Talent will out, they say, but sometimes the exit route is a long and winding road. For Shawn Lee, the journey began in Wichita, Kansas.
Shawn grew up in a rural area on the outskirts of the city. His mother is half Lebanese, half American Indian, his father Irish-American. While his peers got off on cheesy corporate rock and the kind of line-dancing tunes recently fashionable in Gap ads, Shawn was groovin' to the blaxploitation funk Sly and the Isleys. Later, his local Baptist Church widened his appreciation of black music, but when he sang in its gospel choir, he discovered some of his white 'friends' were racists who disapproved. "Fuck this," he thought. "I'm leaving the Mid-West" It was 1988.
Next stop Los Angeles. Already an able multi-instrumentalist (guitar,drums,bass,etc) Shawn now set about developing his songwriting. There were bands, publishing deals, relationships and day jobs: more notches on the bedpost of experience. This period also saw Shawn befriend the late Jeff Buckley, and somebody, somewhere has a tape of them jamming "Honky Tonk Woman" Be sure that Buckley would have recognized Shawn's talent.
In 1995, Shawn moved to London, where he recorded his solo debut. For all the wrong reasons, the album was never released. It was soul destroying; a bit like somebody erasing 3 years of your life." Resolving to write and record on his own terms, Shawn kept working. He passed CD's of songs to friends with no agenda other than "hope you enjoy it." As Shawn continued to do it his way, air play garnered by a self-financed EP prompted several major labels to phone him. He had no intention of re-boarding the corporate merry-go-round, though. Instead, he opted to sign a deal with Mark Jones at Wall of Sound. "The label's got real credibility," he says "and Mark was happy to put out a record which sounds exactly like I wanted it to." Subsequently Shawn became the flagship artist for the new Wall of Sound imprint, We Love You....
Which brings us to Monkey Boy, an inspired and beautifully crafted album which warrants your undivided attention. Like the best work by The Isley Brothers, it takes rock, soul, funk and folk textures, then fuses them with unquestionable panache. For afters, there's deft scratching, sumptuous bossa-nova and a dark waltz which evokes Burt Bacharach on downers. What's new pussycat? This is.
The bossa track is 'Happiness', all itch-scratching Latin percussion a la Sergio Mendez. Had Arthur Lee's Love formed in Rio rather than Los Angeles, they might have sounded like this. Further in, A&R Man of Love (yes, the title's ironic) was inspired by Vincent Gallo's fabulous soundtrack for Buffalo 66. You'll be pleased to know that as much as Shawn admires Gallo's many talents, he doesn't share his arrogance.
Shawn's album was self-produced, and although friends dropped by to add strings, double bass, brass and woodwind, Shawn's skills as a multi-instrumentalist hold court. You'll notice, too, that his voice is a marvel throughout; check out "Harmony In Falsetto" (a self-explanatory ballad), or his sweet-honey-in-the-rock delivery on "Floating" Class.
If Ian Brown is the king of the swingers, I'm a baboon's arse and Britney's Nina Simone..
It's time to swap bravado and pap for soul and a solid gold talent. Shawn Lee, aka Monkey Boy, is top banana....
http://www.facebook.com/amandshawnlee
http://www.shawnlee.net
Don't Trust Men
Shawn Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
YEAH WE GOT ANOTHER ONE RIGHT
HERE BRAVE BROVAS BIG M. B. O. M. B
WE GON′ DO THIS FOR THE PLAYUH'Z Y′ALL
THIS ONE IS FOR PLAYUH'Z
JUST WANNA MAKE IT CLEAR SO GRAB A HOTTIE
LET'S PARTY TAKE SHOTS AND BOUNCE TO THIS HERE
BRAVE BROVAS TONE AND BIG M. NAH
SO ALL MY SEXY LADIES WHERE U AT?
Gunyang ojjodaga jongi duro boryosso
Nonun onu sungan gajogi dwae isso
Barabolsurok nega jakku jillyoso
Naui maumi yangshimi do jillyoso...
Norul bonaesso
Byollo saranghaji annnun got gataso
Nol tonabonaesso nan...
Nega tonagandamyon nanun norul butjaba
Nega doraondamyon nanun budamsurowo
Iron ge namjaya nanun nappun nomiya
Iroke bigophan namjarul mitji maro
Nam juginun akkapgo nado gatginun shirho
Gyolhonhaginun shirko yonaehaginun joha
Iron ge namjaya nanun nappun nomiya
Iroke bigophan namjarul mitji maro
Nol jongmal saranghajiman nol hangsang apuge hanun
Nan jongmal nappun nom in gol
Ironun narul jongmal yongso hajima
Norul bonaesso
Byollo saranghaji annnun got gataso
Nol tonabonaesso nan...
Nega tonagandamyon nanun norul butjaba
Nega doraondamyon nanun budamsurowo
Iron ge namjaya nanun nappun nomiya
Iroke bigophan namjarul mitji maro
I DON'T KNOW ME BUT I CAN′T STOP
I DON'T KNOW ME BUT I CAN′T STOP
I DON'T KNOW ME BUT I CAN′T STOP
I DON'T KNOW ME BUT YOU KNOW Rap)
CAUSE I'M A BAD BOY (YES!)
Nomunado igijogin na
Jal pajin SHORTY jinagamyon jojollo (ro)
Iduraga THAT′S JUST ME soljikhae
NO FANTASY FROM D
Nodo jal aljanha nae Style shirtahaedo nal bomyon
U SMILE
AH HA ironge naeyo
Idaero nal tonado joldae wonmang tawin anhhaeyo (no)
Urin LOVEbodan jongi purichorom nomu gipun sai
SAY BYE OR BE MINE
Non namanui Dambi
Nan ne BADBOY yongwonhi Na noege do mianhaejyo dagaoji malgo
Nal naeboryodwo ije guman na gatun namjal sarang hajima
Nega tonagandamyon nanun norul butjaba
Nega doraondamyon nanun budamsurowo
Iron ge namjaya nanun nappun nomiya
Iroke bigophan namjarul mitji maro
The song "Don't Trust Men" by Shawn Lee is a mix of English and Korean lyrics. It speaks about the singer's experiences with men who have betrayed her trust and the warning it serves to all women to be careful in relationships with men. The lyrics convey the message that even though she may have loved them, the men were not worth the pain they caused. The lyrics in Korean talk about how the singer's heart hurts because of the lies the man had told her. She warns women to be wary of men who only seek pleasure and to not blindly fall for charm.
The repetition of "I don't know me but I can't stop" is a reflection of the singer's confusion and frustration with her inability to move on from these bad experiences. It highlights the importance of self-love and the need to break from toxic cycles.
One interesting fact about the song is its fusion of English and Korean lyrics, reflecting the blending of cultures and creating a universal message. Another interesting fact is that the song was produced by a team of female producers, who used their experiences to create an empowering anthem for women. The song has also been used in K-pop choreography and has been performed by many Korean stars.
Chords: Unfortunately, we could not find the chords for this specific song.
Line by Line Meaning
YEAH WE GOT ANOTHER ONE RIGHT HERE BRAVE BROVAS BIG M. B. O. M. B
We have another great song here, performed by the Brave Brovas with Big M. B. O. M. B.
WE GON' DO THIS FOR THE PLAYUH'Z Y'ALL THIS ONE IS FOR PLAYUH'Z
We are performing this song for the players out there, this song is for them.
JUST WANNA MAKE IT CLEAR SO GRAB A HOTTIE LET'S PARTY TAKE SHOTS AND BOUNCE TO THIS HERE
We just want to be clear, so grab a hot person, let's party, take shots, and dance to this song.
BRAVE BROVAS TONE AND BIG M. NAH WE AIN'T GOIN' NO WHERE SO ALL MY SEXY LADIES WHERE U AT?
This song has a unique sound that only the Brave Brovas and Big M. can produce, and we'll still be here. All the attractive women, where are you?
I DON'T KNOW ME BUT I CAN'T STOP
I don't know who I am, but I can't stop.
CAUSE I'M A BAD BOY (YES!) Nomunado igijogin na Jal pajin SHORTY jinagamyon jojollo (ro)
I act tough, even though I don't have much experience. When I see a good-looking woman, I freeze in place.
Iduraga THAT'S JUST ME soljikhae NO FANTASY FROM D
That's just who I am, honestly. I'm not trying to impress anyone with a false persona.
Nodo jal aljanha nae Style shirtahaedo nal bomyon U SMILE AH HA ironge naeyo
I know I look good, even if I'm just wearing a simple shirt. When you see me, you smile and show your interest in me.
Idaero nal tonado joldae wonmang tawin anhhaeyo (no) Urin LOVEbodan jongi purichorom nomu gipun sai
Even if I continue to act the way I do, don't expect me to change. We are more interested in the thrill of the chase than we are in falling in love.
SAY BYE OR BE MINE Non namanui Dambi
Say goodbye or become mine, that's your only options. You're my only target.
Nan ne BADBOY yongwonhi Na noege do mianhaejyo dagaoji malgo Nal naeboryodwo ije guman na gatun namjal sarang hajima
I'll always be a bad boy, and I apologize for that. But don't try to change me, just accept me for who I am. Don't fall in love with the version of me that you've created.
Gunyang ojjodaga jongi duro boryosso Nonun onu sungan gajogi dwae isso Barabolsurok nega jakku jillyoso Naui maumi yangshimi do jillyoso...
Every step I take, I feel lost. I'm grasping at every moment I have. The more I look, the more I try, the more confused I become. It's like my heart is also confused.
Norul bonaesso Byollo saranghaji annnun got gataso Nol tonabonaesso nan...
I saw you and fell in love with you at first sight, but I know you don't love me. I've tried to get over you, but I can't.
Nega tonagandamyon nanun norul butjaba Nega doraondamyon nanun budamsurowo Iron ge namjaya nanun nappun nomiya Iroke bigophan namjarul mitji maro
When I catch your eye, I try to avoid you. When you come looking for me, I'm nervous. I know that I'm a bad person, don't get your hopes up.
I DON'T KNOW ME BUT YOU KNOW Rap)
I don't understand myself very well, but you know me.
Nol jongmal saranghajiman nol hangsang apuge hanun Nan jongmal nappun nom in gol Ironun narul jongmal yongso hajima
I really do love you, but you always make me hurt. Don't take advantage of me and my love.
Nega tonagandamyon nanun norul butjaba Nega doraondamyon nanun budamsurowo Iron ge namjaya nanun nappun nomiya Iroke bigophan namjarul mitji maro
When I catch your eye, I try to avoid you. When you come looking for me, I'm nervous. I know that I'm a bad person, don't get your hopes up.
Writer(s): Shawn Lee
Contributed by Jeremiah S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.