If Boyz II Men are portrayed as a clean-cut, wholesome R&B vocal group, then Jodeci's wild, sexual, bad-boy image represents the other side of the coin. Made up of two sets of brothers, the group's name is a consolidation of three members' aliases: "JoJo" Hailey, Donald "DeVante Swing" DeGrate, and Cedric "K-Ci" Hailey; the group also includes Dalvin DeGrate. Natives of Charlotte, NC, all four members toured the South as young boys singing gospel music, even recording albums; both families belonged to the Pentecostal church, and the DeGrates' father was a minister. The boys were able to hear each other's gospel songs played on the radio, and eventually were introduced through girlfriends as teenagers. However, when they did meet, K-Ci was with a girl Dalvin had been dating, and a fight nearly broke out. The Hailey brothers and DeVante started hanging out together, partying and talking about making R&B records together, coming up with the name Jodeci at this time.
At age 16, DeVante ran away to Minneapolis to get a job in Prince's organization, but was refused. He returned to Charlotte, where he wrote a song and recorded JoJo singing it. The two planned on going to New York to shop the demo around by themselves, but both K-Ci and Dalvin decided to tag along at the last minute. By the time they got to New York, they had demo recordings of 29 songs, which they brought to the offices of Uptown Entertainment. They were almost rejected, but rapper Heavy D overheard the tape and talked Uptown president Andre Harrell into hearing the group. Harrell was impressed, and just like that, Jodeci signed a recording contract. In 1991, they recorded Forever My Lady, which featured the gold single "Come and Talk to Me" and went on to sell over three million copies. A minor feud resulted over the band's follow-up album, Diary of a Mad Band; Jodeci, unhappy with their treatment by Uptown, flirted with the idea of leaving for Dr. Dre's Death Row Records, which resulted in almost zero promotion for their new album. It didn't matter much, as Diary went platinum. The group's troubles got worse in 1993; DeVante and K-Ci were involved in an incident with a woman K-Ci met at a club and brought back to DeVante's apartment. The woman filed charges against the two, saying that K-Ci had threatened her and fondled her breast, while DeVante pointed a gun at her. Both pleaded guilty, but that wasn't all; shortly afterwards, DeVante's house was robbed of over 160,000 dollars in jewelry and clothes as the singer was held with guns in his mouth and at the back of his head.
Jodeci's third album, The Show, the After Party, the Hotel, was released in the summer of 1995. DeVante also was afforded the opportunity to work with Al Green, one of his idols, writing and producing the song "Could This Be the Love." ~ Steve Huey, Rovi
Jodeci Albums:
* 1991: Forever My Lady #18 US (3x platinum)
* 1993: Diary of a Mad Band #3 US (2x platinum)
* 1995: The Show, The After Party, The Hotel #2 US (platinum)
* 2005: Back to The Future: The Very Best of Jodeci (300,000)
Jodeci Singles:
* 1991: "Gotta Love"
* 1991: "Stay" (US #41, R&B #1)
* 1991: "Forever My Lady" (US #25, R&B #1)
* 1991: "Come and Talk to Me" (US #11, R&B #1)
* 1993: "Cry For You" (US #15, R&B #1)
* 1993: "Feenin'" (US #25, R&B #2)
* 1993: "Lately" (US #4, R&B #1)
* 1993: "Let's Go Through the Motions" (US #65)
* 1994: "What About Us" (R&B #14)
* 1995: "Freek'n You" (US #14, R&B #3)
* 1995: "Love U 4 Life"
* 1996: "Get on Up" (US #22, R&B #4)
Jodeci Side-Projects:
(K-Ci & JoJo)
* 1997: Love Always
* 1999: It's Real
* 2000: X
* 2002: Emotional
* 2005: All My Life "Their Greatest Hits"
(Dalvin Degrate)
* 2000: Met.A.Mor.Phic
(K-Ci Solo)
* 2006: My Book
Love U 4 Life
Jodeci Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you said you'd never leave me, girl.
We'll be together for eternity.
Now it's all in the past.
Now I know our love will last.
Lady, I will do all I can.
Lady, I will be all I am.
So, come on in and close the door.
let me show you what I could be.
Could you just please tell me, will you believe in love
and the promise that it gives?
I wanna love U 4 life, 'cause your love is why I live.
Will you believe in love and the promise that it gives?
I wanna love U 4 life, 'cause your love is why I live.
I know that things were rough, but my faith wasn't strong enough.
Now, my heart is built to last.
My heart is beating for you fast.
But, now I know that you understand.
I wanna take you by the hand and walk with you down that aisle.
And with you I will live my life.
I'll give you all you've had before.
So, come on in and close the door.
let me show you all I could be if you'd
just please tell me, will you believe in love
and the promise that it gives?
I wanna love U 4 life, 'cause your love is why I live.
Will you believe in love and the promise that it gives?
I wanna love U 4 life, 'cause your love is why I live.
I want you to know that it's for real, this feeling that I feel.
I want you to know that it's so real, tell, me, will you?
Will you believe in love and the promise that it gives?
I wanna love U 4 life, 'cause your love is why I live.
Will you believe in love and the promise that it gives?
I wanna love U 4 life, 'cause your love is why I live.
Will you believe in love and the promise that it gives?
I wanna love U 4 life, 'cause your love is why I live.
Will you believe in love and the promise that it gives?
In Jodeci's song "Love U 4 Life," the singer talks about the promises his partner made to him, the love and commitment they have for each other and their desire to be together forever. He mentions that things were rough in the past but his faith in their relationship has grown stronger. The lyrics showcase his devotion and loyalty to his partner while asking her to believe in their love and the promises that come with it. The singer wants nothing more than to love his partner for life and live his life with her by his side.
The lyrics of "Love U 4 Life" carry a powerful message of commitment and devotion towards a loved one. It is a testament to the true meaning of love and the promise of staying by your partner's side through thick and thin. The lyrics show that even when things get tough in a relationship, having faith in your love and the commitment you make to each other can help you overcome any obstacle. This song is a beautiful and heartfelt expression of love that stands the test of time.
Line by Line Meaning
Promises you made me, all the things you told me,
Referring to the promises and commitments made by the lover, indicating trust towards the partner
you said you'd never leave me, girl.
Expressing the intensity of the connection and commitment in the relationship
We'll be together for eternity.
Describing the duration of the relationship, indicating a desire for a long-lasting bond
Now it's all in the past.
Acknowledging the difficulties in the past and moving on from them
Now I know our love will last.
Having learned from past mistakes, being confident in the strength of the current relationship
Lady, I will do all I can.
Showing commitment and dedication to the partner, expressing a desire to make the relationship work
Lady, I will be all I am.
Showing willingness to be honest and true to oneself, demonstrating authenticity in the relationship
I'll give you all you've had before.
Promising to give the partner everything that has been given before, indicating dedication and devotion
So, come on in and close the door.
Inviting the partner in and asking to close the door, signifying a desire for intimacy and privacy
let me show you what I could be.
Describing a willingness to improve oneself and offer the best version of oneself to the partner
Could you just please tell me, will you believe in love and the promise that it gives?
Asking the partner to have faith in love and the promises made in the relationship
I wanna love U 4 life, 'cause your love is why I live.
Stating that the love of the partner is essential for a meaningful and fulfilling life
I know that things were rough, but my faith wasn't strong enough.
Acknowledging previous struggles in the relationship and the impact of personal feelings and beliefs
Now, my heart is built to last.
Showing resilience and strength in the face of emotional pain and past difficulties
My heart is beating for you fast.
Expressing strong emotions and feelings towards the partner
But, now I know that you understand.
Acknowledging that the partner is supportive and understanding
I wanna take you by the hand and walk with you down that aisle.
Expressing desire for a committed, long-term relationship, and potentially marriage
And with you I will live my life.
Declaring the partner's importance in the person's life, emphasizing a desire for a shared future
I want you to know that it's for real, this feeling that I feel.
Expressing sincerity and authenticity in the relationship, indicating true emotions and commitment
I want you to know that it's so real, tell me, will you?
Asking the partner for confirmation and reassurance of their feelings and commitment in the relationship
Will you believe in love and the promise that it gives?
Repeating earlier sentiments, that the partner's belief and trust in the relationship are crucial
I wanna love U 4 life, 'cause your love is why I live.
Reiterating the importance of the partner's love in the person's life, wanting to love them for the rest of their life
Will you believe in love and the promise that it gives?
Repeating earlier sentiments, that the partner's belief and trust in the relationship are crucial
I wanna love U 4 life, 'cause your love is why I live.
Reiterating the importance of the partner's love in the person's life, wanting to love them for the rest of their life
Will you believe in love and the promise that it gives?
Repeating earlier sentiments, that the partner's belief and trust in the relationship are crucial
I wanna love U 4 life, 'cause your love is why I live.
Reiterating the importance of the partner's love in the person's life, wanting to love them for the rest of their life
Will you believe in love and the promise that it gives?
Repeating earlier sentiments, that the partner's belief and trust in the relationship are crucial
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DONALD DEGRATE, DONALD EARLE DE GRATE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind