Rising to fame in late 2002, Cole was selected to become a member of girl group Girls Aloud on ITV's reality television programme Popstars The Rivals. Cole's first solo performance was on American rapper will.i.am's Heartbreaker in 2008. She was picked to appear as a dancer in the video after taking streetdancing classes during the filming of the ITV2 series The Passions of Girls Aloud, in which the members of the band achieve something they had always wanted to do, other than sing. She was later asked, by will.i.am, to sing additional vocals on the track.
In April 2009, Cole started working on solo material. Her debut album, 3 Words, was released in the UK on 26 October 2009. Cole was reunited with will.i.am for the album, in addition to collaborating with Fraser T. Smith, Syience, Danish production team Soulshock & Karlin, singer-songwriter Taio Cruz, Wayne Wilkins, and Steve Kipner. Recorded in Los Angeles and London, Cole mainly collaborated with will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas, the executive producer of 3 Words. It crosses from contemporary R&B, dance pop, house and a more general pop sound.
3 Words spent two weeks at number one. On 6 November 2009, BPI certified the album Platinum, denoting shipments of over 300,000 units. It later tripled this feat. The first single from the album, Fight for This Love, was written by Andre Merritt, Steve Kipner and Wayne Wilkins, and produced by Steve Kipner and Wayne Wilkins. According to Cole, it was released as the lead single because she "connected with the song so well". Following a performance on The X Factor live results show, Fight for This Love became the fourth best-selling single of 2009 in the UK. It charted at number one on both the Irish and UK Singles Chart. In 2010, Fight For This Love went to number one in Denmark, Norway and Hungary. The single was later certified platinum in the UK. Cole's second single 3 Words, which features will.i.am, went to number 4 in the UK and seven in Ireland. In 2010, the single was released in Australia and charted at number 5 and was certified platinum. The third single, Parachute, charted in the top five in both the UK and Ireland. The single was certified silver in the UK. From May to July 2010, Cole was the opening act for The Black Eyed Peas at the British shows (as well as some European dates) of The E.N.D. World Tour. Chris Johnson of the Daily Mail wrote, "she was supposed to be the support act. But as it turned out, Cheryl Cole ended up being the main event".
In March 2010, Cole stated that she had begun working on a follow up album to 3 Words, which she hoped to release "later on in the year". Cole's second solo album, titled Messy Little Raindrops, was released on 1 November 2010. The album's first single, Promise This, was released on 24 October 2010 and became her second number-one hit in the UK. The album was largely produced by Wayne Wilkins, but Cole also reunited with will.i.am, with collaboration from J. R. Rotem, Starsmith, Al Shux, and Free School for the first time. The album also features guest vocals from August Rigo, Dizzee Rascal, Travie McCoy, and will.i.am. The album's lead single, Promise This, went straight to number 1 in the UK, selling 157,000 in its first week. A week later, Messy Little Raindrops was released, charting at number 1 in the UK, 2 in Ireland and 7 in Europe.
Let You
Cheryl Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I gave you loyalty, you were on your knees, yeah
Now you're selective with your affection, what did I do?
Except for love you, always come through
See, for a moment I forgot I had a voice
So I'm telling you what you're 'bout to lose
You don't understand the chance I took on you
Baby, you should know that in my eyes
I think we only got like this 'cause I let you
Only got like this 'cause I let you, let you
Bet you only got with this 'cause I let you
Only got with this 'cause I let you, let you
Let you put your hands on my body, every time
I gave you what you wanted
But when am I gonna get mine?
'Cause we only got like this 'cause I let you
Only got like this 'cause I let you, let you
See I'm not afraid to say it's all my fault
I was passive, you took advantage, yeah
See, you draw your line but I never drew my own
Baby, you should know that in my eyes
I said we only got like this 'cause I let you
Only got like this 'cause I let you, let you
Bet you only got with this 'cause I let you
Only got with this 'cause I let you, let you
Let you put your hands on my body, every time
I gave you what you wanted
But when am I gonna get mine?
'Cause we only got like this 'cause I let you
Only got like this 'cause I let you, let you
Every time that I held back
Made a run for my own back, I
Let you lead me down the wrong track
Yeah, now I've gotta own that, I
Every time that I held back
Made a run for my own back, I
Let you lead me down the wrong track
Yeah, now I've gotta own that, I
'Cause we only got like this
Only got like this mm yeah
'Cause we only got like this
Only got like this
'Cause I let you
Let you put your hands on my body, every time
I gave you what you wanted
So when am I gonna get mine?
'Cause we only got like this 'cause I let you
Only got like this 'cause I let you, let you
The lyrics in Cheryl's song "Let You" describe the regret and frustration of being taken advantage of in a relationship. The singer initially gives the person they are speaking to credit for their loyalty, but they have now become selective with their affection. The singer admits they forgot they had a voice but is now telling the person what they are about to lose. They are adamant that getting to this point was not solely the fault of the other person, but that their own passivity allowed for it. By the end of the song, the singer is owning up to their own choices and taking responsibility for the current state of the relationship.
The lyrics in "Let You" show how easy it can be to fall into the trap of allowing someone to treat you poorly and not realize it until it's too late. The chorus repeats the line "Only got like this 'cause I let you" to drive home the point that the singer is taking ownership of the situation. The use of the word "bet" also shows a level of frustration and disappointment, as if they knew this was going to happen but went along with it anyway.
Overall, "Let You" is a powerful message about the importance of speaking up for yourself and not allowing others to take advantage of you. It also serves as a warning to others who may be in similar situations to take control of their lives before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't understand the chance I took on you
I took a big risk by giving you my loyalty
I gave you loyalty, you were on your knees, yeah
I was faithful to you even when you were at your lowest
Now you're selective with your affection, what did I do?
Why are you being picky with your love for me now?
Except for love you, always come through
Despite everything, I still love you and you can rely on me
See, for a moment I forgot I had a voice
I lost my sense of self and let you control me
So I'm telling you what you're 'bout to lose
I'm warning you about losing me
Baby, you should know that in my eyes
My opinion of you matters a lot to me
I think we only got like this 'cause I let you
Our relationship is the way it is because I allowed it
Bet you only got with this 'cause I let you
You only pursued me because I welcomed you
Let you put your hands on my body, every time
I allowed you to touch me intimately every time
I gave you what you wanted
I fulfilled your desires
But when am I gonna get mine?
When will my needs be met?
See I'm not afraid to say it's all my fault
I'm willing to admit that I was the one who allowed things to be this way
I was passive, you took advantage, yeah
I let you have your way and you took advantage of me
See, you draw your line but I never drew my own
You set your boundaries but I didn't do the same
Every time that I held back
Whenever I didn't assert myself
Made a run for my own back, I
I ended up hurting myself in the end
Let you lead me down the wrong track
I allowed you to steer our relationship in the wrong direction
Yeah, now I've gotta own that, I
I need to take responsibility for my part in this
'Cause we only got like this
Our relationship is this way because I allowed it
So when am I gonna get mine?
When will my desires be fulfilled?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Cheryl, Chiara Hunter, Danny Casio, George Astasio, Jason Pebworth, Jonathan Shave, Nicola Roberts
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@neftalijusino
We need a comeback, Cheryl! You are missed in the music industry. You are an icon!
@KurtisLeeSinger
You got your wish Girlsaloud are back together ❤
@calebschwass980
I cant believe I've just come across this song. This song is such a bop. Its on repeat now 😁❤
@margosouthgate5251
Yes at last this is getting the recognition it deserves Keep streaming peeps Let's do it for Cheryl This is a bop I have been streaming every day ♥️♥️♥️
@davidwilliams8352
4 years since this pop masterpiece arrived.
@CalvinFry
Why isn’t this on every radio station every hour it’s genuinely iconic absolute instant classic and its being done dirty absolutely obsessed
@lirikspectrum
I LOVE Cheryl
@Lommy9999
Her latest songs are high quality. This deserved to be a big hit. No idea what went wrong, I hope she will continue recording because she releases good tracks.
@osaretinedosa9491
I'm surprised I heard this song for the first time just 3 days ago.
It's so cool and the choreography is on point.
Nice song.
@Reiberto1
Cheryl is and will always be one of the U.K.’s biggest talents. Sad she doesn’t get the recognition she deserves. Managing a career in entertainment and being a mum is stressful I’d imagine. She handles it so gracefully.