In 1992, after surviving on cheese sandwiches and maximizing credit limits, Cajmere finally made an imprint on the dance community with his infectious experiment, "Coffee Pot" (It's Time for the Percolator) – Clubhouse Records. Then he moved on to more complex musical and lyrical arrangements with songs like Lidell Townsell's "Get With U" (Mercury Records).
The Cajmere and Dajae collaboration resulted in a #2 Billboard Dance Chart and International dance hit - "Brighter Days". It was at this point that Cajmere decided to start Cajual Records. Having his own label gave Cajmere the autonomy to attain his goal of developing a sound that was representative of Chicago. Later that year, he formed the sub-label Relief Records, mostly for instrumental tracks by himself and others. The label gave birth to his first Green Velvet production 'Velvet Tracks'.
When he emerged as the flamboyant, neon-haired Green Velvet to front mid-90's hits like 'Preacher Man', 'Answering Machine' and 'Flash', the shock-waves reverberated throughout house and techno scenes the world over. This elaborately garbed, lyrically wild creature scored a direct hit, putting his hometown back on house music's production map.
Jones has since brought his DJ stylings around the globe, playing house and techno under his Cajmere and Green Velvet monikers. In addition to DJ sets, he hit the road with his live show, performing original tracks in front of crowds numbering in the tens of thousands.
"I've always been quite shy and introverted in a way," says Jones. "So it was weird getting up on stage and doing the Velvet thing. It's just quite strange that I'm doing what I'm doing now." Recent stops have included Exit Festival (Serbia), Awakenings Festival (Netherlands) and T in the Park (Scotland).
In 2009, Green Velvet’s production made waves in the dance music scene yet again with “Everybody Wants”, this time collaborating with rap-songstress and fellow Chicago native Kid Sister. The club hit was swiftly followed up with “Turn It UP”, which features powerhouse production duo Santiago & Bushido.
2010 will see the release of a new Green Velvet album with an exciting guest list that includes Afrojack, De La Soul, Diplo, Kid Sister, Santiago & Bushido, Tommie Sunshine and more. With a new Cajual Records residency in Chicago—‘Green Velvet & Friends’—also to launch this year, the imprint of this artist remains fresh with the help of his network of DJ buddies from around the world.
Thoughts
Green Velvet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There are things i conceal
Ooh how i wish i could reveal
But i know if they are told
I'll allow myself to be controlled
In my mind i have these thoughts
In my mind i keep these thoughts
In our minds we keep these thoughts
You ask me what's on my mind
To satisfy yourself not mine
Always (...) in my head
Tell me what's in yours instead
In my mind i have these thoughts
In my mind i keep these thoughts
Everybody has these thoughts
In our minds we keep these thoughts
Let your mind go
Once i told my troubles
Afterwards they don't know
People love to ridicule
No longer will i give them fuel
In my mind i have these thoughts
In my mind i keep these thoughts
Everybody has these thoughts
In our minds we keep these thoughts
Let your mind go
Lose your self (...)
The song 'Thoughts' by Green Velvet is an introspective song that talks about the thoughts we all have in our minds but never reveal to the outside world. The lyrics encourage the listener to let their mind wander and explore the thoughts that are often hidden from the world. The singer reveals that there are things he conceals and wishes to reveal, but he fears being controlled if he reveals them. He keeps these thoughts in his mind, hoping that he can still maintain control over them.
The song also touches on the issue of people being too curious about other people's thoughts. The singer suggests that some people ask about others' thoughts just to satisfy their own curiosity, without caring about the other person's wellbeing. He suggests that we all have our own thoughts, and we should allow ourselves to explore them freely, without fear of ridicule or judgment from others. The lyric, "once I told my troubles, afterwards they don't know, people love to ridicule, no longer will I give them fuel" alludes to the fact that sometimes we open up about our thoughts to others, but they can turn on us and use our vulnerabilities against us. Therefore, it's better to keep our thoughts to ourselves and explore them in a safe space.
Overall, 'Thoughts' is a song that encourages introspection, revealing that we all have thoughts we keep hidden from the world, and it's okay to explore them in our minds without fear of judgment or ridicule from others.
Line by Line Meaning
Let your mind go
Relax your mind and let your thoughts flow freely
There are things I conceal
There are certain thoughts that I keep to myself and do not reveal to others
Ooh how I wish I could reveal
I desire to share my hidden thoughts with others
But I know if they are told I'll allow myself to be controlled
If I share my thoughts, it may lead to others controlling or manipulating me
In my mind I have these thoughts
I have thoughts that I keep to myself and do not express to others
In my mind I keep these thoughts
I hold onto my thoughts and do not express them
Everybody has these thoughts
Everyone has thoughts that they keep to themselves
In our minds we keep these thoughts
We all have thoughts that we hold inside and do not express to others
You ask me what's on my mind
You inquire about my thoughts and feelings
To satisfy yourself not mine
Your motivation to know my thoughts is to fulfill your own curiosity, not to help or understand me
Always (...) in my head
I am constantly thinking and processing my thoughts internally
Tell me what's in yours instead
Rather than asking about my thoughts, share yours with me
Once I told my troubles
I have shared my personal struggles with others before
Afterwards they don't know
After revealing my struggles, those people do not really understand or know me better
People love to ridicule
Some people enjoy mocking and belittling others, especially after learning about their private thoughts and struggles
No longer will I give them fuel
I will no longer reveal my inner thoughts and struggles to people who may use them to bully or mock me
Lose your self (...)
Let go of your inhibitions and free your mind from self-criticism and doubt
Writer(s): Curtis Jones
Contributed by Colton I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@flailbot5263
that beat is so simple but so sick, its like magic to my brain
@garygritness
That beat is straight up from the early Prince school.
@flailbot5263
@Gary Gritness prove it.
@totenkopf196
Beat plus gimmick plus lyrics that resonate. I m not worshiping but I humbly say.. often underestimated never duplicated. 😉
@AbrahamPalmer-wj5cb
So awesome 😎😇
@popartpaul
love it!
@josericardoespinozatorres2617
de lo mejor!!
@victorbeltran8078
muy buena rola
@aghburzum
lo he visto 4 veces, maestraso !!
@nikkiwallschlaeger5742
Thoughts is the sickest beat I have ever heard!!!! to this day!!!