Rae was born in Leeds, West Yorkshire to a Kittitian father and an English mother, and she was the eldest of three daughters. She began her musical career at school where she studied classical violin before she turned her attention to singing: "I started off singing in church, I suppose, but people think it must have been a gospel church because of the whole, you know, black assumption", she says in reference to her multiracial background. "But it wasn't gospel at all, it was just your regular Brethren church, very middle-class, where we would sing these harmonies every Sunday. It was always my favourite part of the service, the singing".
Rae later transferred to a Baptist church, where the choir would sing traditional hymns, and Primal Scream tunes. "We changed the words though", Rae states on her website. "We didn't want to offend the regular churchgoers, now did we?"
Performing in church broadened Rae's musical horizons, and her love affair with making music was solidified after a local youth leader offered to buy her an electric guitar. In her mid-teens, she became obsessed with rock legends Led Zeppelin, "I loved that band during my teens; I wanted, somehow, to follow in their footsteps, and to create music of my own".
Rae formed an all-female indie group called Helen, which was inspired by similar acts such as Veruca Salt and L7. "It was the first time I'd seen women with guitars. They were kinda sexy – but feminist. I wanted to be like that, at the front of something".
The group raised eyebrows on several fronts; in the white male-dominated world of indie music, they were an all-female group fronted by a mixed-race singer from Leeds. The moniker "Helen" also drew attention, albeit for not all the right reasons: "What can I say? We were 15 years old, and thought that Helen was a cheeky, indie kind of thing to do. It seemed clever at the time. Admittedly, it seems less so now".
The group played many gigs around Leeds, including a memorable performance at Joseph's Well with Leeds-based band Swift, fronted by wildman rocker Royce Dunston. Despite this, the group became the first indie act to be signed to heavy metal record label Roadrunner Records, home to acts such as Slipknot, in 1995. The venture proved to be short-lived however after the bassist became pregnant and the group disbanded. "[Was I] Disappointed? I was gutted! I had no idea what to do next".
Corinne has often stated that she is a proud Leeds United Football Club fan.
After the disappointment of Helen, Rae went on to attend the University of Leeds where she studied an English Literature degree. While at University, she began work as a hat check girl on an evening in her local jazz club. Permitted to sing on stage with the jazz band when business was slow, it was there that she discovered a different type of music that sent her on a different musical path: "I kept hearing this jazz and soul stuff and I realized I loved that music too". It was there also that she met saxophone player Jason Rae, whom she eventually married in 2001 at age twenty-two. "I was Corinne Bailey. I added on Rae, my husband's name, when I got married. There's no hyphen; stops it being posh!" Jason died in March 2008.
Career
Over the space of the next three years, Rae began working on solo material – this time steering away from her indie past and embarking on a more "soulful" path. She collaborated with Leeds-based funk group The New Mastersounds on the track "Your Love Is Mine", featured on their 2003 album Be Yourself, released via One Note Records. The following year she again worked with another Leeds-based group, Homecut Directive, on the song "Come the Revolution", which was the first single from the group's debut album.
In 2004, Rae got a breakthrough when she was signed by Global Talent Publishing and then approached by Craig David's mentor Mark Hill, from the duo The Artful Dodger, to appear on his new album better luck next time under his new alias, The stiX. The resulting collaboration, "Young and Foolish", was released in April 2005 and brought Rae to the attention of the major record label bosses. Rae released her debut single, "Like a Star", in November 2005 and her first album, Corinne Bailey Rae, in February 2006. In September 2006, Rae scooped two awards at the UK's MOBO Awards: "Best UK Newcomer" and "Best UK Female". Rae recorded a live session at Abbey Road Studios in July 2006 for Live From Abbey Road.
Rae also received three nominations at the 2007 Grammy Awards: "Record of the Year", "Song of the Year" (both for "Put Your Records On"), and "Best New Artist". During the ceremony, she performed "Like a Star" and joined John Legend and John Mayer in a collaborative performance, providing accompanying vocals to Legend's "Coming Home" and Mayer's "Gravity". The poll's predictions subsequently came true, as she became only the fourth female British act in history to have her first album debut at number one. She has been nominated for Grammy Awards and BRIT Awards and won two MOBO Awards.
During an interview for the 2011 Mercury Awards, Corinne revealed she is writing a follow-up album to her critically acclaimed The Sea.
In 2013, Bailey Rae was moved from Capitol Records to Virgin Records due to corporate restructuring as a result of their parent company being purchased by Universal Music Group in 2012.
Discography
Albums
* 2006: "Corinne Bailey Rae"
* 2007: Live in London & New York
* 2010: "The Sea"
Breathless
Corinne Bailey Rae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't mind, we have such a good time, my best friend
But sometimes, well I wish we could be more than friends
Tell me, do you know?
Tell me, do you know?
Oh
I get so breathless when you call me name
There's a chemistry, energy, a synchronicity when we're all alone
So don't tell me you can't see what I'm thinking of
I can understand that you don't want to cross the line
And you know I can't promise you things will turn out fine
But I have to be honest, I want you to be mine
Tell me, do you know?
Tell me, do you know?
Oh
I get so breathless when you call me name
I've often wondered, do you feel the same?
There's a chemistry, energy, a synchronicity when we're all alone
So don't tell me (don't you tell me) you can't see
Oh
'Cause I've tried to do this right in your own time
I've been telling with my eyes my heart's on fire, why don't you realize?
Tell me, do you know?
Tell me, do you know?
I get so breathless (I get so breathless when you call my name)
I've often wondered, do you feel the same?
There's a chemistry, energy, a synchronicity when we're alone
So don't tell me (don't you tell me) you can't see what I'm thinking of
I get so breathless when you call me name
I've often wondered, do you feel the same?
There's a chemistry, energy, a synchronicity when we're all alone
So don't tell me (don't you tell me) you can't see what I'm thinking of
In Corinne Bailey Rae's song Breathless, the singer expresses her desire to be more than just friends with someone she has a deep connection with. The lyrics suggest that the two of them have great chemistry when they're alone and that she gets breathless when he calls her name. She wonders if he feels the same way but acknowledges that she understands if he doesn't want to cross the line into a romantic relationship. However, she still wants him to know how she feels and hopes that he sees what she's thinking of.
The song beautifully captures the feeling of being in love with someone but not being able to express it fully. It's a relatable experience for many people who have ever had a crush on a close friend but were too afraid to take things further. The lyrics capture the tension and longing that comes with the situation while maintaining a sense of hopefulness.
Overall, Breathless is a fantastic love song that explores the complexities of human relationships. It's a beautiful expression of love, friendship, and self-discovery that anyone can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
Seems like everyone else has a love just for them
It seems like everyone else has found someone to love and cherish.
I don't mind; we have such a good time, my best friend
I am happy with our friendship, we enjoy being together and spending time with each other.
But sometimes, well I wish we could be more than friends
Occasionally, I think about taking our relationship to the next level and maybe becoming more than just friends.
Tell me, do you know?
I am curious if you are aware of my feelings towards you.
Oh
Expressing an emotional response to the situation.
I get so breathless when you call me name
I feel overwhelmed and excited when you say my name.
I've often wondered, do you feel the same?
I have often thought about whether you share the same feelings towards me.
There's a chemistry, energy, a synchronicity when we're all alone
There is a strong connection and compatibility when we are alone together.
So don't tell me you can't see what I'm thinking of
I hope you are able to understand my thoughts and emotions without me having to express them explicitly.
I can understand that you don't want to cross the line
I am aware that you may not want to complicate our relationship by crossing the line from friends to something more.
And you know I can't promise you things will turn out fine
I don't want to make any promises about the outcome of our relationship and future together.
But I have to be honest: I want you to be mine
To be honest, I desire a more committed and romantic relationship with you.
I've been telling with my eyes my heart's on fire; why don't you realize?
I have been giving you hints and indicating with my eyes that I have strong feelings for you, so why haven't you realized it yet?
So don't tell me (don't you tell me) you can't see
Don't deny that you haven't noticed my feelings and emotions for you.
'Cause I've tried to do this right in your own time
I have been taking it slow and trying to navigate our relationship in a way that is comfortable for you and at your pace.
I get so breathless (I get so breathless when you call my name)
I feel overwhelmed and excited when you say my name.
So don't tell me (don't you tell me) you can't see what I'm thinking of
Please don't deny that you are aware of my thoughts and emotions towards you.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Marc Nelkin, Corinne Bailey Rae
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind