Not many recording artists carry the titles “singer, rapper, songwriter & producer” and stand out in each category. But Gotee Records’ latest signing B.Reith defies expectations and excels in each of these roles.
When Gotee founder Toby Mac first heard B.Reith’s (born Brian Reith) music in 2006 he pulled his car over to the side of the road. “It’s amazing when God truly gives someone a gift,” says Toby. “Brian is just naturally gifted from God vocally and his lyrics, when they hit tape, they sort of just ease into your heart.”
Two years later in 2008, B.Reith finished his debut release The Forecast EP. The five-song EP showcases Brian’s range and depth as a lyricist and musician. From the clever humor of “Go On” in which he explains how to pronounce his name (“It’s messed up when they can’t say your name right, B.Reeth, B.Right naw B.Reith!”) to the compelling message of “Cold World”, in which he pleads “don’t lose yourself in it.” The soulful melodies and rich chord progressions of “Awe-Struck” and “Rain Down” showcase B’s skills as an arranger and a communicator of heartfelt and sophisticated material.
Reith's first full-length album, Now Is Not Forever, was released on September 22, 2009 through Gotee Records.
With influences ranging from Stevie Wonder to Lauryn Hill, B.Reith comes from a unique place that combines classic soul with modern hip hop. “God gave me an ear to pick up things,” says Brian. “My style is just an accumulation of what I’ve heard throughout my life, channeled through the unique talents that God has given me.”
Brian grew up in Milwaukee and began singing on commercials at the age of five. His father, Jim Reith, has owned a recording studio since Brian learned how to walk. "I literally grew up in that studio," says Brian. "I took it for granted when I was young. I ran from music and tried to live like the Average Joe. But over time I realized that music is what I'm best at, it is what I was built for."
It wasn’t until 8th grade that he discovered his knack for rhyming. Now the combination of the two is what defines his exclusive sound. “I get bored just singing or just rapping. I can say a lot more through rapping, then drive home a theme with a great hook.”
B.Reith speaks the relevant dialect of today’s culture, and has the heart to address real issues, presenting hope and shedding light into this decaying world. “My number one passion is to connect with people, to entertain them, to stir up emotion in them, and to challenge them by sharing life from a different perspective. There is something we’re all yearning for. I’m just trying to help direct our attention to it, and music is the most powerful way I know how.”
“Trust me, B.Reith is a man of character too,” says Toby. “He’s a guy that truly walks what he talks.”
Wish That
B.Reith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't open up that door 'cause it hurts too bad oh
My heart's still wounded and sour it needs time to
Heal and each time you come around it's cut open again
All is fair in love and war
But I'm not strong enough to keep coming back for more
I'll admit it, so we live and so we learn
Thanks for teaching, I'd best be leaving before I wind up dead
Oh how I wish that I could just get back
The piece of my heart that I gave to you oh
Yes I'll admit that I'm still a bit mad
Oh well I guess that's just the way love goes
I hope you don't misunderstand
You deserve a real good man, let's just hope he's strong 'cause
You've been dealt a real good hand and my cards don't
Have enough hearts to play your silly games
Fool me once and shame on you play me twice and I'm the fool
Now I see I moved too fast, wishing I could take it back it's late for that
But I learned from my mistake, I'll never make that mistake again
The song "Wish That" by B.Reith speaks of heartbreak and the difficulty of letting go of a past relationship. The singer is still hurt and wounded by the relationship, and each time the person tries to come back into his life, it only reopens the wounds. He admits that he is not strong enough to continue to be hurt and that he needs time to heal.
The lyrics are powerful as they illustrate the pain and difficulty of moving on after a broken relationship. The chorus of the song, "Oh how I wish that I could just get back the piece of my heart that I gave to you" is an incredibly relatable line that captures the hurt and longing felt after a relationship ends. The theme of the song remains hopeful, as the singer recognizes that he has learned from his mistakes and is choosing to move on from the past.
Line by Line Meaning
Please don't call me anymore
Stop contacting me
I can't open up that door 'cause it hurts too bad oh
I'm not ready to revisit this situation, it's painful
My heart's still wounded and sour it needs time to
Emotionally, I'm not okay right now
Heal and each time you come around it's cut open again
Seeing you only reopens old wounds
All is fair in love and war
In the game of love, anything goes
But I'm not strong enough to keep coming back for more
I can't handle this anymore
I'll admit it, so we live and so we learn
I acknowledge my mistakes and will move forward
Thanks for teaching, I'd best be leaving before I wind up dead
I appreciate what I've learned from you, but it's time to go
Oh how I wish that I could just get back
I regret giving you my heart
The piece of my heart that I gave to you oh
I feel incomplete without that part of me
Yes I'll admit that I'm still a bit mad
I'm angry about what happened between us
Oh well I guess that's just the way love goes
This is how relationships sometimes end
I hope you don't misunderstand
I don't want any hard feelings between us
You deserve a real good man, let's just hope he's strong 'cause
I hope you find someone better suited for you
You've been dealt a real good hand and my cards don't
You have a lot going for you and I don't
Have enough hearts to play your silly games
I can't compete with you
Fool me once and shame on you play me twice and I'm the fool
I've learned my lesson
Now I see I moved too fast, wishing I could take it back it's late for that
I regret rushing into things too quickly, but it's too late to change it
But I learned from my mistake, I'll never make that mistake again
I've become wiser from this experience
Contributed by Julia S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.