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"
Young and Foolish
Corinne Bailey Rae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You told me that you had a secret, yeah yeah
Promised to keep it safe
I kept it for you
And we talked and we laughed and we sat in the car; watched the world go past
I tried to dissuade you but you made up your mind
You were wise at 17
And there was nothing I could do and there was nothing I could say
I didn't know why you asked me, you're gonna do it anyway
Everybody makes mistakes (ooh) and everybody feels the same
There was nothing I could do and there was nothing I could say
They said we grown up too fast, that we acted young and foolishly
I keep all this in mind when I recall the time
I have to disagree, and be here for you
Oooh, and we talked and laughed and we sat in the park and watched the world go past
I tried to dissuade you but you know what you're like
You were wise at 17
And there was nothing I could do and there was nothing I could say
I didn't know why you asked me, you're gonna do it anyway
Everybody makes mistakes (ooh) and everybody feels the same
There was nothing I could do and there was nothing I could say
Birds in the tree sing a song for me
About being young and foolish and naive
I haven't changed that much from what I see
I was only trying to make things right
And there was nothing I could do and there was nothing I could say
I didn't know why you asked me, you're gonna do it anyway
Everybody makes mistakes (ooh) and everybody feels the same
There was nothing I could do and there was nothing I could say
And there was nothing I could do and there was nothing I could say
I didn't know why you asked me, you're gonna do it anyway
Everybody makes mistakes (ooh) and everybody feels the same
There was nothing I could do and there was nothing I could say...
The song "Young & Foolish" by Corinne Bailey Rae is a heartfelt ballad about the experience of watching a friend make a mistake despite your best efforts to stop them. The song captures a moment shared between two people, sitting in a car or a park, talking and laughing, and watching the world go by. However, the mood turns serious when the friend confesses to having a secret that they plan to act upon, and despite the singer's attempts to dissuade them, they go through with their decision. The singer reflects on the complexity of the situation, acknowledging that everyone makes mistakes and feels the same way.
The lyrics of the song are beautifully crafted and capture the emotion of the moment perfectly. The imagery of the birds singing a song about being young and foolish and naive is particularly poignant. The song is ultimately about the power of friendship and the importance of being there for each other, even when you can't fix each other's problems. It's a testament to the enduring bonds that hold us together even when life is at its most challenging.
Overall, "Young & Foolish" is a powerful and relatable song that speaks to the human experience of making mistakes and feeling lost. Through Corinne Bailey Rae's gorgeous lyrics and soulful voice, the song captures the complexities of friendship and the struggles of growing up.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember sitting back 'cause you said you had something to say
I recalled relaxing as you told me you had a secret to share.
You told me that you had a secret, yeah yeah
You informed me of a confidential matter.
Promised to keep it safe
You made me pledge to keep it confidential.
I kept it for you
I maintained your trust by keeping the secret for you.
And we talked and we laughed and we sat in the car; watched the world go past
We engaged in conversation, moments of joviality and watched the world go by from the comfort of a car.
I tried to dissuade you but you made up your mind
I attempted to convince you otherwise, but you ultimately were firm in your decision.
You were wise at 17
You had a level of sagacity beyond your years at the age of 17.
And there was nothing I could do and there was nothing I could say
I had no effect on the situation, nor could I change it through my words.
I didn't know why you asked me, you're gonna do it anyway
I was uncertain as to why you sought my advice when you were committed to your decision regardless.
Everybody makes mistakes (ooh) and everybody feels the same
Everyone is prone to error and shares common emotions.
They said we grown up too fast, that we acted young and foolishly
They alleged that we matured at a rapid rate but acted recklessly in doing so.
I keep all this in mind when I recall the time
I recollect this tale whilst maintaining the aforementioned perspective.
I have to disagree, and be here for you
I respectfully protest and steadfastly offer my support to you.
Birds in the tree sing a song for me, about being young and foolish and naive
The birds atop the tree croon a tune regarding the folly and naivety of youth.
I haven't changed that much from what I see
Looking at myself, I haven't drastically altered.
I was only trying to make things right
I was simply endeavoring to rectify matters.
Lyrics © Global Talent Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARK HILL, CORINNE JACQUELINE BAILEY RAE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Phillip Moore
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Corinne Bailey Rae is my favorite female artist at the moment!
TheCrazyOneCares1
Not only can she sing beautifully, She could so be a model!
Shanice
her music makes my soul feel good and very few artist do that
Kiwi
I love everything she sings.
Magno Kassanji
Both of us
Naturel SheIs
Everybody makes mistakes. There was nothing I could do. & there was nothing I could say. Exactly how I feel. Beautiful song. Starting to fall in love with Corinne Bailey Rae.
Shane Walters
The b-line is Sick and the arrangement Solid!
Adeola Oluwaseun Adeyemi
This song brings out such emotions in me. Her best ever
Adeola Oluwaseun Adeyemi
Jimmy Two-Times lols😃😃😃
dsportnissan
all i can say is wow! her sound and just sensuality with out even trying is like damn...love her music.