King was born to an international jazz duo, Marion Cowings and Kim Kalesti. King and her brother were always exposed to music, especially jazz and classical sounds during their childhood. "It was an amazing experience," she says. "It was very challenging. We went from the fanciest hotels one day, to the dirtiest motels the next day -- you know, just living off a musicians paycheck. Also, being around so much incredible music. We were in the jazz world so I was with Dizzy Gillespie one day to Clark Terry the next day. It was my education."
As the daughter of two singers - one Italian, one African American - who performed internationally as a Jazz duo, King has always been exposed to music, its challenges and its rewards, from an early age. She always knew she would follow in her parents' footsteps. "I had a hard time in school," she says, "because I already knew what I wanted to do, so I was like, let me just get started." At age 16, King took two giant steps: She got her GED, and she started writing songs.
The music on her J Records debut, East Side Story, reveals roots that are both deep & ambitious. Kings words are packed with references to the wide range of great artists that inspired her - the Beatles, Nas, Sarah Vaughn, Radiohead & Michael Jackson. "Every record that I’ve ever heard has been an influence on me", she says.
The very first song that she completed, "Business Man" - a commentary on heartless capitalists - is a central moment on East Side Story. "I always thought if I write a song, it's not going to be about relationships," she says. "There are so many things in this world to talk about." She quickly advanced from banging around on a guitar in her apartment to performing on the local folk club circuit at such noted venues as the Bitter End and CBGB's Gallery.
In the meantime, King had discovered hip-hop and immersed herself in a culture that would add yet another ingredient to her musical mix. She met Sony Music publisher Bill Brown who introduced her to Sony writer/producer Chucky Thompson, a member of Bad Boy Entertainment's famed Hitman studio team who had recorded smashes with the likes of the Notorious BIG and Mary J. Blige. Thompson signed her to his production company, and together they began searching for the right sound to capture King's eclectic tastes and styles. After taking her demos to various labels, they signed with J Records.
In 2012, King was awarded the Holly Prize (a tribute to the legacy of Buddy Holly) from The Songwriters Hall of Fame for recognition of the "all-in songwriter" whose work exhibits the qualities of Holly’s music.
King's second studio album, The Switch, was self-released by her own label, Making Music Records, on 26 June 2015.
She signed with the independent label ATO Records in 2017 and with them released her third studio album, Scenery, on 1 February 2019.
King released her fourth studio album, Sides, on January 17, 2020.
More information can be found at www.emilykingfans.com or www.emilykingonline.com
In My Shoes
Emily King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
mmmm i just wanna live my life cause i wanna and i need to
so don't be tryin' to steal my light cause you don't kno me don't pretend to
now i been bussyb on my grind just like you i've been tryin'
i've even shed a tear or two i swear to you i ain't liyin'
Chorus
sometimes i feel the world is after me
tryin to get to me tryin to stop wat i do
yea me and me and walk in my shoes
everday is somthin dats new to me
i just got to breath i don't kno 'bout you
but im da only one dat looks out for me
yea me and me and walk in shoes
Verse 2
It ain't easy beenin' emily no
but i don't wanna change my name
cause i ain't gotta i don't need to
so imma do wat i do
cause i ain't gotta live for you
but imma keepm up wit mine
keep on strivin' and survivin'
Chorus
sometimes i feel the world is after me
tryin to get to me tryin to stop wat i do
cause i'm da only one dat looks out for me
yea me and me and walk in my shoes
everday is somthin dats new to me
i just got to breath i don't kno 'bout you
but im da only one dat looks out for me
yea me and me and walk in shoes
Bridge
see everbodys got their on problems dat they're going threw
i take it day by day thats the only thing that i can do
so i'll live for me and you'll live for you
but you can't be me unless you walked in my shoes
Chorus
sometimes i feel the world is after me
tryin to get to me tryin to stop wat i do
cause i'm da only one dat looks out for me
yea me and me and walk in my shoes
everday is somthin dats new to me
i just got to breath i don't kno 'bout you
but im da only one dat looks out for me
yea me and me and walk in shoes
(x2)
The song "Walk in My Shoes" by Emily King featuring Lupe Fiasco is about the struggles that people face when trying to be true to themselves while also facing criticisms and pressures from others. The first verse starts by expressing the desire to live one's life on their own terms despite the opinions of others. It describes the hard work and determination required to achieve one's goals and how it may result in shedding tears along the way. The chorus talks about the common feeling of being constantly under attack from the world, hindering one's progress. The lyrics speak to how the only person who truly understands oneself is oneself and that others can't truly relate to one's experiences unless they have walked in one's shoes. The second verse touches on how we all face unique challenges and that it is important to live for oneself while also respecting others' journeys.
The interpretation of these lyrics is that it is essential to stay true to oneself and to not let the opinions and criticisms of others affect one's path. The song stresses the importance of respecting individual experiences and that it is impossible for anyone to fully comprehend another's journey. The song tells us to not judge or try to mold someone into something different because that person is unique and cannot be duplicated even if someone tries their best. Everyone has their own specific shoes that they walk in, and they should be respected and celebrated for wearing them and should not feel ashamed of them.
Overall, the song "Walk in My Shoes" is a call for self-respect, self-preservation, and self-love. It emphasizes the importance of not letting others dictate one's life but rather living it in the best possible way while respecting others' journeys.
Line by Line Meaning
I just wanna live my life because I wanna, and I need to
I have my own reasons to lead my life and I feel that it's important for me to do so.
So don't be trying to steal my light because you don't know me, don't pretend to
I don't want anyone to take away my individuality by trying to project their assumptions on me.
I've been busy on my grind, just like you, I've been trying
I have been working hard like everyone else to achieve my goals.
I've even shed a tear or two, I swear to you, I aint lying
I have faced hardships and emotions just like anyone else, and I'm not afraid to admit it.
Sometimes I feel the world is after me, trying to get to me, trying to stop what I do
There are instances where I feel like the world is against me and my aspirations, trying to hinder my progress.
Because I'm the only one that looks out for me, can be me and walk in my shoes
I am the only one who understands my true self and can experience my journey in life.
Everday there's something that's new to me, I just, gotta breathe, I don't, know about you
Every day is a unique experience, and I need to take a step back and relax, even if others don't understand.
But I'm the only one that looks out for me, can be me, and... walk in my shoes
I am unique, and nobody can completely comprehend my perspective and struggles but me.
It ain't easy being Emily
My journey in life isn't always easy, but I believe in my abilities to navigate it.
But I don't want to change my name, because I ain't got to, and I don't need to
I don't want to change who I am for anyone because I don't find it necessary.
So I'm a do what I do, because I ain't gotta live for you
I live my life for myself and don't have to adhere to anyone else's standards.
But I'm a keep up with mine, keep on striving and surviving no
I will continue to push forward and work hard, never giving up on my dreams.
See everybodys got their own problems that their going through
Everyone has their own struggles in life.
I take it day by day, it's only thing that I can do
I deal with my hardships on a day by day basis, as it's the only way I know how to cope.
So I live for me as you live for you
Just like how you live for yourself, I'm living for myself.
But you can't be me unless you walk in my shoes
It's impossible for anyone to completely understand me unless they've experienced the same journey as me.
Walk walk, walk walk, walk walk - walk in my shoes [x 2]
The importance of truly experiencing someone's journey is emphasized through the repetition of 'walk in my shoes.'
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MooCowPoopPoop
need to
So don't be trying to steal my light because you don't know me, don't pretend to
I've been busy on my grind, just like you, I've been trying
I've even shed a tear or two, I swear to you, I aint lying
[Chorus]
Sometimes I feel the world is after me, trying to get to me, trying to stop what I do
Because I'm the only one that looks out for me, can be me and walk in my shoes
Everday there's something that's new to me, I just, gotta breathe, I don't, know about you
But I'm the only one that looks out for me, can be me, and... walk in my shoes
It ain't easy being Emily
But I don't want to change my name, because I ain't got to, and I don't need to
So I'm a do what I do, because I ain't gotta live for you
But I'm a keep up with mine, keep on striving and surviving no
[Repeat Chorus]
See everybodys got their own problems that their going through
I take it day by day, it's only thing that I can do
So I live for me as you live for you
But you can't be me unless you walk in my shoes
[Chorus x2]
Walk walk, walk walk, walk walk - walk in my shoes [
@IamKrystalHardwick
She's so different now, wow. Cool to see her progression. This sounds good, but I'm really digging her new music.
@angelnelson2012
Omg i used to love this song i didnt know this was her
@seewoowoo
I'm working backwards through her catalog and it's pretty obvious that this has Sony's A&R fingerprints all over it. Make no mistake, the track is a pretty slick Diana Ross homage, but compared to "Seven" and "The Switch" it's harder to hear and see this brilliant artist through all the gloss of Sony's production. It's not about the hair or the clothes, she's all about the soul and her voice is and should be the focus. Glad she's got her own label and wasn't lost forever among Sony's vast and still growing list of imprints.
@johntucker8419
agreed
@yaboyreece22
Exactly! I'm basically doing the same thing-- and I remember this song now that I'm hearing it again. I liked it at the time, but compared to the stuff I've heard from her more recent efforts it's not the best use of her talent(s). I'm not saying there couldn't be a little more balance between the two 'styles', but I like the unadulterated raw version of her sound more than the modern/urban one. Either way, it's still good music regardless.
@lebambale
So true
@fe5018
Perhaps I'm judging unfairly but that beat seems so stuck on and forced. Underneath it, you can hear something much more like her current sound.
@grumpycheerleader
Curtis Woo 🙌🏾🙌🏽🙌🏿🙌🙌🏻🙌🏼
@jemalrankin6072
I love my girl !! I love how she started off the song with the sweetest hangover by Diana Ross ! For you young cat's .. You ain't knowing !
@bayyinahel-amin363
Jemal Rankin “we be knowing” #over45yearsseasoned