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.
You're The One
LMNT Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've got a pocket full of mischief and I'm guilty as charged,
All the misters and misses know the name of my tune,
Without your help I guess I'm headed for imminent doom,
So let's go...
'Cuz I don't know what to do,
'Less I'm beside of you,
You're the one, who saves the day,
You're the one I can rely on,
When the whole world comes undone,
Yeah, you're the one
I need one more step and I'm over the line,
I need a pocketbook of luck and a truckload of time,
They're countin' down, countin' down,
But there's nowhere to hide,
I'm leavin' town, leavin' town,
Gonna hitch me a ride,
So let's go...
'Cuz I don't know what to do,
'Less I'm beside of you,
I can rely on
When my world just comes undone
You're the one, you're the one who saves my day,
My heart and my soul each and every way,
You're the one, you're the one I can rely on,
When my heart and my song remains unsung,
Need one more step and I'm outta the yard,
Pocketful of mischief and I'm guilty as charged,
'Cuz I don't know what to do,
Unless I'm beside of you,
You're the one, who saves the day,
Who beats all the odds each and every way,
You're the one, who saves the day,
Who beats the odds each and every way,
You're the one I can rely on,
When everything's said and done,
Yeah, you're the one.
The lyrics of LMNT's song "You're the One" seem to be about someone who is about to make a big change in their life, but is uncertain and scared. They feel like they need one more step to move forward, but they don't know what to do without the person they're singing to beside them. This person is their rock and their savior, who beats the odds every time and helps them when their world comes undone. Without them, the singer feels lost and headed for inevitable doom.
The lyrics use clever wordplay, with phrases like "pocket full of mischief" and "pocketbook of luck" which suggest that the singer is up to no good or in need of some help from fate. The repetition of the phrase "you're the one" emphasizes the importance of the person the singer is addressing and how crucial they are to the singer's success and happiness. The song has an upbeat, poppy melody that belies the uncertainty and fear expressed in the lyrics, and gives the impression that the singer is ready to take on the world as long as they have this person by their side.
Line by Line Meaning
I need one more step and I'm outta the yard,
I am at the edge of change and just need one final push to get out of my current situation.
I've got a pocket full of mischief and I'm guilty as charged,
I am mischievous and often get into trouble, and I accept responsibility for my actions.
All the misters and misses know the name of my tune,
I am well-known and recognized by everyone around me for my actions and personality.
Without your help I guess I'm headed for imminent doom,
I know that without your assistance or guidance, I am likely to end up in a difficult or even dangerous situation.
So let's go...
Now, I am ready and willing to move forward with you and leave my current situation behind.
'Cuz I don't know what to do,
I am unsure and lack confidence about how to proceed without your support and guidance.
'Less I'm beside of you,
Unless you are by my side, I feel lost and uncertain about what to do next.
You're the one, who saves the day,
You are the person who has the ability to rescue me from difficult situations and make everything right.
Who beats the odds, each and every way,
You consistently come out on top and overcome obstacles against all odds.
You're the one I can rely on,
You are the person I trust and have faith in to be there for me when things get tough.
When the whole world comes undone,
In moments of chaos and confusion, you are the person who can help make sense of it all and provide stability.
I need one more step and I'm over the line,
I am on the brink of change and just need one final push to cross over to the other side.
I need a pocketbook of luck and a truckload of time,
In order to succeed, I need a lot of time to invest and some good luck to go my way.
They're countin' down, countin' down,
There is a sense of urgency and time pressure that is weighing on my mind.
But there's nowhere to hide,
I can't escape or avoid the challenges that are in front of me.
I'm leavin' town, leavin' town, gonna hitch me a ride,
I am ready to leave my current situation and find a new path to follow, even if it means starting from scratch.
When my world just comes undone,
When everything falls apart and I don't know what to do, you are there to help me pick up the pieces and start again.
You're the one, you're the one who saves my day,
You are the one who comes to my rescue and turns a bad situation into a good one.
My heart and my soul each and every way,
You are the person who brings me joy and happiness in every aspect of my life, physically and emotionally.
You're the one I can rely on,
You are the person I trust and know that I can depend on to help me through anything.
When my heart and my song remains unsung,
When I feel like I am not able to express myself or be heard, you are there to listen and support me.
When everything's said and done,
When everything is said and done, and all the dust has settled, you are the one who remains by my side and supports me.
Yeah, you're the one.
Overall, you are the most important person in my life and the one who makes everything better for me.
Contributed by Jordyn D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Olivia S
You know when you remember a song from your childhood, it's always stuck in your head, but you don't even know the lyrics well enough to google them?? That was this song for me. Then miraculously, I found it.
#dontunderestimatethe80s
This song is just so nostalgic because it takes me back to when Disney was POPPIN' in the early 2000's! ❤️✨
Imani M.
OMFG I REMEMBER THIS. MY MOM BOUGHT ME THE RADIO DISNEY JAMS ALBUM BACK IN 2003 AND I PLAYED IT EVERYDAY. Bringing it wayyyy back yo...
Lisa Cannon
My sister bought it for me and I played it till my family was sick of it! 😝 I still have it and I'm 23. Throw this in my DVD player and blast it when I need a pick me up. Hahaha such good times and memories...☺️
john o'connor
I had this on the “Radio Disney Jams 6” CD too in like 2003 or 2004.
Emily H
ME TOO
Marissa Ward
😊😊😊😊
Denise
Oh my god, the nostalgia is so strong. Great times. <3
Patrice
I DANCED TO THIS SONG FOR MY 2ND GRADE TALENT SHOW AND IT HAS TAKEN ME SO LONG TO FIND THIS THANK YOU OMG IM CRYING.
kalpic
XD