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.
Song For You
City High Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(what I need to call her for)
Gotta tell her for me
(tell her what?)
That I love her so strongly
(why don't you tell her yourself son)
Cause she won't listen to me now
Without love in my heart, I might as well be dead
So can you help me out
(I can call her)
You're the only one who can
Hello, yo shorty:
I just got off the phone and
Robby told me to come talk to you
(yea about what)
He said y'all having problems
And you left him now
He's all confused
(yea so what)
Now girl why you bugging
Know you was made for
And him for you
I ain't tryna butt in
Just wanna be a friend
And he asked me to call you
(CHORUS)
Gotta call her homie
And tell her for me
That I love her strongly
She won't listen to me
Without love in my heart
I might as well be dead
Can you tell me how
Your the only one who can
Gotta call the homie
And tell her for me
That I'm really sorry
She won't listen to me
Without love in my heart
I might as well be dead
Please tell me how
You're the only one who can
oh girl this thing has gon' on long enough
Can you see he don't know the true reason
That you left him baby, cause of me
He would be real surprised
To find that I knew I would love you right
What kind of friend am I
To take advantage of my best friend's trust
Gotta call her homie
And tell her for me
That I love her strongly
She won't listen to me
Without love in my heart
I might as well be dead
Can you tell me how
Your the only one who can
Gotta call the homie
And tell her for me
That I'm really sorry
She won't listen to me
Without love in my heart
I might as well be dead
Please tell me how
You're the only one who can
If you wanna know
Why I did what I did
I got tired of being alone
While you was out tricking
I guess female dogs can learn tricks too
See I'm not the bitch, but payback is
And what you did, came back to you
Gotta call her homie
And tell her for me
That I love her strongly
She won't listen to me
Without love in my heart
I might as well be dead
Can you tell me how
Your the only one who can
Gotta call the homie
And tell her for me
That I'm really sorry
She won't listen to me
Without love in my heart
I might as well be dead
Please tell me how
You're the only one who can
The lyrics of City High's "A Song For You" narrate a story of a man asking his friend to help him convey his feelings to a woman he loves. He calls the woman his homie and asks his friend to tell her that he loves her strongly. However, the woman won't listen to him, and he fears he might as well be dead without love in his heart. He pleads with his friend to help him, saying that he's the only one who can.
In the second verse, the man goes to see the woman with his friend's help, and he tells her that she was made for him, and he was made for her. He apologizes for his mistakes and pleads with her to forgive him. In the third verse, the man reveals that he got tired of being alone while the woman was out "tricking," implying that she cheated on him. He says payback is a bitch and what she did came back to her.
The song's emotional depth reveals the vulnerability of the characters, and the lyrics depict the complexity of relationships. It highlights the importance of forgiveness and second chances in relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Gotta call her homie
I need you to help me by calling my friend
And tell her for me
Communicating my message to her through you
That I love her strongly
Conveying my deep love for her
She won't listen to me
My friend is not willing to listen to me
Without love in my heart
I can't live without love in my life
I might as well be dead
Love is crucial for me to survive
Can you tell me how
Can you help me with this situation
Your the only one who can
I trust only you to get through to her
Hello, yo shorty
Beginning the conversation with the girl
I just got off the phone and
Had a serious discussion with a friend about you
Robby told me to come talk to you
My friend says you need to hear what I have to say
Now girl why you bugging
Asking why there are problems between you and Robby
Know you was made for
Believing that you two are perfect for each other
And him for you
Confirming that Robby loves her
I ain't tryna butt in
Trying not to interfere in their relationship
Just wanna be a friend
Just trying to be a good friend to Robby
oh girl this thing has gone on long enough
Addressing the problem between the girl and Robby that has been going on for too long
Can you see he don't know the true reason
Pointing out that Robby doesn't know the real reason she left him
That you left him baby, cause of me
Revealing that she left because she is interested in the singer
He would be real surprised
Robby would be shocked to find out the truth
To find that I knew I would love you right
The artist acknowledges that he knows he'll love the girl properly
What kind of friend am I
Feeling guilty for betraying Robby's trust
To take advantage of my best friend's trust
Acknowledging that it was wrong to betray his best friend's trust
If you wanna know
If you're curious
Why I did what I did
Why I pursued you while you were with Robby
I got tired of being alone
Feeling lonely and wanting someone to be with
While you was out tricking
Accusing the girl of cheating on Robby
I guess female dogs can learn tricks too
Playing with the double meaning of the word 'bitch'
See I'm not the bitch, but payback is
Clarifying that he's not the bad one in this situation
And what you did, came back to you
Suggesting that she deserves what's happening to her now
Please tell me how
Asking for assistance with the situation at hand
You're the only one who can
Imploring that only the listener can help him out
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Leon Russell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind