Sandé made her singing career debut in 2009 after appearing on the track she wrote for Chipmunk's first debut single, "Diamond Rings". The single charted at No. 6 on the UK Singles Charts, making it Chipmunk and Sandé's first ever Top 10 Hit. She later appeared on another single singing guest vocals, after collaborating with Wiley on his comeback single "Never Be Your Woman", the single charted at number-eight on the UK Singles Charts becoming Sandé's second consecutive Top 10 Single.
Sandé decided against using the name Adele Sandé, due to Adele's growing success, so used her middle name instead. She revealed: "I changed it as soon as Adele came out. I just thought, 'You've kind of taken the [name] now', so I went with my middle name. She was just getting bigger and bigger, so I thought I just really need it."
A former medical student, Sandé appeared as a guest vocalist on Professor Green's 2011 UK #1 single Read All About It and soon went on to achieve her own chart success with her first solo release Heaven, which debuted in the UK Singles Chart at #2. Her debut album Our Version of Events was released on 12th February 2012. The album includes the singles Next To Me, Daddy and My Kind Of Love.
Before branching out on her own Sandé had already had a taste of chart success having collaborated with rapper Chipmunk on his song Diamond Rings, and then with Wiley on Never Be Your Woman. She has also written for or collaborated with artists including Let Go, Let It Rain, Susan Boyle and Cheryl Cole.
In a major feature in their Saturday Review paper, The Times declared Emeli Sandé "The Voice of 2012". The New York Times said “Ms. Sandé has a perspective-altering voice, clear and brassy and weapons-grade”. Fellow artists have also proclaimed their admiration, including Alicia Keys, “I just love her style and her flow – super raw.”, and Adele, "How incredible is she?".
Our Version of Events is the UK's biggest selling debut album of 2012.
Sandé appeared at the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony. She performed Abide with Me
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Tiger
Emeli Sandé Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They say we're dreaming
But I swear we're awake
Whenever you leave all the colours fade
So I'm here holding on cause
I'm tired of grey
Are you sticking around?
You build a plane, and I'll build a boat
If we drop all the silver
I swear we can float
Wasn't born for the money
So I spent it quick
Bank says I'm poor, but I'm feeling rich
Are you sticking around?
Are you sticking around?
Hey there, honey
You came along and stopped me running
I'm feeling like me, back on my feet
I'm a tiger again hey there, honey
You came along and stopped me running
I'm feeling like me, back on my feet
I'm a tiger again
Tattoos on our arms so everybody can see
If they're messing with you
Then they're messing with me
They think we're crazy, crazy and blind
But if I can see you
Then the rest I don't mind
Are you sticking around?
Are you sticking around?
Wash out the glass and pop the champagne
Whenever I can, I celebrate
Because it's not everyday you get
A feeling so brave
Not everyone gets the chance to be saved
Are you sticking around?
Are you sticking around?
Hey there, honey
You came along and stopped me running
I'm feeling like me, back on my feet
I'm a tiger again hey there, honey
You came along and stopped me running
I'm feeling like me, back on my feet
I'm a tiger again
The lyrics of Emeli Sandé's song "Tiger" convey a message of empowerment, inner strength, and the transformative power of love. The opening lines suggest a struggle with mental health and a reliance on medication: "Drop all the pills Doctor told us to take, They say we're dreaming, But I swear we're awake." This can be interpreted as a desire to break free from the numbing effects of medication and experience life fully awake and present.
The chorus, "Are you sticking around?," indicates a longing for stability and commitment from a partner. The idea of building a plane and a boat symbolizes a joint effort to escape from materialism and societal expectations. The mention of being poor but feeling rich suggests that true wealth lies in the simple joys and connection shared with a loved one.
The lyrics further highlight the importance of solidarity and protection in a relationship. The tattoos on their arms represent a visible declaration of loyalty and support for one another. Despite being misunderstood or labeled as crazy, the singer doesn't mind because as long as they can see their partner, everything else fades away.
The song culminates in a celebration of newfound strength and bravery. The act of washing out the glass and popping champagne represents a metaphorical cleansing and a celebration of life's victories. It acknowledges the rarity and significance of finding love and being saved. The final repetition of "I'm a tiger again" indicates a resurgence of confidence and a reclamation of one's power.
Overall, "Tiger" is a song that encourages listeners to embrace their true selves, find power in love and connection, and celebrate the moments that make life worth living.
Line by Line Meaning
Drop all the pills Doctor told us to take
Let go of all the medications the doctor prescribed for us
They say we're dreaming
Others may believe we are delusional
But I swear we're awake
But I am certain that we are fully conscious
Whenever you leave all the colours fade
When you are not with me, everything becomes dull and lacking vibrancy
So I'm here holding on cause I'm tired of grey
Therefore, I am determined to stay and fight against the monotonous existence
Are you sticking around?
Are you planning to stay with me?
You build a plane, and I'll build a boat
You work on creating an escape by building a plane, and I will create an alternative by building a boat
If we drop all the silver I swear we can float
If we let go of material possessions, I believe we can find freedom
Wasn't born for the money, so I spent it quick
I did not come into this world with the purpose of accumulating wealth, so I used it impulsively
Bank says I'm poor, but I'm feeling rich
Although the bank claims I am financially poor, I feel wealthy in other aspects
Hey there, honey
Hello, my dear
You came along and stopped me running
You entered my life and halted my constant need to escape
I'm feeling like me, back on my feet
I am regaining my true self and finding stability
I'm a tiger again
I have regained my strength and vitality
Tattoos on our arms so everybody can see
We permanently marked our arms with tattoos for everyone to notice
If they're messing with you, Then they're messing with me
If someone tries to harm or disturb you, they are also tangling with me
They think we're crazy, crazy and blind
Others perceive us as irrational and oblivious
But if I can see you, Then the rest I don't mind
But as long as I can see you, I am not concerned with others' opinions
Wash out the glass and pop the champagne
Let's clean the glass and celebrate by opening a bottle of champagne
Whenever I can, I celebrate
I seize every opportunity to express joy and happiness
Because it's not everyday you get a feeling so brave
Because it is uncommon to experience such courageous emotions
Not everyone gets the chance to be saved
Not everyone is fortunate enough to have the opportunity to be rescued
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SHAHID KHAN, EMELI SANDE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Miss37Orange
This song is amazing, like all her other songs, they're all so...powerful!!! Wish there were more of these type of artists around! :)
Candice Sand Music
I'm utterly in love with her writing...
Malachi_N
Ah.Its like she's not even human. She's just so bewteeefull and amazing
Candice Sand Music
Agreed! and this song is amazing :) Such a great anthem
Ernie GNC
She got SOUL!!!💞💃
Sarah
Her album is absolutely brilliant! Every single track is great!
IrethN
Why is someone like Nicky Minaj more famous than Emeli Sande, I can never understand.
sunshine heart
Absolutley LOVE this song
Duchesslisa Wilson
This song is just so fabulous and right on point for the summer...
Samuel 47
I could listen to her all day!! So beautiful