Surrounded by music since she was a small child, singer, songwriter and composer Chrisette Michele has been blessed with an old soul and this Long Island bred vocalist has a deep appreciation for the harmonic foundations that includes gospel and jazz. “I did my first solo when I was four years old,” Chrisette remembers.
Currently putting the finishing touches on her soulful debut album, an artistic exploration that fuses Chrisette’s diverse musical interest into a wonderland, the young artist couldn’t be more pleased. “I realize that I’m new to the music world, but I’ve been preparing for this moment for long time.”
Even before signing on the dotted line of her Def Jam contract last year, the multitalented soul sister had toured with more established artists like Kem and India Arie. “India saw me singing at the Village Underground in New York City. She came backstage that first night and graciously offered me a gig as her opening act.”
Working hard in the studio writing songs and recording demos, Chrisette finished an album worth of material before even trying to get signed. “I’ve been creating songs since I was twelve, so I knew I needed the right musical blend in order to stand-out from the many other performers trying to get a deal.”
While not hung-up on genre labels, Chrisette Michele says, “I’m excited about finding my place amongst young composers like Alicia Keys and Jill Scott. My goal from the moment I was signed by Antonio “LA” Reid, Chairman and CEO, Island Def Jam Music Group, was to create a seamless album that mixes soul and pop in a way that will have people coming back to again and again.” Favorite contemporary artists that are in high rotation include, Beyonce, Kanye West and NAS.
Days after giving LA “goose bumps” during the audition, the young singer found herself in a California studio called Brandon’s Way having a creative conversation with Babyface.
Over the course of a few days, the duo recorded seven tracks, four of which will be heard on her upcoming release. “Babyface and I got into a conversation about the love he has for his children,” she says. “So, the first song I penned was called ‘My Joy.’ It’s a song about a child speaking to his or her father, and I think it’s quite special. Observing the artistry that Babyface possesses has hopefully made me a better performer as well.”
Having grown-up in the suburbs of Long Island, Chrisette didn’t spend much time planted in front of the television. “My parents had me in girl scouts, tap class and piano lessons,” Chrisette says. “It wasn’t like I was cut off from the world, but there just wasn’t a lot of media influence in my life during those early years.”
Chrisette Michele has always been true to herself. “I don’t feel as though I was the typical deacon’s kid, because I was taught early on to speak my mind and not be afraid to think,” she says. “To me, that is one of things that helped keep me focused as an artist who is trying to do something different in music.”
A self-described “girly girl” Chrisette says, “I have definite older child syndrome. I helped my mom raise my brothers like they were my own children, but I also had the pleasure of being daddy’s little princess.”
In addition to her own relatives, Chrisette was blessed with an extended family that included the many folks that her mother allowed to room in their house. “If my mother saw a homeless pregnant woman on the street, chances are they would soon be staying with us,” Chrisette laughs. “I learned so much about the world listening to these folk’s stories, and to this day their experiences can be heard in my material.”
Though already a fan of gospel and classical, it wasn’t until Chrisette Michele was seventeen that she also developed a passion for jazz. “When I was still in high school a teacher introduced me to jazz singer Astrud Gilberto, and afterwards my life was all about jazz,” she remembers.
Majoring in music at 5 Towns College in Long Island, Chrisette cites the nurturing sway of her teachers for where she is today. “Although I did have talent, often that is not enough,” she says. “My professors taught me how to be a professional and to be serious about my music. They taught me how to put the music that I dream about at night on paper in the morning.”
With the release of her debut album, Chrisette Michele will soon be sharing those musical dreams with the rest of the world.
If I Have My Way
Chrisette Michele Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With every kiss, you take me higher
Feeling like your lovin' I just cannot resist
There's something that's makin' me hold on
There's no one I'd rather share my good lovin' with
But I promised I'd wait till I'm ready for this
One day, we'll make love, passion unheard of
I'll be your woman if I have my way
We will see Heaven, lovin' together
We won't stop ever if I have my way
I love your touch; it makes me crumble
I'm in love so much; look what you've done
Please, don't whisper anything else in my ear
My body, my heart, and my soul is high
Let me find the strength to get on up outta here
'Cause, one day, the way we feel will be all right
One day, we'll make love, passion unheard of
I'll be your woman if I have my way
We will see Heaven, lovin' together
We won't stop ever if I have my way
I love you, no doubt about it
I won't change my mind
Love's so true
If I had my way
I will make love to you
One day, we'll make love, passion unheard of
I'll be your woman if I have my way
We will see Heaven, lovin' together
We won't stop ever if I have my way
One day, we'll make love, passion unheard of
I'll be your woman if I have my way
We will see Heaven, lovin' together
We won't stop ever if I have my way
The lyrics to Chrisette Michele's "If I Have My Way" express the strong desire she has for someone she loves deeply. With every kiss, this person takes her higher, and she cannot resist his love. However, she knows that she is not yet ready to fully commit to a physical relationship, and so she holds on to the promise she made herself. The lyrics describe the intense passion and love between these two individuals and the belief that one day, they will make love and experience a kind of passion that is unheard of.
The chorus of the song repeats the line "One day we'll make love, passion unheard of, I'll be your woman if I have my way." These lyrics convey a sense of longing and determination as Chrisette imagines a future where she and her lover will be together no matter what. She wants to experience the ultimate connection with this person and feels that their love is so true that if she had her way, they would be together forever.
Overall, "If I Have My Way" is a testament to the power of love and the desire to experience a deep connection with someone special. While Chrisette acknowledges her own limitations and the need to wait until she is ready, she remains committed to the idea that one day, they will experience a love that is truly extraordinary.
Line by Line Meaning
You're who I desire, you light my fire
You are the one I want and you make me feel alive and full of desire.
With every kiss, you take me higher
Every time we kiss, I feel more connected to you and more in love.
Feeling like your lovin' I just cannot resist
Your love is so powerful that I can't resist you, even though I've promised to wait.
There's no one I'd rather share my good lovin' with
You are the only one who deserves my love and affection.
But I promised I'd wait till I'm ready for this
I've promised myself that I will only be with you when I'm ready to fully commit.
One day, we'll make love, passion unheard of
Someday, we'll experience a level of passion and love that we've never felt before.
I'll be your woman if I have my way
If it were up to me, I would be your woman and share my life with you.
We will see Heaven, lovin' together
Our love is so strong that when we're together, it feels like we're in heaven.
We won't stop ever if I have my way
If it were up to me, our love would never end and we would be together forever.
I love your touch; it makes me crumble
Your touch is so powerful that it weakens my resolve and makes me want you even more.
Let me find the strength to get on up outta here
I need to find the courage to walk away, even though it's hard.
'Cause, one day, the way we feel will be all right
Someday, our love will be accepted and everything will be okay.
I love you, no doubt about it
I am deeply and completely in love with you.
I won't change my mind
My love for you is unwavering and will never change.
Love's so true
Our love is pure and genuine.
If I had my way
If it were up to me, we would be together forever and nothing would ever come between us.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Missing Link Music
Written by: KEVIN LAMONT RANDOLPH, DAVID LEE STEWART, CHRISETTE PAYNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind