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.
You Don't Know Me
City High Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They don't know me
Why'all don't know me
So don't try to judge me
'Cause I'm hard headed
I don't want to listen
Experience is my teacher
Now lately it seems as though your actin' like your someone else
And the way it used to be you could come to me and tell me what you felt
Now I heard they say what you see is what you get
But that ain't always a fact, but if you turned me inside out
I think that you'd gain a new respect
Seems like everybody knows my mind better than I know my own
Always questioning the things I do, I wish why'all leave me alone
I may hang out and drink a lot but that's just how I get down
If I listen to him or her or you, I'd never get my feet off of the ground
[Bridge]
You think you know me but you don't
(I'll do me and you do you think you know me but you don't have a clue)
You think you know me but you won't
In City High's song "You Don't Know Me," the chorus repeats "You don't know me" several times, addressing how the people around them do not truly understand who they are. The lyrics suggest that others are trying to judge and question their choices, but they refuse to listen because they believe that experience is the best teacher in life. The singer asserts their independence and stubbornness, unwilling to change their ways for anyone. The second verse appears to be directed at someone specific, someone who has changed from who they used to be and is now distant from the singer. The lyrics suggest that appearances can be deceptive, and that if people really looked at the singer, they would see someone worth respecting.
Overall, the song is a powerful statement about individuality and how we cannot let others dictate who we are. The lyrics are a reminder that we are all unique, and that our experiences and choices shape who we become. The song also suggests that people may judge us based on appearances or rumors, but that they do not truly understand who we are inside.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't know me
I am not the person you think you know
They don't know me
Others do not truly know me as well
Why'all don't know me
You all have a false perception of who I am
So don't try to judge me
Do not judge me based on your misconceptions
'Cause I'm hard headed
I am stubborn in my beliefs and actions
I don't want to listen
I am not interested in hearing other people's opinions
Experience is my teacher
I learn from my own experiences instead of listening to others
That's how I'm gonna live my life
I will continue to live my life the way I believe is best
Now lately it seems as though your actin' like your someone else
You have been behaving differently and not like your true self
And the way it used to be you could come to me and tell me what you felt
We used to have a close relationship where you could confide in me
Now I heard they say what you see is what you get
People say that you are who you appear to be
But that ain't always a fact, but if you turned me inside out
However, that is not always true and if you truly knew me
I think that you'd gain a new respect
You would have a newfound respect for me and my true self
Seems like everybody knows my mind better than I know my own
People think they understand my thoughts and feelings better than I do
Always questioning the things I do, I wish why'all leave me alone
People constantly criticize my actions and I wish they would let me be
I may hang out and drink a lot but that's just how I get down
I enjoy partying and drinking, but that does not define who I am
If I listen to him or her or you, I'd never get my feet off of the ground
If I listened to everyone's opinions, I would never be able to make my own decisions
You think you know me but you don't
People have a false perception of who I am
(I'll do me and you do you think you know me but you don't have a clue)
I will continue to live my life the way I want, and you do not truly understand me
You think you know me but you won't
People may continue to think they know me, but they never will truly understand me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROBBY PARDLO, TERILL PAUL, TIM DICKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind