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/
Say What You Want To
All-4-One Lyrics
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Cause I see it in her eyes
Trying to get away
It don't matter what I say
It don't have to be this way
Just say what you need to say
And I'll stay as long as you need
And do what you need to do
You don't need to say much
Cause you see the way I am
Whatever you do is fine
Unless I'm out of my mind
It'll be fine with time
Just say what you need to say
And I'll stay as long as you need
And do what you need to do
But I'll break as soon as you leave
And looking back now I know
That it wasn't what I said
And looking back now I know
That it wasn't there at all
And look at that now you're gone
But you couldn't say
That I wasn't in your head
And looking back now I know
That you weren't there at all
Just say what you need to say
And I'll stay as long as you need
And do what you need to do
But I'll break as soon as you leave
Say what you need to say
And I'll stay as long as you need
And do what you need to do
But I'll break as soon as you leave
The lyrics to All-4-One's song Say What You Want To speak about the fame and fortune that comes with being a successful musician. The opening lines introduce the nicknames of the two performers, Birdman and Wayne, and the luxurious leather they sport. The next few lines indicate the difficulty in controlling one's thoughts and emotions while in the limelight, with the heart on the sleeve and the impulse to share everything. The reference to Calvin Klein suggests an aspect of fashion being integral to the performer's image. The lines "I can take an image and post without a caption, delete my social media. You'll never know my status" explore the idea that image can be carefully curated, and social media presence is merely a tool to maintain a public persona.
The lyrics then delve into the struggle of fame, referencing the artists' ability to turn their suffering into success while still keeping their audience satisfied. The reference to Farris Bueller's Day Off- skipping school to shoot something- adds a lighthearted moment to the song. The line "It'll be a hard drive like a Windows computer" suggests that the climb to the top is difficult, requiring a strong work ethic and willpower. The final few lines explore the irony in the artists' success, that they started from difficult beginnings and yet have achieved success, and the inherent contradictions that arise from that.
Line by Line Meaning
They call me Birdman and Wayne
I am often compared to Birdman and Wayne.
Bet the leather's so soft
I have high quality leather.
I know I'm off track
I am aware that I am not following a certain path.
Can't collect my train of thought
I am struggling to organize my thoughts.
My heart is on my sleeve
I am emotionally vulnerable and expressive.
Can't restrain from taking it off
I cannot control my urge to express my feelings.
This Calvin Kline is a part of me
My fashion sense is a part of my identity.
What's the total overall? what's the cost?
I am asking about the total price of something.
I can take an image and post without a caption
I can post an image without adding a caption to it.
Delete my social media. You'll never know my status
If I delete my social media, people will not know what I am up to.
I'm known for turning suffering into a Billboard classic
I am famous for creating music that turns personal struggles into hits.
Along with giving you nothing that's not in your satisfaction
I strive to satisfy my fans through my music.
The barrel's Farris Bueller. We're skipping school just to shoot it
I am using a gun that is similar to the one used in the movie Farris Bueller's Day Off to skip school and shoot things instead.
I went from holding AR's now A&R's hear our music
I used to hold assault rifles, but now I have music executives listening to my work as an artist and repertoire (A&R) representative.
We hit the line of scrimmage. Oh, no. This field ain't for niggas
We are at the starting line, but we realize that this field (industry) is not meant for black people.
It'll be a hard drive like a Windows computer
It will be difficult to succeed, like a malfunctioning Windows computer.
I grew up and screw up but my screws gotten looser
I have made mistakes in my past and I am becoming more reckless.
I think coming down this road will make your car need a tune up
I believe that following my path will lead to negative consequences.
Oh, you're sick but I threw up. I live my future in two months
I have a short-term outlook on life and I am not concerned with others' problems.
I treat the end like the beginning. Yeah, it couldn't come sooner
I treat the end of things the same way I treat the beginning and I am eager for it to come.
What you say now on the way down
What are you saying as things are falling apart?
With a pint of Henny chilling in my coke now
I am currently drinking a mixture of Henny (Hennessy) and Coke.
What you say now? What's your name child?
What are you saying? What is your name, kid?
Watch your tone. I'm the mother fucking man now
Be respectful, as I am very powerful now.
If you want it then you better know
If you want something, you should be knowledgeable about it.
Wanna party with the Devil gotta sell your soul
If you want to have fun, you must do something that goes against your principles or morals.
I can't sell my soul for this shit
I cannot compromise my integrity for this.
Oh and not to mention
In addition to what I have already said.
I add up these predictions
I make predictions and keep track of them.
Not verses, more like scriptures
My music is more like holy scriptures than just simple song lyrics.
The new wave, man, I fathered it
I am responsible for creating the current trend in music.
The old wave is anonymous
The previous trend in music is now unimportant and forgotten.
All kinds of names are popping up
New artists are gaining popularity.
I check them off my shit list
I am keeping track of the people I do not like.
Imagine they stop pretending
Imagine if people stopped being fake.
These blessing come from heaven
I believe that my success comes from a higher power.
Put the beam on Donald's forehead
I am targeting Donald Trump.
The only time that election comes
The only election that matters to me personally.
Is when I get dead presidents to represent me
I only care about getting money.
I do it arrogantly. I do it elegantly
I do things with confidence and style.
And don't prepare me to speak to the press
I do not need to prepare for interviews.
I'll come for they neck
I will confront and intimidate those who cross me.
And if they're thinking they're ahead
And if they think they have the upper hand.
Decapitate them instead
I will figuratively or literally cut them off.
You're hanging on by a thread and I can't lend 'em a hand
You are barely holding on and I cannot help you.
And burning bridges might make you not wanna walk here again
If you ruin a relationship, you may not be welcome back.
Oh, yeah. I'm poppin now. I'm popular
I am very popular now.
Got a wrist game with a new chain
I have a new watch and chain.
It'll make you optimistic. Time is ticking
It will make you feel hopeful, but time is running out.
Money you can't repay
I owe a lot of money that I cannot pay back.
I gotta say I can't risk it
I cannot take a risk with my money.
Cross the line but not finish
I am taking risks but not completing them.
No suit and tie. Yeah I define whether or not you about business is
I do not dress formally, but it does not determine whether or not I am successful in business.
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: David Keilman II
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind