In 2009, Ledisi released her fourth album Turn Me Loose , which earned her a couple more Grammy nominations.
Ledisi's fifth album, Pieces Of Me, was released on June 14, 2011 debuting at #8 on the Billboard 200, her first entry on the top 10 of the album chart.
She and her band are from a new breed of modern soul singers (that fall into the New Organic Soul movement in the U.K.) that do not bow to the formulated 'pop' format that permeates the national charts of the U.K. and the U.S.A.
Her mother sang in an R & B band and opened her daughter's ears to classical music, then to jazz and gospel.
‘My mother is an inspiration to me because she was an R & B singer when I was growing up, and I'd watch her perform in the park by our house. I grew up on Earth, Wind and Fire. Tina Turner is my favorite’.
As a teenager Ledisi first sang in a friend’s band, but soon realised she'd have to form her own if she was going to get the creative freedom she desired.
She formed the group Anibade.
The band consisted of:
Sundra Manning (keyboards)
Cedrickke Dennis (guitar)
Nelson Braxton (bass)
Wayne Braxton (saxophone)
and Tommy Bradford on (drums)
Anibade means ‘my mother is great’ in Yoruba and also happens to be Ledisi's middle name.
The band the group performed at several nightspots including Bruno's, The Black Cat, and Rasselas, in the San Francisco area before, successfully, getting a local radio station, KMEL, to play the single ‘Take Time’, without any major label distribution.
Ledisi said, ‘We took it to other labels to try and get a deal, but we found that they didn't get it 'cause it wasn't already out there. We got frustrated with that.’
Ledisi is said to be recording a jazz record with bassist Marcus Shelby on Noir Records.
That album was due in early 2000, although the set has not yet surfaced.
Her first solo album ‘Soulsinger’, was, however, released in 2000, to critical acclaim.
The album addressed several personal issues, none more so than the track ‘Papa Loved To Love Me’, a harrowing tale of a father sexually abusing his daughter.
The track is uncomfortably close to home.
Ledisi said ‘My family heard it, though, and they said, 'Wow, you went and told everything!'. I know it's giving something away about myself, but it's a part of me. That's why people relate to a story like that.’
Eric Benét and Rahsaan Patterson recently attended her groups' concerts and they have opened for Eric Benet, D’Angelo and Angie Stone.
A second album entitled 'Feeling Orange And Sometimes Blue' was released in early 2002.
Ledisi travelled to London's Jazz Cafe in March 2003 for more gigs following a successful concert at Subterranea in the autumn of 2002.
She was supported by the Braxton Brothers along with several other performers.
Rock With You
Ledisi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm on it, I want it
So hot and gimmie a mic and I rock it
'Cause my love for you goes non- stop and
You, your the only one I really need
Any place I feel you need to go
Is the only place that I want to be, let me tell you
See you, no one make me feel like this
The lovin' when we kiss, this love
This love is real
I tell you, that I'm yours
Would you keep on lovin' me
Would you do all that you can to see me smile
'Cause I don't want the future to say were not meant to be
Just wanna be with you
That's why
That's why I rock, rock, rock with you
And all I got I give to you
To keep your love for me, feels so right
Your like a drug to me, I'm so high
Everyday, just before I go my own way
I get down on my knees and say
Say a little prayer for you
Believe it or not
When I'm driving on the block
Playin' music in my truck, I stop
Say a little prayer for you
I tell you, that I'm yours
Would you keep on lovin' me
Would you do all that you can to see me smile
'Cause I don't want the future to say were not meant to be
Just wanna be with you
That's why
That's why I rock, rock, rock with you
And all I got I give to you
To keep your love for me, feels so right
Your like a drug to me, I'm so high
Boy you know I'll do anything for you
I like the way this feels, you make my life better
I'ma baby baby won't won't you let me rock you
Rock you tonight
Aye, I just want to give you what you like who
That's why I rock, rock, rock with you
And all I got I give to you
To keep your love for me, feels so right, yeah
Your like a drug to me, I so high
I'm on it, I want it
So hot and gimmie a mic and I rock it
'Cause my love for you goes non- stop and
I'm on it, I want it
So hot and gimmie a mic and I rock it
'Cause my love for you goes non- stop and
Said I can't stop and I won't stop
Said I can't stop and I won't stop
The song "Rock With You" by Ledisi is an ode to love and loyalty. She declares her love for her partner and how it goes non-stop, and how she wants to be with him always. She loves the way he makes her feel, and nobody else does it like him. The love they share when they kiss is real. Ledisi is so in love that she even prays for him every day before she goes about her day. The love they share feels like a drug to her, and she is so addicted to it.
Ledisi is ready to do anything for her partner because he makes her life much better. She wants to rock him tonight and give him what he likes. She wants to show him how much she loves him and how loyal she is. She is not going to stop loving him and doing all she can to keep him happy. Ledisi wants nothing to come between them because she knows they are meant to be together.
In summary, "Rock With You" is a soulful love song about loyalty and dedication. Ledisi expresses her love and affection for her partner by singing about how real her love is for him, how she can’t stop thinking about him, and how she always prays for him. This song is a reminder of the importance of love and loyalty in any relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm on it, I want it
I am committed to you and our relationship, and I want to make it work.
So hot and gimmie a mic and I rock it
I am confident and ready to take on any challenge, just like a performer on stage.
'Cause my love for you goes non-stop and
My love for you is constant and never-ending.
You, your the only one I really need
Out of all the people in the world, you are the only one that truly completes me.
Any place I feel you need to go
Wherever you need to go, whatever you need to do, I will follow and support you.
Is the only place that I want to be, let me tell you
I don't care where we are, as long as I am with you, I am happy.
See you, no one make me feel like this
I have never felt this way with anyone else but you.
The lovin' when we kiss, this love
The affection we share is special and meaningful, and is what true love feels like.
This love is real
Our love is authentic and genuine, and not just a superficial attraction.
I tell you, that I'm yours
I am committed to you and our relationship, and I belong to you.
Would you keep on lovin' me
Do you promise to continue loving and supporting me, despite any obstacles that may come our way?
Would you do all that you can to see me smile
Are you willing to make me happy and put in effort to maintain our relationship?
'Cause I don't want the future to say were not meant to be
I want to ensure that our relationship is built to last, and that we are truly meant to be together.
Just wanna be with you
Above all else, I just want to be by your side and live a life with you.
That's why I rock, rock, rock with you
That is why I am committed to you and our relationship, and will continue to show you love and support.
And all I got I give to you
I am willing to give you everything I have, including my heart, because you mean that much to me.
To keep your love for me, feels so right
Receiving love from you brings me joy and happiness, and reassures me that our relationship is strong.
Your like a drug to me, I'm so high
You bring me happiness and make me feel elated, just like a drug would.
Everyday, just before I go my own way
Before I start my day, I take a moment to think about you and say a prayer for our relationship.
I get down on my knees and say
I show reverence for our relationship and the love that we share by praying for it daily.
Say a little prayer for you
I pray that our relationship continues to flourish and that we remain happy together.
Believe it or not
Whether you believe it or not, I am deeply in love with you and am committed to our relationship.
When I'm driving on the block
Even when I am going about my day-to-day business, you are always on my mind.
Playin' music in my truck, I stop
My thoughts of you are so consuming that I have to stop what I am doing to focus on them.
Boy you know I'll do anything for you
I am willing to do anything to keep our relationship strong and to show you how much I love you.
I like the way this feels, you make my life better
Being with you makes me feel happy and fulfilled, and has a positive impact on my life.
I'ma baby baby won't won't you let me rock you
I want to show you love and affection, and let you know how much you mean to me.
Rock you tonight
I want to show you how much I love you and how committed I am to our relationship, and do so tonight.
Aye, I just want to give you what you like who
I want to make you happy and give you everything that you desire in a relationship.
Said I can't stop and I won't stop
My love for you is unwavering and will last forever, and I will continue to show it through my actions.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER GHOLSON, JOHNTA AUSTIN, LEDISI ANIBADE YOUNG, ARDEN ALTINO, JERRY DUPLESSIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind