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.
You Mean That Much To Me
Chrisette Michele Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No, I mean, anything
And I’ll give you everything
So
Tell me your secrets
And I’ll tell you mine
Every truth, every lie
Every heartbreak, every setback
Every mistake, every crime
Make me your cover girl
Make me your best friend
If you lose or if you win
If you’re a saint or if you sin
And if I don’t understand
I’ll do the best that I can
‘Cause oh, some people search high and low
For someone that makes them whole
So I’m not letting go
‘Cause you mean that much to me
So take all this love from me
I’m giving you every part of me
All of this heart of me
Here is my offering
‘Cause you mean that much to me
So take all this love from me
I’m giving you every part of me
All of this heart of me
Here is my offering
'Cause you mean that much to me
I’ll be your refuge
Be your sanctuary
Bring you peace, like a dove
like a prayer
Like a heart
And if that don’t do the trick
I came equipped with my love
Ask of me anything
Any gift, any kind
Any reason, any time
Any need, oh any size
And if you need something more
I’ll search til I find
‘Cause oh
People search high and low
For someone that makes them whole
So I’m not letting go
‘Cause you mean that much to me
So take all this love from me
I’m giving you every part of me
All of this heart of me
Here is my offering
‘Cause you mean that much to me
So take all this love from me
I’m giving you every part of me
All of this heart of me
Here is my offering
So fine
It's so hard to mine
And give you my life
Without you it’s hard to survive
You are the anchor to my lifeline
‘Cause you mean that much to me
So take all this love from me
I’m giving you every part of me
All of this heart of me
Here is my offering
‘Cause you mean that much to me
So take all this love from me
I’m giving you every part of me
All of this heart of me
Here is my offering
‘Cause you mean that much to me
You mean that much to me
You mean that much to me, baby
Chrisette Michele's song You Mean That Much To Me is a song about giving oneself completely to another person. The song starts with a spoken word introduction where the singer expresses her willingness to be there for her partner no matter what. The chorus, which is repeated four times throughout the song, is a declaration of love and devotion. The singer tells her partner that they mean the world to her and that she will give him everything she has to offer. She regards herself as a refuge and a sanctuary and promises to be there for him through thick and thin.
The first verse introduces the idea of two people sharing their secrets with one another. The singer tells her partner that she is willing to hear about all of his victories, mistakes, and heartbreaks, and promises to share her own secrets in return. The second verse builds on this idea, saying that the singer is willing to do anything she can to make her partner happy. She is prepared to search for anything he needs, no matter how big or small.
The bridge is a reflection on the importance of finding someone who makes you feel complete. The singer acknowledges that there are people who spend their whole lives searching for someone like this, and because of this, she is not willing to let go of the special bond she shares with her partner.
Overall, You Mean That Much To Me is a powerful love song that highlights the importance of unconditional love and support in a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you know you can come to me for anything?
I'm here for you, no matter what you need, just know you can rely on me.
And I’ll give you everything
I will give you my all, without holding anything back.
Tell me your secrets
I want to know every part of you, even the parts you keep hidden from others.
And I’ll tell you mine
I will be vulnerable with you and share my own secrets too.
Every truth, every lie
I want to know the good and the bad, the truth and the lies - every part of your story.
Every wrong, every right
I am here to support you through your mistakes and your triumphs.
Every heartbreak, every setback
I will be with you through every struggle, every heartache, and every obstacle.
Every mistake, every crime
I will accept you for who you are, even if you have made mistakes or done things you're not proud of.
Make me your cover girl
Let me be there for you in all aspects of your life, let us be there for each other.
Make me your best friend
I want to be the person you turn to for anything, and someone who you can trust implicitly.
If you lose or if you win
No matter the outcome, I'm here for you.
If you’re a saint or if you sin
I will accept you no matter who you are, what you believe in or what you have done.
And if I don’t understand
I may not always get it, but know that I'm trying my best to understand you and your situation.
I’ll do the best that I can
I will always give everything I have, putting forth all of my energy to help you with anything you need.
People search high and low
For someone that makes them whole
So I’m not letting go
I know it's hard to find someone who fills that void in your heart, but I promise I'm not going anywhere.
So take all this love from me
I’m giving you every part of me
All of this heart of me
Here is my offering
I'm laying it all out, giving you everything I have to offer, every bit of love, and asking nothing in return but your understanding.
I’ll be your refuge
Be your sanctuary
Bring you peace, like a dove
like a prayer
Like a heart
I want to be the place where you come for comfort, a peaceful haven - a safe haven from the world's trials and tribulations.
And if that don’t do the trick
I came equipped with my love
Ask of me anything
Any gift, any kind
Any reason, any time
Any need, oh any size
If being with me isn't enough, know that my love for you is enduring and that I will provide for you in any way I can.
And if you need something more
I’ll search til I find
No matter what it is that you need, I will do my best to provide it for you and go the extra mile if need be.
It's so hard to mine
And give you my life
Without you it’s hard to survive
You are the anchor to my lifeline
It's hard entrusting someone with all of yourself, but without you, I don't know that I will survive. You are my life support.
You mean that much to me
You mean that much to me
You mean that much to me, baby
I want to emphasize again how much you mean to me, no matter what, you are priceless.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DARHYL CAMPER, KRISTAL OLIVER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind