1. … Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple artists who have performed under the name i5:
1. i5 was a short-lived girl group active from 2000 to 2001.
In 2000, Giant Records, a mainly dance music label, sought to create a girl group to rival other such groups of the time, such as Dream, 3LW, and Eden's Crush. The label's hook for this new group would be that its members were international to appeal to a larger fan base. Auditions were held, and the five members selected represented five distinct nationalities.
Kate Macalino, from the Philippines, had worked as a model in her home country. Tal B. Hajek, from Israel, was a devout Jew who moved to the USA in 1997 and admired rock singers. Christina Rumbley, from the United States, had moved from Florida to Los Angeles to pursue a music career. Andi Murphy M. was from the UK and had a passion for dancing. Gaby Equiz, from Mexico, dreamed of fame. Together, these girls became the International 5, more commonly referred to as I5.
In the spring of 2000, I5 was featured on the soundtrack to the dance film Center stage with their song, "First Kiss." By the summer of 2000, the girls had almost completed their debut album and began touring with Nickelodeon's All That Music and More tour. On this tour, I5 promoted its single, "Distracted," which was written by Steve Kipner, who had previously written hits for Christina Aguilera ("Genie in a Bottle") and Dream ("He Loves U Not").
On September 12th, 2000, Giant Records released I5's self-titled CD. However, the label was not able to release any more singles or significantly promote the album due to its imminent folding. Once Giant Records folded, Warner Bros. Records, its parent, absorbed it, and I5 no longer had a label.
Though the members of i5 initially sought a new record label, they failed to find one, and Tal, Gaby, Christina, Kate, and Andi parted ways in 2001.
After the 2001 disbanding of I5:
- Kate is pursing acting, songwriting, and dance while attending college, and is currently working for a video game company. She has been doing lots of acting from stage to film, mostly musical theater, including the shows A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Godspell, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Pirates of Penzance, some student plays and films, and some dance concerts. In music, she has been writing some songs and collaborating with other songwriters, for future projects as well as her own solo project.
- Tal, along with her husband and guitarist Vee Vaknin, drummer Eran Cohen, and bassist Pascual Romero, formed a rock band called Public Recipe, which performed around Los Angeles in the early 2000s and disbanded in 2004. Since then, Tal has worked on solo material, including a fusion of her native Israeli and Hebrew music with rock music. She also had a stint as a VJ and TV host.
- Christina eloped in 2000 when i5 served as the opening act for boy band NSYNC. She has since had a daughter and a career in songwriting and voice-overs. Most notably, she is credited for writing LeAnn Rimes's hit "Tic Toc." Since then, she has left the LA scene and moved to Asheville, NC, where she owns and operates a day spa called Spa Theology.
- Andi owns a dance studio in Los Angeles called Penny Lane Dance Academy and is developing a children's television program.
- Gaby had a stint as a television host in California for such programs as TMT and U4Ria. Though Gaby had previously been romantically connected to Ricky of boy band No Authority, they have since broken up. As of 2005, Gaby now lives in Mexico. She currently owns her own dance studio, Alma Latina, and is a professional salsa dancer. She recently won the San Diego Salsa Competition of 2006.
Some other fun facts:
- Some of i5's songs have been covered by other artists. "Cinderella" was covered by Swedish girl group Play on its 2002 self-titled debut album. Later, the song was covered by Disney's the Cheetah Girls, and also by Thai Pop Singer Tata Young.
- "First Kiss" was covered by Philippine singer Nina Girado.
- "If I Ever See Heaven Again" was covered by American Idol season-three finalist Jasmine Trias on her debut album.
- I5's song "Ladidi Ladida" was released previously on girl group S.O.A.P.'s 1998 album.
- Gaby co-wrote two songs that appeared on i5's debut: "Sweet N Sassy" and "Scream Shout."
2. i5 of AAM: A Portland, OR based artist. Stream JKL aka YLLW.
DRIVE LIKE YOU’VE GOT SOMEWHERE TO GO! OUT NOW.
IN 300 FEET TAKE EXIT 15. OUT NOW.
WHAT ARE YOUR MONSTERS? OUT NOW.
Best Friend
I5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
First time I saw your face
You were just moving in
I wondered if there was a way to get under your skin
I went down to your place
No one opened the door
So now I figured you must live up on the second floor
Downstairs washing your clothes
I watched myself to see you kind of got a funky nose
I wanna give up on you
But then I try again
Even though I don't know you you're my best friend
CHORUS
Baby, I know you really
Want me, you try so hard to
Get me, let's not forget that
You're my best friend
Baby, I also really
Want you, the more I know
About you, I see we can be
More than just friends
VERSE 2
I watched you walk your dog
I puckered up my lips
I went to follow you
I stopped and stepped in it
Out by the swimming pool
I show off just for you
A double flip and upside down without my bathing suit
I always think about you
Before I go to sleep
I'm late for school again 'cuz I woke up at nine-oh-three
I wanna give up on you
But then I try again'
Even though I don't know you you're my best friend
CHORUS x 2
What, what
Yo son what's it gonna be?
You and I, not together but we got the chemistry
I don't wanna be alone at night no more (uh huh)
Just be like together leave the sex outside the door
Yo kid, it's that time to motivate
Don't stop movin' if the beat feels great
We're about to crash this scene like a gate
International Five, still smokin' on your plate
(musical bridge)
Baby
Want me
Get me
You're my best friend
Baby
Want you
'Bout you
More than just friends
REPEAT x 1
CHORUS to fade
The song "Best Friend" by I5 is about an individual who becomes infatuated with the person who moves in next door. The lyrics describe the singer's initial unsuccessful attempts to get to know their neighbor, but also their persistence in trying to make a connection. The chorus talks about the mutual attraction between the two, and how they could potentially have a romantic relationship, but would also be content remaining close friends.
In verse one, we see that the singer is immediately taken with their neighbor. They describe trying to find a way to meet them, but failing at first. Eventually, they see their neighbor doing laundry and notice a physical characteristic that they find endearing. Throughout the song, the singer continues to watch their neighbor and tries to find ways to interact with them. They are consistently captivated by their neighbor, despite not knowing much about them.
The chorus describes the mutual attraction between the singer and their neighbor. Both parties are interested in each other and would like to explore the possibility of having a romantic relationship. However, they also realize that their friendship is valuable and they don't want to jeopardize it.
Overall, the song is about the thrill of infatuation, the importance of a strong friendship, and the possibility of a romantic relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
First time I saw your face
The singer describes the first time he saw his crush's face.
You were just moving in
His crush was in the process of moving into a new place.
I wondered if there was a way to get under your skin
The singer wanted to find a way to get to know his crush better.
I went down to your place
He tried to visit his crush's apartment.
No one opened the door
No one answered the door when he knocked.
So now I figured you must live up on the second floor
He assumes that his crush must be living on the second floor of the building.
Next thing I finally saw you
He eventually catches a glimpse of his crush.
Downstairs washing your clothes
His crush was doing laundry in the laundry room downstairs.
I watched myself to see you kind of got a funky nose
The singer was admiring his crush, even if he noticed something that others might consider unattractive.
I wanna give up on you
At times, the artist considers giving up on his pursuit of his crush.
But then I try again
The artist keeps making efforts to get closer to his crush.
Even though I don't know you you're my best friend
Despite not really knowing his crush yet, the singer considers them his best friend.
Baby, I know you really
The singer is addressing his crush.
Want me, you try so hard to
He thinks his crush wants him too, but is perhaps trying to play it cool.
Get me, let's not forget that
He reminds his crush that they've been flirting with each other.
Baby, I also really
The artist admits to having feelings for his crush.
Want you, the more I know
The more he gets to know his crush, the more he wants them.
About you, I see we can be
He sees the potential for something more than just friendship.
More than just friends
The singer believes there's a possibility of romantic involvement.
I watched you walk your dog
The artist observed his crush walking their dog.
I puckered up my lips
The singer appeared to be making a kissy face at his crush.
I went to follow you
He followed his crush.
I stopped and stepped in it
The singer accidentally steps in something unpleasant, perhaps ruining the moment.
Out by the swimming pool
The singer watched his crush by the pool.
I show off just for you
He tries to impress his crush.
A double flip and upside down without my bathing suit
He attempts a daring pool maneuver but loses his bathing suit in the process.
I always think about you
The artist can't stop thinking about his crush.
Before I go to sleep
The singer thinks about his crush before he goes to bed.
I'm late for school again 'cause I woke up at nine-oh-three
He's distracted by thoughts of his crush, which leads him to oversleep and be late for school.
What, what
An interjection to grab attention.
Yo son what's it gonna be?
Asking a question about the future of their relationship.
You and I, not together but we got the chemistry
The singer believes they have a connection even if they're not officially together.
I don't wanna be alone at night no more (uh huh)
The artist doesn't want to be lonely and desires to be with his crush.
Just be like together leave the sex outside the door
The artist suggests they can be companions without necessarily having a sexual relationship.
Yo kid, it's that time to motivate
An exclamation to get pumped up and motivated.
Don't stop movin' if the beat feels great
The artist has a playful line encouraging dancing and enjoying oneself.
We're about to crash this scene like a gate
They plan to make a big impression at a social gathering.
International Five, still smokin' on your plate
A reference to the group's name and success in the music industry.
Baby, want me
The singer repeats this line from the chorus, indicating his desire for his crush.
Get me, let's not forget that
He reminds his crush that they both have a mutual attraction.
You're my best friend
The artist reiterates that he considers his crush to be his best friend.
Baby, want you
He desires his crush and repeats this line from the chorus.
'Bout you
He's thinking about his crush and what they could be together.
More than just friends
Repeating the idea that there's a possibility for more than friendship.
Contributed by Makayla E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.