Forté began his professional music career when he was introduced to The Fugees by Lauryn Hill in the early 1990s. He co-wrote and produced two songs on their multi-platinum and Grammy-winning 1996 album, The Score. After the group broke up in 1997, Forté released his debut solo album, Poly-Sci in 1998, which was produced by Wyclef Jean.
In 2000, Forté was arrested at Newark International Airport and charged with accepting a briefcase containing $1.4 million worth of liquid cocaine. While on trial and under house arrest, he completed a second album, I, John. He was convicted and sentenced to the mandatory minimum 14 years after being found guilty of possession of 31 pounds of liquid cocaine with intent to distribute. The case drew attention to the problems of mandatory sentencing - this was Forté's first offence - and garnered high-profile criticisms from fellow musicians, most notably Carly Simon.
Forté had previously met and befriended Simon and her son (with James Taylor), Ben Taylor, through Taylor's cousin who attended Phillips Exeter Academy with Forté. Both mother and son were major proponents of Forté's innocence and fought for a repeal of the mandatory minimum drug laws that remove a judge’s discretion in a case. Simon appeared on numerous American television programs, including ABC's "Primetime," advocating this legal step.
In 2008, Forté was among those pardoned by President George W. Bush as he prepared to leave office in a move thought to have been brokered by Simon and politician Orrin Hatch.
Trouble Again
John Forté Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Xanadu
Suspended In Time (Olivia Newton-John)
A child and a fool in one, so sure I could need no one
My heart always on the run to nowhere
Now as you're holding me, my heart is reminding me
That now I could never be without you
But how can our love succeed, a miracle is what we need, and so I appeal to you
To keep me suspended in time with you, don't let this moment die
I get a feeling when I'm with you, none of the rules apply
But I know for certain, goodbye is a crime
So love if you need me, suspend me in time
Wasted the time away, holding our love at bay
Now I can't last a day without you
Your smile is a thrill to see, eyes hold me tenderly
They'll shine in my memory forever
chorus - in time
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The lyrics to John Forté's "Trouble Again" allude to the complexities and uncertainty of love. The opening line, "Newton-John Olivia, Xanadu," references the 1980 film "Xanadu" starring Olivia Newton-John. The following lines, "A child and a fool in one, so sure I could need no one, my heart always on the run to nowhere," suggest a past of reckless, carefree behavior with no regard for emotional attachment.
As the song progresses, the singer acknowledges the transformative power of love as he sings, "Now as you're holding me, my heart is reminding me, that now I could never be without you." However, this newfound love brings a sense of vulnerability, leading to the plea in the chorus for the love to be sustained and preserved. The line "None of the rules apply" indicates that love defies logical reasoning and societal norms. Finally, the song ends with the assertion that the singer's love for their partner is so strong that goodbye would be a crime.
Some possible interpretations of the song could be that love, despite its inherent uncertainty and risk, is worth pursuing and fighting to maintain. Additionally, the singer may be expressing a fear of losing their loved one and a desire for a love that transcends time.
Line by Line Meaning
Newton-John Olivia
Referencing Olivia Newton-John, an Australian singer and actress.
Xanadu
Possibly referencing the 1980 film 'Xanadu' in which Olivia starred.
Suspended In Time (Olivia Newton-John)
Naming the song by Olivia Newton-John.
A child and a fool in one, so sure I could need no one
Describing himself as naive and foolish; once sure of his independence.
My heart always on the run to nowhere
Admitting he was leading an aimless life that didn't go anywhere.
Now as you're holding me, my heart is reminding me
Acknowledging the positive impact of being in love and held by someone.
That now I could never be without you
Realizing that he needs this person in his life.
But how can our love succeed, a miracle is what we need, and so I appeal to you
Expressing doubts about their relationship and asking for help.
To keep me suspended in time with you, don't let this moment die
Asking to preserve this moment and stay in love forever.
I get a feeling when I'm with you, none of the rules apply
Feeling carefree and happy in their love.
But I know for certain, goodbye is a crime
Believing that breaking up would be a terrible thing to do.
So love if you need me, suspend me in time
Asking to be held and loved unconditionally to make sure their love lasts.
Wasted the time away, holding our love at bay
Realizing that they spent too much time fighting their love and keeping it at a distance.
Now I can't last a day without you
Admitting how much he needs this person in his life now.
Your smile is a thrill to see, eyes hold me tenderly
Describing how wonderful it is to be loved and held by this person.
They'll shine in my memory forever
Saying that these memories will be cherished forever.
chorus - in time
Repeating the chorus, which is about preserving their love and staying together.
Contributed by Hunter Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
El Tsientific
This is far from crap. Unlikely and unexpected.
El Tsientific
No doubt. I don't listen to Tricky so I don't know what he's capable of.
concretecorner
it is unlikely and unexpected. but still crap to me. i would expect better from Tricky. he definitely put nothing into this. that's why i call it crap.
Dave Koval Comedy
then why did you upload it