Kleeer was an American New York City–based funk, disco and post-disco band,… Read Full Bio ↴Kleeer was an American New York City–based funk, disco and post-disco band, which was formed in 1972 under the name The Jam Band, as a backup group to different disco bands and vocalists.[1]

After a switch to the name Pipeline in 1975, the group also decided to switch to making hard rock instead of disco. Record labels competed to sign them but, when they finally ended up at Columbia Records, their single "Gypsie Rider" did not fare well commercially.

In 1976, they got the opportunity to become The Universal Robot Band along with underground disco producers Patrick Adams and Greg Carmichael. This project was more successful than their former projects. They made the single "Barely Breaking Even" alongside singer Leroy Burgess, and they also recorded an album. The group toured as The Universal Robot Band until 1978. After 1978, the band decided to make all their music themselves under the new name of Kleeer.[1]

Between 1979 and 1985 the group released seven albums and had several hits in the US Billboard Hot 100 and in R&B charts. The most mentionable are "Keep Your Body Workin'", "Tonight's the Night", "Winners", "Intimate Connection", and "Get Tough". The sound was now more focused on 1980s style funk, and electronic instruments, like vocoders and synthesizers.[2]

The System lead singer Mic Murphy was a road manager for the band before the start of his record career.[3]

After the 1985's album Seeekret, the band disappeared for unknown reasons. Most of the musicians continued working with other projects. In the 1990s, however, the group re-formed as Kleeer at some occasions.[2]

The group's influence today is best found in many hip hop songs, where DJs have frequently sampled Kleeer, for example by Dr. Dre, 2Pac, Snoop Dogg, DJ Quik, Lil Jon and others.[citation needed] "Keeep Your Body Workin'", which reached number 54 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Chart in 1979, was "reworked" into an updated recording by Tony Moran featuring Martha Wash, under the title "Keep Your Body Working". The Moran/Wash version reached number one on the Hot Dance Club Play chart in December 2007. Just Blaze sampled "She Said She Loves Me" from Kleeer's 1982 album "Get Ready" for the Intro to Jay Z's fifth studio album "The Dynasty: Roc La Familia".

Break
Kleeer Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Strut on by like a king
Telling everybody they know nothing,
And long live what you thought you were,
And time ain't on your side anymore (anymore)

And so you tell me I
Can't take my chances,
But I told you one too many times,

And you were crying like a bitch.

I'm tougher than nails.
I can promise you that.
Step out of line
And you get bitch-slapped back.
And you can run
Your little mouth all day,

But the hand of god
Just smacked you back into yesterday

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Breakin" by Kleeer narrate a story of a man who struts around like a king, feeling invincible and all-knowing. He belittles others, claiming they know nothing while basking in his perceived superiority. However, the tables turn, and time catches up with him, leaving him vulnerable as his illusory power and control slip away. The singer suggests that this arrogant man had warned him against taking his chances too many times, but he had ignored the warning repeatedly, leading to the man crying like a baby. In response, the singer asserts his strength and power, claiming to be tougher than nails and willing to strike back when out of line. The line "But the hand of god just smacked you back into yesterday" suggests that the man's hubris led to his downfall and reconnects him to his past, even as he struggles to hold onto his power and grandeur.

Overall, the lyrics convey a message of caution against hubris and invincibility. The man who once thought himself above everyone else finds himself at the mercy of his past, and the singer reminds us that we're not always as powerful or in control as we think we are. It is essential to stay humble and respectful to others while being aware that anything can happen in life.

Line by Line Meaning

Strut on by like a king
Walking with confidence and pride

Telling everybody they know nothing
Being arrogant and disrespectful

And long live what you thought you were
Holding onto your false sense of identity

And time ain't on your side anymore (anymore)
Running out of time and opportunities

And so you tell me I
You try to discourage me

Can't take my chances
Discouraging me from taking risks or pursuing my passions

But I told you one too many times
Making it clear that I won't be swayed by your negativity

And you were crying like a bitch
Reacting childishly and with weakness

I'm tougher than nails
I'm strong and resilient

I can promise you that
Being confident in my abilities

Step out of line
Crossing a boundary or showing disrespect