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.
The Struggle
Lo-Key Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And got your bottles of potion
I believe in karma
Set the waves into motion
Cold, cold, cold, cold hands over me
Fuck, fuck, fuck some sense into me
Gold for loneliness, I will pay
The struggle is real
When you don't tell me how you feel 'bout this love
The struggle is real
When you don't tell me how you feel 'bout this love
The struggle is real
So you got all the answers
Hold the reins on your dancer
Pull me underwater
Tell 'em nobody gets hurt
Cold, cold, cold, cold hands over me
Fuck, fuck, fuck some sense into me
Gold for loneliness, I will pay
Fuck, fuck some sense into me
The struggle is real
When you don't tell me how you feel 'bout this love
The struggle is real
When you don't tell me how you feel 'bout this love
The struggle is real
I've got my way with words
Don't believe me
Pretend like I don't hurt
I don't, I don't, I don't
I've got my way with pain
Don't believe me
I numb myself to blame
I don't, I don't, I don't
Don't,
oh-oh
Don't believe me, yeah, oh
Cold, cold, cold, cold hands over me
Fuck, fuck some sense into me
The struggle is real
When you don't tell me how you feel 'bout this love
The struggle is real
When you don't tell me how you feel 'bout this love
The struggle is real
When you don't tell me how you feel (When you don't tell me)
The struggle is real
When you don't tell me how you feel 'bout this love
The struggle is
"The Struggle" by Lo-Key explores the complexities and pain that come with love and relationships. The song portrays a sense of longing and frustration, as the singer is desperately seeking honesty and communication from their partner. The opening lines suggest that the partner is mysterious and elusive, with a depth and allure that is compared to the deep ocean and potent potions. The singer believes in karma and the power of their actions, hoping that by expressing their feelings, they can set things into motion and bring about a change.
The lyrics also delve into the internal struggle and vulnerability of the singer. The repeated phrase "Cold, cold, cold, cold hands over me" reflects the emotional distance and lack of affection in the relationship. The use of profanity intensifies the frustration and the plea for the partner to make sense of the situation. The reference to gold and loneliness signifies the willingness to sacrifice material wealth for a genuine connection, yet the partner remains silent. The struggle, in this context, is the pain and confusion caused by the partner's reluctance to share their true feelings.
The second verse emphasizes the partner's control and manipulation. They hold the answers and have power over the singer's emotions, leading them to feel as if they are being pulled underwater. The reference to not hurting anyone suggests that the partner might be concealing their true self or hiding the consequences of their actions. The chorus reiterates the central theme of the song, highlighting the real struggle that arises when true emotions and thoughts are not communicated in a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
So you're deep like the ocean
When you possess depth and complexity similar to that of the ocean
And got your bottles of potion
And you have your own personal remedies or solutions
I believe in karma
I hold a belief in the concept of karma
Set the waves into motion
You cause significant disturbances and changes
Cold, cold, cold, cold hands over me
The sensation of freezing hands upon my body
Fuck, fuck, fuck some sense into me
Engage with me in a passionate and transforming manner
Gold for loneliness, I will pay
I am willing to sacrifice valuable possessions to alleviate my loneliness
Fuck, fuck some sense into me
Engage with me in a passionate and transforming manner
The struggle is real
It becomes a genuine challenge
When you don't tell me how you feel 'bout this love
When you keep your emotions hidden and don't communicate with me about our love
So you got all the answers
You possess all the necessary knowledge and solutions
Hold the reins on your dancer
You have complete control over your actions and those around you
Pull me underwater
Engage in actions that drown me metaphorically
Tell 'em nobody gets hurt
Assure others that no harm will come to them
I've got my way with words
I possess persuasive and impactful communication skills
Don't believe me
Do not trust or have faith in my words
Pretend like I don't hurt
Act as if I am unaffected by pain
I've got my way with pain
I have developed means to handle and cope with pain
I numb myself to blame
I find ways to avoid taking responsibility or feeling guilty
Don't, oh-oh
Refuse or reject the notion or idea
Don't believe me, yeah, oh
Do not trust or have faith in my words
When you don't tell me how you feel (When you don't tell me)
When you keep your emotions hidden and don't communicate with me
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TOVE LO, JAKOB BO JERLSTROEM, LUDVIG KARL DAGSSON SOEDERBERG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@wemeedhuk
He is my15years son, who passed away on 12/Nov/11 to cancer, Adnan had asked Lowkey a favour before he died. Adnan wanted to record his voice with Lowkey. Lowkey never hesitated he came as soon as he could to record this song with Adnan, Adnan was very ill, Lowkey was very patient and waited with his team nearly 3hours just for Adnan to be able to come downstairs then stayed another few hours for the record. And then chill in. Lowkey, Thank you so much you've kept Adnan's voice going. Adnan RIP
@poojagaddi6158
May your Son is in Peace right now
@yoshinoritoyama6802
I cried reading this comment, love from China
@bostonsandatot4948
Godspeed to your son
@mrballs8091
Oh bro you broke my heart
Allah Yirhamo habeebeh !!!!
@dopeshvt3679
That is a beautiful story
@wemeedhuk
R.I.P MY SON, FOREVER I MISS YOU AND MANY THANKS LOWKEY FOR HONORING ADNAN'S WISH. XXX
@Qwerty-je7ux
+Wemeedh Al-Radhi Sir your son is an inspiration, love from Ireland
@cannonboard7866
Inna Lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un.
May Allah SWT grant your son the highest level of Jannah Al Firdaus!
@Swervenation070
+Wemeedh Al-Radhi Your son has inspired a lot of us and showed us that the laugh and the sunnah of RasulAllah has been kept alive by people generous like your own son. Inna lillahi wa inna illahi radjioun