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.
Magic Hotel
Karl Wolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come on now
Come on now
Come on now
Come on now
Girl, shake it, shake it
Come on now
Girl, shake it, shake it
Girl, shake it, shake it
Come on now
Girl, shake it, shake it
Turn me up, girl
It's like the music feeling, you're my drug
Oh, don't mean to offend, see, I liked you, oh
Don't fight the feeling, Shawty, come on on up!
And I've been waiting for tonight
I do it, I do it just for you
Let's do it, let's do it, take your move
I'll keep you sex right, till you bring Paradise!
Every moment in love
Come to my Magic Hotel!
Hear it, girl, hear it, girl, oh, oh, oh
Step into my magic world, magic world, oh, oh, oh
I'll do anything, one more spell
To walk you into this magic hotel!
Hear it, girl, hear it, girl, oh, oh, oh
Step into my magic world, magic world, oh, oh, oh
I'll do anything, one more spell
To walk you into this magic hotel!
Timbo, timbo, timbo, yeah
Girl shake it, shake it, come on now!
Girl, girl shake it, shake it, come on now!
Girl shake it, shake it, come on now!
Sign me up
Wanna try the feeling..
Just started over, girl, I'm so turned up
You turn the favor... open up!
And I've been waiting for tonight
I'll make you mine
I'll keep you satisfied .. paradise
Every moment in love
Come to my magic hotel!
Hear it, girl, hear it, girl, oh, oh, oh
Step into my magic world, magic world, oh, oh, oh
I'll do anything, one more spell
To walk you into this magic hotel!
Hear it, girl, hear it, girl, oh, oh, oh
Step into my magic world, magic world, oh, oh, oh
I'll do anything, one more spell
To walk you into this magic hotel!
'Cause I'll be waiting for tonight...
I'm gonna take you to the climax, baby
I'mma make you feel nice
Every moment in love
Come to my magic hotel!
Hear it, girl, hear it, girl, oh, oh, oh
Step into my magic world, magic world, oh, oh, oh
I'll do anything, one more spell
To walk you into this magic hotel!
Hear it, girl, hear it, girl, oh, oh, oh
Step into my magic world, magic world, oh, oh, oh
I'll do anything, one more spell
To walk you into this magic hotel!
The song "Magic Hotel" by Karl Wolf is about a guy who wants to take a girl to his magical world where he can make her feel good and satisfied. The song is full of metaphors and references to magic and spells in order to create an ambiance of mystery and enchantment. The song's chorus is catchy and repetitive, which is intended to create an atmosphere of hypnotism and seduction.
The opening lines of the song are "Turn me up, girl, it’s like the music feeling, you’re my drug, Oh, don’t mean to offend, see, I liked you." These lines capture the essence of the song, which is about the desire to be with the person who has the power to make you feel good. The use of metaphors such as "music feeling" and "drug" captures the idea that the person has addictive qualities.
The song's music video is set in a magical hotel where everything is vivid and colorful. The video features Karl Wolf dressed in a white suit, dancing with various women in an enchanted hotel setting. The video’s visuals align with the song's lyrics and reinforce the idea of a magical world that is full of enchantment and allure.
Line by Line Meaning
Timbo!
Introducing the producer Timbaland, who collaborated on the song
Come on now
Encouraging the girl to dance and be playful
Girl, shake it, shake it
Asking the girl to dance provocatively
Turn me up, girl
Asking the girl to turn up the volume on the music
It’s like the music feeling, you’re my drug
Comparing the feeling of music to the addictive sensation of drugs
Oh, don’t mean to offend, see, I liked you, oh
Apologizing if he came on too strong in his invitation to dance
Don’t fight the feeling, Shawty, come on on up!
Encouraging the girl to embrace her attraction and join him
And I’ve been waiting for tonight
Expressing eagerness for this moment with the girl
I do it, I do it just for you
Reiterating that he is doing all of this for her
Let’s do it, let’s do it, take your move
Proposing that they dance together
I‘ll keep you sex right, till you bring Paradise!
Promising to satisfy her sexually and create a paradise for her
Every moment in love
Suggesting that they are experiencing love and affection
Come to my Magic Hotel!
Inviting her into his imaginary world of passion and pleasure
Step into my magic world, magic world, oh, oh, oh
Continuing the invitation to enter his world and experience his magic
I’ll do anything, one more spell
Willing to do anything to make her feel good and keep her under his spell
To walk you into this magic hotel!
Leading her into his world where he can lavish her with attention
Sign me up
Asking her to commit to being with him
Wanna try the feeling..
Encouraging her to explore their connection
Just started over, girl, I’m so turned up
Explaining that he is starting fresh with her and very excited
You turn the favor... open up!
Asking her to reciprocate and reveal her true self to him
I’ll make you mine
Claiming her as his own and promising to take care of her
I’ll keep you satisfied .. paradise
Promising to keep her happy and fulfilled in his fantasy paradise
'Cause I’ll be waiting for tonight...
Repeating his eagerness and anticipation for their time together
I’m gonna take you to the climax, baby
Suggesting that their passion will build to a peak moment
I’mma make you feel nice
Wanting to give her pleasure and make her comfortable
Hear it, girl, hear it, girl, oh, oh, oh
Encouraging her to listen to the music and let it move her
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP
Written by: BRANDON DEENER, JACI KIDD, JAMES WASHINGTON, KARL WOLF, ROMEL CUMMINGS, STEVIE STEPHENS, TIMOTHY MOSLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Adam Stanton
Nice track, overall. Great groovy bass line, classic Tim drums, nice hooky chorus. Funky brass section. Hard to say no to that throwback vibe!
Sandra k,
You got it couldnt say it with other words =)))
chikabimbo
Swaggy vibes by Timbo and breezy voice of Karl perfect combo! Hope do one more song
EveYasmine
Lovin' the vibe as usual! Smashin' it as always Karl. :-)
TracyL2003
Love it Karl! It's gonna go far! It's not the year of the horse, it's the year of the WOLF!!!
Edu Azanza
LOVE IT!!!!!!!!
temi lovie
When I heard this song on the radio, I fell in love!! I love the vibe and the beat!! So funky!!! An nice old-school feel mix with new age tunes. I LOVE!!! <3
DJ G
Love it!
Kimber-lee
Lovessssss it <3
Virág Natália Szűcs
Eargasmicly perfect! haha ❤