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.

Let Go
Alice Russell Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Gotta get my mind clear
Got nothing to lose
Gotta get my pink stray
Jazz away them blues

Still got my fake
But it's gettin loud
Now all these voices

Keep spinning round

Still above my skate
But a place in mind
He's closing me in
Such words that grind

I'm familiar Jenny
Missed them signs
I bare my positions
Flip over time

I'm trying not to break down
I'm holding on too tight now
Let go
Let go
I'm holding on too tight now
B R E A K D O W N
B R E A K D O W N

I'll breakdown
All eyes on me
I see you right
Right inside of me

Tell my back I'll be back too
'Cause there's not much to lose
I'll beep my past
Still my blood beats blue

I'm trying not to break down
I'm holding on too tight now
Let go
Let go
I'm holding on too tight now

B R E A K D O W N (breakdown)
B R E A K D O W N (breakdown) (holding on too tight now)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Alice Russell's "Let Go" describe a struggle to maintain emotional stability and control amidst various external and internal pressures. The singer is attempting to clear her mind and escape the blues, but her thoughts and anxieties keep spinning round and closing in on her, represented by the repetitive image of her skate and the words that grind. She has missed some warning signs along the way, but she is determined to hold on tight and not break down. However, the repeated use of "breakdown" towards the end of the song suggests that this might be inevitable. The singer seems to acknowledge that she is being watched and feels exposed, but she's also aware that she has nothing left to lose.

One interpretation of this song is that it's about the struggle to maintain mental health in our fast-paced and stressful world. The pressure to keep going, to keep performing, and to keep up appearances can be overwhelming, and it's easy to feel trapped and isolated. The repeated refrain of "let go" suggests that the singer needs to somehow release this pressure and find a way to relax and be at peace. The final line, "still my blood beats blue," hints at a deeper sadness or depression that the singer is experiencing, which makes it even more difficult to let go and break down.

Line by Line Meaning

Gotta get my mind clear
I need to focus and clear my thoughts

Got nothing to lose
I'm in a position where taking risks won't affect me negatively

Gotta get my pink stray
I need to find my own path and be individualistic

Jazz away them blues
I need to use music to help me overcome feeling down

Still got my fake
I'm still pretending to be okay

But it's gettin loud
I'm finding it harder to keep up the pretense

Now all these voices
My own thoughts and insecurities

Keep spinning round
Are overwhelming me and causing chaos

Still above my skate
I'm trying to maintain a positive outlook

But a place in mind
But there's a looming negative thought

He's closing me in
It's stifling and causing anxiety