Erykah Badu Crafted a New Version of Her Hit Song ‘Tyrone’ for Netflix’s ‘They Cloned Tyrone’ (Video)

Erykah Badu re-wrote and re-recorded her hit song “Tyrone” for Netflix’s new movie “They Cloned Tyrone,” per a request from the film’s director Juel Taylor.

“Everybody I’ve ever talked to, as soon as I told them the [movie’s] title, they were like, ‘So Erykah Badu doing the song?’ and I’m like, ‘Trust me, I’m trying.’” Taylor said, describing the early stages of developing “They Cloned Tyrone,” which is his feature film directorial debut and stars Teyonah Parris, John Boyega and Jamie Foxx. At the time, he hoped he would be able to include a reimagined version of the Grammy-winner’s song.

“You don’t really think it’s going to happen,” Taylor said. “Serendipitously enough, I was able to pitch it to her, and she responded immediately. Thank God for Erykah Badu.”

Getting Badu to sign on for the job was done with the help of “They Cloned Tyrone” producer and MACRO founder and CEO Charles D. King, who’d previously worked with Badu on another project.

“Our producing partner on this [film], Steven Love — the first movie he produced was called ‘The Land’ and that was the first movie MACRO actually financed,” King said. “Erykah played a seminal role in it. We got her to play in it. So there were good relationships out there. She’s an artist, man. She could see [Taylor’s] artistry.”

When the team approached Badu with the idea, Taylor said Badu was excited about the opportunity and immediately understood his vision.

“She was just like, ‘So you just want me to Berenstain Bears it right?’ I barely had to describe it,” Taylor said. “She already knew what I wanted. The first time she sent it back, I was like, ‘Can you say, m-effer? She was like, ‘I got you.’ She went back and revised it. That was one of the coolest things about the movie. You know, somebody that you’re such a big fan of.”

In an interview with Netflix, Badu detailed her process of making a clone of her song that she sang 25 years ago.

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“I only changed a few things around, but I had to sing the whole song and sing the whole song exactly how I sang it when I was 27,” Badu said. “I had to make my voice sound just like that so that people wouldn’t detect. You really have to listen to hear the words that are changed before it gets to the hook where it’s a little bit more obvious.”

The switch-up of the song’s lyrics are most noticeable during the track’s chorus, which features the lyrics “somebody cloned Tyrone” instead of “you better call Tyrone.”

But, for your own gander, here is the original version of Badu’s “Tyrone” next to “They Cloned Tyrone’s” version. The film’s version plays during the movie’s end credits.

“They Cloned Tyrone” is now playing in select theaters and streams on Netflix starting July 21.

These interviews were recorded prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike decision.

Original “Tyrone” lyrics

I’m gettin’ tired of your s—t.

You don’t never buy me nothin’ See everytime you come around You got to bring Jim, James, Paul, and Tyrone.

See why can’t we be by ourselves sometimes.

See I’ve been havin’ this on my mind for a long time.

I just want it to be, you and me.

Like it used to be, baby.

But ‘cha don’t know how to act

So matter fact.

I think you’d better call Tyrone (Call him)

And tell him come on help you get your s—t

(Come on, Come on, Come on)

You need to call Tyrone.

(Call him)

And tell him, I said come on.

Now every time I ask you for a little cash

You say no but turn right around and ask me for some a—s

Oh! Whoa!

Now hold up, listen partner I ain’t no cheap thrill.

Cause Miss Badu’s always comin’ for real.

You now the deal, n—a.

Everytime we go somewhere, I gotta reach down in my purse

To pay your way and your homeboy’s way.

And sometimes your cousin’s way.

They don’t never have to pay.

Don’t have no cars.

Hang around in bars.

Tryna hang around with stars Like Badu I’ma tell you the truth

Show improve.

Or get the boot.

I think you’d better call Tyrone.

(Call him) And tell him come on help you get your s—t

(Come on, Come on, Come on)

You need to call Tyrone.

(Call him) Hold on…

But you can’t use my phone.

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“They Cloned Tyrone” version of “Tyrone

I’m gettin’ tired of your s—t.

You don’t never buy me nothin’

And every time you come around

You got to clone Jim, James, Paul, and Tyrone.

See why can’t we be ourselves sometimes?

See you been tampering with my mind for a long time.

I just want it to be and free.

Like it used to be, baby.

But you don’t know how to act.

So matter fact.

Them m—s cloned Tyrone

(Cloned him!)

So tell him come on help you him get your s—t

(Come on, Come on, Come on)

Somebody cloned Tyrone.

(Cloned him)

Tell him I said come on.

Now every time we try to make a little cash.

They saw no, to turn right around and flash it for some a—s

Oh! Whoa!

Say hold up, listen partner I ain’t no cheap thrill.

Cause Miss Badu’s always comin’ for real.

You now the deal, n—a.

Everytime we go somewhere, they search down in my purse .

And scan your waves and your homeboy’s waves.

And sometimes your cousin’s waves.

They don’t never have to pay.

We buy the cars.

Hang around in bars.

Tryna hang around with stars.

Like Badu I’ma tell you the truth

Got the proof, it’s on the news

Them m—s cloned Tyrone.

(Cloned him)

Hell going on.

I don’t need this s—t

(Come on, Come on, Come on)

Somebody cloned Tyrone

(Cloned him)

And they tapping our phones.