Larrieux was born and brought up in the neighborhood of Greenwich Village in New York City. Her mother was a dance critic and professor who encouraged Larrieux to grow up in a free-spirited, artistic environment. Many of her influences are drawn from R&B, soul, jazz, folk, hip-hop and gospel, with flashes of Middle Eastern, West African, and Indian ethnic styles. She lives in New York City with her husband and two daughters.
As a solo artist, her music is mostly categorized as fitting within the nu-soul genre, though she also dabbles in jazz, blues and gospel sounds. She sang lead vocals with Sade's band Sweetback while Sade was on hiatus. On her last album 'Lovely Standards' she gravitated away from nu-soul to produce a cover album made up of songs from the jazz and blues singers that inspired her. Larrieux is also influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder and Prince — as she has previously credited on her website.
Earn My Affection
Amel Larrieux Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Plenty overtime
When I clock out I'm worn and beat down
But still ready to fly
( here you come with those )
Unsteady eyes
Like you been looking for something you cannot find
Right through me
chorus
You got to
Earn my affection
Put your back into it
Before we get this show on the road
Don't make me
Lose all my self respect
I ain't desperate yet so
Come on now stop actin' out and act like you know
you're a beautiful mess
But every attic has a treasure
And I been known, to throw my apron on
And scrub to reveal a shine
(let the good lord have)
Mercy on you
Before I do
If you were in the area and just passing through
Come correctly, come strong and don't drag your good foot behind
chorus
you set a pretty table and serve me raw meat
Ask me to the show but don't save me a seat
Say together we can sail, then add me to your fleet
The perfect pair of pants are ruined with the
addition-of-a-pleat
I demand a flat surface
Where I can
Firmly-plant-my-feet
And stand
It's my democratic right to say man you shouldâ?¦.
Chorus
In the song "Earn My Affection," Amel Larrieux sings about the importance of putting effort and hard work into relationships. The song is about a woman who is tired of men who come into her life showing unsteady eyes and not putting in the work to win her over. She has worked hard for everything she has and expects a potential partner to do the same. She demands that they earn her affection and put their back into it before she gives them a chance.
The chorus of the song reiterates this message, where the singer tells the listener that they need to earn her affection before the show can begin. She refuses to lose her self-respect and reminds them that she's not desperate, so they need to stop acting out and come correct. The lyrics also highlight the importance of finding someone who can complement your strengths rather than being a burden or a mess.
Overall, "Earn My Affection" is a song that celebrates self-worth and emphasizes the importance of being with someone who can match your efforts and values. It's a reminder that relationships require work, and it's crucial to find someone who is willing to put in the effort and earn your trust.
Line by Line Meaning
I work hard for what I got
I put in my efforts to earn what I have
Plenty overtime
I work extra hours to get ahead
When I clock out I'm worn and beat down
I am exhausted when I finish work
But still ready to fly
But I am still motivated and ready to achieve
Like you been looking for something you cannot find
You seem lost and unsure
Right through me
You see through me
Like my fruit ain't fit for makin' pie
Like I am not good enough for you
You got to
You need to
Earn my affection
Work to gain my love and respect
Put your back into it
Give it your best effort
Before we get this show on the road
Before we start a relationship
Don't make me
Don't force me to
Lose all my self respect
Lose my dignity and pride
I ain't desperate yet so
I am not in a desperate situation
Come on now stop actin' out and act like you know
Behave respectfully and show that you are sincere
you're a beautiful mess
You may seem complicated and flawed
But every attic has a treasure
But everyone deserves to find love
And I been known, to throw my apron on
I can work hard and put effort into relationships
And scrub to reveal a shine
And work to make things better
Mercy on you
May God bless you
Before I do
Before I show you my kindness
If you were in the area and just passing through
If this is just a passing fling for you
Come correctly, come strong and don't drag your good foot behind
Respect me and show your best self, don't be half-hearted
you set a pretty table and serve me raw meat
You may seem nice at first, but then you disappoint me
Ask me to the show but don't save me a seat
Invite me to be with you, but then ignore me
Say together we can sail, then add me to your fleet
Claim that we can be together, but then treat me like a possession
The perfect pair of pants are ruined with the addition-of-a-pleat
Perfection can be destroyed by a small mistake
I demand a flat surface
I need stability in my relationships
Where I can firmly-plant-my-feet
Where I can feel secure
It's my democratic right to say man you should
I have the right to express my opinions
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind