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.
Take It Off
Karl Wolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'mma keep it dancing, that's my occupation
They call me doctor
I've been my patient yeah
You like the role play
Camera all day, let me get it in the moon yeah
Once we turn on the lights
Everything you do catch me in the mood
Now I won't lie cuz we going along tonight
Set this '. Round
Take it off cuz you made it off
Things that you can't understand make you '.
Take it off
Just take it off
You losing and you can't '
I just want your body, girl I just want your body
Girl I just want your body
Take it off girl tonight
So seductive(so seductive)
You and your girlfriend
Still in the spot light yeah
We going all night, let's just keep it personal
Once we turn on the lights
Baby show me all your moves
Everything you do catch me in the mood
Now I won't lie cuz we going along tonight
Set this '. Round
Set this party up
Take it off cuz you made it off
Things that you can't understand make you '.
Take it off
Just take it off
You losing and you can't '
I just want your body, girl I just want your body
Girl I just want your body
Take it off girl tonight
Once we turn on the lights
Baby show me all your moves
Everything you do catch me in the mood
Now I won't lie cuz we going along tonight
Set this '. Round
Set this party up
Take it off cuz you made it off
Things that you can't understand make you '.
Take it off
Just take it off
You losing and you can't '
I just want your body, girl I just want your body
Girl I just want your body
Take it off girl tonight
In "Take It Off," Karl Wolf sings about his desire for a woman to take off her clothes and dance for him tonight. He states that his occupation is to keep the dance going and he is willing to be her subject for the night. The song contains lyrics that suggest that Karl enjoys acting out scenarios with his lover and filming for his own benefit. He raps about how he wants to see everything she can offer and that he will be in the mood to get involved with her. Karl Wolf also sings the chorus of the song, which repeatedly emphasizes that he wishes for the woman to take her clothes off and give in to the moment as they party and have fun.
The lyrics of "Take It Off" are straightforward, and from the title of the song, it is evident what Karl Wolf is advocating for. The song infers that a party is taking place, and Wolf is urging his love interest to let her hair down and embrace the moment. The song has a catchy and vibrant tune that is synonymous with the pop genre. The song is an excellent example of an o dance song that is often played in clubs and parties.
Line by Line Meaning
Take it off girl tonight
Encouraging someone to disrobe tonight
I'mma keep it dancing, that's my occupation
Dancing is my profession and my main focus tonight
They call me doctor
I am good at what I do in this context
I've been my patient yeah
I have tested my own methods and they work
You like the role play
You are into make-believe scenarios
Camera all day, let me get it in the moon yeah
You have been enjoying being in front of a camera all day, so let me capture you naturally
Baby show me all your moves
Please show me your dance moves
Now I won't lie cuz we going along tonight
I need to be honest, we are continuing with our activities tonight
Set this '. Round
Set the tone for this night
Take it off cuz you made it off
Remove your clothing because you have worked hard to look good
Things that you can't understand make you '.
Things you don't understand may confuse you
Just take it off
Just remove your clothes
You losing and you can't '
You are losing control and cannot resist
I just want your body, girl I just want your body
I am attracted to your physical self
So seductive(so seductive)
You are very alluring
You and your girlfriend
You and your friend are the center of attention
We going all night, let's just keep it personal
We will be active throughout the night, so let's keep this between us
Set this party up
Set the mood for this event
Contributed by Dominic O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Nafis Rashid
Karl Wolf always bringing that FIRE! Holding it down for Canada!
Harley Party Of 5
Amazing graphics in the video, I enjoy your music!!!
Tasneem Khan Yamaguchi
Hey karl! My mother is a very big fan of your music since 2013. She even your plays your music in her car.This song is so bop❤️
Mystical Experiences
Love this song 😻
Jacqueline H
I have this song on replay 🙌🙌🙌♥️
Stacy McWilliams
the visuals are insanely well done wow!! 🤙 🤙
T NZ
Canadian artist Karl Wolf’s new single Get Away rocks!!! Love this song! ♥️🤗🙌✊✊✊
Jad Haifa
He's Lebanese too don't forget
Flookie's Flippin
Yup.. he arose from the ashes. Lol Amazing. City of lies to. Shit!! he is on a roll.
Jackie S
You guys killed it!!! Such a sick video!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥