When Karl Wolf describes the six months since the release of his solo debut, Face Behind The Face, as "just insane," he means it in a good way. A frenzied work schedule of shooting videos, doing promotional tours, and performing in Canada and abroad is paying off, as the world is responding welcomingly to this vibrant new star.
Karl Wolf is a genuine triple threat of talent. A songwriter, producer and singer of serious skill and originality, he excels in all three roles on Face Behind The Face (released on MapleNationwide/Universal in January). As Karl sings on the title track, "I'm coming out for the whole world to see," and this is one memorable introduction.
Since its release, the album broke in the Canadian Top 100 sales chart and spawned two hit singles, "Butterflies" and "Desensitize", with the latter track (featuring hip hop star Choclair) reaching the BDS Top 40 charts. Face Behind The Face has been licensed internationally, and has made Karl Wolf an instant star in the Middle East. "'Butterflies' was at No. 1 for eight weeks on the radio there," explains Karl. "We had the biggest ever in-store signing at the Virgin store in Dubai." Wolf performed in Dubai as the special guest of the queen of modern r 'n b, Mary J. Blige, and he knocked the stadium crowd over. Add in personal props from Mary J., and you have what Karl terms "the pinnacle point of my career to date."
Wolf is destined for many more career highlights. He may be new as a solo artist, but he is certainly no musical novice. As an award-winning producer and writer, he has been responsible for many multi-platinum selling albums. It is now his time to take centrestage, and he seizes his moment with true authority.
Karl turned his back on lucrative offers of work with other artists to devote himself to Face Behind The Face. "I told myself that sooner or later I have to focus on my own music or it will just wither away. Now is the time," he explains. This meant becoming something of a recluse, burying himself in his own studio and working tirelessly on the record. "I locked myself in," recalls Karl. "I hardly went out for two years. I was a bum, I grew a beard, and would just order in pizza. I was obsessed but focused. I wanted to be right there when I had the inspiration!"
The fruits of this creative compulsion are indeed tasty. Wolf wrote and produced all the songs on Face Behind The Face, and played virtually all the instruments himself. This is a musically diverse collection of songs, fusing r 'n b, dance, pop and hiphop stylings. It is given coherence via the gentle soulfulness of KarlÕs voice and lyrics, while his beats are both imaginative and catchy, sometimes hinting at his own Middle Eastern background.
Wolf acknowledges the likes of Boyz II Men, Michael Jackson and Brian McKnight as early influences and inspirations. "I feel my music has contemporary elements but it is not scared to be emotional," he explains. "It is just the music I like. I grew up in the '80s, and music was emotional then. Today, especially in r 'n b and hiphop, everyone wants to be hard."
In musical and lyrical terms, Karl Wolf is a lover, not a fighter. Through his own family's history, he knows the consequences of war and violence, as his family was forced to leave their native Lebanon for Canada when Karl was just three. That background surfaces in the track "Summer Days (In Beirut)", and Wolf is not afraid to project positivity in his lyrics. "I am trying to be peaceful in my meaning and message. We are influential as singers, and IÕd love to influence kids in a great way."
The return of war to the country of his birth clearly saddens Karl. Plans to perform in Lebanon with Snoop Dogg obviously fell through, but he takes pride in the fact that "Summer Days" is having a positive impact there. "People there are adding the song to their Myspace sites, using it for healing," he notes.
Face Behind The Face is an honest and personal document, and Karl Wolf's definitive musical statement. "I'm most proud of this record. This is the best piece of work I have created to date, and it is important I went down my earlier musical road, just so I could gain the experience needed to create this."
Still just 27, Karl has long been the recipient of serious respect from his musical peers. He first made a real mark by writing for and co-producing "ETC..", the 2001 hit album from Gabrielle Destroismaisons. Two singles co-written by Karl reached No. 1 on the BDS Francophone Charts, and the disc earned him a Felix at the L'ADISQ Awards for "Best Mix and Sound of the Year."
His work with Gabrielle brought Wolf to the attention of Antoine Sicotte, of the top-selling pop band Sky. Upon realizing Karl also had a killer singing voice, Antoine recruited him as Sky's new lead singer in 2002. Wolf co-wrote and co-produced the third Sky album, Picture Perfect (on Sextant/EMI), one that registered strong airplay across the country. The group also toured nationally, sharing stages with the likes of Snow and Shawn Desman.
Karl and Antoine really hit the commercial jackpot with their joint work on the songs on the hugely successful Star Academie reality TV show. The subsequent album was the biggest-selling album in Canada in 2003, notching a phenomenal half-million in sales and earning Wolf a SOCAN Award for Most Popular Song. A Star Academie 11 sequel in 2004 was another big success, going double-platinum largely on the strength of Karl's writing and production.
Add in production and composition work for such other artists as Emily, Mitsou and Jerome-Philippe, and a stint as vocalist with the multi-platinum selling rap group Dubmatique, and you have one highly impressive apprenticeship. Word of his talent has spread Stateside as well, with such stars as Justin Timberlake, Christina Millan and Mya all requesting that Karl send them material.
There is plenty of life left in the filler-free Face Behind The Face. The upcoming singles "Cuz I Love You" and "Referee" further demonstrate Wolf's stylistic range, and his cross-Canada back to school Summer Days tour will confirm his prowess as a compelling performer.
The world is about to hear the sound of the Wolf, and it is one they are destined to remember. "I'm excited, and there are a lot of good things to come," Karl declares. Indeed.
Àfrica
Karl Wolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa
Gonna take some time to do the things we never had
Run di track
Ah dem wan fi try and hold mi back
Mi say wolf and culture gwan to di top
The riddim is sweet and di dancehall hot
Crowd of people never wan we fi stop
Run di track
Ah we run di show
Mi say we run di shop
We ah di don numba one and mi say we run dat
We ah the king inna di place
Mi say ride pon di shock
Put your hand inna di air we ah gon burn down di spot
It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you
There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa
Gonna take some time to do the things we never had
And as I'm walking through the subway
All I feel is everybody's piercing eyes (piercing eyes)
I'm following the footsteps all I can imagine is that I'm a guy
You never know maybe she's afraid
And everything around her is so damn fake
I feel like that we've met before
Hurry boy she's waiting
It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you
There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa
Gonna take some time to do the things we never had
The sun is rising on east side and every former life is waking up
The feeling of seclusion makes you wanna dream away and fall in love
She drags you in, not afraid
Everything feels like fate
What wrong with you, don't let her go
Hurry boy it's waiting
It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you
There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa
We're gonna take some time to do the things we never had
Hurry boy it's waiting there for you
(Down in A) It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you (Oh)
There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do (No oh.)
I bless the rains down in Africa (Rains down in Africa)
I bless the rains down in Africa (Oh bless the rains)
I bless the rains down in Africa (Down in Africa)
I bless the rains down in Africa (Down in Africa)
We're take some time to do the things we never had
The lyrics of Karl Wolf’s song Africa explore different themes, from identity and self-discovery to love and fate. The song starts with the singer declaring his loyalty and devotion to someone, saying that nothing could ever keep him away from that person. It then moves on to add a touch of African culture and spirituality by stating that the singer blesses the rains down in Africa. Wolf’s lyrics suggest that while their devotion may be unbroken, there are still things to be done and experienced with this person, and it will take some time to achieve them.
However, the second half of the song takes a turn and explores a different story. It starts with the singer walking through the subway, feeling observed and judged by everyone around him. He then imagines a love story and suggests that destiny brought these two people together, but she seems to be scared and uncertain. The song closes with an urgent message, calling the boy to hurry up and not let destiny slip away.
Overall, Karl Wolf's Africa delves into a mix of ideas about commitment and destiny, expressing them through the lens of African spirituality. It touches on the spontaneity of life, the need for self-discovery, and how societal perceptions can affect us.
Line by Line Meaning
It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you
I am so devoted to you that nothing can take me away from you easily.
There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
Your significance in my life cannot be diminished by numerous people or challenges.
I bless the rains down in Africa
I am grateful for the abundance of blessings in my life, just as the rains nourish the land in Africa.
Gonna take some time to do the things we never had
We should take the time to appreciate and enjoy the experiences we have yet to encounter.
It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you (Oh)
My dedication to you is unwavering and unshakable.
There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do (No oh.)
No matter how many people try to interfere with our connection, it cannot be broken.
I bless the rains down in Africa (Rains down in Africa)
I express gratitude for the bountiful blessings in my life, much like the rains that bless Africa.
I bless the rains down in Africa (Oh bless the rains)
I appreciate the positive aspects of life, just as the rains bring new life to Africa.
I bless the rains down in Africa (Down in Africa)
I acknowledge the value of blessings in my life, as they are as fundamental as the rains in Africa.
I bless the rains down in Africa (Down in Africa)
Once more, I appreciate the abundance of blessings in my life, similar to the nourishing rains in Africa.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Carl Samah, David Paich, Jeffrey Porcaro
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@blink5ever
he ate this so bad that i thought this was the original song for so long
@HaleefI
15 years down the line and this is still the best version than one that's there now. Miss the old days..
@andrearadulescu6851
No one:
Canadian radio stations in 2010:
@ironically-rs9kz
i hate how accurate this is
@ericleeSupSayK
Radio has this on in 2007 bud
@andrearadulescu6851
@@ericleeSupSayK I was 1 in 2007 bud
@maximusdominus2826
F for my respects to you guys lmaoo
@timothy8142
America too. First heard it in 2011. I thought it was fire. I think it still is fire.
@xKillshotYT
Anyone in 2023 listening to this masterpiece and recalling their school days?
@RockStar-ve2jg
Anyone 2020 listing to these lovely song ❤️❤️❤️❤️