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"
id like to
Corinne Bailey Rae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Me and Candice waking up to a heat wave
Mother's in the garden inviting everyone
Oh, we'd cut up our old jeans and go outside
Neighbor's always smiling with the baby on her knee
Mia's sat on the front step getting her hair combed out in weaves
And music, the bass boomin', oh, it's from the car parked in the street
Got that new song on repeat, oh, oh
(I'd, I'd) like to put my fingers on you
(I'd, I'd) like to paint a picture for you
Sometimes you don't understand where I'm coming from
I'd just like to make you see that
I desire simple things
Growing up, we didn't have a lot of money
Used to spend our summer having parties on the drive
Plastic cups for rum and punch, eating chicken that's hot and sweet
All the women discussing what love is like; ooo, you know the way I mean
And I'm just sitting, watching, hoping the boys will call for me
Got that new song on repeat, oh, oh
(I'd, I'd) like to put my fingers on you
(I'd, I'd) like to paint a picture for you
Sometimes you don't understand where I'm coming from
I'm just tryin' to make you see that
I desire simple things
Maybe then, now and then, I would want somebody
Delicate, intimate, used to dream of someone to love
Now you come, and you go right by me
I know I'm in love
(I'd, I'd) like to put my fingers on you
(I'd, I'd) like to paint this picture for you
Sometimes you don't understand where I'm coming from
I'm just tryin' to make you see that
I desire simple things
(I'd, I'd) like to put my fingers on you
(I'd, I'd) like to paint a picture for you
Sometimes you don't understand where I'm coming from
I'd just like to make you see that
I desire simple things
(I'd, I'd) oh, I'd like to put my fingers on you
(I'd, I'd) and paint a picture for you
Sometimes you don't understand where I'm coming from
Oh, I desire simple things
The lyrics of "I'd Like To" by Corinne Bailey Rae evoke a feeling of longing for simpler times, where the singer reminisces about the carefree summer days of her childhood spent with family and friends. The first verse references a memory of waking up to a heat wave with a friend named Candice, and how they used to cut up their old jeans and go outside. The visual imagery paints a picture of a happy and social neighborhood where everyone knew each other, with a neighbor smiling with a baby on her knee, and Mia getting her hair combed out in weaves. The bass of music blares from a car parked on the street, with the new song on repeat, adding to the warm and inviting vibe of the neighborhood.
As the song progresses, the singer expresses a desire for simpler things, admitting that she didn't grow up with a lot of money but enjoyed spending summers having parties on the drive with plastic cups for rum and punch and eating hot and sweet chicken. The focus on the women discussing love while the boys ignore her further emphasizes the nostalgic feeling of wanting that simplicity and connection with others. The urgency of the repetition of "I'd" throughout the chorus underscores the desire to connect with someone in a meaningful way, despite their differences or misunderstandings.
Overall, "I'd Like To" speaks to the universal desire for simplicity and connection in a world that can often feel overwhelming and complex. The singer's longing for simpler times highlights the importance of cherishing the moments we have with others, regardless of our circumstances or differences.
Line by Line Meaning
Lying here with you reminds me of those days
Being with you makes me think of the past when I used to wake up next to my friend Candice during a hot summer day
Me and Candice waking up to a heat wave
My friend Candice and I would wake up in the midst of a hot weather
Mother's in the garden inviting everyone
My mother is in the garden calling out to people to come over and visit
Oh, we'd cut up our old jeans and go outside
We would wear shorts made out of our old jeans and go outside
Neighbor's always smiling with the baby on her knee
My neighbor always has a smile on her face while holding her baby on her lap
Mia's sat on the front step getting her hair combed out in weaves
Mia is sitting on the front steps and getting her hair styled into weaves
And music, the bass boomin', oh, it's from the car parked in the street
The loud music with heavy bass is coming from a car parked on the street
Got that new song on repeat, oh, oh
They are playing the latest song on loop
(I'd, I'd) like to put my fingers on you
I want to touch you affectionately
(I'd, I'd) like to paint a picture for you
I want to create an image of you in my mind
Sometimes you don't understand where I'm coming from
At times you may not entirely comprehend my perspective
I'd just like to make you see that
I just want to show you
I desire simple things
I solely desire modest things
Growing up, we didn't have a lot of money
During my upbringing, my family wasn't wealthy
Used to spend our summer having parties on the drive
During summer, we used to throw gatherings on our street
Plastic cups for rum and punch, eating chicken that's hot and sweet
We would drink rum and punch in plastic cups and eat spicy and sweet chicken
All the women discussing what love is like; ooo, you know the way I mean
All the women would discuss how love feels like; you know what I'm talking about
And I'm just sitting, watching, hoping the boys will call for me
I would sit and watch, hoping that the boys would ask me out
Maybe then, now and then, I would want somebody
Occasionally, I would like to have somebody
Delicate, intimate, used to dream of someone to love
I used to desire someone who is tender and intimate to love
Now you come, and you go right by me
But now, you come and go by me
I know I'm in love
Despite that, I know I'm in love with you
(I'd, I'd) oh, I'd like to put my fingers on you
Oh, I want to touch you affectionately
(I'd, I'd) and paint a picture for you
And create an image of you in my mind
Sometimes you don't understand where I'm coming from
Occasionally you may not see things through my eyes
Oh, I desire simple things
Oh, I solely want modest things
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CORINNE BAILEY RAE, PAUL PHILIP HERMAN, THOMAS ASHER DANVERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LEA_DR
Lying with you reminds me of those days
Me and Candice waking up to a heat wave
Mother's in the garden inviting everyone
Ooh, we cut up our old jeans and go outside
Neighbour's always smiling with the baby on her knee
Rhea sat on the front step getting her hair combed out and greased
Music, bass is boomin' from the car parked in the street
Got that new song on repeat, oh oh
I'd, I'd like to put my fingers on you
I'd, I'd like to paint a picture for you
Sometimes you don't understand where I'm coming from
I'm just trying to make you see that
I desire the simple things
Growing up we didn't have a lot of money
Used to spend my summer having parties on the drive
Plastic cups for rum and punch, eating chicken that's hot andsweet
Women discussing what love is like, ooh you know what I mean
And I'm just sitting watching hoping the boys will call for me
Got that new song on repeat, oh oh
I'd, I'd like to put my fingers on you
I'd, I'd like to paint a picture for you
Sometimes you don't understand where I'm coming from
I'm just trying to make you see that
I desire the simple things
Maybe then I will know I want somebody
Maybe then I used to dream of someone to love
Now you come and you invite me
I know I'm in love
I'd, I'd like to put my fingers on you
I'd, I'd like to paint this picture for you
Sometimes you don't understand where I'm coming from
I'm just trying to make you see that
I desire the simple things
I'd, I'd like to put my fingers on you
I'd, I'd like to paint a picture for you
Sometimes you don't understand where I'm coming from
I'm just trying to make you see that
I desire the simple things
@amylubis2800
Lying here with you reminds me of those days
Me and Candice waking up to a heat wave
Mother's in the garden inviting everyone
Oh, we'd cut up our old jeans and go outside
Neighbor's always smiling with the baby on her knee
Mia's sat on the front step getting her hair combed out in weaves
And music, the bass boomin', oh, it's from the car parked in the street
Got that new song on repeat, oh, oh
like to put my fingers on you
(I'd, I'd) like to paint a picture for you
Sometimes you don't understand where I'm coming from
I'd just like to make you see that
I desire simple things
Growing up, we didn't have a lot of money
Used to spend our summer having parties on the drive
Plastic cups for rum and punch, eating chicken that's hot and sweet
All the women…
@simpsongardenservices1733
Man I used to sing these songs all day! I still remember hearing her sing for the first time, just beautiful 👌🏽
@LYBism
I'd love to hear a marching band play this during a half-time performance. Those horns!!!!
@AmirTori
I was so glad this came on randomly one day! People know of her from put your records on, but I can say this is another gem I know from her too 🥰 man I miss 06!
@malakcanvas
Corinne feeds the soul💖🎶
@gustavotolaba6836
A beautiful song, a beautiful girl.And a wonderful video 😊
@MitchellOrr-ru8zs
Seend some over
Send em over
@sharonhensley9081
I absolutely adore this song. 😍
@jonesnbones
We're still finding love for these stellar hits
@dawnpaige3648
I definitely love this song and the video myself as well. Not too many radio stations didn't play this song. But the radio stations played her first song. Put your records on. Whatever happened to this very talented Corinne Bailey Rae?
@LEA_DR
Lying with you reminds me of those days
Me and Candice waking up to a heat wave
Mother's in the garden inviting everyone
Ooh, we cut up our old jeans and go outside
Neighbour's always smiling with the baby on her knee
Rhea sat on the front step getting her hair combed out and greased
Music, bass is boomin' from the car parked in the street
Got that new song on repeat, oh oh
I'd, I'd like to put my fingers on you
I'd, I'd like to paint a picture for you
Sometimes you don't understand where I'm coming from
I'm just trying to make you see that
I desire the simple things
Growing up we didn't have a lot of money
Used to spend my summer having parties on the drive
Plastic cups for rum and punch, eating chicken that's hot andsweet
Women discussing what love is like, ooh you know what I mean
And I'm just sitting watching hoping the boys will call for me
Got that new song on repeat, oh oh
I'd, I'd like to put my fingers on you
I'd, I'd like to paint a picture for you
Sometimes you don't understand where I'm coming from
I'm just trying to make you see that
I desire the simple things
Maybe then I will know I want somebody
Maybe then I used to dream of someone to love
Now you come and you invite me
I know I'm in love
I'd, I'd like to put my fingers on you
I'd, I'd like to paint this picture for you
Sometimes you don't understand where I'm coming from
I'm just trying to make you see that
I desire the simple things
I'd, I'd like to put my fingers on you
I'd, I'd like to paint a picture for you
Sometimes you don't understand where I'm coming from
I'm just trying to make you see that
I desire the simple things