The group is well known for its highly diverse musical style (able to play anything from traditional jazz stylings to mainstream R&B and rock-based music to funk grooves and even Latin and Jamaican-based rhythms) and also its captivating live performances.
Discovered and originally signed to Perspective Records by music producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis in 1989 (after being heard at a performance at a club in downtown Minneapolis called First Avenue), their debut album was entitled Meant To Be Mint (released in 1991).
Despite their musical versatility the band attempted to attract New Jack Swing listeners with their dance cut "Are You Free", but it wasn't successful (the song hit #55 on the R&B charts). However, they did enjoy major success with the stunning ballad "Breakin' My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes)".
The song stayed on the charts for 34 weeks, hitting the R&B top 5 (#3), and the Pop Top 10 (#6). Forever In Your Eyes was also successful (#7 R&B). Two years later they released their 2nd platinum album, From The Mint Factory (1993). They enjoyed success with the #2 hit "U Send Me Swingin'", while "Someone To Love" and "So Fine" hit the R&B Top 30. 1996 saw the release of "Definition of a Band". The album hit the R&B Top 20. Some successful singles on this album are: "What Kind Of Man Would I Be" (#2 R&B), and "You Don't Have To Hurt No More" (#10 R&B). Two years later, The Collection: 1991-1998, a greatest hits compilation, was issued.
After Perspective Records/A&M folded, the group signed with Elektra Records in 1999, releasing their fourth full-length album, Life's Aquarium (#7 R&B). It's main single, If You Love Me, hit the R&B Top 5.
As the 21st Century came around, Mint Condition was the only R&B/Funk band signed to a Major Record Label.
After a six year hiatus, the group resurfaced as a quintet due to former member and keyboard player Keri Lewis leaving the group to produce for other artists, such as his one-time wife, singer Toni Braxton .
During the same year, they released Living The Luxury Brown on their independent label Caged Bird Records. The album hit #1 on the Independent Album Charts. Live From The 9:30 Club, a performance of a concert at the 9:30 club in Washington DC, was issued in 2006.
Half An Hour
Mint Condition Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I First Met You, It Was Business...
We Worked Hard, Cause We Both Love What We Do...
Then We Noticed, Sexual Tensions...
Oh Did I, Forget To Mention...
I've Always Been True...
To My Baby Till Now, Got Me Thinkin' Bout'
It Only Takes A Half An Hour To...
Do Something That You Can't Undo
It Could Change Your World
(That's What I Keep Telling Myself Yeah!!)
In The Moment It Looks Good To You...
But You Don't Know What You're About To Go Through
It Could Change Your World
(That's What I Keep Telling Myself)
[Verse 2:]
You Like The...Way That I Listen...
The Next Thing...We Were Kissin'
Am I A Fool...
I Was Baffled When You Started To Undress,
How Did I Get Into This Mess
What Am I To Do...
Is It Worth Givin' Up... The House, Car, Kids...
Money, Will I Wish...
I Had My Life Back, My Lady That I'll Miss...
How Would I Feel If My Baby, Lived Unfaithfully...
It Would Be No Fault But My Own,
I Guess I'll Deserve Being Left Alone...
[Hook:]
It Only Takes A Half An Hour To...
Do Something That You Can't Undo
It Could Change Your World
(That's What I Keep Telling Myself Yeah!!)
In The Moment It Looks Good To You...
But You Don't Know What You're About To Go Through
It Could Change Your World
(That's What I Keep Saying)
[Bridge:]
She's Like A Politician, Campaigning For The Crown...
Trying To Strike A Nerve, And Break Me On Down
(While My Intuition, Shakin' Me Up, Trying To Cut In)
Don't Know Why A Man Continues, To Make The Same Mistakes...
Over And Over, Day After Day...
(It's Like A Drug, Straight To My Head, Got Me Hooked)
Got Me Misled!!
[Hook:]
It Only Takes A Half An Hour To...
Do Something That You Can't Undo
It Could Change Your World
(That's What I Keep Telling Myself Yeah!!)
In The Moment It Looks Good To You...
But You Don't Know What You're About To Go Through
It Could Change Your World
(That's What I Keep Saying)
The song “Half An Hour” by Mint Condition explores the emotional conflict that arises when one is faced with the temptation of infidelity. The lyrics recount a story of a man who falls for his colleague’s seductive charm and contemplates betraying his partner. The first verse suggests that the singer was initially attracted to his colleague because of their shared passion for work. However, he began to notice sexual tension between them, which is where the internal conflict begins. He reminds himself that he has always been faithful to his partner but is now struggling with the temptation of cheating.
The chorus emphasizes the importance of thinking twice before acting on impulse. It only takes half an hour to make a decision that can completely alter the course of one’s life. The singer recognizes that the momentary pleasure of being unfaithful could come at a high cost, leading to regret and a tumultuous change. Yet, he continues to struggle with his desires and is aware of the potential consequences that could follow.
In the second verse, the singer is caught off-guard when his colleague unexpectedly undresses. He is torn between indulging in the moment and the consequences that may arise from giving in to his desires. He realizes the potential losses he may face - his family, lifestyle, and reputation. The bridge draws attention to the singer's external and internal struggles. He talks about how his colleague is like a politician campaigning for an office, while his intuition is trying to cut in. In the end, the singer realizes that he is hooked on the temptation of cheating and is ultimately misled.
Line by Line Meaning
When I First Met You, It Was Business...
At the start, our relationship was purely professional.
We Worked Hard, Cause We Both Love What We Do...
Both of us put in a lot of effort because we are passionate about our work.
Then We Noticed, Sexual Tensions...
Later on, we began to feel attracted to each other.
Oh Did I, Forget To Mention...
I may have neglected to point out...
I've Always Been True...
I have always been faithful to my partner.
To My Baby Till Now, Got Me Thinkin' Bout'...
Thinking about this situation has caused me to question my loyalty to my partner.
It Only Takes A Half An Hour To...
It only takes a small amount of time to...
Do Something That You Can't Undo
Do something that cannot be undone.
It Could Change Your World
It has the potential to drastically alter your life.
(That's What I Keep Telling Myself Yeah!!)
(I keep telling myself it is true.)
In The Moment It Looks Good To You...
At the time, it may seem like a good idea.
But You Don't Know What You're About To Go Through
You do not fully understand the consequences you will face.
You Like The...Way That I Listen...
You appreciate the way I listen to you.
The Next Thing...We Were Kissin'
Then, we started to kiss.
Am I A Fool...
Am I foolish for engaging in this behavior?
I Was Baffled When You Started To Undress...
I was surprised when you began to take off your clothes.
How Did I Get Into This Mess
I am perplexed about how I ended up in this situation.
What Am I To Do...
What should I do next?
Is It Worth Givin' Up... The House, Car, Kids...
Is it worth sacrificing everything I have, including my family?
Money, Will I Wish...
Will I regret sacrificing my financial stability?
I Had My Life Back, My Lady That I'll Miss...
If I had another chance, I would cherish my partner who I will miss.
How Would I Feel If My Baby, Lived Unfaithfully...
How would I feel if my partner was unfaithful to me?
It Would Be No Fault But My Own,
I would only have myself to blame.
I Guess I'll Deserve Being Left Alone...
I suppose I would deserve to be left alone.
She's Like A Politician, Campaigning For The Crown...
She is like a person running a political campaign to win me over.
Trying To Strike A Nerve, And Break Me On Down
Trying to manipulate me emotionally and break me down.
(While My Intuition, Shakin' Me Up, Trying To Cut In)
(Although my intuition is warning me, trying to intervene.)
Don't Know Why A Man Continues, To Make The Same Mistakes...
I do not understand why I keep making the same mistakes.
Over And Over, Day After Day...
Repeatedly, every day.
(It's Like A Drug, Straight To My Head, Got Me Hooked)
(It feels addictive, intoxicating, and has me under its spell.)
Got Me Misled!!
It has led me down the wrong path.
Contributed by John Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.