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
Ride With Me
Emily King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh just this time my darling won't ya take this ride with me won't you take me away somewhere some place far from my troubles i've got to break from this cage all work and no play that's just no way to be so say that you'll go with me were we can be alone were we can be free oh ya. and well ride on thru the night and let all the worries and ar miles be free oh just this time my darling won't ya tak this ride with me we can leave the world behind us and at night the sky will light are way well go were no one else can find us just say that you'll take me away and well ride on thru the night and let all are worries and miles be free oh just this time my darling won't ya take this ride with me
In this song “Ride With Me”, Emily King sings about wanting to break away from her troubles and find her own space. She talks about leaving the people and the place that she is currently in and going to a place where she can be alone and free. The chorus is a request to a loved one to take a ride with her and get away from it all. The idea of the journey being alone and free is repeated in the song’s bridge where she speaks about leaving the world behind and going where no one else can find them.
This song is about wanting to escape; the desire to run away from the things in life that are weighing us down. The lyrics hold a sense of restlessness and yearning for something more, something different. The idea of escapism is evident throughout, with the repeated call for a partner to go on the journey with. Emily King encourages us to take a chance, break free and embark on a journey to find our own space.
Overall, the song feels very freeing and calming, offering a moment of respite and escapism to the listeners. It is a beautiful reminder to prioritize taking care of ourselves and finding space to breathe, away from the chaos of everyday life.
Line by Line Meaning
Take me away
I want to escape my current situation and go somewhere else.
Far from this place far from the people
I want to go far away from where I am now and the people around me.
i got to find my own space
I need to have my own place where I can be alone and free.
we can leave any day
We can leave anytime we want to.
i got no where to be so come on lets go
I have nothing holding me down, so let's go on an adventure.
were we can be alone were we can be free ooh
Let's go somewhere where we can be by ourselves and free to do what we want.
and well ride on thru the night
We'll go on a journey through the night.
and let all are worries and are miles be free
Let's forget about our worries and just enjoy the ride.
Oh just this time my darling won't ya take this ride with me
Please, just this once, come with me on this adventure.
won't you take me away somewhere some place far from my troubles
Take me to a place where I don't have to worry about anything.
i've got to break from this cage all work and no play
I need to break free from my routine of all work and no play.
that's just no way to be
Living a life of all work and no play is not healthy or fulfilling.
so say that you'll go with me
Please agree to come with me on this adventure.
oh ya. and well ride on thru the night
We'll keep going through the night.
and let all the worries and ar miles be free
We won't let our worries hold us back and we'll just enjoy the journey.
we can leave the world behind us
We can forget about everything else and just focus on our adventure.
and at night the sky will light are way
The night sky will guide us on our journey.
well go were no one else can find us
We'll go somewhere where no one else can disturb us.
just say that you'll take me away
Just agree to come with me on this adventure.
oh just this time my darling won't ya take this ride with me
Please, just this once, come with me on this adventure.
Contributed by Layla W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.