R. City, Locked Away | 1 Hit WONDERful

In the 43^rd edition of 1 Hit WONDERful (2025), we highlight “Locked Away” performed by R. City featuring Adam Levine.   

It only takes ONE hit to solidify a musical legacy 💯! On 1 Hit WONDERful, we highlight songs that were the SOLE hit by a given musician.  It is possible that the artists appearing on this list earned a minor hit or two, BUT for the most part, that ONE hit earned them recognition. So, in the 43^rd edition of 1 Hit WONDERful (2025), we dive into “Locked Away”, the one-hit wonder by R. City.

That is a legitimate, hypothetical question that Adam Levine (b. 1979) sings in the chorus of “Locked Away”.  The first section of this song, attributed to Atlanta duo R. City (Theron Thomas and Timothy Thomas), sets the tone of this reggae, tropical-infused pop record.  Levine’s ripe pipes cut through, though sound smoother compared to some of his vocal performances with Maroon 5.  Notably, the song is the second track from R. City’s only album to date, What Dreams Are Made Of. Not only was What Dreams Are Made Of  R. City’s only album, but “Locked Away” was the duo’s only hit… as artists. “Locked Away” peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100, their sole charting song on the pop charts.  It was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

With Adam Levine drawing first blood, the beauty of  “Locked Away” is established early on. The melody is gorgeous, filled with heart. After the standard pop intro (for lack of better words), the tropical elements of the record enter the mix, led by the groove. Here, R. City also enters the mix, bringing rhythmic, tuneful melodies and a heaping dose of swagger. “If I couldn’t buy you the fancy things in life,” Theron Thomas sings in the first verse, and continues, “Shawty, would it be alright.” In the pre-chorus, Timothy Thomas asks, “Now tell me, would you really ride for me? / … Baby, tell me, would you die for me?” Timothy takes the reins in the second verse, asking her, “If I did not have nothing else to give but love (Ow) / Would that even be enough? / Gyal, me need fi know…” Backtracking slightly, the second chorus, preceding the second verse, as well as successive choruses,  are grander and lusher compared to the first. Adam, of course, keeps the same energy.  Putting a bow on this love-oriented number, it’s too bad that R. City didn’t strike gold, rather platinum, again. “Locked Away”  is an enjoyable, well-rounded, fine 2010s pop joint.  No, it’s not the most cherished or remembered one-hit wonder (there’s levels to this shit, after all 🤭), but it left its mark as a platinum, top-10 pop hit.  That means something!

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R. City » What Dreams Are Made Of » Kemosabe » 2015

R. City, Locked Away: 1 Hit WONDERful No. 43 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Kemosabe; Antoni Shkraba, KoolShooters, Pavel Danilyuk, Photo By: Kaboompics.com, RDNE Stock project from Pexels; AcatXIo, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]

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