In 2001, "What Would You Do?" was released as part of the band's eponymous debut to radio with a new mix that interpolated Dr. Dre's The Next Episode into the bridge. The song, a story seen from different perspectives about a young woman who becomes a stripper to feed her child, became a U.S. Pop #8 and R&B #13 hit. The band's follow-up single, Caramel, found Ortiz singing lead and Pardlo on the bridge. In the original version, there is also a section where Ortiz sings in Spanish. For radio release, the song was remixed to include the rapper Eve. "Caramel" was a U.S. Pop #18 and R&B #9 hit. The remix was done by Trackmasters. The final single from the group's debut was City High Anthem, which failed to make a big impact on urban and top 40 markets. Once again, however, a remix was released, featuring rapper Styles P.
In early 2002, City High shot several mini music video commercials for MTV based on their own songs promoting the 11th season of The Real World set in Chicago.
Their debut self-titled album sold millions and was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2003. City High members Ryan Toby and Claudette Ortiz got married on October 14, 2004.
City High disbanded in 2003.
15 Will Get You 20
City High Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sixteen will get ya ten
Don't think it can't happen to you cause
It happened to one of my friends
Eighteen fresh out of school
Doin' the right thing playing by the rues but
One day she caught his eye thirty six, twenty four with
Asked her name mot ever thinking to
Ask her age she so fine she had
To be grown had he known then what
He knows now.
She was only beauty queen, man oh man how
Could this be so damn fly but only sixteen
Fifteen get ya twenty, sixteen get you ten don't
Think it can't happen to you cause
It happened to one of my friends
Let me tell you about my friend
1997 homecoming queen working hard
On her degree but one hot day she was
Out at the Greek and there he was about
Five foot nine chocolate as cocoa in the middle of
July so fine. He had to be grow
Had she knew then what she knows now.
He was only sixteen with the body of a god and
A face of a king man oh man how could this be
So damn fly but only sixteen
The lyrics to City High's song 15 Will Get You 20 tell the story of two different women who fall victim to older men preying on them. The first verse narrates the tale of a man who is attracted to a young woman, who he assumes to be of legal age based on her appearance. However, he is unaware that she is actually only sixteen and as a result, he finds himself in trouble with the law. The second verse is similar to the first, as it describes another young intelligent woman who is caught up with a man whom she believes is older. In reality, he, too, is only sixteen.
The song serves as a warning to young women to beware of older men who manipulate and take advantage of them. The lyrics make clear that appearances can be deceiving, as the older men in these cases seemed much older than they actually were. The message of the song is that women should be cautious of going out with people they do not know well and should always be on the lookout for red flags.
Line by Line Meaning
Fifteen will get ya twenty
If you engage in sexual activity with someone who is fifteen years old, you could be charged with statutory rape, which carries a twenty-year sentence.
Sixteen will get ya ten
Even if the person is sixteen years old, they're still not legally old enough to consent to sexual activity with someone significantly older, which would carry a ten-year sentence.
Don't think it can't happen to you cause
Just because you know the law, doesn't mean you're immune to making bad decisions or falling for someone who could lead you astray.
It happened to one of my friends
This isn't just some hypothetical situation, it's something that someone I know personally experienced and suffered the consequences of.
Eighteen fresh out of school
This girl was just starting her adult life, having recently graduated from high school and moved on to college or the workforce.
Doin' the right thing playing by the rues but
She was trying to make good choices and follow the rules, but that doesn't mean she couldn't be susceptible to manipulation or temptation from someone older.
One day she caught his eye thirty six
A much older man noticed her and found her attractive, despite the fact that he was more than twice her age.
twenty four with a skirt size five. He stepped to and
He approached her and engaged her in conversation, focusing on her physical appearance and dressing in a way that emphasized her youth.
Asked her name mot ever thinking to
He didn't even consider asking how old she was or making sure she was of legal age.
Ask her age she so fine she had
He was so mesmerized by her beauty that he assumed she was older than she actually was.
To be grown had he known then what
If he had known her true age, he might have thought twice about pursuing her or engaging in sexual activity.
He knows now.
The consequences of their actions have taught him an important lesson.
She was only beauty queen, man oh man how
She was young, beautiful, and seemed more mature than she actually was, which made it easier for him to be attracted to her despite the age difference.
Could this be so damn fly but only sixteen
He can't believe how good their chemistry is or how attractive she is, but the fact that she's only sixteen is a serious issue.
Let me tell you about my friend
This is a cautionary tale that has personal significance for the singer.
1997 homecoming queen working hard
This friend was a young woman who was well-liked and respected in her community, and was working hard to achieve her goals.
On her degree but one hot day she was
Despite her good intentions, she was still human and susceptible to making bad decisions when presented with temptation.
Out at the Greek and there he was about
She met an older man who was charismatic and charming, and offered her something she was missing in her life.
Five foot nine chocolate as cocoa in the middle of
He was physically attractive and had a compelling presence that drew her to him.
July so fine. He had to be grow
She assumed that he was older than he actually was, based on his appearance and demeanor.
Had she knew then what she knows now.
If she had realized the full consequences of her actions, she might not have been so quick to get involved with him.
He was only sixteen with the body of a god and
He was much younger than she realized, but had a physical appearance that belied his actual age.
A face of a king man oh man how could this be
He was handsome and charming, which made it easier for her to overlook the fact that he was too young for her.
So damn fly but only sixteen
Their connection was electric and exciting, but ultimately wrong because of the age difference.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
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