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.
The Only One I Trust
City High Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It was two weeks before my son's birthday
The DT's ringing my bell
(Mam' we need to ask a few questions)
The told me the raid would go down anyday
And if I was smart I wouldn't tell
It was all over him yaw, my boyfriend the criminal
And the FBI warned if I didn't go along
They'd make sure I never saw
My son or my boyfriend again
(Remember this, you are a convicted felon on probation)
But how could I just turn him in
(Mam' if you don't help us you'll never see your son again, trust me)
He would always tell me...
[Chorus]
I know you're afraid, but you can't leave me now
Lean on my shoulder, soon it'll be over
I'm trying to build our future
I'm doin' this for us
You're the only one I love, the only one I trust
I've been with him for about 4 years, and I swear
He gave me anything I could dream (anything)
But the life that he lived was a nightmare, I swear
It wasn't clean, he was blinded by the cream
All the murderous capaz, the trips to Las Vegas
Makin' millions from paper, blood-stained
Stuck in my head like a song, I saw every sin knew every wrong
And if I didn't go along, I'd never see my family again
(So what's it gonna be?)
(I know my life)
(One phone call from me and you're son's going to a foster home, answer the question)
(I don't have to answer shit)
He would always tell me...
[Chorus]
I know you're afraid, but you can't leave me now
Lean on my shoulder, soon it'll be over
I'm trying to build our future
I'm doin' this for us
You're the only one I love, the only one I trust
It was Saturday evening, we were home watchin' TV
He looked in my eyes, I wanted to cry
My son ran to hug him and kissed him goodnight
How could I do this? Plain do this when I knew he would die?
The Fed's rushed the door, yelled â??everyone on the floorâ??
My man pulled his arm, and started to fire
He was a soldier of cause in a war he couldn't win
But with out him I'm lost
So I stood by his side and went down with him
Oh, no no no no, no no no no, ya ya ya ya, oh
Whoo he would always tell me...
[Chorus: x2]
I know you're afraid, but you can't leave me now
Lean on my shoulder, soon it'll be over
I'm trying to build our future
I'm doin' this for us
You're the only one I love, the only one I trust
The lyrics to City High's song The Only One I Trust tell the story of a woman who is forced to make a difficult decision when her boyfriend, a criminal, is caught up in the game and the FBI warns her that if she doesn't go along with them, she will never see her son or boyfriend again. The woman is torn between wanting to protect her son and wanting to protect her boyfriend, who has given her everything she could dream of. She ultimately stands by his side and goes down with him when the Feds raid their home and he fires on them. The song is a reflection on the sacrifices people will make for love and loyalty.
Throughout the lyrics, there are references to the woman's fear and uncertainty. She knows that what she is doing is dangerous and could put her and her son's lives in jeopardy, but she is also deeply committed to her boyfriend and the life they have built together. The song highlights the complexities of relationships that exist in the face of difficult circumstances such as crime and betrayal.
The chorus of the song, which repeats the lines "I know you're afraid, but you can't leave me now / Lean on my shoulder, soon it'll be over / I'm trying to build our future / I'm doin' this for us / You're the only one I love, the only one I trust," serves as a mantra for the woman as she struggles to make the right decision. It is a reminder that love and trust are powerful forces that can compel people to take risky actions.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a ghetto fairytale, yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
The story that follows is a tale of the hardships of living in a low-income urban area, despite having elements of hope and love.
It was two weeks before my son's birthday
The events of the story take place around a significant time for the singer and her family.
The DT's ringing my bell
The singer is visited by the authorities, indicating that a serious situation is at hand.
(Mam' we need to ask a few questions)
The authorities try to question the artist about her boyfriend's illegal activities.
The told me the raid would go down anyday
The authorities inform the artist that her boyfriend's criminal activities will soon be investigated and punished by law enforcement.
And if I was smart I wouldn't tell
The authorities suggest to the singer that it would be in her best interest to not interfere with the investigation by providing information.
It was all over him yaw, my boyfriend the criminal
The singer's boyfriend is heavily involved in criminal activities and the investigation specifically implicates him.
He was caught up in the game
The artist's boyfriend is involved in a lifestyle of crime, and it has become a habit for him.
And the FBI warned if I didn't go along
The Federal Bureau of Investigation tells the artist that she needs to cooperate with them in their investigation if she wants to keep her family together.
They'd make sure I never saw
The authorities threaten the artist by saying that they will take away her child and partner if she refuses to comply with their request.
My son or my boyfriend again
The singer is confronted with the difficult decision of either betraying her boyfriend, whom she loves, or risk losing her child.
(Remember this, you are a convicted felon on probation)
The authorities remind the artist of her criminal record, which might lead to harsher consequences if she doesn't comply.
But how could I just turn him in
The singer struggles with the dilemma of choosing between love and duty; choosing to turn in her boyfriend would mean betraying the trust he had placed in her.
(Mam' if you don't help us you'll never see your son again, trust me)
The authorities use emotional blackmail to put pressure on the singer to comply with their request.
He would always tell me...
The singer thinks back to her boyfriend's words of reassurance before making her decision.
[Chorus]
The chorus repeats the artist's internal struggles and the difficult decision she has to make.
I've been with him for about 4 years, and I swear
The artist has a long history with her boyfriend and has committed to a relationship with him.
He gave me anything I could dream (anything)
Despite the precariousness of his lifestyle, the singer's partner fulfills her desires and supports her in every way he can.
But the life that he lived was a nightmare, I swear
The singer acknowledges the negative side effects of her boyfriend's criminal lifestyle, that it is dangerous and detrimental to him and their relationship.
It wasn't clean, he was blinded by the cream
The artist reflects on how her boyfriend was enticed by the potential for financial gain and ultimately lost sight of what was important.
All the murderous capaz, the trips to Las Vegas
The artist remembers the violent and dangerous situations she and her boyfriend were involved in.
Makin' millions from paper, blood-stained
The artist remembers how her boyfriend's wealth came from illegal and dangerous activities, and the bloodshed that accompanied it.
Stuck in my head like a song, I saw every sin knew every wrong
The singer can't forget the criminal lifestyle, the violence, and the pain she experienced being involved with her boyfriend's world.
And if I didn't go along, I'd never see my family again
The artist recognizes the high stakes of her decisions, and if she doesn't comply, the authorities will take her family away from her.
(So what's it gonna be?)
The authorities try to force the singer to choose whether to help them or be loyal to her boyfriend.
(I know my life)
The singer is aware of the risks and consequences of her choices.
(One phone call from me and you're son's going to a foster home, answer the question)
The authorities use more emotional manipulation, warning the singer that her child will be taken from her if she doesn't comply.
(I don't have to answer shit)
The artist asserts her powers of free will and independence, demonstrating her resentment towards the authorities' threats and manipulation.
He would always tell me...
Once again, the artist seeks solace in her boyfriend's words of encouragement.
[Chorus: x2]
The story culminates in a tragic ending as the authorities catch the singer's boyfriend and she chooses to stick by him, ultimately losing her family in the process.
It was Saturday evening, we were home watchin' TV
The final scene of the story sets a stark contrast to the dramatic events that are about to happen.
He looked in my eyes, I wanted to cry
The artist shares a poignant moment of connection with her boyfriend, recognizing the impending doom surrounding them.
My son ran to hug him and kissed him goodnight
Her child's affection for her boyfriend highlights the tragic effects of her decision on both her and her child.
How could I do this? Plain do this when I knew he would die?
The artist demonstrates her internal struggle as she understands her loyalty will lead her ultimately to lose her partner.
The Fed's rushed the door, yelled â??everyone on the floorâ??
The authorities' violent entry to their home emphasizes the seriousness of the situation and the dangers of the path they have gone down.
My man pulled his arm, and started to fire
The artist's boyfriend initially resists the authorities' attempts to catch him, illustrating the fatal consequences of his choices.
He was a soldier of cause in a war he couldn't win
The singer reflects on her boyfriend's mindset, how he believed that he was fighting a righteous fight, even though his actions were illegal and dangerous.
But with out him I'm lost
The final line communicates the singer's despair and hopelessness after losing her partner and child.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GERARD AVANT, JERRELL BATTLE, ROBBY PARDLO, RYAN TOBY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind