McKinley grew up 20 minutes outside of Boston - a place she envisioned herself being from early on. She began training as a singer, dancer and actress at 14, but was never extreme in her focus for one or the other. The dance company she studied and performed with kept her well rounded and allowed her frequent trips to Boston and NYC for auditions and commercial work. She began working with vocal coach while attending The Boston Conservatory of Music.
After college McKinley worked as a waitress, model, secretary, courier and anything else that would afford her rent in the city. She took advantage of city living by attending open mic nights and jam sessions. She took any and all vocal work available; commercials, demo recordings, weddings, at church in the gospel choir, Big Bands, Rock bands - any kind of band. Her natural capability to perform all styles of music made it easy to find work. A few guest appearances in larger venues (The House of Blues, Ryles Jazz Club) gave her the "singing-for-a-live-audience" fever and started her on a quest to appear as a headliner. It had become clear to those that had worked with McKinley, to her fans, and McKinley herself that Jazz was not only something she had a special knack for - she felt more passion for it than any other style of music.
A voice over for a locai car dealership lead to her first legitimate jazz gig - she was asked to sing the jingle "live" and follow with a night of jazz music at the dealer's showroom. McKinley enlisted help by hiring the best jazz musican's Boston had to offer to support her - from that point on, she would continue cultivating musical relationships that would strenthen her artistically. Dick Johnson (Artie Shaw Orchestra), Herb Pomeroy, Al Vega and a list of local legends - world class performers - all spent time with McKinley with a willingness to advise and educate the young singer. "Friendships like these are a gift - those gentlemen shared thier philosophies with me - they each taught me to trust my instincts". McKinley admits that the jazz form and the art of "improvisation" appeals to her. "I love the freedom that comes with singing jazz - although there is still a form to the music, it can move and bend - it all depends on what's inside the soul and how you happen to apply it".
When asked who her influences are, she answers with a surprising mix. "Dinah Washington, Anita O'Day, Miles Davis, Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, Cat Stevens, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Nancy Wilson - even Elvis. Drawing from this diverse group, McKinley has developed a sound and style that is unique to her like leaves on a tree. Her soulful blend is simple, yet sophisticated - true and distinctive.
Cassandre was recognized as a "Jazz Diva" in Arts Around Boston Magazine - a term she only feels comfortable with because of the talented women included alongside her in the article; Rebecca Parris and Carol Sloan were among them.
Cassandre has just released her debut album under the MAXJAZZ label titled ”TIL TOMORROW - Remembering Marvin Gaye”. In this body of work, McKinley delivers her interpretation of selected music Gaye wrote, co-wrote and performed throughout his career. From inception to execution, McKinley's sensitivity to Gaye's message and her rich, warm sound combine to pull this project far, far away from the ordinary. Creating a genre that just fits between Jazz, Smooth Jazz and R & B, "Til Tomorrow" is a rich exploration into Nu-Jazz and Soul - focusing on the "soul".
"Making this album was like reading over old pages from my journals - it was a beautiful opportunity to see where it is I've been and then, take a moment to anticipate what may be ahead."
If This World Were Mine
Cassandre McKinley Lyrics
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All that I own; you've been so good to me
If this world were mine
I'd give you the flowers, the birds and the bees
For with your love inside me, that would be all I need
If this world were mine
I'd give you anything
With wealth untold, you could have anything
If this world were mine
I'd give you each day so sunny and blue
If you wanted the moonlight, I'd give you that too
If this world were mine
I'd give you anything
Oh baby, you're my consolation
And there's no hesitation
When you want me, honey, just call me
And honey, you're my inspiration
I feel so much sensation
When I'm in your arms, when you squeeze me
And the sky would be blue
As long as you're lovin' me
With you here in my arms
Life is so wonderful
Give me pretty lovin', baby
Give me pretty lovin', honey
Keep on lovin' me
You know I need you, baby
Really, really need you, baby
In Cassandre McKinley's song If This World Were Mine, the lyrics express the desire to give all possessions and luxuries of life to a loved one. The singer shares their immense gratitude towards their partner for being an essential support system in their life. The first verse talks about the willingness to give away everything that they possess to show their appreciation. The lyrics in the chorus describe how the singer would offer nature's beauty too, like flowers, birds, and bees, as those were the only things that they would need with their lover's presence in their life. In the second verse, the ownership of all the world's wealth is promised to the partner. However, the lyrics revert to the simplicity of love when the singer claims that they could provide sunny days and even moonlight just to please their partner.
The lyrics describe how the partner is the singer's inspiration and consolation. The confidence that their partner will always have their back is evident in the line, "When you want me, honey, just call me." The chorus lyrics are repeated twice, and then the lyrics "And the sky would be blue as long as you're lovin' me, with you here in my arms, life is so wonderful," elaborate that the singer's partner is their source of joy and satisfaction. The song's final lines repeat the desire for their partner's love and emphasize the necessity that their lover brings to their life.
Line by Line Meaning
If this world were mine, I'd place at your feet
If I owned the world, I'd offer you everything as a token of appreciation.
All that I own; you've been so good to me
You've been so kind to me that I'd give you everything I own.
If this world were mine
If I had the power to own the world.
I'd give you the flowers, the birds and the bees
I'd offer you the beauty of the world, the flora and fauna.
For with your love inside me, that would be all I need
Your love is everything I need to be happy.
I'd give you anything
I'd give you everything you want or need.
If this world were mine, I'd make you a king
If I owned the world, I'd make you the ruler of the world.
With wealth untold, you could have anything
You would have immeasurable wealth and affluence, and your wishes would be granted.
I'd give you each day so sunny and blue
Every day would be beautiful and pleasant, and you would never have to face sorrow or gloom.
If you wanted the moonlight, I'd give you that too
If you asked for the moon, I'd give it to you without hesitation.
Oh baby, you're my consolation
You're the comfort and support I need when I am feeling low.
And there's no hesitation
I never hesitate to be there for you.
When you want me, honey, just call me
You can always count on me to be there for you when you need me.
And honey, you're my inspiration
You're the source of my creativity and motivation.
I feel so much sensation
I am filled with emotion and feeling when I am with you.
When I'm in your arms, when you squeeze me
I feel loved and secure when you hold me and wrap your arms around me.
And the sky would be blue
The world would always seem bright and beautiful.
As long as you're lovin' me
As long as you love me, life would be perfect.
With you here in my arms
With you close to me, everything in life feels perfect.
Life is so wonderful
Life is beautiful and perfect because of your presence in it.
Give me pretty lovin', baby
Show me your love in the sweetest and most beautiful way.
Give me pretty lovin', honey
Express your love to me in the sweetest and most endearing manner possible.
Keep on lovin' me
Please continue to love me now and forever.
You know I need you, baby
You are the only one I need to be happy and content.
Really, really need you, baby
I emphasize that I need you more than anything else in this world.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARVIN GAYE, MARVIN P GAYE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind