Haynie is a native of Buffalo, New York. He started primarily as a sample-driven hip-hop producer and got his first big break after handing off a beat CD to now-deceased, Detroit rapper Proof. He then began producing for various members of Eminem’s Detroit camp, as well as New York City rappers Raekwon, Cormega, and C-Rayz Walz.[1] He relocated to New York City and got his start as a hip hop producer in the early 2000s, collaborating with rappers Obie Trice, Ghostface Killah, The Roots, Cormega, M.O.P., Rhymefest, and AZ. His career grew and, by the second half of 2000's first decade, he had worked with Ice Cube, Slaughterhouse, Eminem, Kanye West and Kid Cudi. Haynie remixed Michael Jackson's 1972 song, "Maria (You Were the Only One)", for the 2009 album Michael Jackson: The Remix Suite.
In 2009, Haynie, along with record producer Patrick “Plain Pat” Reynolds and recording artist Kid Cudi launched their record label, Dream On, in partnership with Kanye West's GOOD Music and Universal Motown. Cudi announced in February 2011 however, that the label had been dissolved. Cudi stated to Complex magazine that they were still on good terms: "I wanted to try something new, and I wanted to take control of things myself.[...] There’s no hard feelings." The label released Kid Cudi's albums, Man on the Moon: The End of Day (2009) and Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager (2010).
Haynie was nominated for the 2010 Grammy Award for Album of the Year and won for Best Rap Album for Eminem's Recovery. He co-produced Kanye West's 2010 single, "Runaway", and expanded into pop music, working with Lana Del Rey, Bruno Mars and Fun..[1] Haynie produced Lana Del Rey's 2012 album, Born to Die, which debuted on the Billboard 200 chart at number two, and at number one in Britain, Germany, Ireland, Switzerland and Austria, respectively.[7] Alongside Jeff Bhasker, Haynie also produced Fun's second album Some Nights (2012). Haynie also co-wrote Lady Antebellum's 2013's single, "Compass".
On January 19, 2015, Haynie announced he would be releasing his debut studio album, titled We Fall, featuring guest appearances from Andrew Wyatt, Brian Wilson, Rufus Wainwright, Lana Del Rey, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Sampha, Devonte Hynes, Nate Ruess, Andrew Wyatt, Colin Blunstone, Lykke Li, Romy Beat, Randy Newman, Father John Misty and Julie Holter. The album, which was recorded over the course of six months in Los Angeles' Chateau Marmont, was made available for pre-order the following day and was revealed to be released February 23, 2015, under Interscope Records
One Foot
Emile Haynie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can’t help but love thinking that everyone doesn’t get it
To my left there’s a window
Where did I go?
My reflection just planted two rows of coal
And bad ideas, but ideas nonetheless, and so
I put one foot in front of the other one, oh oh oh
I put one foot in front of the other one, oh oh oh
I don’t need a new love or a new life just a better place to die
I happened to stumble upon a chapel last night
And I can’t help but back up when I think of what happens inside
I got friends locked in boxes, that's no way to live
What you're callin' a sin isn’t up to them
After all, (after all) I thought we were all your children,
But I will die for my own sins thanks a lot
We’ll rise up ourselves thanks for nothing at all,
So up off the ground up our forefathers are nothing but dust now
I put one foot in front of the other one, oh oh oh
I don’t need a new love or a new life just a better place to die
I put one foot in front of the other one, oh oh oh
I don’t need a new love or a new life just a better place to die
Maybe I should learn to shut my mouth
I am over twenty-five and I can’t make a name for myself some nights I break down and cry
I’m lucky that my father’s still alive he’s been fighting all his life
And if this is all I’ve ever known then may his soul live on forever in my song
I put one foot in front of the other one, oh oh oh
I don’t need a new love or a new life just a better place to die
I put one foot in front of the other one, oh oh oh
I don’t need a new love or a new life just a better place to die
In front of the other one
In front of the other one
Just a better place to die
The song "One Foot in 2-3" by Emile Haynie is a thought-provoking commentary on life and existence, told through vivid lyrics and powerful imagery. The song appears to be written from the perspective of someone who is struggling to find meaning in their life, but is nevertheless determined to keep moving forward, one step at a time.
The opening lines of the song, "I'm standing in Brooklyn just waiting for something to happen, / I can't help but love thinking that everyone doesn't get it," suggest a sense of disillusionment and frustration with the world. The singer seems to be longing for a deeper understanding of life and the human experience, but feels that this understanding is just out of reach. The reference to "everyone" not getting it suggests a sense of alienation or isolation from others, perhaps due to a perceived difference in outlook or values.
The second verse of the song is even more poignant, as the singer describes stumbling upon a chapel and feeling overwhelmed by the thought of all the suffering and injustice that goes on in the world. The lines "I got friends locked in boxes, that's no way to live / What you're callin' a sin isn't up to them" suggest a critique of organized religion and the way it can be used to oppress or marginalize people. The singer seems to be asking questions about the nature of morality and justice, and whether the status quo is really acceptable.
Despite these heavy themes, the chorus of the song provides a glimmer of hope, as the singer resolves to keep moving forward, putting "one foot in front of the other" in search of a "better place to die." This seeming contradiction - the idea of striving for something better even as we all face the inevitability of death - is at the heart of the song's message. We may never fully understand the mysteries of life and the universe, but we can still try to make the most of the time we have, and work to create a better world for ourselves and others.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm standing in Brooklyn just waiting for something to happen
I am in Brooklyn and waiting for something exciting to occur.
I can’t help but love thinking that everyone doesn’t get it
I love the idea that others cannot fully comprehend my thoughts.
To my left there’s a window
There is a window to my left.
Where did I go?
I am questioning where I have gone or who I have become.
My reflection just planted two rows of coal
My reflection is sowing something dark or sinister, like coal.
And bad ideas, but ideas nonetheless, and so
Even though my ideas might be negative, they are still ideas.
I put one foot in front of the other one, oh oh oh
I am making slow and steady progress, moving forward step by step.
I don’t need a new love or a new life just a better place to die
I do not seek a new relationship or lifestyle, just a place to end my life more peacefully.
I happened to stumble upon a chapel last night
Last night I came across a chapel by chance.
And I can’t help but back up when I think of what happens inside
I feel uneasy when I imagine what may occur within the chapel.
I got friends locked in boxes, that's no way to live
Some of my friends are metaphorically trapped or confined which is a horrible way to exist.
What you're callin' a sin isn’t up to them
The label of 'sin' that has been placed upon them is not their own choosing.
After all, (after all) I thought we were all your children,
I assumed we were all children of the same higher power or deity.
But I will die for my own sins thanks a lot
I will accept the consequences of my own actions, but I am not pleased about it.
We’ll rise up ourselves thanks for nothing at all,
We don't have anyone else to rely on, so we'll have to motivate and help ourselves.
So up off the ground up our forefathers are nothing but dust now
Our ancestors are no longer with us, but rather mere dust and remnants of memories.
Maybe I should learn to shut my mouth
Perhaps I should not speak my mind so freely all the time.
I am over twenty-five and I can’t make a name for myself some nights I break down and cry
Even though I am over 25, I have not achieved any notable success and sometimes become emotional about it.
I’m lucky that my father’s still alive he’s been fighting all his life
I am fortunate that my father is still alive, given how hard he has struggled in life.
And if this is all I’ve ever known then may his soul live on forever in my song
If this is all I have ever experienced in life, I hope my father's spirit lives on in my music forever.
In front of the other one
Step by step, one foot in front of the other.
Just a better place to die
Looking for a less painful, more dignified exit from life.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDREW DOST, JACK ANTONOFF, EMILE HAYNIE, NATE RUESS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind