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.
Mr. Right
Chrisette Michele Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whoa Oh Oh oh
No I've never been ashamed
Or afraid to speak my mind
I'm the type of girl
That's gonna' say what I don't like
I know I can be a handful
I'm used to being in control
Decide on what goes down
Well I met my match
Plus your more of a man
Than I ever had (Ooh Ooh Ooh)
This table's turned and
I can't find the words
To describe how good it hurts
[Chorus]
You are
(You are)
My Mr. Right
(You got me weak, you got me weak, you got me weak)
I can't even fight
(Oh Oh Oh)
One touch and I'm paralyzed
(I can't think, I can't move, I can't speak)
And I'm convinced your love is mine
Mr. Right (You got me weak, you got me weak)
Mr. Right (Can't move, I can't think, I can't speak)
Mr. Right (You got me weak, you got me weak)
Mr. Right (Can't move, I can't think, I can't speak)
My defenses are so useless
I don't even have the power
I'm falling more for you with every minute, every hour
My friends will find it funny
If they could see me now
Cause there'll so used to me running the show
When I'm around
Yes I met my match (Oh)
Plus your more of a man (Oh)
Than I ever had (Oh oh oh)
This table's turned (Oh)
And I can't find the words (Oh)
To describe how good it hurts
[Chorus]
I'm changing my ways
Maybe I'll get in
You might be the man
Mr. Right, Mr. Right
[Chorus]
In Chrisette Michele's song Mr. Right, she talks about the transformation she goes through after meeting the man who she believes is her soulmate. She confesses that she's never been afraid to speak her mind or give her opinion, but with this person, things are different. "This table's turned, and I can't find the words to describe how good it hurts" suggests that she's powerless to resist this person and that their love causes her pain and pleasure at the same time. She's falling in love, and she's okay with the vulnerability it brings.
The chorus repeats the emphasises that this man is her Mr. Right, and she's helplessly drawn to him. She describes how simple things like his touch and presence leave her unable to think, move or speak. She's convinced that his love is hers, and he has her completely under his control.
Overall, the song suggests that being vulnerable in love is okay, and that falling in love can change people, as it has with Chrisette here. She 's found someone with whom she can be truly comfortable and relinquish control.
Line by Line Meaning
Whoa Oh Oh Oh
Expression of excitement and anticipation.
Whoa Oh Oh oh
Expression of excitement and anticipation.
No I've never been ashamed
I am not afraid to be myself in front of others.
Or afraid to speak my mind
I am not afraid to voice my opinions and concerns.
I'm the type of girl
I am a confident woman.
That's gonna' say what I don't like
I will voice my dislike for things that I do not agree with.
I know I can be a handful
I can be difficult to handle at times.
Sometimes I run my mouth
I tend to talk a lot.
I'm used to being in control
I am accustomed to being in charge of things.
Decide on what goes down
I make decisions about what happens and how.
Well I met my match
I have found someone who can match my personality.
Plus your more of a man
You are a better fit for me than anyone else I've met.
Than I ever had (Ooh Ooh Ooh)
You are the best man I have ever met.
This table's turned and
Our roles in the relationship have changed.
I can't find the words
I cannot express how good it feels.
To describe how good it hurts
I am so overcome with emotion that it almost physically hurts.
You are
You are the one for me.
(You are)
You are the one for me.
My Mr. Right
You are my perfect man.
(You got me weak, you got me weak, you got me weak)
You have affected me so deeply that I am vulnerable.
I can't even fight
I cannot resist you.
(Oh Oh Oh)
Expression of excitement and anticipation.
One touch and I'm paralyzed
Your touch leaves me speechless and powerless.
(I can't think, I can't move, I can't speak)
You have left me completely enamored and unable to think or act.
And I'm convinced your love is mine
I am certain that you love me and I love you.
Mr. Right (You got me weak, you got me weak)
You are the perfect man for me.
Mr. Right (Can't move, I can't think, I can't speak)
You have left me powerless and speechless with your love.
Mr. Right (You got me weak, you got me weak)
You are the perfect man for me.
Mr. Right (Can't move, I can't think, I can't speak)
You have left me powerless and speechless with your love.
My defenses are so useless
My defenses against love are ineffective.
I don't even have the power
I cannot control my feelings for you.
I'm falling more for you with every minute, every hour
I am falling in love with you more every day.
My friends will find it funny
My friends will laugh at me for changing my ways.
If they could see me now
If my friends saw me in love, they would be surprised.
Cause there'll so used to me running the show
My friends are used to me being in control of my relationships.
When I'm around
When I am with someone.
Yes I met my match (Oh)
I have found someone who is the perfect match for me.
Plus your more of a man (Oh)
You are a better fit for me than anyone else I've met.
Than I ever had (Oh oh oh)
You are the best man I have ever met.
This table's turned (Oh)
Our roles in the relationship have changed.
And I can't find the words (Oh)
I cannot express how good it feels.
To describe how good it hurts
I am so overcome with emotion that it almost physically hurts.
I'm changing my ways
I am becoming less controlling in relationships.
Maybe I'll get in
I am opening myself up to the possibility of love.
You might be the man
You could be the man for me.
Mr. Right, Mr. Right
You are the perfect man for me.
[Chorus]
Repeats the chorus lyrics.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHARLES HARMON, CLAUDE KELLY, CHRISETTE PAYNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind