Hilson has been writing music for other artists since 2001, including Britney Spears, Ciara, Usher, and Ludacris. Despite having made a name for herself as an arranger and background vocalist, lending her vocal talents to many of the songs she wrote on, Hilson remained behind the scenes for the most part until 2004, when she was featured on Xzibit's single, "Hey Now (Mean Muggin)" and made her performing debut singing the track live at the 2004 MTV Europe Awards.
In 2006, Hilson reappeared on the music scene in the video for Nelly Furtado's single "Promiscuous". Meanwhile, she signed as an artist with Timbaland's newly formed Interscope associated label Mosley Music Group and the pair started work on her debut album '"In A Perfect World...". The same year, she was featured on "After Love" from Diddy's album Press Play which was originally written for Danity Kane. She also wrote "Right Now" for Danity Kane as well as "Help", the second single from Lloyd Banks' Rotten Apple.
In 2007, Hilson made several appearances on Timbaland's solo effort, Shock Value where she featured heavily on the singles "The Way I Are" and "Scream" and the tracks "Miscommunication" and "Hello". Furthermore, she was featured on the track "Lost Girls" on Rich Boy's debut album and its second single "Good Things" and was credited as a writer and backing vocalist on Britney Spears' album Blackout. She also worked on Spears' follow-up "Circus", but the tracks didn't appear on the album.
A promotional video for her song "Where Did He Go" was released in 2008 and she went on to further promote herself as a solo artist on "Get It Girl", a track produced by Timbaland & Danja and recorded for a Verizon ringtone promotion and available also through iTunes.
She also played the lead role in Usher's music video for "Love in This Club", (as well as co-writing its "Pt. II" remix) appeared as one of the "independent women" in Ne-Yo's music video for "Miss Independent" and appeared briefly on Nelly's "Party People" music video wearing a T-Shirt with the slogan 'Hip Hop aint dead'. She soon after featured on Nas' debut single from his controversial album Untitled, "Hero".
After many pushbacks, Hilson's debut solo album In a Perfect World... has now been set for an early 2009 release. The album's first single was "Energy" and its music video was released July 14, 2008. "Energy" has peaked at a low #78 on the Billboard Hot 100.
A second single "Return The Favor" features Timbaland was released officially as a digital download on October 7, 2008 and the video, directed by Melina, premiered on October 23, 2008. In the meantime, she also featured on Chris Brown's single "Superhuman" and Kardinal Offishall's 2008 single "Numba 1 (Tide Is High)", which was originally featured Rihanna. This single failed to chart on the Hot 100.
The track "Turnin Me On" features rapper Lil' Wayne and was released as the third official single as a digital download on November 25. The video, which was directed by Erik White after he and Hilson met on the set of the "Superhuman" video, premiered on November 20, 2008. "Turnin Me On" has so far peaked at #16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and recently hit #2 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, becoming Hilson's most successful single as well as her first Top 50 single in the U.S.. It also peaked as the #1 Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop track. "Turnin Me On" also stood as the #1 video on BET's 106 & Park for about a week and currently is the #5 video request on that show, flucuating between the Top 5.
Recently, Keri Hilson's track "Alienated" was played exclusively on UK radio station Kiss 100 after winning the Fresh 40 mixtape deck battle with 51% against Maino's "All The Above".
It was announced on March 10th that the video for "Knock You Down"(featuring Ne-Yo & Kayne West) was in production and would be released as the fourth single.
Hilson's music has been favorably received, appearing on list of "Top Year Singles" with the songs, "Energy" and "Turnin Me On". The first was on Blender magazine list of the "The Top 144 Songs of 2008", at #61, and the latter was on Vibe magazine's "The 80 Best Songs of '08" at #67. Vibe also praised her voice and called her "ridiculously hot".
In 2010 saw the birth of No Boys Allowed and comes out on the 21st of December 2010. The First Single was Breaking Points and received positive and negative reviews, however failed to chart well. The second single Pretty Girl Rock saw more success and went on to chart respectably well. The song got that much attention that a official remix was made featuring Kanye West, which made the album too. The Suspected third Single is The Way You Love Me and a full length video (short film) appeared on Vevo. The video got mixed reviews, one side saying the video was a side to Keri that had never saw before (a more seductive side). However, some said that this side was too out there and was a bit too much.
DISCOGRAPHY:
ALBUMS:
2009: In A Perfect World...
2010:No Boys Allowed
SINGLES:
2004: Hey Now (Mean Muggin) [Xzibit feat. Keri]
2006: Help [Lloyd Banks feat. Keri]
2007: The Way I Are [Timbaland feat. Keri & D.O.E.]
2007: Good Things [Rich Boy feat. Polow Da on & Keri]
2008: Scream [Timbaland feat. Keri & Nicole Scherzinger]
2008: Hero [Nas feat. Keri]
2008: Energy
2008: Superhuman [Chris Brown feat. Keri]
2008: Return The Favor [feat. Timbaland]
2008: Numba 1 (Tide Is High) [Kardinal Offishall feat. Keri]
2008: Turnin Me On [feat. Lil Wayne]
2009: Knock You Down [feat. Kanye West & Ne-Yo]
2009: Slow Dance
2010: I Like
2010:Got Your Back [T.I feat. Keri]
2010:Breaking Point
2010:Pretty Girl Rock
2010:The Way You Love Me
Lie To Me
Keri Hilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I think I'm better off not knowing
When you leave my bed, where you be goin'?
It's obvious, I ain't your only
But I ain't ready to be lonely
So this is not an ultimatum
Knew the rules to your game before I played 'em
But I still need to hear it
Just tell me your lie
Fool me babe
Tell me another lie
Huh, baby you could start by saying
(What you want me to do?)
Tell me that you love me, baby
Tell me that you love me, baby
Tell me that you love me, baby (what you want me to do?)
Tell me that you love me, baby
Tell me that you love me, baby (tell me baby)
Tell me that you love me, baby (tell me baby)
Tell me that you love me, baby (tell me baby)
Tell me that you love me, tell me you love me, babe
I've been too afraid to ask this
Am I your main or your mistress?
I mean I'm happy all my bills are paid for
But who else you doin' the same for? (Na, na, na)
Do you give her more, or do you just appease me?
Do you please her the same ways you please me?
Even though your game is see-through
I just can't find the strength to leave
So tell me
Tell me that you love me, baby
Tell me that you love me, baby
Tell me that you love me, baby (what you want me to do?)
Tell me that you love me, baby
Just tell me you love
Tell me that you love me, baby (tell me, baby)
Tell me that you love me, baby (tell me, baby) (tell me another lie)
Tell me that you love me, baby (tell me, baby)
Tell me that you love me, tell me you love me, babe
Even if there ain't no truth behind it (na, na, na, na, na, na)
Baby, I just need to be blinded (na, na, na, na, na, na)
If your heart isn't in it, baby don't tell me so, ooh
Fool me, if you don't wanna loose me
(What you want me to do?) (Tell me)
Tell me that you love me, baby (you love me, baby)
Tell me that you love me, baby (what you want me to do?)
(Tell me) tell me that you love me baby (what you want me to do?) (You love me, baby)
Tell me that you love me, baby (tell me)
Tell me that you love me, baby (tell me, baby) (you love me, baby)
Tell me that you love me, baby (tell me, baby) (tell me)
Tell me that you love me, baby (tell me, baby) (you love me)
Tell me that you love me, tell me you love, baby
Tell me, baby
Tell me, baby
Tell me, baby
Tell me, baby
In "Lie to Me," Keri Hilson addresses the fear of being alone, even though she knows that she is not the only one in her partner's life. She explains that she would rather be lied to about being loved than be told the truth and lose the comfort of the relationship. She acknowledges the rules of the game, but at the same time, she wants to hear what she wants to hear. She is willing to be blinded to the truth as long as she is not alone.
The chorus repeats the same plea, asking her partner to tell her that he loves her, even if it's a lie. She is willing to be fooled and to live in a fantasy world where she is the only one her partner loves. Despite knowing that her partner's game is "see-through," she is unable to leave.
The song showcases the desire to hold onto a relationship, regardless of its flaws, even if it means sacrificing the truth. The lyrics convey the pain of being alone and the willingness to compromise one's values for the sake of companionship. It's a desperate plea for validation in a relationship that is ultimately unfulfilling.
Line by Line Meaning
I think I'm better off not knowing
I suspect that ignorance is bliss in this case, the truth may be too painful to bear
When you leave my bed, where you be goin'?
I'm curious about your whereabouts and actions when you're not with me
It's obvious, I ain't your only
I'm aware that I'm not the only person you're involved with
But I ain't ready to be lonely
I'm not prepared to face the possibility of being alone without you
So this is not an ultimatum
I'm not issuing a final demand or a threat, just expressing my feelings
Knew the rules to your game before I played 'em
I was aware of the terms and conditions of our relationship, but chose to participate anyway
You ain't even gotta mean it
You don't have to be sincere or honest, just tell me what I want to hear
But I still need to hear it
Despite my doubts and reservations, I need to hear your reassurance and affection
Tell me that you love me, baby
I need to feel loved and valued by you, even if it's not true or genuine
I've been too afraid to ask this
I've been avoiding this sensitive and uncomfortable topic out of fear or insecurity
Am I your main or your mistress?
I want to know my status and importance in your life, compared to others you're involved with
I mean I'm happy all my bills are paid for
I appreciate your financial support and stability, but that's not enough for me
But who else you doin' the same for?
I'm curious and jealous about who else you're providing for and taking care of, besides me
Do you give her more, or do you just appease me?
I wonder if you're giving more attention, affection or resources to another person, while just keeping me content enough to stay
Do you please her the same ways you please me?
I'm insecure and doubtful about your fidelity and sexual compatibility with me, compared to her or others
Even though your game is see-through
I'm aware of your tricks, lies or manipulations, but I'm still falling for them or tolerating them
I just can't find the strength to leave
I'm emotionally attached or dependent on you, and I can't bring myself to end this relationship or situation
Even if there ain't no truth behind it
Even if you're lying or being insincere, I still want to hear you say that you love me
Baby, I just need to be blinded
I prefer the comfort and illusion of love, even if it's not based on reality or honesty
If your heart isn't in it, baby don't tell me so, ooh
If you don't truly love me or care about me, don't shatter my illusions or crush my heart with the truth
Fool me, if you don't wanna loose me
Keep lying and deceiving me if you want to keep me as your partner or lover, don't risk losing me with the truth
Tell me, baby
Keep telling me what I want to hear, baby
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, ANTHEM ENTERTAINMENT LP, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Timothy Mosley, Jerome Harmon, Keri Hilson, Keithin Pittman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind