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.
Playin' Our Song
Chrisette Michele Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Singin' bout a man that's gone
And cryin' while I look out the window
It's easy to move on
I don't care if he calls no more, whoa oh
At least that's what I tell myself to make it through
The days and nights alone here when I'm missin' you
Cuz every time I go to turn on the radio
They're playin our song
Every time that I hear it
My heart wants to jump out of my chest doin such a rush
They're playin' our song and my whole body feels it
It's cryin' out baby,baby,baby,baby,baby
They're playin' our song
Oh,oh,oh,oh (2x)
They're playin' our song
I ain't that every girl that's brokenhearted
Waitin' for a telephone call
And holdin' so tight to my pillow
See life really started the moment that you left me alone whoa,oh,oh
At least that's what I tell myself to make it through
The days and nights alone here when I'm missin' you
I try not to trip but I don't feel comfortable
Every time I go to turn on the radio
They're playin our song
Every time that I hear it
My heart wants to jump out of my chest doin such a rush
They're playin' our song and my whole body feels it
It's cryin' out baby,baby,baby,baby,baby
Don't think that I'm waistin' my time
Cryin' and wishin' you could be mine
Got my feelings under control til I turn on the radio
They're playin our song
Every time that I hear it
My heart wants to jump out of my chest doin such a rush
They're playin' our song and my whole body feels it
It's cryin' out baby,baby,baby,baby,baby
They're playin our song
Every time that I hear it
My heart wants to jump out of my chest doin such a rush
They're playin' our song and my whole body feels it
It's cryin' out baby,baby,baby,baby,baby
They're playin' our song
Oh,oh,oh,oh,oh (4x)
They're playin' our song, oh yeah
In "Playin' Our Song," Chrisette Michele sings about the aftermath of a break-up, and how she tries to move on from the relationship. She emphasizes that she is not like the typical heartbroken woman crying and waiting for a telephone call, as she has made peace with not caring if her ex-partner calls her. However, every time she hears a song that reminds her of the relationship, it triggers emotions and memories that she cannot control.
Michele's lyrics suggest that even though she is doing her best to move on, the relationship is still impacting her emotionally. The repeated refrain of "They're playing our song" highlights the power of music and its ability to bring back memories and emotions. Despite reassuring herself that she has her feelings under control, Michele's body and heart react to the song, causing her to cry out for her ex-partner.
Overall, "Playin' Our Song" is not just about the power of music but also the power of memories and emotions it brings. Even if you have made peace with a breakup, it can still impact you in unexpected ways.
Line by Line Meaning
I ain't that stereotypical woman
I'm not the typical woman who sings about a man leaving and cries while looking out the window.
Singin' bout a man that's gone
Singing about a man who has left is not what I do.
And cryin' while I look out the window
I'm not the type to cry every time I look out the window because someone left me.
It's easy to move on
Moving on is not a problem for me.
I don't care if he calls no more, whoa oh
I don't care if he never calls me again.
At least that's what I tell myself to make it through
I try to convince myself that it's okay to go on without him.
The days and nights alone here when I'm missin' you
The times I spend alone when I miss him are difficult.
I'm tryin' not to trip but I don't feel comfortable
I'm doing my best not to trip and fall back in love with him but I don't feel comfortable.
Cuz every time I go to turn on the radio
Whenever I want to listen to music, something happens.
They're playin our song
The radio station plays our song.
Every time that I hear it
Each time I hear the song, something stirs within me.
My heart wants to jump out of my chest doin such a rush
An overwhelming feeling of excitement builds up inside me.
And my whole body feels it
The feeling permeates every inch and fiber of my body.
It's cryin' out baby,baby,baby,baby,baby
The feeling pulsates within me, screaming 'baby, baby, baby'.
I ain't that every girl that's brokenhearted
I'm not like every brokenhearted girl who waits for a telephone call.
Waitin' for a telephone call
Waiting for a phone call from him is not how I deal with heartbreak.
And holdin' so tight to my pillow
I don't cling to my pillow in desperation and longing for him.
See life really started the moment that you left me alone whoa,oh,oh
Ever since you left me alone, my life started experiencing both ups and downs.
I try not to trip but I don't feel comfortable
I make an effort not to fall back in love with him, but it's hard.
Don't think that I'm waistin' my time
I'm not wasting my time thinking about him.
Cryin' and wishin' you could be mine
I refuse to cry and wish that he would return to me.
Got my feelings under control til I turn on the radio
I have my feelings under control until the radio plays our song.
They're playin our song, oh yeah
The radio continues to play the song that reminds me of him.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RODNEY JERKINS, CLAUDE KELLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
myhappyness1
I love this song. It makes me get up & dance & forget all my problems(for the time being anyway). That's exactley what music should do, help, heal, pamper & re-start the heart. They're playing MY song, I'm dancing, my whole body feels it. Blessings to good entertainers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
myhappyness1
Chrisette's nusic has that power to get you through a bad time & make everything alright as you listen to her music. It gives you something to think about after the song is over. Her music makes things clearer & then you can start to feel better & move on with your life, in a happy way.
fcuktg
i truly love this album,i can identify with it so much. didnt know love cud hurt like this
Stephanie Nelson
I love this song this was always my favorite song by chrisette love her ❤💖
LTKet
I was borderlining putting this on my PLAYLIST(S), but you convinced me. Thanx
LoJaay'
2020 and still listening and on God Chrisette Michele taught me how to sing when I was younger 💘👏🏽
Camille Boutt'e
luv her voice...i lisitening to this on the way home today. Love her CD
AshleyDenise
Love this song!! Epiphany will always be her best album!!❤
Tshiamo Kgosietsile
Yeah!!!this was my favourite song on the album, i love all of them but this one!ae man!
Keanna Lowe
love dis song!!!