She absorbed musical skill early in life, encouraged by both parents: her mother, Joyce, herself a former singer, and now India Arie's stylist; and her father, former ABA and NBA basketball player Ralph Simpson (not former NBA star player Ralph Sampson, as has been mistakenly reported in some media). She had taken up a succession of musical instruments throughout her schooling in Denver, Colorado, but her interest in the guitar while attending the Savannah College of Art and Design led to a personal revelation about songwriting and performing. "When I started tapping into my own sensitivity, I started to understand people better. It was a direct result of writing songs," she said at the press release of her debut album, Acoustic Soul.
Co-founding the Atlanta-based independent music collective GroovmentEarthseed (Groovement was the collective artists' name and Earthshare was their independent label name), her one-song turn on a locally released compilation led to a second-stage gig at the Lilith Fair. Their Universal Records/Motown music scout spotted her and made an introduction to Motown CEO Kedar Massenburg. Sidestepping all the devices of flavor-of-the-month record-making, Acoustic Soul acquainted listeners with a brave and eloquent new voice, drawing an uncommonly broad swath of listeners from hip-hop, the so called neo-soul, blues, folk, and classic troubadour-style singer/songwriting, all at once. The album, released in 2001, debuted at number ten on the U.S. Billboard 200 albums chart and number three on the R&B album chart. Within months, without the concentrated radio play that typically powers pop and rap albums, Acoustic Soul was certified double-platinum.
India.Arie also features on Stevie Wonder's album A Time To Love which was released on October 18, 2005. India.Arie and Stevie Wonder duet on the title track "A Time To Love" that India wrote, which was nominated in the 2006 forty-eighth Grammy Awards, for Best Pop Vocal Collaboration with Vocals.
On the September 2005 premiere of The Tyra Banks Show, Arie performed "Just 4 2day". She wrote this song especially for Tyra's show. Arie also wrote "What About the Child", a song that did not air but was made available as a $1 internet download to support child victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Voyage to India
India.Arie followed the success of her debut in 2002 with the release of Voyage to India. Debuting at number six on the Billboard 200 and number one on the R&B chart, the album eventually earned a 2003 Grammy for Best R&B Album. The single "Little Things" also won a 2003 Grammy for Best Urban/Alternative Performance. Soon after its release, Voyage to India was certified gold; and it was certified platinum on Friday 4 August 2006.
Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship
India.Arie's third studio album, Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship, was released on June 27, 2006. Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship gave India.Arie her first number-one on the Billboard 200 and was her second chart-topper on the U.S. R&B album chart. This album was also the first #1 album for the Motown record label in 33 years since Diana Ross's #1 Lady Sings the Blues Its first week sales of 161,000 copies is Arie's best sales week to date and was certified gold on Friday, August 4, 2006.
Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics was released on Tuesday, February 10, 2009.
Songversation (2013)
Christmas with Friends (2015)
Worthy (2019)
Video
India.Arie Lyrics
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Ooh
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, yes yeah
Sometimes I shave my legs and sometimes I don't
Sometimes I comb my hair and sometimes I won't
Depend on how the wind blows, I might even paint my toes
It really just depends on whatever feels good in my soul
I'm not the average girl from your video
And I ain't built like a supermodel
But I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be
India Arie
When I look in the mirror and the only one there is me
Every freckle on my face is where it's supposed to be
And I know my creator didn't make no mistakes on me
My feet, my thighs, my lips, my eyes, I'm loving what I see, yeah
I'm not the average girl from your video
And I ain't built like a supermodel
But I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be
India Arie
Am I less of a lady if I don't wear panty hose?
My mama said a lady ain't what she wears, but what she knows
But I've drawn the conclusion, it's all an illusion
Confusion's the name of the game
A misconception, a vast deception
Something's gotta change
Don't be offended this is all my opinion
Ain't nothing that I'm saying law
This is a true confession
Of a life learned lesson
I was sent here to share with y'all
So get in where you fit in, go on and shine
Clear your mind, now's the time
Put your salt on the shelf
Go on and love yourself (go on and love yourself)
'Cause everything's gonna be alright (go on and love yourself)
I'm not the average girl from your video
And I ain't built like a supermodel (hey)
But I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be
India Arie
Keep your fancy drinks, and your expensive minks
I don't need that to have a good time
Keep your expensive car and your caviar
All I need is my guitar
Keep your Cristal and your pistol
I'd rather have a pretty piece of crystal
Don't need you silicone, I prefer my own
What God gave me is just fine, oh
I'm not the average girl from your video
And I ain't built like a supermodel
But I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be
India Arie
I'm not the average girl from your video
And I ain't built like a supermodel
But I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
The song "Video" by India.Arie is all about self-love and self-esteem. It is a message to women, especially women who are often depicted in music videos, that they are beautiful just the way they are. The lyrics describe how India.Arie feels about herself and how she is not like the average girl from the music videos. She sings about how she loves herself unconditionally, just as she is, and how her worth is not determined by the price of her clothes.
In the first verse, she explains how she doesn't conform to the expected standards of beauty. She shaves her legs and combs her hair only when she feels like it. She does what feels good to her soul. In the second verse, she emphasizes that she is happy with who she is, every freckle, foot, thigh, lip, and eye. She loves herself unconditionally and knows that the creator never made any mistakes in creating her.
The chorus is a proclamation of self-love, where India.Arie sings that she is not the typical girl depicted in a video. Her worth is not determined by the price of her clothes. She is happy with who she is and will always be India.Arie. In the bridge, she questions the idea of what makes a girl a lady, and she concludes that it doesn't matter what one wears, but rather what one knows.
Overall, the song "Video" is a powerful ballad about self-love and acceptance. It encourages women to embrace their beauty and love themselves as they are, no matter what.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I shave my legs and sometimes I don't
My appearance is not bound by society's norms, I do what feels right for me.
Sometimes I comb my hair and sometimes I won't
I make my own choices about how to present myself, without worrying what others think.
Depend on how the wind blows, I might even paint my toes
I am free to express myself in any way I choose, without being bound by trends or fashion expectations.
It really just depends on whatever feels good in my soul
My intuition guides me in making choices that are true to myself.
I'm not the average girl from your video
I don't conform to the unrealistic standards of beauty portrayed in media and pop culture.
And I ain't built like a supermodel
I don't have to look like a runway model to be beautiful and worthy of love and respect.
But I learned to love myself unconditionally
I have come to accept and love myself just the way I am, flaws and all.
Because I am a queen
I know my own worth and value as a person, and I won't settle for anything less.
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
I don't measure my self-worth by external factors like wealth or possessions.
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be
My true identity and worth as a person can't be defined by my appearance or material possessions.
When I look in the mirror and the only one there is me
I see myself as I truly am, without any filters or distortions created by external influences.
Every freckle on my face is where it's supposed to be
I embrace and celebrate every aspect of myself, including the things that make me unique and different from others.
And I know my creator didn't make no mistakes on me
I believe that I was created just as I am for a reason, and that everything about me is perfect and purposeful.
My feet, my thighs, my lips, my eyes, I'm loving what I see, yeah
I am proud of my body and everything that makes me who I am, both inside and out.
Am I less of a lady if I don't wear panty hose?
I reject the idea that femininity is defined by external factors like clothing or makeup, and instead define it for myself based on my own values and beliefs.
My mama said a lady ain't what she wears, but what she knows
My mother taught me that true beauty and worth come from within, and that what matters most is what's in your heart and mind.
But I've drawn the conclusion, it's all an illusion
I have come to see that the superficial markers of beauty and worth that society values are ultimately empty and meaningless.
Confusion's the name of the game
The mixed messages and conflicting expectations that society imposes on women can be confusing and overwhelming.
A misconception, a vast deception
The popular culture's portrayal of beauty is not based in reality, it is purely a perception.
Something's gotta change
There needs to be a shift in society’s values to place more emphasis on inner beauty and self-acceptance.
Don't be offended this is all my opinion
I am sharing my personal perspective, and recognize that others may have different opinions and experiences.
Ain't nothing that I'm saying law
I am not claiming to have all the answers, and acknowledge that the ideas I express are subjective.
This is a true confession
I am speaking honestly and openly from my own experience, without any pretense or filters.
Of a life learned lesson
I have gained wisdom and insight through my experiences, and am sharing that knowledge with others.
I was sent here to share with y'all
I feel that it is my purpose to spread a message of self-love and acceptance to others, as a way of promoting positive change in the world.
So get in where you fit in, go on and shine
I encourage everyone to embrace their unique qualities and shine as brightly as they can.
Clear your mind, now's the time
I encourage people to let go of negative thoughts and beliefs that hold them back, and to live in the present moment.
Put your salt on the shelf
I encourage people to let go of bitterness, anger, and resentment, and to focus on positive experiences and emotions.
Go on and love yourself (go on and love yourself)
I believe that self-love is a crucial component of personal happiness and fulfillment, and encourage people to cultivate a deep sense of self-acceptance and compassion.
'Cause everything's gonna be alright (go on and love yourself)
When we love and accept ourselves fully, we feel empowered and confident to face any challenge or obstacle that comes our way.
Keep your fancy drinks, and your expensive minks
I reject the idea that material possessions are necessary for happiness or fulfillment, and encourage people to focus on what truly matters.
I don't need that to have a good time
I am content and happy with simple pleasures and experiences, rather than extravagant luxuries.
Keep your expensive car and your caviar
I don't measure my value or worth based on the things I own, but on who I am as a person.
All I need is my guitar
My passion and creativity are what drive me in life, and bring me the most joy and fulfillment.
Keep your Cristal and your pistol
I don't need symbols of wealth, power, or status to feel good about myself or to succeed in life.
I'd rather have a pretty piece of crystal
I appreciate beauty and artistry, but value it for its own sake rather than as a symbol of status or wealth.
Don't need you silicone, I prefer my own
I am happy with my natural appearance and don't feel the need to alter myself to fit society's standards of beauty.
What God gave me is just fine, oh
I believe that I was created just as I am, and that I am perfect in the eyes of God.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Carlos Broady, Roy Hammond, Shannon Sanders, India Arie Simpson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind