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.
Why
City High Lyrics
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Here come another one, uh
I know things ain't work out for you and me
But don't worry 'bout my child
Cause I'm gonna take care of him baby
But I can't keep coming around breaking you off
Cause it breaks my heart when we make love
[1] - Why should we screw
If we can't get along
What's the point in gettin' it on
You know that it's wrong
When all we do is sweep it under the wrong
What's the point when we touch
If we're no longer in love
This makes no sense to do what we do
Cause baby I've been moved on
And I know you got someone knew
Said we promised each other we wouldn't make this a sexual thing
Cause it feels good, while we bang
But when it's over
You know we be fighting again
[Repeat 1]
Why - tell me why it seems to be
The only time you work with me
Is when we're between the sheets
When I'm working your body
That's when we get along
But when you put your clothes back on
We're back to the same old song
We got it all wrong
[Breakdown]
[Repeat 1 till end]
The lyrics of City High's song Why talk about a complicated relationship between two people who can't seem to make it work out. The singer starts by acknowledging that things didn't work out between him and the person he's singing to, but he assures her that he will take care of the child they share. He then goes on to say that he can't keep coming around and having sex with her because it hurts him to do so when there's no love involved. The chorus then questions why they keep having sex when they can't get along, and why they keep sweeping their problems under the rug. He then acknowledges that they both have someone else now, and reminds her that they promised not to make this a sexual thing. But they keep doing it anyway, even though it only leads to arguments afterwards. The breakdown before the last chorus is about how they only seem to get along when they're having sex, and how that's not enough to sustain a relationship.
Overall, this song is about the complexities of relationships and how sometimes things just don't work out. It's about the struggle to move on from someone when you still have feelings for them, and about the temptation to fall back into old habits, even when you know they're not good for you. It's a reminder that physical attraction is not enough to sustain a relationship, and that sometimes the best thing you can do is move on, even though it's hard.
Line by Line Meaning
I know things ain't work out for you and me
I understand that our relationship didn't work out
But don't worry 'bout my child Cause I'm gonna take care of him baby
But I assure you that I will take care of our child even if we are not together
Cause it breaks my heart when we make love And ain't no love involved
Having physical intimacy with you without any hint of love is emotionally draining for me
Why should we screw If we can't get along What's the point in gettin' it on You know that it's wrong When all we do is sweep it under the wrong What's the point when we touch If we're no longer in love
What is the point of being physical if we can't have a meaningful relationship? Why should we continue to have rushed moments of affection when we both know that it is not right for us? It is better to part ways than to continue pretending that everything is okay
This makes no sense to do what we do Cause baby I've been moved on And I know you got someone new
Our relationship has no meaning anymore because I've moved on and you have someone new
Said we promised each other we wouldn't make this a sexual thing Cause it feels good, while we bang But when it's over You know we be fighting again
We promised not to be physical with each other, but we keep doing it because it feels good. However, we tend to have fights after having physical intimacy again
Why - tell me why it seems to be The only time you work with me Is when we're between the sheets When I'm working your body That's when we get along But when you put your clothes back on We're back to the same old song We got it all wrong
I don't understand why we only get along when we are physically intimate. When I'm exploring your body, we are happy and harmonized, but when we are back to wearing our clothes, we seem to be back in the same old routine. There is something wrong with our relationship
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROBBY PARDLO, RYAN TOBY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind