Known for spearheading the Jazz-Hop genre, Kero One, a San Francisco rapper… Read Full Bio ↴Known for spearheading the Jazz-Hop genre, Kero One, a San Francisco rapper/producer/DJ, stands as a testament to the do-it-yourself success story.

Using only his homemade studio and personal credit card, Kero One pressed and released his first 12” record Check the Blueprints in 2003 on his own imprint, Plug Label. Without any experience as to how he should distribute his new record, Kero One spent endless hours researching, cold calling, and seeking help from friends. Of the 50 copies that were eventually distributed around the world, one landed in a tiny record store in Tokyo, Japan. A few weeks later, it was found by a Japanese DJ who played it at a club that night and received dozens of inquires, including a Japanese label executive who immediately contacted Kero One and asked for 3,000 copies of the record. The record, “Check the Blueprints” became an underground Hiphop classic in Japan, and Kero One was invited to tour the country just a few months after. He performed in cities throughout Japan where he was greeted by hundreds of fans waiting to take photographs and autographs, much to his surprise. It was at this point that making a career out of music became a reality.

Kero One went on to finish his first album, Windmills of the Soul, in 2005, handling everything from playing instruments, rapping, and sound engineering. Without a strong label backing or a street team, Kero One handled almost all the business himself. From promotions and marketing, manufacturing, finances, art direction and web design, Kero One personally handed out promos to tastemakers anywhere he could find them. Eventually the hard work paid off, and Windmills of the Soul garnered respect in many circles for Kero One’s thought provoking lyrics and musical soundscapes which fused live instruments with dusty analog samples. It wasn’t long before Kero One quit his job as a web designer in 2006 to pursue music full time. Since 2006, Kero One has been awarded the title of Best HipHop Album of 2006 from Remix magazine Japan, topped iTunes hiphop charts, received praise from artists all over the world like multi Grammy award winning producer Will.i.am of Black Eyed peas, the legendary Stevie Wonder, Emmy nominated jazz singer Jaime Cullum, and multi award winning Korean Hiphop groups Epik High and Dynamic Duo. Kero One has also performed with artists like Stevie Wonder, Blu + Exile, Far East Movement, KRS 1, Dougie Fresh, Epik High, Jay Park, Dynamic Duo & Simon D. Kero One’s Music has been heard in Printemps Mall in Paris, Takashimaya mall in Tokyo, Hyatt hotels, and Tv Shows like Anthony Bourdain Layover and Fuse TV. Additionally, Kero One has collaborated with artists from all over the globe like Talib Kweli, Aloe Blacc, Epik High (KOREA), Ben Westbeech (UK), Dj Deckstream (JAPAN), David Choi, Fashawn, Shing02, Dumbfoundead, The Sound Providers, Dj Mitsu, Dynamic Duo (KOREA) and many others.

As of 2012, Kero One has released four full length solo albums. His fourth solo album “Color Theory”, raised over $10,000 from fans who wanted to help fund it on Kickstarter. Kero One is a full time rapper, producer, and DJ. Check out his work on his youtube channel (www.youtube.com/keroonetv).

Goodbye Forever
Kero One Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I feel we, can't keep going
but its really you that’s been down since day one
and still we, fight and disagree together
so do I hold you close? or just say goodbye forever?

In the beginning when God made man
who would have thought, he'd place you in my hands
someone different, so intricate

no instrument could resemble this
melody that’s singing in my ear
the echoes of laughter, pain and tears

the wonder years, even though we were grown ups
‘till Fred got Savage cause Winnie got colder
the fights, late nights all up in my face
all up in your face, then end up in embrace
I could have end in neck brace
but our love was strong, we forgave and moved on
and on and on ‘till the break of dawn
now the vibe is sinking, inside its stinging
and that star we wished upon is blinking
will it shine again, or is this the ending?

And inside I’m dying but on the outside I mask it
and I know inside I’m crying so why on the outside
I’m laughing?
maybe I can’t deal with this deck of cards that I’m holding
one moment shall I fold it?
Or go all in and share with you what I win?
but why cash in when my chips are low?
is that a queen in my deck? or the sips of merlot?
with all bets set, family and friends invested
maybe we ate too fast, and couldn’t digest it?
but for that its too late I’m guessing
I know I love you deeply so why are we stressing?
“Question” if I love you and that’ll remain?
but this don’t make cents, is that enough for change?
if my minds stuck is that enough for change?
if my minds stuck, maybe that’s enough

And maybe, I’m that guy that thinks too much
or maybe I’m the same but vocalize that I does
well I know I’m one that ponders what I cant touch
fingers on fast-forward, wondering if we broke up
damn and its so nuts
I see you with your future man, smiling and laughing
kind of a cornball, stylish with accent
but despite my absence I’m so ecstatic
so happy, to see you feeling so well
inside, I’m screaming treat her so well
I never want to see her hurt again
even if we're never forever or permanent
under my breath I vent “farewell my friend”
girl, take care and maybe we'll meet again
if not in this lifetime, then maybe the next
if not in this lifetime, then maybe the next

I feel we, can't keep going
but its really you that’s been down since day one

and still we, fight and disagree together
so do I hold you close? or just say goodbye forever?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Goodbye Forever" by Kero One is a poetic and emotional account of a relationship that is at a crossroads. The song talks about the struggles and doubts that come with breaking up with someone who has been a constant in your life for a long time. The first verse expresses the confusion and tension in the relationship, and the singer is conflicted about whether to hold on or let go. He acknowledges the fact that the other person has always been there for him, but the fights and disagreements are taking their toll on their relationship. The chorus further emphasizes this dilemma as the singer wonders if he should hold on or let go for good.

The second verse takes a nostalgic turn as the singer reminisces about the beginnings of their relationship, and how they were meant to be. He describes their connection as a unique and intricate melody that resounds in his ears. The lyrics mention the times they spent together, the fights they had, and the way they forgave each other and moved on. The verse ends with the confusion and doubts that have taken over their relationship, and no one knows if they will make it work or end up breaking up for good.

The third verse has the singer questioning his feelings and emotions. He is hiding his pain and pretending to be happy on the outside. But deep inside, he is hurting, and he wonders if he should let go of the relationship or stay and fight for it. He also talks about feeling like he thinks too much, and this might be the reason for the confusion and doubts. The chorus at the end of the song once again emphasizes the dilemma of holding on or letting go.

Line by Line Meaning

I feel we, can't keep going
The singer believes the relationship is no longer sustainable.

but its really you that’s been down since day one
The singer acknowledges the other person's loyalty and commitment to the relationship from the beginning.

and still we, fight and disagree together
Despite their shared hardships, the couple still experiences conflict.

so do I hold you close? or just say goodbye forever?
The artist is unsure whether to try to save the relationship or end it for good.

In the beginning when God made man
The artist likens meeting their partner to the creation of humanity by a higher power.

who would have thought, he'd place you in my hands
The singer expresses surprise and gratitude that they were brought together.

someone different, so intricate
The singer recognizes the uniqueness of the other person.

no instrument could resemble this
The artist asserts that no other thing or person could compare to their partner.

melody that’s singing in my ear
The artist compares their love to a beautiful and pleasing musical sound.

the echoes of laughter, pain and tears
The artist reflects on the highs and lows of the relationship.

the wonder years, even though we were grown ups
The singer reminisces about the earlier, happier times in their relationship.

‘till Fred got Savage cause Winnie got colder
The artist refers to a scenario from a popular TV show 'The Wonder Years' where a couple's relationship deteriorated due to one person's emotional distance.

the fights, late nights all up in my face
The singer recalls intense arguments with their partner.

all up in your face, then end up in embrace
Despite the tension, the couple often reconciles and embraces each other.

I could have end in neck brace
The singer acknowledges that their fights could have ended more violently.

but our love was strong, we forgave and moved on
Despite the conflicts, the artist believes that their love and forgiveness allowed the relationship to continue.

now the vibe is sinking, inside its stinging
The artist feels the relationship is deteriorating and that it's emotionally painful.

and that star we wished upon is blinking
The singer alludes to a wish on a star and implies that their relationship is no longer what they hoped it would be.

will it shine again, or is this the ending?
The singer is uncertain whether their relationship will improve or end altogether.

And inside I’m dying but on the outside I mask it
The artist is suffering emotionally but tries to hide it.

and I know inside I’m crying so why on the outside I’m laughing?
The artist is puzzled by their own behavior of expressing happiness despite feeling sad.

maybe I can’t deal with this deck of cards that I’m holding
The artist feels overwhelmed and unable to control the events in their life.

one moment shall I fold it?
The singer questions whether they should give up or continue trying to save the relationship.

Or go all in and share with you what I win?
The artist questions whether they should continue investing time and energy in the relationship.

but why cash in when my chips are low?
The singer is hesitant to invest more in the relationship when things are already difficult.

is that a queen in my deck? or the sips of merlot?
The singer playfully wonders whether their fortunes will turn around or if they are simply under the influence of alcohol.

with all bets set, family and friends invested
The singer recognizes the support they've received from their loved ones in the relationship.

maybe we ate too fast, and couldn’t digest it?
The artist reflects on whether they rushed into the relationship and were unable to properly handle its challenges.

but for that its too late I’m guessing
The artist realizes that it's too late to undo the past mistakes that led to the current state of the relationship.

I know I love you deeply so why are we stressing?
The singer acknowledges their love for the other person but is puzzled by why their relationship is struggling.

“Question” if I love you and that’ll remain?
The singer asks a rhetorical question about whether their love for the other person will continue despite the current struggles.

but this don’t make cents, is that enough for change?
The artist questions whether their current situation is worth changing or if they should accept it as is.

if my minds stuck is that enough for change?
The artist wonders if their own mental state is enough motivation to change the current situation.

maybe that’s enough
The artist suggests that their own internal motivation may be enough to bring about change.

And maybe, I’m that guy that thinks too much
The singer acknowledges that they may be overthinking the situation.

or maybe I’m the same but vocalize that I does
The artist is considering whether they have changed or whether they have simply started to express their existing feelings more openly.

well I know I’m one that ponders what I cant touch
The singer admits that they spend a lot of time thinking about intangible things.

fingers on fast-forward, wondering if we broke up
The singer is anxious and worried about the possibility of the relationship ending.

damn and its so nuts
The singer expresses disbelief and frustration at the current situation.

I see you with your future man, smiling and laughing
The artist imagines their ex-partner with a new romantic interest and expresses that they hope they are happy.

kind of a cornball, stylish with accent
The artist playfully teases the other person's new partner.

but despite my absence I’m so ecstatic
The singer is happy for the other person's happiness even though it comes at the cost of their relationship.

so happy, to see you feeling so well
The singer expresses genuine joy at the other person's happiness.

inside, I’m screaming treat her so well
The artist offers advice to the other person's new partner to treat them well, despite their own feelings of jealousy.

I never want to see her hurt again
The artist cares deeply for the other person's well-being and wants to see them happy and healthy.

even if we're never forever or permanent
The artist acknowledges that their relationship may not have been meant to last forever.

under my breath I vent “farewell my friend”
The singer acknowledges the end of their relationship and says goodbye to the other person.

girl, take care and maybe we'll meet again
The artist says goodbye to the other person and expresses the hope that they may cross paths again in the future.

if not in this lifetime, then maybe the next
The singer suggests that their relationship may not have been meant to succeed in this life, but there may be another opportunity in the future.

if not in this lifetime, then maybe the next
The singer repeats their previous statement, emphasizing the importance of the idea.

Writer(s): John Aka Johne Battle Battle Copyright: Swahila Music, Warner-tamerlane Publishing Corp.

Contributed by Benjamin G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS