His was never a story of numerous talents shows and performing in school plays, but by the time he was in his mid teens he had already attracted a management outfit, and released a single Falling’. During his teens Donae’o (which means ‘Gift from God’) would release and re-release a few singles, most notably Falling and Bounce under various management outfits. Both singles made an impact on the underground, with Bounce winning an award for Best Live P.A at the People’ Choice Awards in 2003. All of this set the foundations for Donae’o’s future success. ‘Both of these songs kick-started my career,’ says the now 25-year-old. In his late teens and early 20’s he released a few more underground singles, but was mainly out of the spotlight as he focused on working on a plan to orchestrate the next stage of his career.
The plan? To take control of his career himself, minus any management. He had penned a tune called Devil In A Blue Dress, and this was the one he felt could really turn things around, and he was right.
“I started promoted Devil In A Blue Dress last year November and I released it on a white label this February,’ he recalls, adding: ‘Doing things myself worked better for me in the sense that I was able to choose what I wanted to do and how I wanted to do it. Sometimes going with your gut instinct, rather than over-discussing things with a bunch of different people, can work a lot better for you, that’s the freedom I like.’
From that moment on he would personally promote the single to anyone and everyone, from fellow artists, radio djs, club djs and pirates, collecting email addresses and contact details and delivering music and information. It was about three months before things really started to take off. By February 2008 the single was in record shops and by March it was the hottest tune on the streets. Donae’o found himself in hot demand performing live P.As across the country and in Aiya Napa as well as a coveted spot at 2008’s Glastonbury festival.
Despite enjoying the advantages of pushing his career by himself, the talented singer is smart enough to acknowledge the benefits of having a strong team on board, as long as it is the right team. Step forward bourgeoning profile and brand building company ‘My-ish inc’, who have more than added to the project, tailoring it to ensure maximum success from the underground to mainstream.
When asked to describe what he brings to the table as an artist, Donae’o says: ‘I bring the energy, and that’s what’s make me appealing. It also means that whatever kind of music a person is into they are usually moved by my songs. I have seen it with my own eyes. I don’t say that to be big-headed, I say that so appreciative that I have been blessed with this gift.’
Donae’o is currently working on his debut album, which is set to be released next year. For the moment he is happy doing funky house saying: ‘I’ve been singing and MCing from time, but I don’t think I found myself musically until house was introduced to me.’ However his diverse talent and skills means he is not one to be limited, so expect the unexpected from the singer, and also expect whatever he comes with to blow you away.
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Donae'o Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wish you loved you as much as you love him
I wish you loved you as much as you love him
So kiss his picture and chuck it in the bin
You been on the road of excess what seems like forever
The palace of wisdom, are we nearly there yet?
Are you with the flame that you had hoped?
I know he says you'll change, but maybe you should know
That people never change, they're just exposed
I wish you loved you as much as you love him
I wish you loved you as much as you love
Searching for ourselves in one another
You got all the power you need
Don't place them in no lover
I feel your search for balance
And there's comfort in your comma challenge
Can't be alone, on cellphone
This lonely life is savage
But please put down that baggage
I wish you loved you as much as you love him
I wish you loved you as much as you love him
I wish you loved you and gave you self-loving
Loving yourself is true wealth, honey
I wish you loved you as much as you love him
You love this guy like there's two of him
To live like that is no life
If you walked away from him, then you would win
That's no cappin'
But, baby, you like to be disrespected often
Bitch, you have different options
Bitches like you like living large
Aw, behave
Said you like games, babe
Drama is your safe place
I'm just saying
I wish you loved you as much as you love him
I wish you loved you as much as you love him
All the same at the end of the day
It ain't a fair exchange
He always says he'll change
Can't you see it's no use
You gotta cut off all these things that are not serving you
I wish you loved you as much as you love him
I wish you loved you as much as you love him
You wish you could ignore the way it feels
Something in your head says he ain't real
But you shut me down
You say it ain't a big deal 'cause he's gonna change
But see, it's all the same at the end of the day
It ain't a fair exchange
He always says he'll change
Can't you see it's no use
You gotta cut off all these things that are not serving you
The lyrics of Donae'o’s song "I Wish You Loved You" speak about self-love and the importance of prioritizing oneself over others. The song’s message is a call to action for the subject of the song to recognize the value of their own self-worth, rather than seeking validation and love from someone else. The singer of the song emphasizes how important it is to love oneself as much as we love someone else.
The song highlights the paradox that comes with people seeking love and validation from others when they themselves are not contented with who they are. The singer of the song acknowledges that the subject of the song is constantly seeking their self-worth by seeking validation and love from another person. The lyrics are a plea to the subject of the song to appreciate and love themselves as much as they love the person they have been seeking validation from.
The song also emphasizes that change is necessary for personal growth. The singer of the song recognizes that people often do not change, but rather, they are exposed. Through the lyrics, the singer advises the subject of the song that they need to cut off all the things that aren't serving them and take charge of their own happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
I wish you loved you as much as you love him
The singer wishes that the listener had the same level of love for themselves as they have for their partner
So kiss his picture and chuck it in the bin
The singer suggests that the listener should get rid of any reminders of their partner
You been on the road of excess what seems like forever
The singer believes that the listener has been indulging in excess for a long time
The palace of wisdom, are we nearly there yet?
The singer asks if the listener has reached a state of wisdom or if they are still on the path to get there
Are you with the flame that you had hoped?
The singer questions if the listener is with the person they had hoped to be with
Or are you just afraid to be alone?
The singer wonders if the listener is staying with their partner out of fear of being alone
I know he says you'll change, but maybe you should know
The singer acknowledges that the listener's partner claims they will change, but suggests that they should not believe it
That people never change, they're just exposed
The singer believes that people do not change fundamentally, but rather their true selves are revealed over time
Searching for ourselves in one another
The singer suggests that the listener is looking for their own identity through their partner
You got all the power you need
The singer believes that the listener has the power within themselves to make their own choices
Don't place them in no lover
The singer advises the listener not to rely on their partner for their own happiness
I feel your search for balance
The singer empathizes with the listener's search for balance in their life
And there's comfort in your comma challenge
The singer finds comfort in the listener's struggle to find balance, as it is a common challenge
Can't be alone, on cellphone
The singer observes that the listener seems unable to be alone without relying on their phone
This lonely life is savage
The singer finds the listener's constant search for love and companionship to be a difficult and harsh way to live
But please put down that baggage
The singer advises the listener to let go of their emotional baggage and move on from their current situation
I wish you loved you and gave you self-loving
The singer wishes that the listener would love themselves and prioritize their own wellbeing
Loving yourself is true wealth, honey
The singer believes that loving oneself is the most valuable form of wealth
You love this guy like there's two of him
The singer comments on the listener's intense and excessive love for their partner
To live like that is no life
The singer suggests that living in such an intense and imbalanced way is not a fulfilling or happy life
If you walked away from him, then you would win
The singer believes that leaving their partner would be a victory for the listener
That's no cappin'
The singer is not lying or exaggerating about the benefits of leaving
But, baby, you like to be disrespected often
The singer points out that the listener seems to enjoy being treated poorly by their partner
Bitch, you have different options
The singer is frustrated with the listener's apparent refusal to explore other options besides their current partner
Bitches like you like living large
The singer suggests that the listener is accustomed to a certain level of extravagance and is reluctant to give it up
Aw, behave
The singer is urging the listener to act in a more responsible and mature manner
Said you like games, babe
The singer comments on the listener's tendency to play games in their relationships
Drama is your safe place
The singer observes that the listener seems to be comfortable in a state of drama and turmoil
All the same at the end of the day
The singer believes that regardless of the situation, the result will be the same
It ain't a fair exchange
The singer believes that the listener is not receiving a fair or equal exchange in their relationship
He always says he'll change
The singer notes that the listener's partner frequently promises to change
Can't you see it's no use
The singer believes that the listener should not believe their partner's promises to change
You gotta cut off all these things that are not serving you
The singer advises the listener to remove themselves from any situation or person that is not benefiting them
You wish you could ignore the way it feels
The singer notes that the listener may wish to ignore their feelings about their relationship
Something in your head says he ain't real
The singer suggests that the listener may have doubts about the authenticity of their partner
But you shut me down
The singer notes that the listener is unwilling to consider their advice or opinions
You say it ain't a big deal 'cause he's gonna change
The singer observes that the listener minimizes their concerns about their partner by believing they will change
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Michael Skinner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind