History
Their first album was released in 1988 and was titled Who?. The album went gold and had several hit singles. The first of these, "Little Walter", went to #1 on the R&B charts. While none of the singles went gold, the next three singles, "Born Not To Know", "For The Love Of You" and "Baby Doll" were all Top 10 R&B singles.
Firmly establishing themselves, the group's second album The Revival was released in 1990 and reached platinum status. The album spawned several #1 R&B hits with "It Never Rains", "Feels Good", and "Whatever You Want", all topping the R&B charts. "Feels Good" was the group's first single to breach the Top 10 of the Hot 100 and managed to go gold.
Furthering the group's success, they released their best selling album to date, Sons Of Soul, in 1993. The album went double platinum and had hit singles: "If I Had No Loot" which hit #7 on the Hot 100, "Anniversary" which reached #10 on the Hot 100, and "(Lay Your Head On My) Pillow" which reached #4 on the R&B charts.
In 1996, the group released their last album to date, House of Music. The album lacked the strong singles of earlier entries, only getting "Thinking Of You" into the top 10 on the R&B charts but the album still managed to go platinum.
Raphael Saadiq released his first solo effort, the Top 20 Billboard hit "Ask of You" from the Higher Learning soundtrack, in 1995. Around the same time, Saadiq became a much-sought-after R&B producer, scoring hits for D'Angelo, Total, The Roots and others. Later in the 2000s, he started a solo career, releasing two albums, Instant Vintage (2002) and Ray Ray (2004).
In 2003, most members of Tony! Toni! Toné! except for Saadiq were invited by Alicia Keys to guest on her album The Diary of Alicia Keys. The song that resulted from that session was called "Diary", and when it was released as a single in the fall of 2004, it gave them their first Top 10 US hit in eleven years. In 2005, Dwayne Wiggins became the band leader for the Weekends at the D.L. television show hosted by comedian D. L. Hughley, which airs on the Comedy Central cable network.
In 2006, the group reunited for the New Jack Reunion Tour, running throughout the U.S.
Jo-Jo
Tony Toni Toné Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jo-Jo
Jo-Jo
Now here's the situation, it's not very clear
Why so many seem to disappear today
There must be an answer, we must find a way
Before we lose another Jo-Jo
Now funny how no one seems to know a thing
Every time somebody comes a missing
Now just like Jo-Jo, if you can hear me
Please give me a sign, let me know you're alright
Are you lonely Jo-Jo out there on your own?
You can always come back, Jo-Jo
Are you lonely Jo-Jo? You're running outta time
Such a crazy world, Jo-Jo
Family situation, it stands very clear
Why so many children choose to leave their homes today
Don't know who to turn to, got no where to go
First thing that comes to mind is Jo-Jo
Funny how no one seems to know a thing
Now every time somebody comes a missing
Now just like Jo-Jo, if you can hear me
Please give me a sign, let me know you're alright
Are you lonely Jo-Jo, out there on your own?
You can always come back, Jo-Jo
Are you lonely Jo-Jo? You're running outta time
Such a crazy world, Jo-Jo
Jo-Jo
Jo-Jo
Jo-Jo
Jo-Jo
Are you lonely Jo-Jo out there on your own?
You can always come back, Jo-Jo
Are you lonely Jo-Jo? You're running outta time
Such a crazy world, Jo-Jo
Are you lonely Jo-Jo out there on your own?
You can always come back, Jo-Jo
Are you lonely Jo-Jo? You're running outta time
Such a crazy world, Jo-Jo
Are you lonely Jo-Jo out there on your own?
You can always come back, Jo-Jo
Are you lonely Jo-Jo? You're running outta time
Such a crazy world, Jo-Jo
Are you lonely Jo-Jo out there on your own?
You can always come back, Jo-Jo
Are you lonely Jo-Jo? You're running outta time
Such a crazy world, Jo-Jo
Are you lonely Jo-Jo out there on your own?
You can always come back, Jo-Jo
Are you lonely Jo-Jo? You're running outta time
Such a crazy world, Jo-Jo
The song "Jo-Jo" by Tony Toni Toné seems to be a tribute to someone who has gone missing or left without a trace, and the singer is reaching out to them, trying to connect with them and offer them comfort. The lyrics are open-ended and ambiguous, leaving it up to the listener to interpret who Jo-Jo is and what might have happened to him or her. However, there are some clues in the lyrics that suggest that Jo-Jo might be a young person suffering from some kind of family troubles, possibly leading to them leaving home and disappearing.
The repeated refrain of "Are you lonely Jo-Jo out there on your own?" indicates the singer's concern for Jo-Jo's well-being and their desire for them to return and find a sense of belonging and safety. The song's tone is gentle and empathetic, emphasizing the need for connection and understanding in a world that can be harsh and unforgiving, especially for those who feel lost or abandoned.
Overall, the song seems to be a heartfelt appeal to someone who is struggling to find their place in life, offering them hope and a sense of acceptance, no matter what they might be going through.
Line by Line Meaning
Jo-Jo
Repetition of the name Jo-Jo as a call to the character
Jo-Jo
Repetition of the name Jo-Jo as a call to the character
Jo-Jo
Repetition of the name Jo-Jo as a call to the character
Now here's the situation, it's not very clear
The present scenario is confusing and uncertain
Why so many seem to disappear today
There is a noticeable increase in the number of disappearances
There must be an answer, we must find a way
An answer/solution has to be found
Before we lose another Jo-Jo
To avoid losing another person like Jo-Jo
Now funny how no one seems to know a thing
Remark on the lack of knowledge about the situation
Every time somebody comes a missing
Whenever someone goes missing
Now just like Jo-Jo, if you can hear me
An addressing call to Jo-Jo
Please give me a sign, let me know you're alright
Request for a sign of assurance that Jo-Jo is doing okay
Are you lonely Jo-Jo out there on your own?
Wondering if Jo-Jo is alone and in need of company
You can always come back, Jo-Jo
Jo-Jo is welcomed back
Are you lonely Jo-Jo? You're running outta time
Jo-Jo is running out of time to find a solution for their situation
Such a crazy world, Jo-Jo
The world can be a strange and confusing place
Family situation, it stands very clear
The problem is related to familial issues
Why so many children choose to leave their homes today
Observing that many children are leaving their homes
Don't know who to turn to, got nowhere to go
Lack of support systems and lack of a safe space for these individuals
First thing that comes to mind is Jo-Jo
Returning to thoughts about Jo-Jo
Are you lonely Jo-Jo, out there on your own?
A repeat of the previous call to Jo-Jo
You can always come back, Jo-Jo
A reassuring call for Jo-Jo to come back
Are you lonely Jo-Jo? You're running outta time
A repeat of the previous line
Such a crazy world, Jo-Jo
A repeat of the previous line
Jo-Jo
A repeat of the name Jo-Jo
Jo-Jo
A repeat of the name Jo-Jo
Jo-Jo
A repeat of the name Jo-Jo
Are you lonely Jo-Jo out there on your own?
A repeat of the call for Jo-Jo to come back.
You can always come back, Jo-Jo
Reassurance that Jo-Jo is always welcome back.
Are you lonely Jo-Jo? You're running outta time
No time to waste.
Such a crazy world, Jo-Jo
The craziness of the world is reiterated.
Are you lonely Jo-Jo out there on your own?
A repeat of the call for Jo-Jo to come back.
You can always come back, Jo-Jo
A reassurance that Jo-Jo is always welcome back.
Are you lonely Jo-Jo? You're running outta time
Awareness of the difficult situation Jo-Jo is in.
Such a crazy world, Jo-Jo
The world is a crazy and unpredictable place.
Are you lonely Jo-Jo out there on your own?
Final call to Jo-Jo to return.
You can always come back, Jo-Jo
Reassurance that Jo-Jo is not alone and is welcome back.
Are you lonely Jo-Jo? You're running outta time
A last reminder that time is running out for Jo-Jo.
Such a crazy world, Jo-Jo
The song ends with an acknowledgement of the craziness of the world.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Carl Wheeler, Clemon Timothy Jr. Riley, Dwayne P. Wiggins, Raphael Saadiq
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind