Surrounded by music since she was a small child, singer, songwriter and composer Chrisette Michele has been blessed with an old soul and this Long Island bred vocalist has a deep appreciation for the harmonic foundations that includes gospel and jazz. “I did my first solo when I was four years old,” Chrisette remembers.
Currently putting the finishing touches on her soulful debut album, an artistic exploration that fuses Chrisette’s diverse musical interest into a wonderland, the young artist couldn’t be more pleased. “I realize that I’m new to the music world, but I’ve been preparing for this moment for long time.”
Even before signing on the dotted line of her Def Jam contract last year, the multitalented soul sister had toured with more established artists like Kem and India Arie. “India saw me singing at the Village Underground in New York City. She came backstage that first night and graciously offered me a gig as her opening act.”
Working hard in the studio writing songs and recording demos, Chrisette finished an album worth of material before even trying to get signed. “I’ve been creating songs since I was twelve, so I knew I needed the right musical blend in order to stand-out from the many other performers trying to get a deal.”
While not hung-up on genre labels, Chrisette Michele says, “I’m excited about finding my place amongst young composers like Alicia Keys and Jill Scott. My goal from the moment I was signed by Antonio “LA” Reid, Chairman and CEO, Island Def Jam Music Group, was to create a seamless album that mixes soul and pop in a way that will have people coming back to again and again.” Favorite contemporary artists that are in high rotation include, Beyonce, Kanye West and NAS.
Days after giving LA “goose bumps” during the audition, the young singer found herself in a California studio called Brandon’s Way having a creative conversation with Babyface.
Over the course of a few days, the duo recorded seven tracks, four of which will be heard on her upcoming release. “Babyface and I got into a conversation about the love he has for his children,” she says. “So, the first song I penned was called ‘My Joy.’ It’s a song about a child speaking to his or her father, and I think it’s quite special. Observing the artistry that Babyface possesses has hopefully made me a better performer as well.”
Having grown-up in the suburbs of Long Island, Chrisette didn’t spend much time planted in front of the television. “My parents had me in girl scouts, tap class and piano lessons,” Chrisette says. “It wasn’t like I was cut off from the world, but there just wasn’t a lot of media influence in my life during those early years.”
Chrisette Michele has always been true to herself. “I don’t feel as though I was the typical deacon’s kid, because I was taught early on to speak my mind and not be afraid to think,” she says. “To me, that is one of things that helped keep me focused as an artist who is trying to do something different in music.”
A self-described “girly girl” Chrisette says, “I have definite older child syndrome. I helped my mom raise my brothers like they were my own children, but I also had the pleasure of being daddy’s little princess.”
In addition to her own relatives, Chrisette was blessed with an extended family that included the many folks that her mother allowed to room in their house. “If my mother saw a homeless pregnant woman on the street, chances are they would soon be staying with us,” Chrisette laughs. “I learned so much about the world listening to these folk’s stories, and to this day their experiences can be heard in my material.”
Though already a fan of gospel and classical, it wasn’t until Chrisette Michele was seventeen that she also developed a passion for jazz. “When I was still in high school a teacher introduced me to jazz singer Astrud Gilberto, and afterwards my life was all about jazz,” she remembers.
Majoring in music at 5 Towns College in Long Island, Chrisette cites the nurturing sway of her teachers for where she is today. “Although I did have talent, often that is not enough,” she says. “My professors taught me how to be a professional and to be serious about my music. They taught me how to put the music that I dream about at night on paper in the morning.”
With the release of her debut album, Chrisette Michele will soon be sharing those musical dreams with the rest of the world.
Blame It On Me
Chrisette Michele Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sometimes you can't
Sometimes you're forced to watch everything fall apart
It's out of your hands
Sometimes leaving is easy
Sometimes it ain't
Sometimes it hurts to know the loving you had is slowly fading away
As long as we just say goodbye
Blame it on me
Say its my fault
Say that I left you outside in the cold with a broken heart
I really don't care
I ain't crying no more
Say I'm a liar a cheater
Say anything that you want
As long as it's over
I ain't a quitter
I just ain't the type
I tried to see you through
I tried to make it to the finishing line
Oh you thought it was meant to be yeah
I admit so did I
Every once in a while you think you figured it out
Sometimes your not right
You can say whatever you like
As long as we just say goodbye
Blame it on me
Say its my fault
Say that I left you outside in the cold with a broken heart
I really don't care
I ain't crying no more
Say I'm a liar a cheater
Say anything that you want
As long as it's over
Yes I love you but I really got to loose you
Freedom is where I want to be
Yes I'll probably always love you
But I'm moving
I got to do this for me
You can say whatever you like
As long as we just say goodbye
Blame it on me
Say its my fault
Say that I left you outside in the cold with a broken heart
I really don't care
I ain't crying no more
Say I'm a liar a cheater
Say anything that you want
As long as it's over
You can say whatever you like
As long as we just say goodbye
Blame it on me
Say its my fault
Say that I left you outside in the cold with a broken heart
I really don't care
I ain't crying no more
Say I'm a liar a cheater
Say anything that you want
As long as it's over
Chrisette Michele's song "Blame it on Me" is a heart-wrenching ballad about a relationship that has run its course. The song speaks to the difficulty in letting go of someone that you once loved but can no longer continue a relationship with. The opening verse acknowledges that sometimes relationships can be worked out while at other times, it's better to just walk away, even if it hurts to let go of the love you once had. When relationships fall apart, it's a difficult experience, especially if you're someone who has invested a lot of time, effort, and emotion into making it work. Sometimes, no matter how much you try, you just can't make a relationship work.
The chorus of the song is about accepting responsibility for the end of the relationship. The singer is willing to accept that the relationship ended because of their actions, even if they don't believe that to be entirely true. The sentiment of the song is that it's okay to blame the singer for everything; the focus should be on ending the relationship and moving on. The chorus repeats the phrase "Blame it on me," which further reinforces the idea that the singer is willing to take on the responsibility of the relationship's demise. The last verse is about accepting that while there is still love, the singer is moving on to live their life.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes you can work it out
Occasionally, problems can be solved through effort and communication.
Sometimes you can't
At times, solutions are not immediately apparent, no matter how much effort is applied.
Sometimes you're forced to watch everything fall apart
Unfortunately, circumstances can converge in such a way that failure is imminent, and there is no way to stop it.
It's out of your hands
There are situations that are beyond your control.
Sometimes leaving is easy
Leaving a situation or person can be a simple decision because it's the best thing to do.
Sometimes it ain't
It can be difficult to leave someone or something behind, even if it's necessary.
Sometimes it hurts to know the loving you had is slowly fading away
Watching love fade away can cause great pain and sadness.
You can say whatever you like
Others are free to speak as they please.
As long as we just say goodbye
The relationship is ending, no matter what anyone says.
Blame it on me
Assign responsibility for the breakup to me.
Say its my fault
Claim that the ending is exclusively due to my actions.
Say that I left you outside in the cold with a broken heart
Allege that I abandoned you and made you feel unloved and uncared for.
I really don't care
I am indifferent to your accusations and criticisms.
I ain't crying no more
I have stopped feeling sad or emotional about the situation.
Say I'm a liar a cheater
Label me as dishonest or unfaithful, if you wish.
Say anything that you want
You are free to express any negative opinions or emotions that you have.
As long as it's over
All that matters is that the relationship ends and we move on.
I ain't a quitter
I am not one to give up easily.
I just ain't the type
However, there are situations in which it is better to walk away.
I tried to see you through
I attempted to support and care for you through difficult times.
I tried to make it to the finishing line
I did my best to try to make the relationship work and continue until the end.
Oh you thought it was meant to be yeah
At one time we believed that this relationship was predestined or fated.
I admit so did I
I confess that I shared this belief with you.
Every once in a while you think you figured it out
Occasionally, you believe you have unravelled the mystery or understood the problem.
Sometimes your not right
However, sometimes, your assumptions or beliefs are incorrect.
Yes I love you but I really got to loose you
Even though I love you, I must let you go.
Freedom is where I want to be
My heart desires independence regardless of the love I have for you.
Yes I'll probably always love you
Although I am leaving, my feelings of love for you will not disappear.
But I'm moving
I am moving on with my life and without you.
I got to do this for me
It is essential for me to put myself first in this situation.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHARLES HARMON, CLAUDE KELLY, CHRISETTE PAYNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind