Alice Russell (b. 1975) is a British soul singer.

She is the daughte… Read Full Bio ↴Alice Russell (b. 1975) is a British soul singer.

She is the daughter of an organist, and grew up in Framlingham in Suffolk. At the age of nine, following in her father's and sisters' musical footsteps, Russell began taking lessons on cello, and sang in choirs, before studying art and music in Brighton from 1994.

As well as the classical influences of her father, and formal music lessons, Russell listened to gospel music and soul artists such as Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin from an early age, which played a big part in the shaping of her style. Other artists such as Minnie Ripperton, Eva Cassidy, Chaka Khan, and Jill Scott are listed by Russell as influences.

She began making a name for herself in the early 2000s, contributing to recordings by Bah Samba, Quantic, TM Juke, Kushti and Nostalgia 77. Her work with Bah Samba sees Russell fusing Latin sounds with tinges of house, jazz and funk, whereas her material with the band Kushti involved a more laid back, hip-hop and soul inspired sound. Her debut album, Under the Munka Moon (2004), was an amalgamation of various singles, remixes, and collaborations.

It was followed by My Favourite Letters in 2005, her debut studio album, created in collaboration with co-writer, producer, and guitarist Alex Cowan (a.k.a. TM Juke). Her third release, Under the Munka Moon II (2006), compiled her most recent collaborations, remixes, and cover versions, including her popular interpretation of The White Stripes' Seven Nation Army. The Alice Russell – Live in Paris DVD also came out in 2006.

Russell and TM Juke have been touring together since 2006 in the U.K, Europe, Australia, the U.S., and other countries. In summer 2006, Grant Marshall (a.k.a. Daddy G of Massive Attack) asked Russell to play the main stage at The Big Chill music festival. Russell has also supported Lonnie Liston Smith, Femi Kuti and De La Soul, and has appeared on the bill with Amy Winehouse for the British showcase at the Midem Music Conference in Cannes 2007.

Drinking Song
Alice Russell Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm gonna take a little sip and drink it down this thing I feel
I'll touch you now
When I hit your head change everything my influence
Fall to the ground

Time and time again
Your love falls from above
Twice and twice again

For another one

But you're all the way my heart
My heart just froze away
Then I slip and tumble
Unto the eyes

I'm gonna take a little sip and drink it down this thing I feel
I'll touch you now
When I hit your head change everything my influence
Fall to the ground

I'm gonna take a little sip and drink it down this thing I feel
I'll touch you now

When I hit your head change everything my influence
Fall to the ground

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Alice Russell's Drinking Song Interlude are enigmatic and difficult to decipher. The song seems to be about a passionate desire for someone, and the singer seems to be under the influence of alcohol. The opening line "I'm gonna take a little sip and drink it down this thing I feel" suggests that the singer is about to numb her feelings with alcohol. It appears that the singer is longing for someone, and her love for that person is so strong that it's overwhelming her. She wants to touch the person and is confident that when she does, she will have a big impact on the person's life. The line "When I hit your head change everything my influence" could mean that the singer is so powerful that she can change the direction of the person's life just by touching them.

The second verse is even more enigmatic. The lines "Time and time again, your love falls from above, twice and twice again, for another one" could mean that the singer has been in love with this person before, and they have failed to reciprocate her feelings. The lines "But you're all the way my heart, my heart just froze away, then I slip and tumble unto the eyes" are particularly difficult to interpret. It's unclear what the singer means by "all the way my heart" or "slip and tumble unto the eyes." However, the overall impression is that the singer is consumed by desire for this person and that she is struggling to control her emotions.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm gonna take a little sip and drink it down this thing I feel
I'm going to have a drink to cope with my emotions

I'll touch you now
I want to connect with you in this moment

When I hit your head change everything my influence
I have the power to change your perspective

Fall to the ground
Your emotions will overwhelm you

Time and time again
Repeatedly

Your love falls from above
It seems like you are blessed with love

Twice and twice again
Even more so

For another one
In search for more love

But you're all the way my heart
You have captured my heart completely

My heart just froze away
I am unable to feel anything anymore

Then I slip and tumble
I lose my balance