There are two bands with the name 411.

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.

My Friend
The 411 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Till the end
Till the end

My friend Kelly's got a problem in her life
She's got a man who doesn't love her
And never treats her right

Now he hits her and he beats her

And nearly took her life
And now she's lying in a hospital bed
And all I can do is cry

She was my friend, till the end
There's no one better than her
She was always there, till the end

There was no need to apologize
She never did nothing to me
She was my friend till the end

My friend Jamie, he'd never had a fight
He was the sweetest kinda guy
He could always make me smile

Then he caught the street life
And he started selling drugs
Then they found him in a puddle
And it was no love

He was my friend, till the end
There's no one better than him
He was always there, till the end

There was no need to apologize
He never did nothing to me
He was my friend till the end

You gotta love yourself, hold yourself
Squeeze yourself, kiss yourself
And never let nobody else come disrespect yourself
Life is short and life is good and life is sweet
But you never know when life will come and pull you off your feet

You only get one chance, you gotta take it
If you believe in you, you're gonna make it
Whenever things go wrong, only you can make it right
Don't ever let no one, no one control your life

He was my friend, till the end
There's no one better than him
He was always there, till the end

There was no need to apologize
She never did nothing to me
She was my friend till the end

He was my friend
She was my friend
Till the end

Till the end
Till the end

Overall Meaning

The 411's song "My Friend" speaks of two friends whom the singer has watched go through some tough times. Kelly is in a hospital after being abused by her significant other. Jamie, on the other hand, was a decent guy until he began selling drugs and eventually died. The singer sings about never having to apologize to either of them because they were true friends until the end. The song also sends a message of self-love and respect, urging the listener not to let anyone else control their lives.

The first verse tells a story of a friend named Kelly who is being physically abused by her partner. The singer expresses her helplessness in being able to do nothing but cry for her friend. The second verse talks about a friend named Jamie, who started selling drugs and eventually ended up dead in a puddle. The song emphasizes the importance of taking control of one's life and not allowing others to control it. The chorus repeats that Kelly and Jamie were true friends until the end, there's no need to apologize, and they were always there for the singer.

Line by Line Meaning

Till the end
The emphasis on this line suggests that the singer and their friends' friendship was strong and unwavering until the end of their lives.

My friend Kelly's got a problem in her life
The singer's friend Kelly is currently experiencing trouble and distress in her life.

She's got a man who doesn't love her And never treats her right
Kelly's significant other is not treating her well and does not have genuine feelings for her.

Now he hits her and he beats her And nearly took her life And now she's lying in a hospital bed And all I can do is cry
Kelly is now in the hospital because her partner abused and almost killed her, which makes the artist feel helpless and heartbroken.

She was my friend, till the end There's no one better than her She was always there, till the end
The artist emphasizes their strong friendship with Kelly, recognizing her as a kind and loyal friend who was always there for them.

There was no need to apologize She never did nothing to me She was my friend till the end
The singer never had any issues or conflicts with Kelly and had no reason to apologize as she was always a good friend until the very end of her life.

My friend Jamie, he'd never had a fight He was the sweetest kinda guy He could always make me smile
The singer describes their sweet and cheerful friend Jamie, who has never been in a physical altercation.

Then he caught the street life And he started selling drugs Then they found him in a puddle And it was no love
Jamie became involved in selling drugs and this criminal lifestyle led to his death, with no one mourning or caring about his passing.

You gotta love yourself, hold yourself Squeeze yourself, kiss yourself And never let nobody else come disrespect yourself Life is short and life is good and life is sweet But you never know when life will come and pull you off your feet
The advice in this verse urges listeners to love and respect themselves, as life can be unpredictable and full of unexpected challenges.

You only get one chance, you gotta take it If you believe in you, you're gonna make it Whenever things go wrong, only you can make it right Don't ever let no one, no one control your life
This verse emphasizes the importance of taking one's opportunities and belief in oneself, as well as the need to take responsibility for making things right in difficult times and not allowing anyone else to control one's life.

He was my friend She was my friend Till the end Till the end Till the end
The repetition of this line highlights the significance of the relationships the singer had with their friends, who remained close until the very end of their lives.

Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TANYA ELIZABETH BONIFACE, SUSAN HELEN FURLONGER, CAROLYN JULIA OWLETT, TISHA MONIQUE MARTIN, FITZGERALD SCOTT, ADAM OLIVER EUGENE MIDGLEY, JAMIE MICHAEL BRADLEY REDDINGTON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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