Tweet's first steps into a career in the music industry first began when she enrolled in her local Performing Arts School. In 1990, at the age of 19, Tweet gave birth to her daughter Tashawna. The name came from a mixture of both parents name "T" from Tweet and "shawn" from Shawn, and the addition of two "a"s.
In the early nineties Tweet joined the female quintet Sugah, leaving her daughter with her parents in Panama City, Florida, while Tweet relocated to Virginia. Sugah was comprised of Tweet, Susan Weems, and Rolita and was a part of Devante Swing's Swing Mob collective. While there, she met Timbaland, Magoo, Missy Elliott (who at the time was a part of the Hip-Hop/R&B group Sista), Playa, and Ginuwine who were also all apart of the Swing Mob collective. During her time with Sugah, Tweet formed a close friendship with Elliott.
Around 1999 with Sugah going nowhere, no album to show, and many broken promises, Tweet returned to her parents' home in Panama City penniless and depressed. Tweet fell into deeper depression after a string of bad relationships and a number of jobs, all the while hiding her depression from her family. The depression got so bad she had planned to commit suicide. The day before she was to go through with her fateful decision she received a phone call from an old friend. That friend was Missy Elliott. She was calling to ask if Tweet would contribute background vocals on her latest album Miss E ...So Addictive. Tweet felt she could tell Elliott about her situation and what she was going through. To this day she calls Elliott her "Guardian Angel".
In 2000 Tweet began recording vocals for Elliott's album and was also reunited with her old friends from the Swing Mob days, Timbaland, Magoo, Playa, and Ginuwine. She also recorded vocals for Timbaland & Magoo's follow-up to their platinum selling 1997 debut album Welcome To Our World and Timbaland's solo album Tim's Bio: Life From Da Bassment. In 2001 Elliott released her Platinum selling third album Miss E ...So Addictive with Tweet contributing vocals to five tracks. 2001 also the release of Ja Rule's Pain Is Love, Beat Club Records Bubba Sparxxx's Dark Days, Bright Days, Petey Pablo's Diary Of A Sinner: 1st Entry and Timbaland & Magoo's Indecent Proposal, all of which Tweet contributes vocals. Meanwhile, Tweet was signed to Elliott's record label, through Elektra Entertainment Group, The Goldmind Inc. with the help of an impromptu performance of "Motel" for Violator Management's Mona Scott. Not only was she signed to The Goldmind Inc. but also to Violator Management. With this Tweet began recording her debut album. In November of 2001, Tweet made her debut on the single's charts as a feature artist along with Ginuwine on Elliott's "Take Away", a tribute to Elliott's late friend Aaliyah. Timbaland & Magoo's "All Y'all" featuring Sebastian (Timbaland's younger brother) followed.
n March 2002, Tweet flew onto the charts with her debut solo single "Oops (Oh My)", a risqué song about self-loving and masturbation. The song was produced by Timbaland and featured guest vocals by Missy Elliott. The single hit #1 on the R&B Charts and #7 on the US Pop Charts, with the help of a Remix featuring Fabolous.
In April, Tweet released her debut album Southern Hummingbird to rave reviews. The album featured production by Craig Brockman, Nisan Stewart, guitarist John "Jubu" Smith, Timbaland (who contributed four tracks) and Tweet herself. It also featured guest vocals by Elliott "Oops (Oh My)", Bilal "Best Friend", BeatClub Record's Ms. Jade "Sexual Healing (Oops Pt. 2)" and featured a bonus new track from Elliott "Big Spender". The album was filled with soul stirring vocals and lyrics taken from Tweet's own life experiences, some of which were at the time written on napkins. The album spwanned another two singles, Timbaland produced "Call Me" and the radio single "Smoking Cigarettes", which had a video shot for it and directed by Little X but was never released. The album reached #3 on the Billboard album charts, behind Murder Inc.'s Ashanti self-titled debut album. That year Tweet appeared as a guest vocalist on Trina's second single from her hit album Diamond Princess. The song was called "No Panties" and was written and produced by Missy Elliott and Nisan Stewart. Tweet also appeared on Meshell Ndegeocello's Cookie: The Anthropological Mixtape, Karen Clark Sheard's 2nd Chance, Ms. Jade's Girl Interrupted, Whitney Houston's Just Whitney... and Elliott's 2x Platinum selling album Under Construction. Tweet appeared on four of the tracks and also made a cameo performance in both videos released from the album, "Work It" and "Gossip Folks". Tweet was nominated for a Soul Train Lady of Soul Award (among others) for Best New Artist but lost out to her rival Ashanti. But that year Tweet was awarded the Key To The City for Rochester, New York. Along with Missy Elliott, Lil' Kim, DMX, Toni Braxton, Queen Latifah, Ananda Lewis, Playa, Jamie Foxx, Lil' Mo, AJ, Free (among others), Tweet appeared in the late Aaliyah's posthumous hit single "Miss You".
With 2003 came more guest vocals appearances, Madonna's American Life The Remixes Single, Monica's After The Storm, Mark Ronson's Here Comes The Fuzz and Angie Stone's Stone Love on the 2004 Grammy nominated song "U-Haul". Tweet turned to acting, having a cameo appearance in the film Honey, directed by music video director Billie Woodruff and starring Jessica Alba, Mekhi Phifer, Lil' Romeo, Joy Bryant and Missy Elliott. Tweet's other acting credits include an episode of the comedy series The Parkers in 2002, in which she performed "Oops (Oh My)" and "Smoking Cigarettes". Tweet also appeared on the Honey Soundtrack on the Missy Elliott produced "Thugman" which sample's The Wu-Tang Clan's "Y'all Been Warned". Tweet also performed the Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins produced track "Hypnotic" in the film, but it doesn't feature on the soundtrack.
Tweet's third studio album, "Love, Tweet" has had several delays. As of late Summer 2010, Tweet was currently heading to L.A to finish recording the album as confirmed via Twitter on September 14, 2010 also the album may be double disk. The albums' lead single is "Love Again." The album is said to be complete. No official release date is known at this time.
Steer
Tweet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why'd you lead me on?
Where did we go wrong?
Same sad song
Why'd you steer me wrong?
Putting crazy thoughts in my headâ?¦
[VRS1:]
When you were laying in my bed
Believin' every word you say
Puttin' crazy thoughts in my head
You painted a picture
So sweet I could taste
Lies undetected
Not even a trace
[HOOK:]
Why'd you steer me wrong?
Keep me holding on
When you were already gone
Why'd you lead me on?
Where did we go wrong?
Same sad song
Why'd you steer me wrong?
[VRS2:]
Make believe
Figured that you'd never leave
Now you got me thinkin' twice
When you want to spend the night
Now if a man only has his word
Then you would be speechless
So you can understand why I don't understand
[HOOK:]
Why'd you steer me wrong?
Keep me holding on
When you were already gone
Why'd you lead me on?
Where did we go wrong?
Same sad song
Why'd you steer me wrong?
[BRIDGE:]
You preformed a charade
Good one, a game you played with me
They warned, I stayed
I thought you cared for me
And I'm still wondering why
[HOOK:]
Why'd you steer me wrong?
Keep me holding on
When you were already gone
Why'd you lead me on?
Where did we go wrong?
Same sad song
Why'd you steer me wrong?
Tweet's song Steer is a heart-wrenching lamentation about being led on and ultimately misled by a lover. The song is a desperate plea to understand why someone would deceive someone they claim to care about. From the opening lyrics, "Why'd you lead me on? Where did we go wrong? Same sad song. Why'd you steer me wrong?", the tone is one of frustration and disillusionment. The singer is questioning the actions of her lover, wondering why they would tell lies, paint a picture of a bright future together, and then leave her hanging.
In the first verse, Tweet sings about the moments when her lover was laying in bed with her, telling her sweet nothings and making her believe in their future. However, despite the sweetness of their words, the singer is left with nothing but "crazy thoughts" in her head, as her lover's lies went undetected. In the chorus, Tweet repeats the opening lines, asking why her lover kept her holding on when they were already gone. She wonders where they went wrong and laments the fact that she was led on.
In the second verse, Tweet sings about the consequences of her lover's deceit. She says that she was believing in a make-believe future and now regrets ever doing so. She is left to think twice about their future every time they want to spend a night together. In the bridge, the singer acknowledges that she was warned about her lover's true intentions but chose to stay. She is left to wonder why someone who claimed to care for her would lead her on and steer her wrong.
Overall, Tweet's Steer is a powerful and emotional exploration of the pain that comes from being misled by someone you trust. The song's melancholic melody and the singer's heart-wrenching vocals make it clear why this song is a classic in the R&B genre.
Some interesting facts about the song Steer:
1) Steer was released in 2002 as part of Tweet's debut album, Southern Hummingbird.
2) The song was written by Tweet herself along with Craig Brockman, Pookie, and Nisan Stewart.
3) The album was produced by R&B legend Missy Elliot, who discovered Tweet singing in a New York recording studio.
4) Steer was one of the most popular songs from the album, along with Oops (Oh My) and Call Me.
5) Tweet's real name is Charlene Keys, and she hails from Rochester, New York.
6) In 2003, Tweet was nominated for a Soul Train Lady of Soul Award for Best R&B Soul Single, Female for Steer.
7) The music video for Steer features Tweet sitting in a dimly lit room, singing directly to the camera, while images of her lover and their happy moments together flash across the screen.
8) Steer is often regarded as one of the quintessential R&B songs about heartbreak and betrayal.
9) The song has been covered by several other artists, including Kelly Rowland and JoJo.
10) In 2003, Tweet won a BET Award for Best New Artist, and Steer played a significant role in her rise to fame.
Chords (Capo on 1st fret):
Verse: Bm - G - A - D
Chorus: Bm - G - A - D
Bridge: F#m - Bm - G - A
Line by Line Meaning
Why'd you lead me on?
Asking why the person played with their emotions and made them believe there was a chance for a relationship when there wasn't.
Where did we go wrong?
Wondering where things went downhill and why they are no longer on the same page.
Same sad song
Being in a similar situation before and feeling disappointed.
Why'd you steer me wrong?
Questioning why the person intentionally led them in the wrong direction.
Putting crazy thoughts in my headâ?¦
Feeling confused and conflicted due to the mixed signals they received.
I remember what you said
Recalling previous conversations and promises made by the other person.
When you were laying in my bed
Reflecting on intimate moments they shared.
Believin' every word you say
Trusting and having faith in the other person's intentions and words.
Puttin' crazy thoughts in my head
Feeling overwhelmed and having unrealistic expectations due to the other person's words and actions.
You painted a picture
Creating an image of a future and lifestyle that they thought could be possible.
So sweet I could taste
Being lured in by the other person's convincing and persuasive words.
Lies undetected
Uncovering the deceptive and dishonest actions of the other person.
Not even a trace
No evidence left behind by the other person to prove their intentions and promises.
Make believe
Realizing that the image of a future and relationship they had was just an illusion.
Figured that you'd never leave
Believing that the other person was committed and loyal.
Now you got me thinkin' twice
Reconsidering their previous assumptions and beliefs about the other person.
When you want to spend the night
Feeling conflicted about the other person's intentions and whether they are genuine or not.
Now if a man only has his word
Questioning the value and credibility of the other person's promises and actions.
Then you would be speechless
Pointing out the other person's lack of integrity and honesty.
So you can understand why I don't understand
Explaining the confusion and frustration they feel due to the other person's contradicting words and actions.
You preformed a charade
Calling out the other person's facade and pretense.
Good one, a game you played with me
Acknowledging the clever and convincing act the other person put on.
They warned, I stayed
Ignoring the advice and warnings from others who saw through the other person's act.
I thought you cared for me
Believing the other person truly had feelings for them.
And I'm still wondering why
Continuing to feel confused and asking why the other person acted the way they did.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHARLES BEREAL, CHARLES W BEREAL, KENNETH BEREAL, MELISSA ELLIOTT, MELISSA A ELLIOTT, CORTE ELLIS, CHARLENE L KEYS, TIMOTHY MOSLEY, TIMOTHY Z MOSLEY, NISAN STEWART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind