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
Walk In My Shoes
Emily King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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 [x 2]
In "Walk In My Shoes," Emily King asserts her right to live life on her own terms, with authenticity and without apology. She invites others to try to understand what it's like to be in her shoes, acknowledging that life is tough for everyone, but it's essential to keep going.
The opening lines of the song set a tone of defiance against anyone who would try to dim Emily's light or change her identity. She speaks to those who don't know her or who try to pretend they do, insisting that her focus is on her own life and her own choices. She acknowledges that she's worked hard and shed tears to get where she is, but she won't let anyone stop her.
The chorus is a clear message of resilience in the face of adversity. Emily recognizes that many people seem to be against her, but she acknowledges that she's the only one who can truly take care of herself. She encourages listeners to take a deep breath and keep moving forward, recognizing that we each have our own struggles.
Overall, the song is a powerful reminder to be true to oneself and to push through difficult times. It's an affirmation of the strength we all have within us – the strength to keep going and to live life on our own terms, regardless of what others might think.
Line by Line Meaning
I just wanna live my life because I wanna, and I need to
I want to live my life in a way that satisfies me because it's important for me.
So don't be trying to steal my light because you don't know me, don't pretend to
Don't try to dim my light because you don't have an understanding of who I am.
I've been busy on my grind, just like you, I've been trying
I've been hustling just as hard as you have.
I've even shed a tear or two, I swear to you, I ain't lying
I have been through emotional struggles, and I am telling the truth about it.
Sometimes I feel the world is after me, trying to get to me, trying to stop what I do
There are times when it seems like the universe is conspiring against me.
Because I'm the only one that looks out for me, can be me and walk in my shoes
In the end, I am the only one who understands myself and knows what it's like to live as me.
Every day there's something that's new to me, I just, gotta breathe, I don't, know about you
Each day brings new experiences, and I handle them the best way I know-how. I can’t speak for you.
It ain't easy being Emily
Being myself and dealing with everything that comes with it can be difficult.
But I don't want to change my name, because I ain't got to, and I don't need to
I have no reason to change myself or my identity just to please others.
So I'm a do what I do, because I ain't gotta live for you
I am going to keep living my life on my own terms because I don't owe anything to anyone else.
But I'm a keep up with mine, keep on striving and surviving
I will continue to work hard and persevere.
See everybody's got their own problems that they're going through
Everyone has their own struggles that they must deal with.
I take it day by day because it's the only thing that I can do
I handle my issues one day at a time because that's all I am capable of doing.
So I live for me as you live for you
I am living for myself, just as you are living for yourself.
But you can't be me unless you walk in my shoes
You cannot understand me unless you have experienced what it is like to live as me.
Walk walk, walk walk, walk walk - walk in my shoes
Come and live my life if you truly want to get to know me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TENESHA BLACKS, SHANNELL IRVING, EMILY COWINGS, CARL THOMPSON, MARILYN MCLEOD, PAMELA JOAN SAWYER, LUPE FIASCO
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