The group is comprised of Tony Borowiak, Jamie Jones, Delious Kennedy, and Alfred Nevarez. All of them were from the Mojave, California City, and Hesperia areas of California. As stated before, they are best known for "I Swear", which was also nominated for Song Of The Year at the Grammys (as was the single "I Can Love You Like That", another remake of a Montgomery country song, the following year). All-4-One almost became transatlantic chart toppers, blocked only by Wet Wet Wet's cover "Love Is All Around" (originally by The Troggs) for the soundtrack to the 1994 film 'Four Weddings and a Funeral' (that cover spent 15 weeks at number one in the U.K. Singles Chart).
Many people often mistake All-4-One songs for those done by Boyz II Men, another popular 90s R&B group. This is due to their very similar music style as well as the fact that both artists had the height of their popularity in around 1994 or so. At any rate, All-4-One achieved considerable airplay for years afterwards.
However, declining sales led to the group leaving the Atlantic Records label after the release of the album 'On and On' in 1999. Still, even the shift in labels did not help shore up the group's flagging popularity, as the follow-up album, 'A41', and its lead single "Not Ready 4 Goodbye" both failed to chart in the U.S. (although their next single, "Beautiful As You", was a minor Adult Contemporary hit). Their 2004 album, titled 'Split Personality', was given an Asia-only release.
All-4-One later signed a new record deal with the label Peak Concord. Their seventh album (and, to date, their latest), titled 'No Regrets', came out in September 2009. That release is perhaps best known for featuring the song "Key to Your Heart". As well, the group's iconic singles "I Swear" and "I Can Love You Like That" have continued to receive airplay and praise over the years.
Website: http://www.all-4-one.com/
Perfect
All-4-One Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know you're breathing on your own
Star patterns, burned in your side
With ice melting, you'll break in tonight
No way, there's no way
You'll ever see what slipped through your fingers
No chance, there's no chance
So tired of making it seem real for you
So tired, wishing I could change for you
You could be the perfect impostor
Try to pass it off real
You can take yourself anywhere you like
But you'll always be there
You can't escape what you carry in yourself
Try hard, but it's just a show
Every time you conspire to fool yourself
You'll live but will you have a smile
Oh no
You're in the light again
Too late
You're not ready for yourself
Alright
You're on the stage again
Too bad
Your mask isn't fully cured
Oh no
You're in the light again
Too late
You're not ready for yourself
Alright
You're on the stage again
Too bad
Your mask isn't fully cured
Oh no
(I'm not too sure but you know I want you, I know)
You're in the light again
Too late
(I need to find my sanity for more)
You're not ready for yourself
Alright
(I'm not too sure but you know I want you, I know)
You're on the stage again
Too bad
(I need to find)
Your mask isn't fully cured
The lyrics of All-4-One's song "Perfect" speak to the idea of self-deception and the inability to truly escape one's true self. The opening lines call for a stop to the search for something that cannot be found alone, acknowledging that the person being addressed is breathing and functioning, but still holding onto something that they don't want to let go of. The next lines talk about star patterns burned into someone's side, which could either be interpreted as tattoos or perhaps metaphors for significant events or experiences that have marked them permanently. Regardless, the line about breaking in tonight suggests that the singer believes that this person is past the point of being able to hold onto whatever they've been trying to cling to. The next lines express the singer's frustration with this person, saying that there's no chance they'll see what they've let slip away or that the singer is tired of trying to make their delusions seem real. The repetition of the phrase "too late, you're not ready for yourself" suggests that this person is either unwilling or unable to confront their true self and that there will be repercussions if they continue to avoid it.
The chorus is directed at the person's attempts to reinvent themselves and escape who they truly are. They're described as a "perfect impostor", suggesting that they've gotten very good at putting on a convincing facade. However, the singer argues that they'll never truly be able to escape themselves, no matter where they go or what they do. There's a sense of futility and sadness in these lines, as if the singer is lamenting that this person can't see that they don't have to put on a show for anyone. The line "try hard, but it's just a show" seems to suggest that the singer is aware that this person is struggling, but they're still not ready to let go of their illusions. The final lines of the chorus, "you'll live but will you have a smile, oh no", express the idea that this person is fooling themselves into thinking that they're happy, but they're not truly fulfilled.
The final verse continues the theme of self-deception and the danger of ignoring one's true self. The lines "you're in the light again, too late, you're not ready for yourself" suggest that this person keeps getting caught in the spotlight and retreating back into their illusions, despite the fact that they're not ready to confront who they truly are. The line about the mask not being fully cured could be interpreted as a metaphor for someone who's still not fully comfortable with themselves. There's a sense of urgency and frustration in the singer's voice as they implore this person to face their true self before it's too late.
Overall, All-4-One's "Perfect" is a haunting and poignant exploration of the dangers of self-deception and the need to confront one's true self. The combination of the lyrics and the soulful vocals make this song a moving reminder of the importance of self-reflection and honesty.
Line by Line Meaning
Stop searching, sliding alone
Stop trying to find something that's not there and accept your current state of being alone.
I know you're breathing on your own
I understand that you're independent and self-sufficient, but you don't have to be alone.
Star patterns, burned in your side
You have scars and painful memories that are etched into your being and influence your actions.
With ice melting, you'll break in tonight
As your cold exterior begins to thaw, you'll become vulnerable and open to connection and change.
No way, there's no way
It's impossible to make someone see what they don't want to or aren't ready to see.
You'll ever see what slipped through your fingers
You won't realize what you've lost until it's too late and has slipped away from you.
No chance, there's no chance
There's no hope for change or growth if you continue to resist it.
I guess I'm tired, making up your mind for you
I'm exhausted from trying to convince you to make a decision for yourself instead of relying on others to do it for you.
So tired of making it seem real for you
I'm worn out from pretending that everything is okay when it's not, just to make you feel better.
So tired, wishing I could change for you
I'm fatigued from wanting to be someone else just to make you happy, instead of accepting myself as I am.
You could be the perfect impostor
You're capable of putting on a façade and pretending to be something you're not.
Try to pass it off real
You attempt to convince others that your façade is genuine and authentic.
You can take yourself anywhere you like
You have the power to control your own life and make your own choices.
But you'll always be there
No matter where you go, you'll still be carrying your baggage and struggles with you.
You can't escape what you carry in yourself
You can't run away from your own problems and internal struggles; they will always be with you.
Try hard, but it's just a show
You put in a lot of effort to maintain your façade, but it's not authentic or sustainable.
Every time you conspire to fool yourself
Whenever you try to convince yourself that your façade is real, you're only fooling yourself.
You'll live but will you have a smile
You may continue to exist, but are you truly happy and fulfilled?
Oh no
Expressing disappointment or concern.
You're in the light again
You're exposed and vulnerable once more.
Too late
It's too far gone or too difficult to change now.
You're not ready for yourself
You're not yet prepared to confront and accept yourself for who you truly are.
Alright
Expressing acceptance or agreement.
You're on the stage again
You're putting on a performance or pretending to be someone you're not once more.
Too bad
Expressing disappointment or regret.
Your mask isn't fully cured
You're still trying to patch up your façade or cover up your true self.
I'm not too sure but you know I want you, I know
I'm uncertain about our relationship, but I'm sure that I want to be with you.
I need to find my sanity for more
I need to prioritize my own well-being and mental health instead of relying on external validation.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PATRICK HAYES, KATELYN JAE, JAMAL JONES, MIKA MEANS, UNKNOWN COMPOSER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind