Perhaps most impressive is that he does all of these things, and well. With a background as colorful as his talents, Tonedeff grew up in Chicago, IL, before moving to Miami, FL, for the remainder of his adolescence. While it was in Miami that he began recording and performing, it wasn't until relocating to Queens, NY at 21 that the well-traveled emcee really began making noise. He won a string of battles, including the Braggin' Rites MC Battle and NYC's notorious Da Cypha battles, to name a few. At the same time, he built a name for himself by opening for esteemed acts such as Common, Royce Da 5'9, Beatnuts, Brand Nubian and Rahzel.
Where most up-and-comers hit a stalemate, however, Tonedeff had only just begun. After forming the independent label QN5 Music in 2000, he released a series of work including the enhanced Hyphen EP, Happy F*ck You Songs with Extended F@mm, the "Clear 'Em Out" 12" single with KRS-One, and countless guest spots for artists such as Masta Ace, DJ JS-1 and CunninLynguists. 2003 saw him grace the pages of The Source Magazine and the MTV airwaves in a commercial for Hip Hop Week.
April 2005 marks the release of Archetype, his long-anticipated debut LP. A culmination of his artistic abilities, Archetype displays the incontestable versatility and raw talent that sets him apart from the rest. Comprising the spine-tingling harmonies of the intro; the relentless, rapid-fire punchlines of "Let's Go" and "Issawn"; the unabashed wit and comedy of "Disappointed" and "Pervert"; and the breathtaking beauty of the true story "Porcelain"; Tonedeff shatters the mold of conventional hip-hop, bringing it to levels that others only speak of. Influenced by a diverse range of artists - Common, Fresh Prince, Enya, Tori Amos and Bjork, for example-his own style is reflective of such, a melting pot of styles and sounds.
Combining beauty, talent and artistic innovation, Tonedeff is set to awaken hip-hop with a distinctively new sound. Following the QN5 mantra of "the New Hip-Hop," the multi-talented artist breathes new life into a dwindling art form, taking the reigns in the pursuit of new ideals as the originator, the new standard, the archetype.
Love Ain't
Tonedeff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[CHORUS]
Traces of love, long ago...that didn't work out
[V1: TONEDEFF]
Love ain't for the faint of heart
Start Training, this game is hard
You're gonna play in the dark like when it rains in the park
You're hardly conscious of the stains and scars
Enabling your partly clouded logic
To pay to impart bliss with arrangements of chocolates, now
You're working yourself out the same as when you strain with a nautilus
And you're willing to embrace pain facing sustained negative consequence
If nothing you say when in love is embedded with common sense
Then, do you really regret when you've shredded your promises?
Now, I've tested the waters, kid. Sipped it; rippled the pond a bit
Visits have been abolished, and this shit's killing my confidence
Is this filling your conscience when distance is an accomplishment?
If you miss chicks when they're around
The phrase "Let's quit" isn't an option
You best fix whatever's wrong and just move on and get on with it
Cause, You'll catch bigger fish in the sea if you manage not to drown in it
It's sad, but proud or not, most your standards go down a notch
When loneliness drinks at the bar you set too high
Cause, It isn't really my time, is it?
Shit...I just found the watch
But hearing the bell toll for me twice a day
Has me fearing my grandfather clock
And I can't die without trying, my hands tied in knots
Knowing that I'll never learn to brave the waves if I stand by the docks
Love is hampered by thought, if you can handle the prospect of
Death - it's as massive a shock
And to intellects, it's a fuckin' smack in the crotch
It's a cancer that rots your soul, tosses demons off of the road
Just use caution and know, that
Love ain't nothing but a loss of control
Off then, we go
[Chorus]
[V2: Deacon the Villain]
Love'll have you nervous, doing stupid shit on purpose
Brain out of service, words slurred when you blurt shit..
Studderin', utterin' non-sensical shit in your verses.
Feeling like a shirtless, 4-breasted woman in a circus..
Furthurly trying to gap an unfillable void..
Because of parents never transfering that unbillical joy..
So girls create a false world of filling on boys.
Exploited, guys playing with her heart like her feelings are toys..
But when you have it.. there's nothing like it, you get excited..
Seeking those who provide it, on phones talking to psychics..
Some fear it... spend their entire lives trying to fight it..
Living in a confusing Hayes, like they're grooving to Isaac..
It ain't the end of the rainbow with a treasure chest and a map..
It ain't easily learnable with definitions in tact..
It can ride your train of though and demolitions your tracks..
Hittin' and bullwhippin you, leavin' them slits in your back..
But i've been a lucky one.. loving parents, loving friends..
But I still spend alot of my life loving sin..
But I ain't a genious on it, I can only pretend..
Cause over all it's an emotion I can not comprehend.. it's love
[Chorus]
[V3: Kno]
Love ain't the basis for action
In a nation of addicts pacing and waiting for seconds of satisfaction
Where the word itself is only fashioned in fits of passion
Hand in hand with animalistic orgasmic reaction
And the past isn't felt as a match made in hell
But rather its held as a latter day meld
Of common mistakes and nice intentions
But when false love retention is simply vice invention
Its only right to mention the fights you get in
Nightly visions of these Tina and Ike revisions
So Whats Love really Got To Do With It?
From prude women to stool pidgeons in soup kitchens
The truth isn't as eloquent so be intelligent
Getting caught out of your element just for the hell of it's irrelevant
And that word'll fit like a glove if you don't get right, now live your life
For the love or stop
[Chorus]
The song "Love Ain't" by Tonedeff featuring Deacon the Villain and Kno is a song that speaks about the ups and downs of love. The chorus mentions "Traces of love, long ago...that didn't work out", indicating that the song is about past relationships that have failed. Tonedeff in the first verse speaks about how love is not for the faint-hearted, and that it requires training as it is a hard and arduous game. He adds that love is filled with pain, negative consequences and broken promises. Despite all these, he says that one needs to move on and get on with it. He also mentions how love can affect one's standard and the fear of death if one cannot handle it.
In contrast, Deacon the Villain in the second verse speaks about how love can make one nervous to the extent of doing stupid things on purpose, speaking non-sensical things and feeling exploited. He adds that it can be addictive and hard to comprehend even though it can be exciting. He notes that he has been lucky to have loving parents and friends but still struggles with loving sin.
Kno finishes the song on a more philosophical note, stating that love should not be the basis for action in a world filled with addiction and people trying to find satisfaction in self-destructive ways. He mentions that love can be confused with lust, and that it is important to be intelligent and not get caught out of one's element. He concludes that whether one chooses to live life for love or not, they need to get things right.
Line by Line Meaning
Traces of love, long ago...that didn't work out
The remnants of a failed relationship linger, haunting the memory and making it hard to fully invest in love again.
Love ain't for the faint of heart
Love is a challenging emotion that takes strength and fortitude to handle.
Start Training, this game is hard
Love requires learning and practice, like any other pursuit.
You're gonna play in the dark like when it rains in the park
Love can be unpredictable and full of uncertainty.
You're hardly conscious of the stains and scars
The emotional wounds from past relationships can negatively impact future ones in subtle ways.
Enabling your partly clouded logic
Love can cloud one's judgment and lead to irrational decisions.
To pay to impart bliss with arrangements of chocolates, now
The commercialization of love often leads to superficial displays of affection.
You're working yourself out the same as when you strain with a nautilus
Love requires effort and commitment, much like physical fitness training.
And you're willing to embrace pain facing sustained negative consequence
Love can involve enduring difficulties and hardships, such as heartbreak or unrequited feelings.
If nothing you say when in love is embedded with common sense
Love can make individuals act impulsively or irrationally, leading to poor decisions.
Then, do you really regret when you've shredded your promises?
Breaking promises made in love can be regrettable, but it's important to reflect on whether those promises were wise in the first place.
Visits have been abolished, and this shit's killing my confidence
Failed relationships can take a toll on one's self-esteem and make it harder to trust in future love.
Is this filling your conscience when distance is an accomplishment?
When distance from a past relationship is viewed as a victory, it can be a sign that healing is needed.
You'll catch bigger fish in the sea if you manage not to drown in it
If one can persevere through the trials of love, they may find greater rewards in the end.
Love'll have you nervous, doing stupid shit on purpose
The intensity of love can make individuals act in irrational, risky ways.
Feeling like a shirtless, 4-breasted woman in a circus..
Love can make one feel exposed and vulnerable, like a performer in a circus ring.
Exploited, guys playing with her heart like her feelings are toys..
Women can be mistreated and manipulated in love, particularly by men who only see them as objects.
It ain't the end of the rainbow with a treasure chest and a map
Love is not a guarantee of happiness or fulfillment.
It's a cancer that rots your soul, tosses demons off of the road
Love can drag up painful emotions and cause internal turmoil.
Love ain't nothing but a loss of control
Love can make one feel powerless and out of control.
Love ain't the basis for action
Acting purely out of love can be risky and irresponsible.
It can ride your train of though and demolitions your tracks
Love can derail rational thought and lead to destruction.
And that word'll fit like a glove if you don't get right, now live your life
It's important to approach love with intelligence and maturity, or risk causing more harm than good.
Contributed by Lincoln H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@slipkat5475
Love ain't for the faint of heart
Start training, this game is hard
And arduous, you're gonna play in the dark, like when it rains in the park
You're hardly conscious of the stains and scars, enabling your partly clouded logic
To pay to impart bliss with arrangements of chocolates
Now, you're working yourself out the same as when you strain' with a nautilus
And you're willing to embrace pain facing sustained negative consequence
If nothing you say when in love is embedded with common sense
Then, do you really regret when you've shredded your promises?
Now, I've tested the waters, kid. Sipped it; rippled the pond a bit
Visits have been abolished, and this shit's killing my confidence
Is this filling your conscience when distance is an accomplishment?
If you miss chicks when they're around, the phrase "Let's quit" isn't an option
You best fix whatever's wrong and just move on and get on with it
Cause, You'll catch bigger fish in the sea if you manage not to drown in it
It's sad, but proud or not, most your standards go down a notch
When loneliness drinks at the bar you set too high
Cause, It isn't really my time, is it? Shit, I just found the watch
But hearing the bell toll for me twice a day, has me fearing my grandfather clock
And I can't die without trying, my hands tied in knots
Knowing that I'll never learn to brave the waves if I stand by the docks
Love is hampered by thought, if you can handle the prospect of
Death - it's as massive a shock
And to intellects, it's a fuckin' smack in the crotch
It's a cancer that rots your soul, tosses demons off of the road
Just use caution and know, that, love ain't nothing but a loss of control
Off then, we go
[Hook]
Traces of love, long ago
That didn't work out
Traces of love, long ago
That didn't work out
[Verse 2: Deacon the Villian]
Love'll have you nervous, doing stupid shit on purpose
Brain out of service, words slurred when you blurt shit
Studderin', utterin' non-sensical shit in your verses
Feeling like a shirtless four-breasted woman in a circus
Furthurly trying to gap an unfillable void
Because of parents never transfering that unbillical joy
So girls create a false world of filling on boys
Exploited, guys playing with her heart like her feelings are toys
But when you have it, there's nothing like it, you get excited
Seeking those who provide it, on phones talking to psychics
Some fear it, spend their entire lives trying to fight it
Living in a confusing Hayes, like they're grooving to Isaac
It ain't the end of the rainbow with a treasure chest and a map
It ain't easily learnable with definitions in tact
It can ride your train of thought and demolition your tracks
Hittin' and bullwhippin you, leavin' them slits in your back
But I've been a lucky one, loving parents, loving friends
But I still spend alot of my life loving sin
But I ain't a genius on it, I can only pretend
Cause over all it's an emotion I cannot comprehend
It's love
[Hook]
[Verse 3: Kno]
Love ain't the basis for action
In a nation of addicts pacing and waiting for seconds of satisfaction
Where the word itself is only fashioned in fits of passion
Hand in hand with animalistic orgasmic reaction
And the past isn't felt as a match made in hell
But rather its held as a latter day meld
Of common mistakes and nice intentions
But when false love retention is simply vice invention
It's only right to mention the fights you get in
Nightly visions of these Tina and Ike revisions
So what's love really got to do with it?
From prude women to stool pidgeons in soup kitchens
The truth isn't as eloquent so be intelligent
Getting caught out of your element just for the hell of it's irrelevant
And that word'll fit like a glove if you don't get right
Now live your life for the love or stop
@MaxPower70698
Der Song war früher schon der Hammer. Jetzt ist es ein Hip Hop Klassiker 😎👍
@kronos4456
this is the song that got me into rap way back when i was 6, my mom has a phenomenal taste in music
@leslychow7374
Still blasting my speakers in 2018 and forever
@papayalovesMAC
I first heard this song 10 years years ago..it still affects me like it once did! One of my favourite songs of all time.. And one of the most realistic views on love I ever heard in my life. Incredible.
@nicholassmelcer5802
Not just love but life
@jameskerrnz
2019? hell yeah still absolute fire !!!
@AaronSands
2020 too
@bobbydeazy
2022 been here since sloppy seconds 2 came out, seen CL twice in the UK now, they never dissapoint
@MOHtier1FTW
I like this version the best because of the hook (maybe its not a hook but that last verse)
@puertoricansf
The hook & last verse made it better. Both the beats are fantastic