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."
Let's Get It On
Cassandre McKinley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tryin' to hold back this feeling for so long
And if you feel like I feel, baby
Then, c'mon, oh, c'mon
Let's get it on
Ah, baby, let's get it on
Let's love, baby
Let's get it on
We're all sensitive people
With so much to give
Understand me, sugar
Since we've got to be here
Let's live
I love you
There's nothing wrong with me
Loving you, baby no no
And giving yourself to me can never be wrong
If the love is true
Don't you know how sweet and wonderful life can be
I'm asking you baby to get it on with me
I ain't gonna worry
I ain't gonna push, won't push you baby
So c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, baby
Stop beatin' 'round the bush
Let's get it on
Let's get it on
You know what I'm talkin' 'bout
C'mon, baby
Let your love come out
If you believe in love
Let's get it on
Let's get it on, baby
This minute, oh yeah
Let's get it on
Please, let's get it on
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, darlin'
Stop beatin' 'round the bush
Oh, gonna get it on
Threaten' you, baby
I wanna get it on
You don't have to worry that it's wrong
If the spirit moves ya
Let me groove ya good
Let your love come down
Oh, get it on
C'mon, baby
Do you know the meaning?
I've been sanctified
Girl, you give me good feeling
I've been sanctified
The song "Let's Get It On" by Cassandre McKinley is a cover of Marvin Gaye's classic hit. The lyrics of the song are all about the desire to physically connect with someone you have feelings for. The opening lines indicate that the singer has been trying to hold back this feeling for a long time and that if the other person feels the same way, they should come together physically. The chorus repeats the phrase "Let's get it on" multiple times, emphasizing the desire to take the relationship to a physical level.
The second verse of the song speaks about how everyone is sensitive and has a lot to give, and that they should understand each other to live life to the fullest. The lyrics emphasize that there is nothing wrong with loving someone and giving oneself to them, as long as the love is true. The singer encourages the other person to not beat around the bush and just give in to their feelings.
The final verse explicitly explains that the singer wants to "get it on" with the other person and that they have been sanctified to do so. The phrase "sanctified" can be interpreted as someone being spiritually prepared to engage in intimate activities. Overall, the lyrics of the song depict a strong desire for physical connection and the encouragement to embrace love and lust in a true and fulfilling way.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been really tryin', baby
I have been holding back my feelings for you for a long time.
Tryin' to hold back this feeling for so long
I have been resisting my urges towards you for a while now.
And if you feel like I feel, baby
If you feel the same way I do for you,
Then, c'mon, oh, c'mon
Then let's take it forward and get together.
Let's get it on
Let's have sex.
Ah, baby, let's get it on
Oh darling, let's just do it already.
Let's love, baby
Let's make love.
Let's get it on, sugar
Let's have sex, my sweetie.
We're all sensitive people
We all have feelings.
With so much to give
We all have a lot to offer each other.
Understand me, sugar
Try to comprehend my feelings, my love.
Since we've got to be here
Because we are here together,
Let's live
Let us make the most of it.
I love you
I have strong feelings of affection for you.
There's nothing wrong with me
I don't see anything wrong about my love for you.
Loving you, baby no no
My love for you is not wrong, baby.
And giving yourself to me can never be wrong
It's perfectly okay to have sex with me.
If the love is true
As long as our love is genuine and true.
Don't you know how sweet and wonderful life can be
Do you understand how amazing life can be?
I'm asking you baby to get it on with me
I'm requesting you to have sex with me.
I ain't gonna worry
I won't stress about it.
I ain't gonna push, won't push you baby
I won't pressure or force you, baby.
So c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, baby
Please, come on, baby.
Stop beatin' 'round the bush
Stop delaying and just get to the point.
You know what I'm talkin' 'bout
You understand what I am saying, don't you?
C'mon, baby
Let's do it, my love.
Let your love come out
Show me your love physically.
If you believe in love
If you are a believer in true love,
Let's get it on
Then let's have sex.
Let's get it on, baby
Let us have sex, my love.
This minute, oh yeah
Right now, baby!
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, darlin'
Please, come on, my dear.
Oh, gonna get it on
Oh, we are definitely having sex.
Threaten' you, baby
I'm not really threatening you, it's just a figure of speech.
I wanna get it on
I really want to have sex with you.
You don't have to worry that it's wrong
Don't stress that it's immoral or incorrect.
If the spirit moves ya
If you feel the desire,
Let me groove ya good
Let me please you sexually.
Let your love come down
Show me your love physically (again).
C'mon, baby
Let's have sex now, my love.
Do you know the meaning?
Do you understand what I am asking for?
I've been sanctified
I have been blessed for this moment.
Girl, you give me good feeling
You make me feel good, baby girl.
I've been sanctified
I have been blessed for this moment (again).
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IKE TURNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind