The alias "k-os" is pronounced "chaos" and is an acronym for "Knowledge of Self," although in a later interview he also said that it stands for "Kheaven's Original Sound." His music incorporates a wide variety of music genres including but not limited to rap, funk, rock, and reggae. The lyrics frequently focus on promoting a "positive message" while at times expressing criticism of mainstream hip hop culture's obsession with money, fame and glorification of violence. A musician as well as a producer, k-os has written and produced a large portion of all four of his albums. k-os usually performs with a live band, something that is uncommon in the hip hop genre. He sometimes plays guitar and keyboard both during live performances and in the studio.
k-os received his first musical exposure with the single "Musical Essence," released in 1993. After the release of his second single "Rise Like The Sun" in 1996 he withdrew from the industry because he was dissatisfied with his musical style. He reappeared briefly in 1999 and released his debut album Exit in 2002. The album received positive reviews but sold relatively few copies. He released his second album Joyful Rebellion in 2004, which received platinum status in Canada. Joyful Rebellion received positive reviews, but at times was criticized for speaking extensively on the state of hip hop. k-os's third album, Atlantis: Hymns for Disco, was released in 2006, and his fourth album entitled Yes! was released in April of 2009.
Call Me
k-os Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Call me
(call me)
If you want to go
We don't have to stay
In a world that is slippin' away
Call me
If you want to go
We don't have to stay
In a world that is slippin' away
Face the world
My father told me
That life is mystical
Beautiful bliss-ful
Now, in troubled times
I find soul in reaching
What I'm seeking seems so far
Praise the world
My mother told me
That life's mechanical
So tyrannical
It blows my mind
Just what we'll be reaping
And weeping so help us god
Never knew that I
Could be looking why
Are so many
Breaking
Making castles of sand
Every man
Want to be the one
Want to be the one to be
King for a day but its slipping away
And I'm happy
Most melodical things I say
To release the pain
And cease the rain
In my brainstorm
I can't hide
From inside
Escape to, the outside
And I'll be flying away.
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
Never know, never know
What's right until you walking death
Everyday is just a struggle
We take till there's nothing left
When I wake up pray that I can see the truth between the dark
For the rest that don't care this a message straight to your heart
Nothing you say now can turn me away
I'm walking the path, never-le me a stray
Many they hold mics I don't know what to say
What's going on today?
And you walk to fast
On the broken glass
On the smoking pass
Hoping that
Worshiping the cash
But it never lasts
Won't you ask
What can we be?
Can we be free?
Where can we go?
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
Call me
Call me (if you want to go)
Call me (you can call
Call me me if you want to go)
Call me
Call me
Call me
Call me
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
Call me, (call me)
If you want to go...
K-osβs song βCall Meβ is an intriguing mix of personal reflection and social commentary. The songβs chorus repeatedly urges the listener to call the artist to leave a world that is βslipping awayβ. This could be interpreted as a desire to escape a dystopian world, but the lyrics that follow offer a more nuanced view. In the first verse, K-os reflects on the insights his parents have offered on life. His father espouses a mystical view of life, while his mother sees life as mechanical and tyrannical. K-os finds solace in reaching for something that βseems so farβ but has soul, rather than focusing on the tyranny of lifeβs everyday struggles.
In the second verse, K-os takes a more critical view of society as a whole. He observes that many people are βmaking castles of sandβ, an apt metaphor for modern societyβs fixation on material goods and fleeting pleasures. He also shows a keen awareness of the struggles faced by those who are not making it in todayβs world, telling them that βthis is a message straight to your heartβ. However, the song ultimately expresses hope for a better future. K-os asks, βwhat can we be?β, reminding listeners that the future is open-ended and that there is always a possibility of change.
Overall, βCall Meβ is a song that encourages listeners to take control of their lives, to seek out something greater than temporary pleasures, and to hold onto hope in the face of mounting challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Call me
Asks the listener to call the singer.
(call me)
Repeating the request for emphasis.
If you want to go
Invites the listener to leave their current situation or place.
We don't have to stay
Assures the listener that they are not compelled to remain where they are.
In a world that is slippin' away
Refers to the world as a place that is deteriorating or becoming less desirable.
Face the world
Encouragement to confront the difficulties of life.
My father told me
Refers to the singer's father imparting wisdom.
That life is mystical
Life can be inexplicable or surprising.
Beautiful bliss-ful
Life can be full of joy and happiness.
Now, in troubled times
Suggests that the current time is one of turmoil or hardship.
I find soul in reaching
The singer finds fulfillment in striving for a goal.
What I'm seeking seems so far
The singer's goal or desire appears to be difficult to attain.
Praise the world
The singer's mother's words of wisdom.
That life's mechanical
Life can feel routine or monotonous.
So tyrannical
Life can feel oppressive or dictatorial.
It blows my mind
The artist is astonished or amazed by something.
Just what we'll be reaping
The consequences of actions will be faced in the future.
And weeping so help us god
The singer is acknowledging the struggles and challenges in life.
Never knew that I
The singer is admitting their ignorance or lack of knowledge.
Could be looking why
The artist is discovering or seeking answers or meaning.
Are so many breaking
The singer is observing the phenomenon of people struggling or failing.
Making castles of sand
People are building things that are impermanent or fragile.
Every man
Refers to people in general.
Want to be the one
People strive for greatness or success.
Want to be the one to be
Repetition for emphasis.
King for a day but its slipping away
The glory or power is fleeting or temporary.
And I'm happy
The singer is content or satisfied.
Most melodical things I say
The artist's positive words or messages.
To release the pain
The artist's words provide relief or comfort.
And cease the rain
The singer's words dispel sadness or hardship.
In my brainstorm
The singer's mind or thoughts.
I can't hide
The artist cannot conceal or repress their feelings or thoughts.
From inside
The artist's emotions or thoughts come from within themselves.
Escape to, the outside
The artist wants to find relief or respite from their current situation.
And I'll be flying away.
The singer wants to feel free or liberated from their troubles.
Never know, never know
The artist is acknowledging the uncertainty of life.
What's right until you walking death
The singer suggests that we may not know what is truly important in life until it is too late.
Everyday is just a struggle
The singer acknowledges that life can be difficult or challenging.
We take till there's nothing left
People can sometimes exploit or consume resources without regard for the future.
When I wake up pray that I can see the truth between the dark
The artist wants to be able to distinguish truth from falsehood or deception.
For the rest that don't care this a message straight to your heart
The artist is addressing those who are indifferent or apathetic.
Nothing you say now can turn me away
The singer is resolute in their beliefs or actions.
I'm walking the path, never-le me a stray
The singer is committed to their chosen path and will not be influenced by others.
Many they hold mics I don't know what to say
The artist is unsure of what to say or how to express themselves.
What's going on today?
The artist questions the current state of the world or society.
And you walk to fast
The singer is observing that people are moving too quickly or rushing through life.
On the broken glass
A metaphor for the problems or dangers that people face.
On the smoking pass
A metaphor for the way people live recklessly or dangerously.
Hoping that
The singer is expressing a desire or wish.
Worshiping the cash
People are chasing wealth or money at the expense of other things.
But it never lasts
The singer suggests that wealth or money is not a lasting or fulfilling goal.
Won't you ask
The artist is asking the listener to consider.
What can we be?
The artist is asking what people can achieve or become.
Can we be free?
The singer is questioning whether people can truly be free.
Where can we go?
The singer is asking where people can find happiness or fulfillment.
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KEVIN DERON BRERETON, RUSSELL KLYNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@FireJackPerry
For almost 20 years Iβve been bumping this songβ¦
@Unsung19
LOVE K-OS beyond words.....and the words that K-OS sings to us..should be truly listened to....and HEARD!!!! ONE LOVE .....
@doublec3
This was played on jukebox in cafe of 2002. Such pleasing memories.
@MAYWEATHERFLOW
Today I'm 30. I heard this album in high school when I was like 16 and I fell in love with this shit. I hate when people sleep on classic shit
@jamalimhotep
K OS wit u doin these days FAM?....da people Dem NEED YOU!
@KathiYAH
WORD! He does have a new song out, however. π
@Ravioli74020
Him and K'naan, genuine artists!
@1muffinaonly
Randomly started singing the hook, and said I have to listen to this song! Haven't listened to this for years. Love it forever!
@Danny_G81
shantae johnson Hahahahahah I did the same thing
@Karl671
One of his impactful songs ever