Growing up, he listened to the Jackson 5, Prince and the production of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and Stevie Wonder. He was also influenced by jazz and gospel music. Martin started playing piano, bass guitar, drums and singing when he was 10. He started writing music when he was nineteen.
During the late 1980s he was growing up with close friends Johnny Gill and Stacy Lattisaw and bassist Oteil Burbridge and Kenny Lattimore. He was a member of the group, Masquerade, which included twins, Art and Scott Powell, Sharif Walters and D'Extra Wiley, who later became a member of the 1990s new jack R&B group II D Extreme.
In 1991, the vocal group and Keith joined MC Hammer’s tour. Seeing how Martin was with his songwriting, Boyz Mike McCary finally brought him to Sony, where he eventually put out his first album, “It’s Long Overdue” in 1995. It contained, as its last track, the quiet little song that is “Because of You.” It is the opening track, “I’ll Never Find Someone Like You,” however that created enough stir to be included in the soundtrack of Bad Boys.
After Parting Ways with Sony, Martin moved to California, where he met Producer and Label owner Greg G of GMG Music. He recorded and released "Validated" with GMG, the album contains hits like "Whateva U Need" and "Coming Home" in addition to a remix of "Because of You".
In 2009, Martin returned from the Philippines and worked with POSH, an all-girl group signed to Viva Records. Martin produced "Missing You", one of the singles off their album My Heart.
In 2010, Martin released "This Road", including the song "You Are My Life" released as a single in 2012 that became a popular wedding theme.
In 2013, Martin released "The Vision".
In 2018, Martin released the single, "Return to Me".
Any Kind of Reason
Keith Martin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
found that special lady. Something deep inside is stomping you
for walking away. Girl you're my song but ev'rybody else is
singing it. I ain't never did you wrong baby why are you doggin'
me. Don't let 'em deceive you, no. Play with your mind. It seems
I'm wastin' my time.
Ch: Just give me any kind of reason not to let you go. How much
any kind of feelings you would go, oh no.
V: What you won't do for love. Girl you broke my heart, I found
this number. I gotta break this spell your under. While I've been
livin' I ain't givin' up on love oh no. Never gonna let you go. Girl
you're my song but ev'rybody else is singin' it. I ain't never did
wrong baby why are you doggin' me. Don't let 'em deceive you
no. Play with your mind. If we can't work it out baby don't you
say that I'm not tryin'.
Ch:
Br: Oooh ho. Oh, oh. Girl your my song but ev'rybody else is
singin' it. I ain't never did you wrong, I never did you wrong!
Don't let 'em deceive you no. Play with your mind 'cause you're
never, ever gonna find a love like mine oh, oh.
Ch: (To fade.)
The lyrics to Keith Martin's song "Any Kind of Reason" tells the story of a man who finds himself deeply in love with a woman who seems to be playing mind games with him. The opening verse states that he has found someone special and that he is torn about walking away. He asserts that he has done nothing wrong and questions why she is "doggin'" him. The chorus is a plea to the woman to give him any kind of reason to stay, as he deeply loves her but feels ignored and unappreciated. The second verse reveals that she has broken his heart and he is desperate to break the emotional hold she has over him. He ends the verse stating that he won't ever give up on love, but this relationship seems to be causing more harm than good. The bridge reinforces the idea that he never did anything wrong to deserve her mistreatment and that she won't find a love like his anywhere else. The song ends with a final plea in the chorus for any reason to stay.
The lyrics present a common theme of heartbreak, insecurity, and self-doubt that many individuals can relate to. It highlights the pain and confusion that come with being in love with someone who seems to be playing games or not reciprocating that love. Despite this, the singer is unwavering in his love for the woman and is willing to fight for their relationship, even as he recognizes that it may be causing him more harm than good.
Line by Line Meaning
What you won't do for love when your heart is captivated. You found that special lady. Something deep inside is stomping you for walking away.
When your heart is consumed with love for someone, it can be extremely difficult to walk away from that person, especially when you've found someone special. You may feel as though something deep inside is stopping you from ending the relationship.
Girl you're my song but ev'rybody else is singing it. I ain't never did you wrong baby why are you doggin' me.
You are the only one who truly understands me, but everyone else seems to be copying our relationship. Despite the fact that I have never wronged you, you seem to be treating me unfairly.
Don't let 'em deceive you, no. Play with your mind. It seems I'm wastin' my time.
Don't allow others to manipulate you or put doubt in your mind. It feels like I am putting effort into something that is ultimately a waste of my time.
Just give me any kind of reason not to let you go. How much I love you deep inside I guess you'll never know. And if you had any kind of feelings you would go, oh no.
Please provide me with any rationale to stay together and not end this relationship. Unfortunately, my strong feelings for you may never be fully understood by you. If you had any genuine affection for me, you would leave me rather than stringing me along.
Girl you broke my heart, I found this number. I gotta break this spell your under. While I've been livin' I ain't givin' up on love oh no. Never gonna let you go.
You shattered my heart and I discovered this other phone number which suggests you may not be trustworthy. I must break the hold you have over me. Even though I have experienced hardships in love, I will not give up. I refuse to let you go.
If we can't work it out baby don't you say that I'm not tryin'.
If things do not work out between us, please do not accuse me of not putting in enough effort to make it work.
Girl your my song but ev'rybody else is singing it. I ain't never did you wrong, I never did you wrong! Don't let 'em deceive you no. Play with your mind 'cause you're never, ever gonna find a love like mine oh, oh.
You are like a melody that I cannot get out of my head, but everyone else is trying to copy it. I have always treated you with respect and fairness, and it is important that you do not allow others to manipulate you. You will never find a love like mine.
Contributed by Owen O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.