For many artists, appealing to diverse audiences is no easy feat. But for W… Read Full Bio ↴For many artists, appealing to diverse audiences is no easy feat. But for West Philadelphia natives Josh and Aziz Collins of the R&B/ Soul duo U.City (formerly United Soul), this task is accomplished with ease, style, and some good music. With their debut album Reservations, released in 2005, U.City created a fusion of soul, rock, funk and hip hop all in one original sound. A sound that continues to engage crowds and make instant fans out of first-time listeners. Reservations serves as a reminder of soul music as it once was. The project features music that “warms the heart and reminds one of love lost, found and yearned for,” Aziz declares. Included on the album is the sultry single “Best of Me,” which won the group the 2003 Heineken Music Initiative/ASCAP Foundation R&B Grant, an award that recognizes the best rising songwriters across the country. Another single, “He Don’t,” was featured on Hidden Beach Recordings’ compilation album “Hidden Hits” released in 2003. 2008 has found U.City with the release of their sophomore project, “The Fall,” an album which will give fans a taste of something different. The music embodies a new spirit and represents the evolution of the group over the last three years. “Our sound is our own. It is exactly sincere; people don’t have to feel like they are listening to soul artists trying to do rock, hip-hop, and pop,” says Josh. Not just stellar performers but gifted songwriters, the duo has impressed upon industry favorites, including husband and wife combo Kindred the Family Soul, who perform the U.City-penned track “Hey” on their third album “The Arrival.” The group’s talents also earned them a spot on the 2005 VH1 Soul Tour where they shared the stage with Kindred and Jaguar Wright in Washington D.C. and New York City. Still, appreciation for U.City’s work reaches far beyond the boundaries of their immediate region. The group made its international debut when they performed at the Jazz Café in London, leaving the crowd at once pleasantly surprised and anxious for more. Though the two are not related by blood as their identical last names suggest, the kindred musical connection explains why Josh and Aziz identify as brothers. The artistic chemistry and vocal contrasts of the two, an ideal mixture of refined smoothness and raw strength, creates an unforgettable combination. And this combination continues to create work that will stand apart and ultimately bring authenticity and depth to an industry that is starving to be fed substance.

Yes
U.City Lyrics

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想问天你在那里
我想问问我自己
一开始我聪明结束我聪明
聪明的几乎的毁掉了我自己
想问天问大地
或着是迷信问问宿命
放弃所有抛下所有
让我飘流在安静的夜夜空里

你也不必牵强再说爱我
反正我的灵魂已片片凋落
慢慢的拼凑慢慢的拼凑
拼凑成一个完全不属于真正的我
你也不必牵强再说爱我
反正我的灵魂已片片凋落
慢慢的拼凑慢慢的拼凑
拼凑成一个完全不属于真正的我
想问天问大地
或着是迷信问问宿命
放弃所有抛下所有
让我飘流在安静的夜夜空里
你也不必牵强再说爱我
反正我的灵魂已片片凋落
慢慢的拼凑慢慢的拼凑
拼凑成一个完全不属于真正的我
你也不必牵强再说爱我
反正我的灵魂已片片凋落
慢慢的拼凑慢慢的拼凑
拼凑成一个完全不属于真正的我
你也不必牵强再说爱我
反正我的灵魂已片片凋落
慢慢的拼凑慢慢的拼凑
拼凑成一个完全不属于真正的我
我不愿再放纵
也不愿每天每夜每秒飘流
也不愿再多问再多说再多求我的梦
我不愿再放纵
也不愿每天每夜每秒飘流
也不愿再多问再多说再多求

我的梦
我的梦

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to U.City's song "Yes" reflect on the theme of self-doubt and introspection. The singer is questioning both themselves and the world around them, asking where they belong and what their purpose is. They feel lost and disconnected, as if they are trying to find a place in the world where they can truly belong. In the chorus, the singer expresses their frustration with trying to conform to someone else's idea of who they should be, and realizes that they need to accept themselves for who they truly are.

The lyrics also touch on the idea of giving up everything in order to find inner peace. The singer is willing to abandon all of their material possessions and relationships in order to find a sense of wholeness. They are tired of being someone they're not, and want to find a way to be comfortable in their own skin. The repetition of the phrase "you don't need to force yourself to love me" in the chorus suggests that the singer has been trying to live up to someone else's expectations, but realizes that it's not worth sacrificing their true self for the sake of others.

Overall, the lyrics to "Yes" are a powerful exploration of the struggle to find one's identity and place in the world. It's a message of self-acceptance and self-love, encouraging listeners to embrace their true selves and not be afraid to let go of things that no longer serve them.

Line by Line Meaning

想问天你在那里
I want to ask where you are, even if it means asking the universe or fate.

我想问问我自己
I want to ask myself a question, perhaps about who I truly am or what I really want.

一开始我聪明结束我聪明
I was intelligent at the start, but my intelligence caused my downfall in the end.

聪明的几乎的毁掉了我自己
My intelligence almost destroyed me completely.

想问天问大地或着是迷信问问宿命
I want to seek answers from the universe or fate, even if it feels like superstition.

放弃所有抛下所有
I want to let go of everything and abandon it all.

让我飘流在安静的夜夜空里
I want to drift aimlessly in the peaceful night sky.

你也不必牵强再说爱我
You don't have to force yourself to say you love me.

反正我的灵魂已片片凋落
My soul has already withered away piece by piece.

慢慢的拼凑慢慢的拼凑
Slowly piecing together, little by little.

拼凑成一个完全不属于真正的我
Forming a version of myself that doesn't truly belong to me.