you)
When I see you
You’re always on my mind (You’re always)
When you come around I get shy
When I see you (You, you, you)
When I see you (I love it, I love it)
I never know when you might walk by
(Yes I love it boy)
So I gotta be right on time
When I see you
When I see you (For some reason I can’t, I can’t be around)
Hey
I can’t
Only when I see you

tori was first signed after winning america’s most talented kids! pic.twitter.com/dlUJhXolVW

— mia (@torisonedimple) November 29, 2024

AMERICAN IDOL & AMERICA’S MOST TALENTED KIDS

Fantasia first gained fame as the winner of Season 3 of American Idol in 2004. Born on June 30, 1984, in High Point, North Carolina, Fantasia grew up in a musical family and was singing in church from a young age. Her rise to stardom was fueled by her distinctive voice and emotional performances.

Tori gained initial fame by uploading covers of popular songs to YouTube as a teenager. Her rendition of Frank Ocean’s “Thinkin Bout You” and other acoustic performances showcased her vocal talent and attracted a devoted online following. However, her journey to stardom wasn’t without challenges. At 16, she auditioned for American Idol but was eliminated during the Hollywood Week round, a setback that inspired her to pursue her career independently.

The Writers and Producers of “When I See U”

“When I See U” was co-written by Jazmine Sullivan, Louis Biancaniello, and Sam Watters, with the latter two serving as producers. Though Fantasia was the performer, Jazmine Sullivan’s involvement is noteworthy, as she is a celebrated R&B artist herself.