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Colde with Korea Herald Interview by  Hong Dam-young and Choi Ji-won Spreading love through music with spirit of resistance. Musician-turned-entrepreneur talks about creating ripples in new music wave. 

The high ceiling and spaced out arrangement of achromatic furniture inside Colde's office in Seongu-dong, Seoul, gave off a cool energy. But exceptions here and there nodded to his more dynamic tastes: the bright yellow cabinet, the brilliant red, heart-shaped chair, and the colorful array of books half-neatly stacked behind his desk. Colde entered the room still on his phone. After dropping his recent single “When Dawn Comes Again” last month, the singer-songwriter has found himself busy every day as the head of his music label Wavy. “You’re lucky to catch me in just a T-shirt and pants,” Colde told the Korea Herald as he sat down. “I’m almost always wearing dress shirts and trousers these days with meetings on end.” Just like his office, an unusual mix of minimalistic arrangements with overwhelmingly diverse tastes, Colde was a balance of two extremes. A singer-songwriter creating soulful R&B music just few weeks ago, here he was back as a label chief working around the clock to create content that adds value. A singer-songwriter-turned-entrepreneur Colde, real name Kim Hee-soo, may be better known to fans as a member of R&B duo Offonoff, in which he kicked off his music career in 2016 with single “Bath.” The duo soon made a name for themselves, winning the R&B song of the year at the Korean Hip-hop Awards in 2018 with “Gold” from their first studio album “Boy.” While just making themselves known to a larger audience, Colde made his solo debut with his first EP “Wave” in September 2018 and went onto launch his own music label Wavy the next year. Untimely these moves may seem for a rising artist, Colde explained they were just a part of a natural progress for him in his pursuit of music. “We were a part of this hip-hop crew Club Eskimo, and along with the other artists, we were more than happy just to be able to share our passion for music. But this happiness was crashed not by ourselves, but outside powers, a bigger system, like our labels, for example. This was when I developed the spirit of resistance against such systems.” He didn’t have to wait long to take control of his music, with the dissolution of his former agency coming in late 2018. “I had a clear idea how to brand my company. Although I soon realized there was much more to operating a label than just branding, I came to face my limits, strove to overcome such shortages and learned much in the progress,” he said. Starting off as a one-person label in early 2019, Wavy has grown into a company of over 30 staff. Last year, he launched a new label, Layered Island. Although the two entities are run separately, Colde explained they are closely connected to make up a part of his music universe. “When I talk about music with my staff, I often use the descriptions ‘aluminum-like’ or ‘wood-like.’ The former is the music we do at Wavy, the unconventional and avant-garde, with lots of digital touches. But as I continue such novel attempts at Wavy, a part of myself also wanted to keep things simple and natural. That is the sort of music Layered Island pursues.” Waiting for the dawn His music career was one of those cases where he followed his passion in making decisions. Colde explained writing songs and lyrics just came naturally to him since he was young. Although he was never formally trained in music and decided to major design in college, his innate passion led him to his Offonoff partner 0channel who shared a similar background in music as him. When he was in his early 20s, music was a means to express his unstable emotions. He spent many days walking around the city at dawn, which according to the artist was when he was most energetic. He’d delve into his thoughts, and most importantly, take action. “I would say I lived the day waiting for the dawn. I would watch the world go around as I took a walk, and returning home, I’d put it into music. Most of the songs I have released until now were inspired from this time of the day.” Among those songs inspired from his midnight strolls were his recent single “When Dawn Comes Again” featuring group Exo’s member Baekhyun. “The song was first written in 2019. Many find their minds become filled up with all kinds of thoughts at dawn, especially complex feelings of bygone relationships and faded emotions. This song was made to resonate with those who become nostalgic at the midst of dawn.” While Baekhyun’s soulful voice matched the overall atmosphere of the song, embodying the dark yet warm aspect of dawn, Colde said what the artist had to offer was more than just the right voice. “I think Baekhyun portrays the ultimate idealization of an R&B artist. Working with Baekhyun on all his solo work, I came to appreciate how much of a veteran he was with his music. Not only were his songs great, but he was able to perform them on stage so properly. I couldn’t ask for better.” Resistance for love, peace Colde’s goal as an artist is to “stay unconventional.” And what drove such efforts was the “spirit of resistance,” he said. “It’s a phrase I live by. I’m always thinking about how I could go against expectations; what kind of twists I could throw at this system and the scene.” One of his most radical attempts were with his most recent EP “Idealism,” in which he calls on listeners -- and himself -- to remember their ideals and passions. For this eight-track album, Colde not only attempted new genres of music, but he stripped away from his usual style to shave his hair short and dye them blue. His cover of girl group Aespa’s “Next Level” was also quite a shock to many of his fans, but to him, just another exciting attempt. But while he talks of resistance and fighting back, he says a message of love lies behind it. “I think what the world needs the most right now is love, and the people who could really make the value resonate in people’s hearts are pop-culture artists, whether it be filmmakers, novelists or musicians,” he said. His objective in spreading love is not something vague, but a clear goal deriving from his own experience with music. While he grew up listening to songs about love from 1980s singers like Lee Moon-sae or Yoo Jae-ha, it was not until many years later that he was able to really comprehend the messages. “Likewise, my songs may not instantly touch the hearts of listeners, but I believe my job is done once they are heard because the energy is already delivered. It will stay inside them until the moment their lives strike a chord with the message.” Looking to the future, Colde is embarking on a journey to create a new wave in the music scene. Among his many new interests is idol music, especially those from boy band Tomorrow X Together. “Their universe and the story they tell through it is very characteristic, and such coherent storytelling is essential especially in the K-pop industry. A story is what makes the music last through time. I myself as an artist also go through a long process of designing the structure of stories for my albums.” He says his whole music business has a clear story of its own: Artists of their own creative identities will form different layers to build an island, Layered Island, and surrounding that will be ripples of constantly transforming waves, Wavy. What more will join this compound of music is unforseeable. “My ultimate goal is for this movement to expand, flow to a vaster ocean. Being upfront and speaking up for myself as an individual didn’t seem right, and that’s how I came to found the labels. My role would be to build firm ground on which the artists can spread their creativity, with the hopes that their music will be able to influence the public.”

Link: https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20210823000798

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Colde for Eyesmag by Minhyun Woo

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Colde - Idealism concept photos

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Colde for Apple music 

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Colde for Vogue

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Colde - Lighter

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Colde - Lighter 

Intro

Okay yeah it’s on mxtherfxxker It’s on mxtherfxxker Okay it’s on motherf*cker it’s on I haven’t really got nowhere to be

I flick open a lighter Lighting up my life You should wake up too If you don’t, they’ll get you I don’t care what other people think All of you, get out of my way I’m seizing all the money Just riding in these waves

Everyday is a cycle, it’s getting too boring Don’t have those pointless thoughts, throw those worries away Nothing changes when you’re spacing out Once today goes by, it won’t repeat itself

Pre Chorus

Money, honour, envy Filled with nothing but jealousy* Loading all the bullets Just pull the trigger I was born To survive by protecting myself There’s no such thing as fear And there’s no one like me

For my love and peace You can’t take that away So I turn on the lighter Light up the darkness I was born To survive by protecting my love There’s no such thing as fear And there’s no one like me

Chorus 

Light it up my Lighter (hey hey hey hey !) Light it up my Lighter (hey hey hey hey !) Take what you desire (hey hey hey hey) I fly everyday

(hey hey !) get the fxxking out of here get the fxxking out of here;

Nobody say a word (hey hey hey !) I turn on my lighter (hey hey hey !)

Verse

Nobody can overtake us Everyone has the voice to make a change Get in the car and let’s get ready to leave You can’t turn back once you step on the accelerator The world keeps trying to shut us down Let’s find the things we’ve lost once more Wake up sleepy head And turn up the volume shxx

Pre Chorus

Money, honour, envy Filled with nothing but jealousy* Loading all the bullets Just pull the trigger I was born To survive by protecting myself There’s no such thing as fear And there’s no one like me

For my love and peace You can’t take that away So I turn on the lighter I was born Light up the darkness To survive by protecting my love There’s no such thing as fear And there’s no one like me

Chorus 

Light it up my Lighter (hey hey hey hey !) Light it up my Lighter (hey hey hey hey !) Take what you desire (hey hey hey hey) I fly everyday

(hey hey !) get the fxxking out of here get the fxxking out of here;

Nobody say a word (hey hey hey !) I turn on my lighter (hey hey hey !)

(notes:)

*질투 (jealousy) is a Christian referenced word, something to do with ‘virtues or sins’

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201029 HONNO - EYESMAG Interview: ‘Wavy’s Graphic Designer (Visual Director); Honno Interview’

Q. The recent recruitment of artists from the label ‘Wavy’ which is led by Colde, has further revealed Honno as a well-known figure to many. It’s quite uncommon for a Graphic Designer’s name (that’s not a musician) to be added into the lineup. 

H: I have been working with Colde since 2016, which was way before the label ‘Wavy’ was even established. Our first work together was the album cover design for Colde and Crush’s single album ‘Your Dog Loves You’ (2018). During that time, Colde expressed his opinion on wanting to create a label that could kind of serve not just as a ‘Music entertainment’ but also as an ‘Artist’ agency label. Colde asked me if he could recruit myself and I said ‘yes’ without any hesitation. So far we’ve continued to work together since then. Before I was announced to join Wavy, I was already Wavy’s visual director. As of recently, we wrapped up everything we needed to and made the announcement.

Q. So you were an unofficial Wavy member?

H: That’s right, we’ve (Colde and me) known each other for the past 4 - 5 years when I wasn’t a Wavy employee yet. But I’m now part of the company. 

t/n: Colde and Honno were also in the same company before as well which was HIGHGRND.

Q. You mentioned that you are the visual director of Wavy. What type of work did you do?

H: I have been working on the album covers, physical album(s), teaser images, LP designs for the label’s musicians, and I’m still in charge of it now. But of course, it is not a must to work with me every time. Depending on the type of work, if there’s another designer who fits the concept or colour choices better than I can, then I recommend that designer to them. I also designed the current Wavy logo and the merchandise goods. We (Wavy) did not make the clothes ourselves but I worked on the graphics that are printed on clothes and other merch products. 

Q. It seems pretty evident that many of the album covers you’ve previously designed, resembles the musicians style. Perhaps, would you say those designs are a result of immense research on musicians and albums, or rather is it a projection of Honno’s design style. And what kind of style direction is it?

I believe that both directions harmonized together very well. For example, pastel-toned soft colours are often used in paintings. In fact, pink is my favourite colour which is evident in Colde’s [Love Part 1] album cover. I would say it’s one of my most memorable work, yet took the longest to design. If you look at the album cover, there’s a big heart (in the middle) but frankly enough I didn’t think like ‘I’ll just draw a heart since it’s an album filled with love songs’. However the heart was actually made by cutting and pasting pictures taken by Colde himself. There’s a saying that ‘all that remains are pictures’. So Colde just took photos to record his daily life. And when he collected all of them, they were just all scenery photos based on ‘Love’.  Which is what I also wanted to express (the concept of Colde’s Love Part 1 album). 

Q. Do you have a certain approach of expressing ‘Love’ in your work? And I’m also curious if you think ‘Love’ exists in the way you look at the world? 

H: Not really. What I tend to focus on with work is, to try and fully express the emotions I feel within that moment. And I expressed what I felt clearly when I worked on [Love Part 1] album cover. Thinking about it now, I don’t think I would have had the guts to make another album cover of [Love Part 1]. That’s just how I feel right now. So if someone asked me to convey the feeling of ‘Love’ as a colour, I would answer ‘blue’ instead.

✧ original source here

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COLDE - 이상주의 (IDEALISM) NOTES

이상주의 [ idealism , 理想主義 ]

A likemind attitude that strives for the realisation with a sense of ultimate purpose or value. (* definition taken from the naver dictionary)

Idealism is a journey that faces between the ideal, dream and reality. I think the concept of that journey resembles our lives. I feel like I'm in a state where I'm constantly dreaming but also living in a dream, right at this moment. For the sake of our dreams and also those who are living in it. I hope the songs in this album will give comfort to everyone. Hoping that we can all continue our journey together.

1. Lighter (라이터) 

Once it’s on fire, everything starts to burn. And as the fire lights up the darkness, everything heats up in a matter of time. The sooner you light that lighter, your journey then begins. Our youth is fearless, and continues to burn towards our ideals and dreams. Therefore I will continue to move forward, without any hesitation.

2. Wolf (울프)

In order to find that idealistic dream, you have to break free from your comfort zone. If you follow the forest, to that thing you wish to find and know. “You will have to lose something in order to achieve that certain thing.”

3. The Museum (미술관에서)

At last, I arrived at the art museum. As I strolled around the museum, I stopped in front of a painting. It was hard to express how overwhelmed I felt, to the point I couldn’t move. The picture that I’ve always imagined is right in front of my eyes, except I cannot touch it. Regardless of anything, I’ll leave the museum with the painting in my arms.To take it to my forest.

4. Dream (꿈)

We dream almost everyday. With everyone living in their own ideals and dreams. As life is a continuation of reality, but also so dream focused. I wonder if this is a reality or a dream? Or a dream that became a reality, that’s waiting for me at the end?

5. Tunnel (터널)

In a pitch-dark tunnel with nothing in sight, scenes that faintly passed by like a flash from a far distance. But as I go through this long tunnel, I close my eyes and imagine what will appear in front of me.

6. A song nobody knows (아무도 모르는 노래)

As I opened my eyes, I found myself in a small room. Everything (in that dream) disappeared and only a familiar scene was in front of me. It was only a dream. With every moment of that journey, it felt like everything had unfolded. I was in a daze for quite some time, took a sip of water and sat in front of my desk. But I shall make another song, which no one will ever know. Hoping that someone will listen to this song and recognise it someday. 

7. Blue candle (블루캔들)

Igniting this blue candlelight. The flames are shaking furiously, as if they’re about to blow out. It lit up my entire night, and never went off once. Then I close my eyes and fall asleep again, hoping that dream will unfold. And so I write a record of those moments in my notebook. When the candle flame eventually goes out, I’ll have to light it up again. So I lit it once more. Just like that, my dream continues on. Forever.

[Ending note]

How long has it been since this mirage which I thought was a dream, became my reality? For the most part I would just like to thank everyone who’s reading this and listening to my song right at this moment.I hope everyone can live their reality without losing their hopes and dreams. There will always be a glimmer of light in us, to follow our dreams.

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[ENG] 210118 Colde - OSEN Q+A Interview: “I’m making a comeback after 1 year and 4 months, I’m nervous and also excited... I will be more active this year.”

Colde is set to release his new EP Album '이상주의'(idealism) on the 25th at 6pm. The pre-order of '이상주의'(idealism) album is expected to start tomorrow, with many fans anticipating for the release. 

Colde wants to express an image of an 'Idealist boy's (dreamer) progress in chasing towards his dream. In particular, Colde conveys the emotions and passage of time that he personally experienced in the process, which is evident through his new album 'Idealism'. For this album promotion, Colde is presenting double titled tracks which are '미술관에서; (The Museum) and '아무도 모르는 노래' (A Song Nobody Knows). For both title tracks, he expressed the moments between facing the idealistic dream and the return to reality. Based on the previous release of the album cover artwork, track list and trailer video, they convey a colourful style which draws a contrast with Colde's chic mood, leaving many fans in curiosity.

Q. It has been over a year and four months since the release of your song ‘마음대로’ (Control Me).  How are you feeling now, with the release of your upcoming new album?

C: It’s been quite a while since I last prepared a full album as an artist, so I feel very nervous but also excited. I’m thinking of working more as an artist this year, so I hope you all look forward to it and give me lots of support.

t/n: Colde has hinted he'll be releasing more songs after this new Album.

Q. Is there a particular reason as to why you chose ‘미술관에서; (The Museum) and ‘아무도 모르는 노래’ (A Song Nobody Knows) as double titled tracks?

C: In this album ‘이상주의’ (Idealism), both titled tracks are songs that best represents two moments. The unrealistic moment(s) when you first encounter your ideals and dreams. And the moment(s) when you return to reality after waking up from that dream. So that’s why I chose those songs as the main titled tracks.

Q. While you were preparing this new album, can you tell me about the most important parts of the album and any particular points to appreciate?

C: I spent a duration of time thinking and trying to capture the image of a determined ‘Idealist boy’ chasing his dreams. Exploring different emotions and passage of time, which is apparent in this album. It would be nice if you can listen to the album from Track 1 up to Track 7, and listen to it again after Track 7 ends and then on repeat.

Q. For the majority of time (2019 - 2020) you have been active in various activities from releasing Drama OST’s (Where Love begins + Treasure), with a number of collaborations, then to appearing in How do you play? (놀면 뭐 하니?) and Yoo Hee Yeol Sketchbook (유희열의 스케치북). I’m curious if these activities have affected Colde’s music.

C: Thankfully enough that I was given great opportunities from many places. And I’ve been able to maintain my musical colour as the artist; Colde while working in various works. It has made me happy and has been a very meaningful experience to carry out such work. It does feel that the media and official staff have now accepted my current musical direction and colour. So I think those opportunities have made me more confident and mature as an artist. 

Q. Amongst the Wavy artists, you’re the first one to start music promotions in 2021. What are your New Year’s goals and future plans?

C: For this year, I would like to show more great music to everyone. I want to do lots of fun collaboration projects and further miscellaneous projects. And I really do hope Corona ends soon as possible, so that I can share more of my music through offline activities (concerts, shows). I hope you continue to anticipate and look forward to my music this coming year.

✧ original source here

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[ENG] 181007 COLDE - ELLE INTERVIEW: The calm, mysterious voice that dominates the atmosphere, offonoff’s Colde released his first solo EP.

Q. [WAVE] an EP with a total of 8 songs has finally been released. In the era of SNS, what do you think is the significance of (physical) a CD album?  

Colde: The more familiar we are with digital music platforms,  the more we become more inclined in paying close attention to album(s). I believe that having an object (physical CD) we can own and physically touch possesses such great power. 

Q. You changed your instagram ID to ‘wavycolde’ ahead of your solo career. t/n: colde’s previous ig used to be ‘coldecold’. 

Colde: Wavy is kind of like a brand; a group of creators with their respective areas of expertise and directions. Please look forward to them, they will reveal themselves in different ways in the future.

Q. What are the reasons behind why you chose ‘Sunflower’ and ‘String’ as the title tracks? 

Colde: These songs have the best synergy which represents this album so well. Both songs start off with the same first word that sounds alike and were inspired by the word ‘Sun’. 

Q. What do you want to achieve through this [WAVE] album? 

Colde: As a solo artist, I’ve been thinking about my own (music) colour for a long time. So I don’t feel pressured to show music, that is different from offonoff.

Q. What’s the advantage of being a vocalist? 

Colde: By being myself. I try to capture the comfort I feel when talking in daily life and certain situations, then apply that through music. 

Q. The music video, album art and also the usual style are wonderful. The ideal visualist(s) are? 

Colde: I like designs by Jun Takashi, Martin Margiela and Dieter Rams, saying many things but at the same time keeping it to a minimum. Which I think is the most important element in visual work. 

Q. The best lyrics you’ve written so far? 

Colde: “Unlike you, I sell art. I don’t have a single thing I’m ashamed of under the sky” offonoff - ‘Gold’. This is the attitude which I consider the most important when doing music. I want to keep making cool things without any compromise. As I can change and gain things in the process over time. 

✧ original source here

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COLDE - LOVE PT. 1 [NOTES]

What could love be? I’ve always wanted to sing about love. When I thought about love, there were many stories and thoughts that I couldn’t express all at once.That’s why in life, I felt that ‘love’ should be addressed for a long time, through making music and singing. I will continue making my next album(s) with the concept of Love and name it [Love] again in the future. For this album marks the beginning of the series of Love. I expressed ‘love’ very directly with confidence. With this album I tried to be honest without twisting words, or comparing things without any difficulties. (for people to understand easily) I’ve portrayed this album like a fairy tale, how a child would understand ‘love’ with a pure heart (at a young age), then becoming that writer as an adult. (writing about love with more experience). I wanted to convey and sing that purity of love from my heart, directly through music. I don’t know when these feelings of love reached me while making this album, but I’m sure through the emotion and time I want to see love from the perspective of an innocent boy.I wish listeners can look forward to how one’s heart will mature and grow in time. How a person can learn to express and renew love once again in the future.I hope these songs in this album will almost be like beautiful music that fills a background of any place (background music). So therefore many people can paint love in their own way. 1. Love is a Flower Softly the wind pierces through a sound of a whistle. As I walked on the street I suddenly thought about how the feeling of love can be made at any place and time Then I realised ‘love’ resembled like flowers blossoming and falling. I wonder what has become of the seed and the compost in a handful of soil.Our skin touches deeper to the roots of our hearts, As light and water take turns, the petals and fruit have already bloomed after you left. But time has passed, falling like a flower. If you have a hurt love. My Dear, hold this poem close And hope that love blooms flowers again. 2. Love makes me jealous(휴지통) This song tells a story of jealousy and greed due to love, written from my perspective. Jealousy is not a feeling that you’ve fallen out of love, but one that confuses us. It’s a role that brought out a side of myself that even I didn’t know. I thought about the way to solve jealousy and the thoughts that follow it And so I developed those thoughts and made this song. If you have ever been struck by jealousy whilst in love, listen to this song! I hope it helps you a little bit. 3. 사랑해 (I fxxking love you) 사랑해 - I love you, A phrase that expresses love accurately. But how can I express love as a word? When you worry about something and then end up solving it ironically and you scream your heart out, it’s that kind of honest and foolish song. I don’t think it’s easy to measure the depth of something if you do it with all of your heart.I hope that a lot of people can sometimes take the chance to express their feelings more directly.That way the complicated problems surrounding us can be simplified. 4. WA-R-R (와르르 ♥) I think it’s one of the happiest moments in the process of being in love. Do you ever feel anxious, hurt or worn out, when you see a possible rival ? A precious heart is so beautiful. It’s as if a young child wants to protect something weak and small. Many people can experience that with a beautiful heart and attitude, and I hope that they can experience and protect love once again. 5. Scent (향) Scent is about remembering and recording an atmosphere and scenes (sight) in light and colour. Noises heard, exchanging of words and the scene within the moment.Those are the things that get us deeper into our minds. As it penetrates into our memory. 6. You don't need my love? (없어도 돼?) The actual translation is "You don't need me" as the title implies, it’s a phrase I happened to come across by chance.It’s like we’ll never know what word was in front of the phrase? I think that’s why the question came to me more intensely. If I exist to someone, It’s not easy to get used to disappearing.That’s why this question itself needs an answer. Or maybe I just want to be the ‘answer’ to someone. 7. Endless Love From track one ‘Love is a flower’ to ‘You don’t need my love’, I sing the process and flow of love. For the final matter, I want to talk about, as the title says ‘there will be no end to our love.’ (our love won’t end) With that hope, I will continue to sing about love. 8. Don’t leave my side (내 곁에서 떠나가지 말아요) This last song is like a letter that I couldn’t send. So for a long time I want to put it away and then take it out. I’m truly happy and treasure that I’m able to put a song that I cherished and listened to and sang a long time ago into this album. 

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Colde - Where Love Begins (사랑은 그곳에서)

Since a while ago I think I must have loved you From the moment I first saw you I wanted to know you Everything about you

Chorus  Where love begins In a space in my heart You gave me a warm helping hand Please stay like that and look at me always My dear

When you heard me say those words You didn’t believe me  Like everyone else does I found out your heart After the passing of a few seasons

Chorus 

Where love begins In a space in my heart You gave me a warm helping hand woo<<br>Please stay like that and look at me always

My dear You know me better than I do And you let me live like that Take me with you Towards the place we have to go to Chorus   Where love begins In a space in my heart You gave me a warm helping hand Please stay like that and look at me always My dear

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