BLK JKS (pronounced Black Jacks) are a South African rock band from Johannesburg, formed in 2000. Their EP Mystery has been remastered for a 10 March release in the United States on the Secretly Canadian record label.
Press has mostly been favorable. Rolling Stone's online review rated the debut album three-and-a-half out of five stars; the review's author states simply that when BLK JKS does "it their way, they sound like nothing else. Likewise, Pitchfork Media also found a lot to appreciate in the album calling the project "a hugely ambitious album, with swooping forays into kwaito, ska, reggae, ambience, jazz, prog, and furor." They gave the album a 6.2 rating. But Pitchfork's review was not all positive. The article stated that the band was not living up to the hype created by comparisons to other rock bands, like when a close associate called them the "African TV on the Radio." Aside from album reviews, BLK JKS have found success in an array of press mediums. In 2009 Afropop.org, an African music outlet, released a video of the group featuring live performances as well as interviews exploring the unique personalities that make up BLK JKS. The video was well received by other global music outlets and fans alike. The track "Lakeside", taken from After Robots, featured on the soundtrack to the FIFA 10 computer game.
Strike it up, this band is gonna play my tune
Strike it up, I wanna, I wanna tell you so
Strike it up, nobody's gonna stop my sound
Strike it up, you know how lonely one can feel
Waiting on my feeling, yeah yeah
Strike it up, your band is tapping on my skin
Strike it up and keep me and keep me standing on
Strike it up, nobody's gonna let you down
Tell me what you want and nothing more...
I don't know anybody else
I'll tell you what I know so well
Your love is standing tall and swell
Why! Come on out and hear him say
Gonna get you now! Gonna get to you!
We're livin' by this inspiration
Come on, baby, come on!
You 'n' nobody else
Come on, baby, come on !
Just walk this way
Come on, baby, come on !
You 'n' nobody else
I wanna take you ! So close to you !
Just gotta touch me, touch me
Can't you say it to my eyes, to my face ?
There's no need to wait
Gonna get you now ! Gonna get to you !
We're livin' by this inspiration
Get down
Get down
Get down
Get down
Get down
Every man has a place
In his heart there's a space
And the world can't erase his fantasies
Take a ride in the sky
On our ship, fantasize
All your dreams will come true right away
And we will live together
Until the twelfth of never
Our voices will ring forever as one
Come to see victory in a land called Fantasy
Loving life for you and me
To behold to your soul is ecstasy
You will find other kind that has been in search of you
Many lives has brought you to
Recognize it's your life now in review
Get down
Every thought is a dream
Rushing by in a stream
Bringing life to your kingdom of doing
Take a ride in the sky
On our ship, fantasize
All your dreams will come true right away
Our voices will ring together
Until the twelfth of never
We all will live on forever as one
Come to see victory in the land of fantasy
Loving life a new decree
Bring your mind to everlasting liberty
As you stay for the play, fantasy has in store for you
Glowing light will see you through
It's your day, shining day, all your dreams come true
As you glide in your stride with the wind as you fly away
Give a smile from your lips and say
"I am free, yes, I'm free, now I'm on my way"
Come to see victory in the land of fantasy
Loving life a new decree
Bring your mind to everlasting liberty
Get down
Get down
Our voices will ring together
Until the twelfth of never
We all will live on forever as one
Come to see victory in the land of fantasy
Loving life a new decree
Bring your mind to everlasting liberty
As you stay for the play, fantasy has in store for you
Glowing light will see you through
It's your day, shining day, all your dreams come true
As you glide in your stride with the wind as you fly away
Give a smile from your lips and say
"I am free, yes, I'm free, now I'm on my way"
Open your eyes, open your eyes
Open your eyes, open your eyes
Open your eyes, open your eyes
Love is freewheeling, keeps me wakin' all night long
But just like makin' love becomes a part of you
Nobody's losing when we get so satisfied
Because of you I've got to shouting out my love
Shouting out my love, shouting out my love
Shouting out my love, my love
Open your eyes, there's my love, turn it over
Open your eyes, it's no time to be afraid
Open your eyes, till the dawn's up and over
Open your eyes, there's your bed and it's made
Gimme that feeling and we'll rock it on out strong
But when we're makin' it just like I do to you
The night is growing and I think we're gonna fly
It's just for you that I'll be shouting out my love
Shouting out my love, shouting out my love
Shouting out my love, my love
Open your eyes, there's my love, turn it over
Open your eyes, it's no time to be afraid
Open your eyes, till the dawn's up and over
Open your eyes, there's your bed and it's made
Open your eyes, there's my love, turn it over
Open your eyes, it's no time to be afraid
Open your eyes, till the dawn's up and over
Open your eyes, there's your bed and it's made
Shouting out my love, shouting out my love
Shouting out my love, shouting out my love
Shouting out my love, shouting out my love
Shouting out my love, shouting out my love
Shouting out my love
Open your eyes, open your eyes
Open your eyes, open your eyes
Open your eyes, open your eyes
Strike it up, this band is gonna play my tune
Strike it up, I wanna I wanna tell you so
Strike it up, nobody's gonna stop my sound
Strike it up, you know how lonely one can feel
If I have the line and you have the bass
Then strike it up and you'll find the rhythm's on time
Line after line, going straight to your mind
'Cause hyping the place is what we're all about
Moving your waist to the bass is no doubt
Roll up the groove, melody is essential
Drop the knowledge on this instrumental
Dance your doubts about house music
You've got the body so why don't you use it?
Naturally swinging your thing to the song
'Cause that's how we pump the dance floor for the strong
Waiting on my feelings, yeah, yeah
Waiting on my feelings, feelings
Waiting on my feelings, yeah, yeah
Waiting on my feelings, feelings
Strike it up, your hand is taping on my skin
Strike it up, and keep me and keep me standing on
Strike it up, you nobody's gonna let you down
Strike it up, you know how lovely one can be
If I have the line and you have the bass
Then strike it up and you'll find the rhythm's on time
Line after line, going straight to your mind
'Cause hyping the place is what we're all about
Moving your waist to the bass is no doubt
Roll up the groove, melody is essential
Drop the knowledge on this instrumental
Dance your doubts about house music
You've got the body so why don't you use it?
Naturally swinging your thing to the song
'Cause that's how we pump the dance floor for the strong
Waiting on my feelings, yeah, yeah
Waiting on my feelings, feelings
Waiting on my feelings, yeah, yeah
Waiting on my feelings, feelings
Strike it up
Gotta get up.
Time won't take my love away.
You're so jump
I can't take it, yeah.
You just walk right in.
'Cause your're ride on time.
Make me tell,
what you do to me.
Your so jump
You just walk right in.
"Ride On"
Ooh, doin' the ride on
Uhh, uhh, doin' the ride on
Put a hump in your back
Shake your sacroiliac
And ride on
Let's take a ride
Ride on
Baby do the ride on
Mama do the ride on
Ride on
(x2)
Doin' the ride on
Ooh, oww doin' the ride on
Ride on
Baby do the ride on
Mama do the ride on
Ride on
(x2)
It ain't what you know, it's what you feel
Don't worry about being right, just be for real
We're gonna do it to the max, when we do it
We're gonna do it, do it good, when we do it
Put a hump in your back
Shake your sacroiliac
And ride on
Let's take a ride
Ride on
Baby do the ride on
Mama do the ride on
Ride on
It ain't what you know, it's what you feel
Don't worry about being right, just be for real
We're gonna do it to the max, when we do it
We're gonna do it, do it good, when we do it
Put a hump in your back
Shake your sacroiliac
And ride on
Let's take a ride
Ride on
Baby do the ride on
Mama do the ride on
Ride on
(x2)
Ride on (put a hump in your back)
Baby do the ride on (shake your sacroiliac)
Mama do the ride on (let's take a ride)
Ride on
Ride on (It ain't what ya know)
Baby do the ride on (it's what ya feel)
Mama do the ride on (Don't worry about being right just be for real)
Ride on
Ride on
Baby do the ride on
Mama do the ride on
Ride on
NATIVE NEW YORKER - Black Box
New York style, style, style, style
New York City
New York City girl
New York City
New York City girl
You grew up ridin' the subways, runnin' with people
Up in Harlem, down on Broadway
You're no tramp, but you're no lady
Talkin' that street talk
You're the heart and soul of New York City
And love, love is just a passing word (passing word)
It's the thought you had in a taxi cab that got left on the curb (left on
the curb)
When he dropped you off at East and the Third
Oh, oh, oh
You're a native New Yorker (New York City girl)
You should know the score by now
You're a native New Yorker (New York City girl)
The music plays, everyone's dancin' closer and closer
Makin' friends and findin' lovers
There you are lost in the shadows, searchin' for someone
To set you free from New York City
And oh, where did all those yesterdays go (yesterdays go)
When you still believed love could really be like a Broadway show (like a
Broadway show)
You were the star, when did it close?
Oh, oh, oh
You're a native New Yorker (New York City girl)
No more hope is the door
For a native New Yorker (New York City girl)
Oh, oh, oh
You're a native New Yorker (New York City girl)
You should know the score by now
You're a native New Yorker
New York City
New York City girl
New York City
New York City girl
New York City
New York City girl
New York City
One, two, three, four
Tell me what you want and nothing more, more, more
I don't know, I don't know
I don't know anybody else
I don't know, I don't know
I don't know anybody else
I don't know, I don't know
I don't know anybody else
I don't know, I don't know
I don't know anybody else
I'll tell you what I know so well
Your love is standing tall and swell
Why come on out and hear him say
Gonna get you now, gonna get to you
We're livin' by this inspiration
Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on
You, nobody else
Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on
Just walk this way
Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on
You, nobody else
I wanna take you so close to you
Just gotta touch me, just gotta touch me, touch me
Just gotta touch me, just gotta touch me, touch me
Can't you say it to my eyes, to my face?
There's no need to wait
Gonna get you now, gonna get to you
We're livin' by this inspiration
Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on
You, nobody else
Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on
Just walk this way
Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on
You, nobody else
I wanna take you so close to you
Just gotta touch me, just gotta touch me, touch me
Just gotta touch me, just gotta touch me, touch me
Just gotta touch me, touch me
Just gotta touch me, touch me
Touch me, touch me, touch me, touch me
Just gotta touch me, touch me
I don't know, I don't know
I don't know anybody else
I don't know, I don't know
I don't know anybody else
I don't know, I don't know
I don't know anybody else
I don't know, I don't know
I don't know anybody else
Come on, come on, come on, come on
Come on, come on, come on
Come on, come on, come on, come on
Well, it's not that i'm just losin' ground
I just might have tried to get around
Well i feel so clever
When we are together
Now you stole my words, you stole my love
Like a shining moon up in the sky
Everybody's got a place to hide
Well, I'm feelin' better
Now that you're with me
Oh, it will be fine together,
Fall into my love
Fall into my love, baby...
I'm just gonna give you a dressing down
If you take my love and let it die
'cause i feel so clever
When we're together
Now you stole my words, you stole my love
Now you've got to tell me you know it's love
And by what they say there must be more
When i see your face all i see
Is just the scar that love has left
We'll be feeling so much better,
Fall into my love
Fall into my love, baby...
Don't you know
I never found myself
Let me tell you i've been waiting
Something i, will find
Just to please you, something special
Everybody, everybody
Everybody, everybody
Everybody, everybody
Everybody, everybody
Everybody, everybody
Everybody, everybody
Everybody, everybody
Everybody, everybody
Everybody, everybody
Everybody, everybody
You won't belong to me, I let you down
I walk around and see your night skyline
I feel the light but you don't want to stay
So lonely now, just let me off downtown
Sad and free, sad and free
Sad and free, sad and free
When I said, it was over you aimed at my heart
Won't be long for I'm leavin', all my love
But I'll feel it forever, no sound's in my life
You can call that no livin', on my own so free
Everybody, everybody
Everybody, everybody
Everybody, everybody
Everybody, everybody
Everybody, everybody
Everybody, everybody
Everybody, everybody
Everybody, everybody
You took me easy and then let me go
I never was, you see, that cheatin' kind
You feel all right, you never looked for me
So long it's time, I've gotta get on by
Sad and free, sad and free
Sad and free, sad and free
When I said, it was over you aimed at my heart
Won't be long for I'm leavin', all my love
But I'll feel it forever, no sound's in my life
You can call that no livin' on my own, so free
Everybody, everybody
Everybody, everybody
Everybody, everybody
Everybody, everybody
Everybody, everybody
Everybody, everybody
Everybody, everybody
Everybody, everybody
Everybody, oh, everybody
Oh, everybody, everybody, everybody
When I said, it was over you aimed at my heart
Won't be long for I'm leavin', all my love
But I'll feel it forever, no sound's in my life
You can call that no livin', on my own so free
Everybody, everybody
Everybody, everybody
Everybody, everybody
I've got a feeling
D'you know the meaning
I want to let it out of my mind
I've got a secret
D'you wanna know it
I do it when I get high
I got it, you got it...
I got a positive vibration
Got this positive vibration
It's a positive vibration
Got this positive vibration
Do come and see me
I've got to do it
I'm gonna help you to ease your mind
Just got this feeling
Ain't gonna fool you
You are not anyone
Don't sadden my life
You got to leave on Sunday night
It seems I'll feel all alone
You know the tears are in my eyes
I need some time to let 'em dry
I can't keep insisting 'cause I'm going too far
I feel sad and that is just for you
I would keep insisting on these lonely nights
'Cause I just can't get rid of you
You are just not anyone, anyone
I just wanna keep in touch
Don't sadden my life
You are just not anyone, anyone
I don't wanna lose your touch
Don't sadden my life
I don't know if you're wrong or right
I need somebody to love
You know I'm always on your side
So please don't let it fall apart
I can't keep insisting 'cause I'm going too far
I feel sad and that is just for you
I would keep insisting on these lonely nights
'Cause I just can't help but thinking of you
You are just not anyone, anyone
I just wanna keep in touch
Don't sadden my life
I wanna be the one, be the one
I don't wanna lose your touch
Woh ho ho
Yeah he yeah
Just rockin' to the music...
Dance... Dance...
I know it's foolish but I like your touch
It keeps me movin' till I've had enough
You're on a pedestal, I felt so alone
Watcha gonna do for me
Won't you come along and...
I'm always busy tryin' to catch your eye
'Cause I just need you an' it ain't no lie
This night is calling, I won't let it go
Watcha gonna do for me
Won't you come along and...
Ask me how I'm feelin'
Doing this way
Feelin' fine
Ask me how's the feeling
I say it's allright
Just allright
Now we've got a feeling
Don't let it fade
Fade away
Ask me how's I'm feeling
I'm feelin' grand
Hold on, hold on
Hold on, hold on
Cocaine, cocaine to go
Straight to your brain
Hold on, I think the game is over
Hold on and try again to feel all right
Hold on and put the slow on feeling
Hold on, you see they're all just uptight
Hold on, you're gonna feel so fine
Hold on, don't take it, set you right
Hold on, you're got to move to try
Hold on, you'd better step my way
Remember when there was no sigh
Remember all the time gone by
Remember when you used to smile
Keep it on your bloody mind
Remember all the time how good
Remember that's all up to you
Remember when I was the top
Keep your thanks and then just tell me
Why? Why?
Tell me, why? Why?
Cocaine, cocaine to go
Straight to your brain
Hold on, you're on your own today
Hold on, you walk on down, they see all right
Hold on, put your cares to sleep
Dig it on that funky beat
You just can't go on feeling sad
Take it bad like a jilted lover
Remember when there was no sigh
Remember all the time gone by
Remember when you used to smile
Keep it on your bloody mind
Remember all the time how good
Remember that's all up to you
Remember when I was the top
Keep your thanks and then just tell me
Why? Why?
Tell me, why? Why?
Tell me, why? Why?
Tell me, why? Why?
Cocaine, cocaine to go
Straight to your brain