1) The 411 were a four piece … Read Full Bio ↴There are two bands with the name 411.
1) The 411 were a four piece English female R&B group formed late in 2002 featuring members Tisha,Tanya,Suzie and Carolyn. The band formed after a couple of the members sang back up vocals on Lemar’s version of Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together”. The band took its name after the Mary J. Blige song “What’s The 411?”.
The groups first single “On My Knees” featured Ghostface Killah of the Wu-Tang Clan and was a hit in the UK (reaching top 5) and Australia (reaching top 30). A second single, “Dumb”, reached top 3 in the UK and also reached the top 30 in Australia. These singles appeared on their album, Between The Sheets, featuring songs written by Diane Warren and Dion of Big Brovaz, Redeye and the 411 themselves. A third single was also released, preceding the album by one week, called “Teardrops”, but only made #23 in the UK. Following the merger of Sony Music with BMG the group were dropped by Sony Music, and went their separate ways.
The 411 are now back together, with a slightly changed line up of Carolyn Owlett, Tanya Boniface, Tisha Martin and new girl Nuala Farrely who was part of the Sunshyne project with Tanya and Tisha. The new 411 are currently in the studio and searching for a record deal.
2) 411 was the bi-product of the end of 1980’s hardcore. At a time when the youth were getting older, going to college, trading their Straight Edge for a different way, the underground stars of our youth were also taking a less intense approach to getting the message out. Adopting melody and insightful lyrics over straight forward, in your face attacks was the way of life entering the 1990’s.
Enter 411!! The project fronted by former NO FOR AN ANSWER and CARRY NATION singer/mouthpiece, Dan O’Mahony (later with VOICEBOX, GOD FORGOT, SPEAK714, and JOHN HENRY HOLIDAY). Taking hardcore music to a level that only a few had attempted. Adding perfect words to an already flawless sound. Giving those of us who listened a challenge to go beyond the typical rant and making think before we speak.
Taking with him his co-conspirator Kevin Murphy, they assembled a team that would take on the current and fight the waves. Making an underground impact with the 2 song 7 inch record, “Thoughts That Feed The Fire”, in 1990; then a head-on attack in 1991 with “This Isn’t Me”. They took their assault on the road a half dozen times until the end of the road only a few years after.
Even now, in 2007, older hardcore types have been searching high and low for another taste of this underground powerhouse. A band that was 15 years ahead of their time with little recognition.
China Girl
The 411 Lyrics
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When there's nowhere to go?
Life must be a living hell to you
Only time will show
There with no clothes or food to eat
So filled with shame
Each tear that sits upon your face
When will you stop to hear that voice inside
That you tried to hide
No one can save you but you
China girl
Hope you find your way home
'Cause my heart is beating
Waiting for your safe return
China girl
Everybody loves you
All those hearts are breaking
It's not the same since you've been gone
Each night you feel the need to hold
Someone you don't know
To replace the emptiness inside
Start heading home
Your place was never on the street
You ignored your call
Did you know that pride was in the way
Before you'd fall?
When will you stop to hear that voice inside
That you tried to hide?
No one can save you but you
China girl
Hope you find your way home
'Cause my heart is beating
Waiting for your safe return
China girl
Everybody loves you
All those hearts are breaking
It's not the same since you've been gone
I'm asking you if I could find
Just where you had to sleep tonight
I wonder did you eat today
Did you get on your knees and pray?
To free you from this misery
That's not how life's supposed to be
No need for you to carry shame
There's no one person here to blame
China girl
Hope you find your way home
'Cause my heart is beating
Waiting for your safe return
China girl
Everybody loves you
All those hearts are breaking
It's not the same since you've been gone
China girl
Hope you find your way home
'Cause my heart is beating
Waiting for your safe return
China girl
Everybody loves you
All those hearts are breaking
It's not the same since you've been gone
The 411's song "China Girl" is a heart-wrenching ballad about a woman who finds herself homeless and struggling to survive. The lyrics describe her desperate situation, with nowhere to sleep and no food to eat. The singer expresses sympathy for her plight and worries about her safety, wishing for her safe return home. He acknowledges her pain and the shame she feels, but encourages her to listen to the voice inside of her that urges her to seek a better life. He reminds her that she is loved and missed by those who care about her.
Line by Line Meaning
How do you find a place to sleep
How do you manage to find a place to sleep amidst the lack of proper accommodation?
When there's nowhere to go?
When you have nowhere to go, how do you cope?
Life must be a living hell to you
Your life seems to be a torment
Only time will show
Only time will tell how things will turn out
There with no clothes or food to eat
You find yourself stranded without basic necessities such as clothing and food
So filled with shame
You are overwhelmed with shame
Each tear that sits upon your face
Each tear that rolls down your face
I know them by name
I am aware of every tear and its significance
When will you stop to hear that voice inside
When will you start to listen to your inner voice?
That you tried to hide
That you have been neglecting or ignoring
No one can save you but you
Ultimately, you are the only one who can turn things around for yourself
China girl
A reference to the subject of the song
Hope you find your way home
I hope you find your way back to where you truly belong
'Cause my heart is beating
I am concerned and care for you deeply
Waiting for your safe return
I am eagerly waiting for you to return safely
Everybody loves you
You are cared for and loved by many
All those hearts are breaking
Many hearts are breaking due to your absence and the difficult situation you are in
It's not the same since you've been gone
Things have changed since you left
Each night you feel the need to hold
Each night you feel the urge to hold on to someone
Someone you don't know
Someone who is a stranger to you
To replace the emptiness inside
In an attempt to fill the void within you
Start heading home
It is time for you to start going back to where you truly belong
Your place was never on the street
You were never meant to be on the streets
You ignored your call
You neglected your true calling
Did you know that pride was in the way
Did you realize that your pride was hindering you?
Before you'd fall?
Before you experienced this difficult situation?
I'm asking you if I could find
If I could find you, I would like to ask,
Just where you had to sleep tonight
Where you had to spend the night
I wonder did you eat today
I am curious if you have had any food today
Did you get on your knees and pray?
Have you resorted to prayer to seek relief from your difficulties?
To free you from this misery
To release you from this affliction
That's not how life's supposed to be
Life is not meant to be full of hardships and despair
No need for you to carry shame
You have no reason to feel ashamed
There's no one person here to blame
No one person can be held accountable for your predicament
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TANYA ELIZABETH BONIFACE, SUSAN HELEN FURLONGER, CAROLYN JULIA OWLETT, TISHA MONIQUE MARTIN, FITZGERALD SCOTT, BRION JAMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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loved this album, don't understand why they did'nt do a second one :(
Paul Jet
It has sadly bombed on the charts and they've been dropped by their label.
Sai Lains
one of my favorite songs... glad i found it again :D
Twenty3Eight
love this tune! do you have the song between the sheets by any chance?
Amethyst 208
@iwantnewmusicblog Because their label were awful to them. This song ("China Girl") was originally planned as the third single, but that got scrapped last minute in favour of "Teardrops". Worst decision ever!
Alana Skyring
@iwantnewmusicblog Pajama Club made for them another album. I know that stinks.