Shortly thereafter he released two independent albums, Three Chords & The Truth and Red Clay Chronicles. Both albums received high critical acclaim, including Atlanta Journal & Constitution’s rave “The best record to come of this city since Usher’s,” and earned David thousands of fans nationwide. It is a combination of songs from those two albums that make up Acey Deucy. David toured relentlessly in support of his independent releases, opening for acts such as Arie and Kem before headlining tours of his own throughout Europe and Japan. “While traveling around the country and Europe playing, I was able to soak up sounds from everywhere I went. I’ve just been able to grow and expand my sound.” David explained. That sound, David refers to as “Millennium Blues” because it “all goes back to the blues. The lyrics, the music, my using everything from acoustic to hip-hop, the story telling...all of it connects through the blues like a bridge.” David feels that his song writing brings a much-needed honesty to today’s music, he explains, “Honesty in music shouldn’t be very rare but it is. Like an MC saying ‘I live the gangster life for real?’ I live the regular life for real, I just make it look and sound good.”
After time on the road, David teamed up with India.Arie once again to co-write and produce “There’s Hope” for Arie’s third Grammy nominated album before heading back out on his own again. And now the circle involving Anthony David and India.Arie begins anew with the first single from Acey Deucy entitled “Words.” The song reveals a musical relationship between Arie and David reminiscent of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, Roberta Flack and Donnie Hathaway, a super natural chemistry that reminds you of music you’ve never heard before and can’t wait to hear again. “It’s great that ‘Words’ is being compared to music by Roberta Flack and Donnie Hathaway,” says David, “because they are both major influences on both our careers. That says a lot about the nature of our relationship and how well we work together. She heard the short version I wrote and said she had a verse for that song. The verse India wrote and her voice fit perfectly in every way.” “I love Tony’s music for how he speaks from a man’s emotional perspective in relationships and his views on learning about life as a young man of the hip hop generation,” says India.Arie. “He’s a great talent and one of my oldest friends. I have so many memories with him. Not only did he encourage me to start performing professionally, but it was Tony who suggested I use my first and middle name as an artist. There was even a time when he spent his rent money for me to experiment in the studio.” Anthony David explains that the lyrics and music are all from personal experience. “I don’t really know any other way to write. From the general to the specific, my music comes from a very personal place. That place is real life, the good and the bad. You won’t hear a lot of stuff about chilling in VIP. I don’t think a lot of people really relate to that. I don’t know where that (VIP and drinking in the club,) ranks in the importance of everyday people’s lives.” What Anthony David gives music and listeners are songs about love and life told in real voices. On Cheatin Man, David expresses a lot of inward pain and battles with self. “Cheatin Man is about a brother doing self-examination,” he explains, “It’s also about the half hearted excuses people make for what they do. The heart of the song is about judgment and falling short. The man (in the song) hates his father for what he did to his mother, but then he ends up doing the same things.” With the song Red Clay Chronicles, Anthony David turns that spotlight of truth outward, and looks at the state of everyone’s problems today. Red Clay Chronicles paints a musical mural of the “haves” and “have-nots” in a way that lets you know David has experienced life as a “have-not” and doesn’t glorify it. Red Clay Chronicles delivers both the musical goods and a fair share of responsibility for those who are able to help improve “city life.” Besides Arie, David calls on other musicians and singers he’s worked with in Atlanta to help complete the journey. On Lady, Keisha Jackson adds her sultry sound to join David’s blues-enriched voice. The track sounds like a lost recording of a song written for Bobby Womack and Gladys Knight. David discusses his partner for the duet “Keisha is Millie Jackson’s daughter. I knew this record would showcase her talent and show the world what I always heard in her voice. That’s one of the many reasons I am so excited about Acey Deucy. I get to show off all the talent here in Atlanta.” Anthony David’s Acey Deucy is a project focused on real life experience but original and passionate in presentation.
Acey Deucy is a blueprint for how to create great music in different styles, while not being diverse just for the sake of being different. Acey Deucy talks about family and friends on tracks like Kin Folk, relaxing on Smoke One and still drives home the joys and pain that we love to get from our music on tracks like Stop Playing. Acey Deucy gives listeners a little bit of what we’ve been waiting for from modern soul music and surprises us with a quality of original story telling we didn’t know was possible.
The eagerly awaited release of David's new album - As Above So Below - scheduled for release in the US in late March, has caught the imagination of many Neo-Soul fans. His silky voice, coupled with strong lyrics in his songs, have ensured a potentially Grammy award winning conjuction. Standout tracks include the religion/politics challenging "What God Said", a fantastic cover of Tears For Fears' "Rule The World" featuring Boyz II Men's Shawn Stockman, and also "Backstreet" - a song based on what David witnessed in his younger years.
The album, already released in Europe, represents the Neo-Soul genre perfectly. Lyrics with meaning, no studio edits served with a side of incredible vocals, make for an unmissable album.
let me in
Anthony David Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The more you try to resist the more I keep wanting that
You got that ADT on your heart you keepin stoppin' before we start
Givin' me the run around, feelin' like I'm on a track
How long you're gonna keep me knockin at your door, how long
How long you're gonna keep on treatin' me like I'm the one
That hurt you before
How long before you let me in your soul
Let me in, won't you let me in,
Let me in, let me in
Tell me when you gonna, let me
Let me in, let me in.
Seems there's always a mountain to climb,
Seems like I'm always telling myself it's gonna take a little more time,
Sending mixed signals and it's keeping me in confusion,
Please don't keep making excuses,
How long you're gonna just let time sleeping away, how long
How long you're gonna keep our* future from being the day
How long you're gonna let our flight keep getting delayed, how long
How long you're gonna keep us from having it made,what do you say?
Let me in, let me in,
Let me in, let me in
Let me in, let me in
Let me in, let me in.
See it on my face, I can't even hide it baby
What is gonna take for you to make your mind up girl
Should I walk away and my wastin' time baby
I don't wanna wait* forever.
Won't you let me in, won't you let me in?
let me in, I've got to have you baby
My wastin' time baby, don't you let me in
Don't you see it in my face baby
Let me in, tell em how long
Just want to love you
Let me in, won't you let me in
In "Let Me In", Anthony David sings about wanting to be let into his partner's heart and soul. He recognizes the resistance and walls his partner has built up, as symbolized by "ADT on [her] heart". Despite this, he insists on knocking and waiting for her to let him in, but also wonders how long he should keep waiting. He acknowledges the mixed signals and confusion, urging his partner not to make excuses and to make up her mind. He ends with the plea to be let in, stating that he can't hide his desire for her any longer.
The theme of vulnerability and opening up to others is a common one in relationships, and Anthony David approaches it with honesty and persistence. He recognizes that opening up and letting down walls can be difficult, but also emphasizes the importance of doing so in order to move forward with a partner.
Line by Line Meaning
You're gonna be a really hard egg to crack
You're a tough nut to crack, challenging and difficult to impress.
The more you try to resist the more I keep wanting that
The harder you resist, the more persistent and determined I become to have you.
You got that ADT on your heart you keepin stoppin' before we start
You have distrust and fear in your heart, preventing us from starting anything.
Givin' me the run around, feelin' like I'm on a track
You're avoiding being straightforward and elusive, making me feel like I'm chasing something that doesn't exist.
How long you're gonna keep me knockin at your door, how long
How much longer do you expect me to keep trying to gain your attention and affection?
How long you're gonna keep on treatin' me like I'm the one
For how much longer will you keep punishing me for what someone else did before?
That hurt you before
Who hurt you in the past that had made you so guarded?
How long you're gonna keep me standing in the cold , how long
How much longer will you keep me waiting and denying me warmth and comfort?
How long before you let me in your soul
How long will it be until you let me into your deepest thoughts, feelings, and desires?
Let me in, won't you let me in,
Please open up and let me into your world emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Seems there's always a mountain to climb,
It always feels like there's a big challenge or obstacle to overcome in order to be with you.
Seems like I'm always telling myself it's gonna take a little more time,
It feels like I'm continuously saying to myself that with time and patience, things will eventually work out.
Sending mixed signals and it's keeping me in confusion,
You're giving me mixed messages, which is causing me to feel bewildered and unsure about how you feel for me.
Please don't keep making excuses,
Don't continue to avoid being clear and upfront with your intentions and feelings.
How long you're gonna just let time sleeping away, how long
For how long are you going to let time pass without making a decision or taking action?
How long you're gonna keep our* future from being the day
For how much longer will you keep our future on hold and not let it materialize?
How long you're gonna let our flight keep getting delayed, how long
For how long will you allow our progress to be halted and our journey to be delayed?
How long you're gonna keep us from having it made,what do you say?
For how much longer are you going to prevent us from achieving success and happiness together, and how do you feel about all of this?
See it on my face, I can't even hide it baby
My emotions and feelings are so evident on my face, I can't even conceal or suppress them.
What is gonna take for you to make your mind up girl
What would finally convince you to make up your mind about me and us?
Should I walk away and my wastin' time baby
Maybe I should just give up and move on since I'm just wasting my time with you.
I don't wanna wait* forever.
I don't want to be waiting forever for you to make a decision or commitment.
Let me in, I've got to have you baby
I need to be with you, please let me in and let us be together.
My wastin' time baby, don't you let me in
I feel like I'm wasting my time with you, but I still want to be with you.
Don't you see it in my face baby
Can't you tell from my facial expressions how much I care about you and want to be with you?
Just want to love you
I just want to love and be loved by you unconditionally.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave
Written by: ALEX JAMES BECKMANN, JASON MATTHEW GOODMAN, AUSTIN LEE MENDENHALL, BRIAN GRAYSON SANDERS, SCOTT SEELIG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind