The Knocks were formed in 2008 by James "JPatt" Patterson and Ben "DJ B-Roc" Ruttner. Patterson and Ruttner met at New York City's New School and shared an apartment, where they set up small recording studios in their bedrooms. The loud noise coming from their apartment led to neighbors constantly knocking on their door in order to get them to pipe down, hence the duo's name. Early success as remixers, however, enabled them to build their own studio in Manhattan. During 2008 and 2009, Knocks remixes surfaced for Katy Perry ("I Kissed a Girl"), Britney Spears ("3"), and PRGz ("Soul Glo"). B-Roc and Andrew W.K. also released DAMN! The Mixtape Vol. 1 in 2009, featuring several Knocks productions.
In 2010, the Knocks released their first singles, the sunny "Dancing with the DJ" (which later appeared on their 2011 EP Magic) and the whistling "Make It Better." Over the course of the next few years, the duo's profile was magnified by additional remixes for Tegan and Sara ("Closer"), the 1975 ("Girls"), and Dragonette ("Let It Go"), among others, in addition to tours with Ellie Goulding, Dragonette, and Sleigh Bells. They also collaborated with Fred Falke for the Kitsuné Music release "Geronimo" in 2012, as well as Treasure Fingers for "DYWT," released on Fool's Gold Clubhouse in 2014. Also in 2014, the group released an EP, titled Comfortable and released on the Neon Gold label, that included collaborations with X Ambassadors and Ra Ra Riot.
Signed to Big Beat, the Knocks slowed it down a bit for the 2014 single "Classic," one of their funkier and more disco-indebted singles, featuring Powers. An EP titled So Classic appeared in April 2015, followed by a new version of "Classic" featuring a verse by Fetty Wap. The Knocks spent much of the year working on their long-delayed debut album, which was previewed by the singles "I Wish (My Taylor Swift)" (with Matthew Koma) and "New York City" (featuring Cam'ron). Finally, in March 2016, the duo released their first full-length, 55, which included additional guest appearances from Wyclef Jean, Walk the Moon, Carly Rae Jepsen, Alex Newell, and Semi-Precious Weapons' Justin Trantor. That July, the pair remixed selected tracks from the album on the 55.5 EP.
In early 2017, the Knocks released Testify, an EP of new songs featuring collaborations with MNEK, Delacey, and Tayla Parx. Later that year, the duo teamed up with Skylar Spence and released a future funk mixtape as Amelia Airhorn. They also formed the Mary Nixons, a group with Mat Zo, and issued the single "Adrian." They followed with the Captain Cuts collaboration "House Party." July 2018 saw the release of the single "Shades" which appeared later that year on the Knocks' second full-length, New York Narcotic. The album also featured contributions from Method Man, Sofi Tukker, and Foster the People.
2019 brought several singles, including the Kah-Lo collaboration "Awa Ni" and "Lucky Me" (with Great Good Fine Ok). Most of these were collected on the EP Summer Series: 2019. Several more singles arrived in 2020, including "One Fine Day" (with Idris Elba), "Bodies" (with MUNA), and "All About You" (featuring Foster the People). The following year, they released Melody & Silence, an EP with Foster the People that included a remix of the single, as well as covers of hits by Beck, Moby, and the Verve. Also in 2021, the Knocks released "R U High" (featuring Mallrat) and "Sound the Alarm" (featuring Rivers Cuomo and Royal & the Serpent), and were featured on Purple Disco Machine's "Fireworks." The following year saw the release of the full-length effort, HISTORY, which featured collaborations with Foster the People, MUNA, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, Cold War Kids, Parson James, and Yoke Lore, among others.
Biography by Andy Kellman
CLASSIC Feat. FETTY WAP & POWERS
The Knocks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come to me baby don't be shy
Don't be shy, don't be shy
Come to me baby don't be shy
It was a summer time, that summer high
Oh what a masterpiece
Like apple pie, caught in your energy
The future came to me, I see
Yeah, it feels so classic
You and me, the magic
And I know we have it
'Cause it feels, yeah, it feels, yeah it feels so classic
'Cause it feels, yeah, it feels, yeah it feels so classic hmm
Come to me baby don't be shy
Don't be shy, don't be shy
Come to me baby, don't be shy
So classic hmm
Come to me baby don't be shy
Don't be shy, don't be shy
Come to me baby, don't be shy
So classic
Oh what a summer time, when we lost our lines
Between the birds and bees
Buzzing in the blue sky, till the full moon rise
Playing with chemistry
Baby are you with me, oh
Yeah, it feels so classic
You and me, the magic hmm
And I know we have it
'Cause it feels, yeah, it feels yeah it feels so classic hmm
'Cause it feels, yeah, it feels yeah it feels so classic hmm
Come to me baby don't be shy
Don't be shy, don't be shy
Come to me baby, don't be shy
So classic hmm
Come to me baby don't be shy
Don't be shy, don't be shy
Come to me baby, don't be shy
We're just looking for the fun, here
We don't know what's gonna come, yeah
Just looking for the fun, here
We don't know what's gonna come, yeah
'Cause it feels, yeah, it feels, yeah it feels so classic hmm
'Cause it feels, yeah, it feels, yeah it feels so classic hmm
Come to me baby don't be shy
Don't be shy, don't be shy
Come to me baby, don't be shy
So classic hmm
Come to me baby don't be shy
Don't be shy, don't be shy
Come to me baby, don't be shy
So classic
So classic
The song "Classic" by The Knocks ft. Powers is about a summer romance that feels timeless and magical. The lyrics describe the way that the two people met and how they fell in love in a way that is reminiscent of classic love stories. The line "It feels so classic" repeats throughout the song, emphasizing the idea that this love is special and enduring.
The opening lines invite the listener to come closer and not be shy, setting the tone for a love that is open and honest. The chorus repeats the idea that the love between the two people is classic and magical, while the verses describe the summer romance in more detail. The music adds to this feeling of nostalgia with its upbeat, retro vibe that is reminiscent of classic disco.
Overall, "Classic" is a fun and nostalgic song about falling in love in the summertime. It celebrates the feeling that some loves are timeless and magical, and that even though you don't know where the future will take you, the memories of that love will always be special.
Line by Line Meaning
Come to me baby don't be shy
The singer is inviting their partner to approach them without hesitation or reservation.
It was a summer time, that summer high
The singer reminisces about a past summer of carefree joy and excitement.
Oh what a masterpiece
The singer describes their memories of that summer as something truly remarkable and special.
The way your eyes met mine, sweet
The artist recalls a romantic moment of eye contact between them and their partner.
Like apple pie, caught in your energy
The artist compares the warm, comforting feeling of being with their partner to the sweetness of apple pie.
The future came to me, I see
The singer feels optimistic about their future with their partner and envisions a life together.
Yeah, it feels so classic
The singer describes their current relationship as timeless and perfect.
You and me, the magic
The unique connection between the artist and their partner is something truly special and unexplainable, an undeniable 'magic'.
And I know we have it
The artist is confident in the strength of their relationship.
'Cause it feels, yeah, it feels, yeah it feels so classic
The artist repeats their belief that their relationship is classic and perfect.
Oh what a summer time, when we lost our lines
The singer recalls a time from the past when the inhibitions between them and their partner dissolved, and they simply enjoyed each other's company.
Between the birds and bees
The artist is alluding to the romantic and sexual nature of the memories they share with their partner.
Buzzing in the blue sky, till the full moon rise
The singer paints a picture of a summer evening spent outside with their partner, where they were enamored in the moment until the moon rose.
Playing with chemistry
The singer recalls feeling an intense sexual attraction towards their partner.
Baby are you with me, oh
The singer is asking their partner if they are currently present in the moment and feeling the same way as the singer.
We're just looking for the fun, here
The artist is emphasizing the carefree nature of their relationship, and how they prioritize having fun and enjoying each other's company over anything else.
We don't know what's gonna come, yeah
The artist is acknowledging the uncertainty of their future, but they are not worried because they are happy in the present moment.
So classic
The singer repeats their belief that their current relationship is timeless and perfect.
Contributed by Mia C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
EL COLECCIONISTA SP
This music it's sooo good , i really like because i remember times olds 🥺
1738 The Squad
Fr
Daniel Lasher
I have this song on every gym list and it makes everything better. Just came here for confirmation that others feel the same way. Love it. Got that early 90’s vibe.
Bardelyx
Such a nostalgic feel to this song!
1738 The Squad
Righttt
Yuri Gabriel
Essa música ficou bem mais perfeita agora😍
1738 The Squad
Factssss
S Gza
fetty killed it! love love love it!!
1738 The Squad
He definitely did
A Segal
Ridiculously good. Pop masterpiece.