Affectionately known as the "B-team," Lance & Tony went on to pen songs for Alexander O'Neal, New Edition, and other artists that came to Flyte Tyme looking for songs. After solidifying their place in the studio as up & coming producers and songwriters, the ambitious pair put together the Lo-Key project. The first album "Where Dey At?" was named after a dig at a Jamaican studio owner who signed Lance to a 'slave' contract before his Flyte Tyme deal and owed him money and kept his Masters. Although amongst music circles the group was lauded, Lo-Key never reached Platinum or Gold status, due to corporate restructuring and political maneuvering at A&M records. Performances were kept at a minimum, due to the grooming of Lance & Tony as producers. After the sale of the Perspective imprint, Tony became A&R for a while at the new Flyte Tyme Records, and Lance went on to form his own label, "Baby Honey Records", with music promoter B-Rich, which is based out of Atlanta, as well as the Baby Honey Recording studio. The only group signed to Baby Honey Records was V.I.P., a trio vocal group from Minneapolis. The rest of Lo-Key disbanded.
Lance Alexander discovered the R&B group 'Next' while working as a staff writer at Flyte Tyme Productions. Initially, the pair brought the group, who was known at the time as 'Straight 4ward,' into the Flyte Tyme studios to cut demos and after pitching the group to Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, the Producers passed on the project. After performing at an annual black music seminar in Minneapolis, Naughty by Nature's DJ Kay Gee discovered the group and signed them to a recording contract. Lance wrote the B-side "Butta Love" to the million selling single "Too Close". The group was renamed Next. Lo-Key was influenced heavily by Con Funk shun, and also by old school R&B acts.
Head On Collision
Lo-Key Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah I saw the pole I coulda hit it
Yeah I'm going fast head on collision
Lately I've been down I've been feeling different
Yeah
I've been on my own
I've been in a zone
I've been going down the street
I've been down
No one knows
Man it's hard
On my own
This house just ain't a home
I feel like I'm so alone
I ain't got no where to go
Smile cause they'll never know
Never know, Oh
Yeah
Yeah I'm standing the rain
Standing in the puddle
Yeah they don't wanna talk about me
They know about my struggle
They just build me up til they see fall
Everything I'm doing they don't care at all
Yeah my friends don't hit me they don't even call
Nah, Nah, nah, nah, nah
They don't about Keyes
They just care about Lo-Key
No one seems to know me
Nobody gets to know me
The rapper life is lonely
The fakes act like my homies
Nobody seems to care
I'm just asking can you show me
Yeah
Yeah I'm going through it
I just wish that people knew that it's more then music
It's the only thing that really ever gets me through it
Yeah
Yeah life's not fair
Brandon stop right there
And I say I'm fine
Brandon stop right there
No you don't care
No you don't care
Yeah I coulda did it
Yeah I saw the pole I coulda hit it
Yeah I'm going fast head on collision
Lately I've been down I've been feeling different
Yeah
I've been on my own
I've been in a zone
I've been going down the street
It's a lonely road
I've been down
No one knows
Man it's hard
On my own
Every time you needed help you hit me and
Yeah only hit me up if you need a hand
If we hanging out then you know I made the plans
Felt like I was always right I guess I never am
Anxiety
Everyday I'm asking myself like is it me
Feels like it's everyone versus me
Yeah I'm so far from finding inner peace
Lately it feels like I just wanna scream
Lotta pressure
It just always feel like I'm under a lot of pressure
When I crash they gonna take me out up on a stretcher
Lately it just feel like that might be for the better
For the better, for the better oh
Yeah I'm numb
Feeling so numb
Feel like I just gotta go and trust in my gut
No one I can trust
Lot for me to handle at once
Always do what everyone wants
What everyone wants
Like I always do
Always do what they fucking want me to
Yeah never do what I fucking wanted to
But I don't even know what I wanted to
Yeah I coulda did it
Yeah I saw the pole I coulda hit it
Yeah I'm going fast head on collision
Lately I've been down I've been feeling different
Yeah
I've been on my own
I've been in a zone
I've been going down the street
It's a lonely road
I've been down
No one knows
Man it's hard
On my own
The lyrics to Lo-Key's song "Head On Collision" convey a deep sense of loneliness, isolation, and frustration. The artist expresses feelings of being misunderstood and overlooked by those around him, particularly his friends and the people in his life. He paints a picture of a life that feels like a constant struggle, where he is constantly trying to please others while neglecting his own desires and needs.
The mention of the "head on collision" can be interpreted as a metaphor for the internal struggles and conflicts the artist is experiencing. It represents the collision between his true self and the expectations and pressures imposed on him by society. He talks about feeling numb, disconnected, and searching for inner peace amidst the chaos and demands of his life.
The lyrics also touch upon the therapeutic power of music in the artist's life. He acknowledges that music is the only thing that truly helps him cope with his emotions and provides a sense of solace. However, even though music is his outlet, he still feels the weight of the world on his shoulders, constantly questioning himself and feeling the need to conform to others' expectations.
Overall, "Head On Collision" is a heartfelt expression of the struggles of fame, loneliness, and finding one's true identity amidst external pressures and the desire for acceptance.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah I coulda did it
I had the opportunity to do something dangerous
Yeah I saw the pole I coulda hit it
I noticed the pole that I could have collided with
Yeah I'm going fast head on collision
I am driving quickly and heading towards a direct crash
Lately I've been down I've been feeling different
Recently, I have been feeling sad and experiencing changes in my emotions
Yeah
Indeed
I've been on my own
I have been alone
I've been in a zone
I have been focused and absorbed in my own thoughts
I've been going down the street
I have been traveling along the road
It's a lonely road
It is a desolate path
I've been down
I have been feeling low
No one knows
Nobody is aware
Man it's hard
It is difficult, mister
On my own
By myself
This house just ain't a home
This dwelling does not feel like a place of comfort
I feel like I'm so alone
I perceive myself as extremely isolated
I ain't got no where to go
I do not have any destination
Smile cause they'll never know
I put on a happy face to hide my true feelings
Never know, Oh
They will never be aware, oh
Yeah I'm standing the rain
Yes, I am standing in the rain
Standing in the puddle
I am positioned in a pool of water
Yeah they don't wanna talk about me
They are reluctant to discuss me
They know about my struggle
They are aware of the challenges I face
They just build me up til they see fall
They only support me until they witness my downfall
Everything I'm doing they don't care at all
They show no concern for anything I do
Yeah my friends don't hit me they don't even call
Yes, my friends do not contact or reach out to me
Nah, Nah, nah, nah, nah
No, no, no, no, no
They don't about Keyes
They are not aware of Keyes
They just care about Lo-Key
They only care about Lo-Key
No one seems to know me
Nobody appears to truly know me
Nobody gets to know me
Nobody has the opportunity to understand me
The rapper life is lonely
Being a rapper is a solitary existence
The fakes act like my homies
The fake individuals pretend to be my close friends
Nobody seems to care
It seems that nobody cares
I'm just asking can you show me
I am simply requesting if someone can demonstrate care for me
Yeah I'm going through it
Yes, I am currently experiencing difficulties
I just wish that people knew that it's more than music
I desire for people to understand that my struggles extend beyond just music
It's the only thing that really ever gets me through it
Music is the sole thing that truly helps me overcome my hardships
Yeah life's not fair
Yes, life is unjust
Brandon stop right there
Brandon, cease your actions immediately
And I say I'm fine
But I lie and claim that I am doing well
No you don't care
No, you do not genuinely care
Every time you needed help you hit me and
Each time you required assistance, you approached me and
Yeah only hit me up if you need a hand
Yes, you only contact me when you require assistance
If we hanging out then you know I made the plans
If we are spending time together, you are aware that I organized the activities
Felt like I was always right I guess I never am
I constantly believed I was correct, but it appears I am never right
Anxiety
Feelings of unease and worry
Everyday I'm asking myself like is it me
On a daily basis, I question whether the problem lies with me
Feels like it's everyone versus me
It seems as though everyone is against me
Yeah I'm so far from finding inner peace
Yes, I am nowhere close to discovering tranquility within myself
Lately it feels like I just wanna scream
Recently, I have had an overwhelming desire to scream
Lotta pressure
There is a significant amount of pressure
It just always feel like I'm under a lot of pressure
I consistently feel weighed down by immense pressure
When I crash they gonna take me out up on a stretcher
If I were to crash, they would transport me away on a stretcher
Lately it just feel like that might be for the better
Recently, it seems like that outcome might be more beneficial
For the better, for the better oh
In a positive light, for the better, for the better, oh
Yeah I'm numb
Yes, I am emotionally numb
Feeling so numb
Experiencing extreme emotional detachment
Feel like I just gotta go and trust in my gut
I have a sense that I must rely on my instincts
No one I can trust
I do not have anyone I can rely on
Lot for me to handle at once
I have a large amount of responsibility to manage all at once
Always do what everyone wants
I consistently prioritize fulfilling the expectations of others
Like I always do
As usual, like I always have
Always do what they fucking want me to
I constantly do what they fucking want me to do
Yeah never do what I fucking wanted to
Yes, I never do what I fucking desired to do
But I don't even know what I wanted to
However, I do not even know what I wanted to do
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Brandon Keyes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind