Ikaika Kahoano wanted more than his allotted 15 minutes of fame. It wasn't enough that the 24-year-old Iolani School graduate became a member of the pre-fab boy band O-Town on ABC's "Making the Band" series back in March through May 2000. It was a group he would quit in disgust soon afterward, returning home to friends and family. The son of entertainers Kimo and Lynette Kahoano would soon form the group Ano with his younger brother Kamuela, with the encouragement of older brother Haku.
Ikaika Kahoano's return home would last all of three months. Without a warning to his family, he headed for New York City to hook up with two "Making the Band" finalists he befriended, Bryan Chan and Mike Miller, to make another go at a mainstream entertainment career. Jonas Persch rounds out the quartet dubbed LMNT (pronounced "element," a name picked from a Teen People-sponsored online contest).
Group members hope there's still enough gold to be mined from the * boy band phenomenon, and will find out soon enough as Tuesday marked the nationwide release of LMNT's debut album, "All Sides." In a couple of phone interviews with Kahoano from New York, once during a noisy album release party * Tuesday and a day later, he was candid about his life-changing experience. "When Bryan told me in March of last year that he wanted me to join him and Mike, I originally told him I didn't want it," he said. "I was still pretty bitter about the whole * O-Town experience. I just didn't get along with the other guys in that group. I didn't respect them both on a musical and personal level. There was just no love there. "Even though there was no trash talk between us, it was still just a wack, ugly situation. I'm cool with them now and wish them all the best, but at the time I had to get out."
LMNT started touring last summer and performed during last year's Hula Bowl halftime show. The group's initial single release, the pop confection "Juliet," spent eight consecutive weeks as the No. 1 song on * Radio Disney. It was written by Epicentre, a duo from Stockholm, Sweden, who, not surprisingly, has also worked with * *N Sync. (Note: This song and the album opener "Girl Crazy" are made to set prepubescent girls' hearts aflutter while giving this aging male a sudden case of diabetes. In defense of "Juliet," however, the accompanying video that can be accessed via CD-ROM drive made the tune more bearable with its cute and clever laundromat fantasy scenario, complete with a cameo from Jamie-Lynn Sigler of "The Sopranos," who shares the same manager as LMNT.)
Now LMNT and Kahoano's high tenor voice and photogenic looks will be featured on two summer tours this year, one for Radio Disney, the other as the opening act for * Britney Spears from June 20 to July 6, with 11 dates between the Midwest and Northeast Coast. WHEN KAHOANO came back home after the * O-Town fiasco, he found it was too late to re-enroll at the University of Hawaii-Manoa, where he had a year left in his biological studies en route to becoming a pediatrician. But being back didn't make him feel as good as he'd expected. "I now felt I didn't belong," he said. "I was looking for regular work, tutoring a bit, but individuals like me like a lot on their plate, and even though friends helped me get the odd job, Hawaii didn't feel like the place I was supposed to be in. "I felt I had no choice but to move back to the mainland after I called Bryan back and told him I wanted in. In fact, my family didn't even know I went back until I called my mom from New York City, telling her of my decision. While my parents were initially disappointed, they understood where I was coming from. "It took a couple of friends of mine, Eric and Chris, to set me "* straight". We were just sitting around on Lanikai Beach one day, talking, and they told me that my * O-Town experience was my 'in,' even though it ended up wack -- that I was the only one that could've done that stuff, and that, no matter how much they could've worked at being in show business, they didn't have the gift I was given. "They helped me realize that I have this God-given talent, even though my parents tried to push me away from the entertainment life they had -- not going to college, getting married right after high school and raising a family. And at first, even though I'd go with my dad to his gigs, I didn't look to pursue a career in entertainment. My parents wanted me to continue my schooling, but I had a taste for performing as early as high school, where my brother and I were in an a cappella group. "So I've surrendered and stopped fighting it. My friends have told me -- and I've come around to their way of thinking -- that I have a voice and a look, as well as the dance moves and good health, to pursue this career. And with my trust in God, I hope I can bring some light into this world with this group. "THE LONGEVITY of LMNT is dependent on the multiracial group (described by Kahoano as "humble individuals, not at all badasses or rock stars -- we're just four mama's boys!") gaining national airplay on radio stations that cater to an audience that's outgrown the * Radio Disney playlist.
To these ears, four of the 11 tracks on "All Sides" could help LMNT break out of teeny-bop mode. One of them is "Shangri La," produced and written by the Norwegian team Stargate (worked on hits for * S Club 7 and * Cher), which has a bit of a robotic, hip-hop feel to it. Another Stargate track, "Hold Me Down," sounds too much like a lightweight version of the kind of skittish, chopped-up rhythm work Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott and *Timbaland have already mastered. "Keep It Coming," a contribution by L.A.'s Soulshock, who worked with * Mary J. Blige, 2Pac and Destiny's Child, takes a light, persistent approach Kahoano would like to work at. He said he also likes the tracks LMNT did with veteran New York session musician-producer Jimmy Bralower, who's also worked with the * Backstreet Boys. "Greatest Gift" and "It's Your Love" are two of the songs that are the closest in generating real emotion, thanks to the help of studio musicians. "It's just a matter of a series of doors breaking down in order to build up radio airplay that will help us in the long run," Kahoano said.
Juliet
LMNT Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every little thing you do
Every time I see you pass
In my homeroom class, makes my heart beat fast
I've tried to page you twice
But I see you roll your eyes
Wish I could make it real
But your lips are sealed, that ain't no big deal
I hear your friends talk about me
So why you tryin' to do without me
When you got me
Where you want me
(Hey Juliet)
I think you're fine
You really blow my mind
Maybe someday, you and me can run away
I just want you to know
I want to be your Romeo
Hey Juliet
Girl you got me on my knees
Beggin' please, baby please
Got my best DJ on the radio waves saying
Hey Juliet, why do you do him this way
Too far to turn around
So I'm gonna stand my ground
Gimme just a little bit of hope
With a smile or a glance, gimme one more chance
Cause I know you really want me
I hear your friends talk about me
So why you tryin' to do without me
When you got me
Where you want me
Hey Juliet
I think you're fine
You really blow my mind
Maybe someday, you and me can run away
I just want you to know
I want to be your Romeo
Hey Juliet
I know you really want me
I hear your friends talk about me
So why you tryin' to do without me
When you got me
Where you want me
You don't have to say forever
For us to hang together
So hear me when I say
Hey Juliet
In LMNT's song "Juliet," the singer is expressing his unrequited love for a girl he has been watching closely. The first verse establishes his attraction to her, with every little thing she does sending his heart racing. He has tried to make contact with her before, but she has not been responsive. Despite this, he is confident that she really wants him and that her friends talk about him. The singer then asks her for just a little bit of hope or another chance to show her how he feels. The chorus repeats the sentiment that he thinks she is fine and that he wants to be her Romeo, while the bridge of the song pleads for her attention.
The song plays with the classic romance trope of Romeo and Juliet, but instead, it is a modernized high school version with a less tragic ending. The lyrics describe the longing and uncertainty of teenage crushes and the frustration of being unable to express oneself. The upbeat, catchy pop melody makes the song a feel-good anthem of hope for young, romantic hearts. Overall, the song is an expression of the singer's love and desire, as well as a plea for reciprocation.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey I've been watching you
I have been observing you for a while now.
Every little thing you do
I have noticed every small action that you take.
Every time I see you pass
Whenever you pass by me, I take notice.
In my homeroom class, makes my heart beat fast
When I see you in our homeroom class, my heart beats fast as I am attracted to you.
I've tried to page you twice
I have attempted to contact you twice.
But I see you roll your eyes
I noticed that you were uninterested when I tried to get in touch with you.
Wish I could make it real
I hope that I can make a relationship with you a reality.
But your lips are sealed, that ain't no big deal
You might not be vocal about your feelings for me, but that doesn't concern me.
Cause I know you really want me
I am certain that you are interested in me.
I hear your friends talk about me
Your friends have spoken about me in a positive manner to you.
So why you tryin' to do without me
I do not understand why you are trying to ignore me when there is mutual interest.
When you got me where you want me
I am already within your grasp, so why not pursue a relationship?
Hey Juliet, I think you're fine
I believe that you are beautiful, Juliet.
You really blow my mind
You always manage to impress me and keep me intrigued.
Maybe someday, you and me can run away
I hope that we can plan to escape together one day.
I just want you to know
I want to make sure that you understand my intentions.
I want to be your Romeo
I aspire to be the person of your dreams, the ideal romantic partner.
Girl you got me on my knees
I am willing to do whatever it takes to win your affection.
Beggin' please, baby please
I am pleading with you to give me a chance.
Got my best DJ on the radio waves saying
I am broadcasting my feelings publicly with the help of my friend who is a DJ.
Hey Juliet, why do you do him this way
DJ's words are asking, 'Juliet, why are you ignoring the person who likes you?'
Too far to turn around, so I'm gonna stand my ground
I am already too invested in trying to win you over, so I am not going to give up easily.
Gimme just a little bit of hope
I am requesting for even the slightest indication that you might be interested in me as well.
With a smile or a glance, gimme one more chance
Even if it is just a smile or a brief look, I would like another opportunity to show you my devotion.
You don't have to say forever
You do not have to commit to a long-term relationship right away.
For us to hang together
We can just casually spend time together without any pressure or expectations.
So hear me when I say
Please pay attention to my words, Juliet.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TONY MARTY, FREDRIK THOMANDER, ANDERS WIKSTROM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Shep Grignard
Heard this on Spotify and the nostalgia whiplash was so intense my insurance doesn't cover it
Rodney
I feel the same I was jamming down the street hahahaha lmao love it
Tabatha Brady
🤣🤣🤣💀💀💀
trumpettwinnie
Same thing happened to me at work today
WhatdidIsayagain
the kpop bands singing English got me back here LOL
MercyRae
Someone used it on their tiktok and I fckn folded realizing I knew the lyrics😹💃🏻 came running to YT for the full song.
Cade Rodger
For those of you wondering: Yes, this is what it was like in the early 2000's. We all had daydreams involving "The Matrix" to save girls we (including myself) had crushes on, boy bands roamed the streets unsupervised setting up stages (the traffic jams to school we're atrocious), and all of us played guitar in our local laundry rooms.
WarAmour
You forgot the rampant reality show plagues of '02.
Maureen Dance
I always take my tablet with me to the laundry, and play June's Journey. Not once has a drop-dead gorgeous Hawaiian guy taken me off on adventures in his 1920's plane.
Ty
I have to agree here you guys clearly didn't watch one less lonely girl by Justin Bieber...