Spalding continued to branch out, playing with jazz groups as well as leading her own septet and trio. In 2002 she joined the hip-hop group Black Science Tribe, which gained a sizable following touring along the West Coast.
Since moving East to attend the Berklee College of Music, Ms. Spalding has regularly worked as a freelance bassist and singer, both locally and internationally. Ms. Spalding has worked with many notable Grammy-winning artists such as pianist Michel Camilo, vibraphonist Dave Samuels, saxophonist Joe Lovano, violinist Regina Carter, guitarist Pat Metheny, and singer Patti Austin.
She has also performed as a member of the Boston Pops, with drummers Bill Stewart (John Scofield, Chris Potter, Joe Lovano), Terri-Lyne Carrington (Herbie Hancock), Mark Walker (Paquito D'Rivera), as well as guitarist Adam Rogers (Michael Brecker, Chris Potter), saxophonist Seamus Blake (Mingus Big Band, Bloomdaddies), and trumpeter Byron Stripling and performed as an opening act for comedian and sometimes-jazz drummer/vocalist Bill Cosby.
Recently, Ms. Spalding released her debut album as a leader, Junjo on the Barcelona based jazz label Ayva Music. Her CD features pianist Aruan Ortiz, and drummer Francisco Mela.
She is the 2005 recipient of the prestigious Boston Jazz Society scholarship for outstanding musicianship. Spalding holds a B.M. from Berklee College of Music, where she also enjoys the status as the youngest faculty member ever in the history of the College. Esperanza recently became a new artist represented by the Montuno management agency.
In 2009 she played at the Nobel Peace Prize concert in Oslo(Norway), as the Nobel Peace Prize winner,
Barack Obama, artist of choice.
In 2011 she was awarded the Grammy for best new artist, the only Jazz musician to be awarded the Grammy.
Precious
Esperanza Spalding Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But please
Don't deceive me
And say you
Love me how I am
You love the way
I fit some ideal
Not the real woman
See love ain't all heaven
And I am no angel
But I do the best I can
You always wanted
Something more from my body
And said you needed
Something more from my loving
But all you got was me
And that's all that I can be
I'm sorry if it let you down
Now it's no nice excuse
But all the magic was used
Up on trying to uphold
Some kind of tame
Flattering persona
That soon enough
Was getting real old
It takes more than pressure
To change rock to diamond
Now all you have is sand
Slipping through your fingers
You always wanted
Something more from my body
And said you needed
Something more from my loving
But all you got was me
And that's all that I can be
I'm sorry if it let you down
But I'm not gonna sit around
And waste
My precious divine energy
Trying to explain
And being ashamed of things
You think are wrong with me
I'm not gonna sit around
And waste
My precious divine energy
Trying to explain
And being ashamed
Of what you think
Is wrong with me
Set you up
You say I set you up
Like I was different
Than what I am
Offering you now
And drug your heart around
Did you forget about
All of the love
And the acceptance
That you promised me too?
You always wanted
Something more from my body
And said you needed
Something more from my loving
But all you got was me
And that's all that I can be
I'm sorry if it let you down
You always wanted
Something more from my body
And said you needed
Something more from my loving
But all you got was me
And that's all that I can be
I'm sorry if it let you down
But I'm not gonna sit around
And waste
My precious divine energy
Trying to explain
And being ashamed of what
You think is wrong with me
I'm not gonna sit around
And waste
My precious divine energy
Trying to explain
And being ashamed of what
You think is wrong with me
The lyrics to Esperanza Spalding's "Precious" tell the story of a woman who is tired of being told that she isn't good enough and can no longer try to be something she's not. The first verse sets the tone by saying that the person she loves should either accept her as she is or leave, but not deceive her by pretending to love the person they want her to be. The second verse acknowledges the other person's wish for "something more" from her body and loving, but she expresses her frustration by saying that all they got was her and that's all she can be, apologizing if it let them down.
In the third verse, the woman has had enough of feeling like she needs to explain herself to someone who will never understand her. She won't waste any more of her "precious divine energy" trying to justify or be ashamed of the things the other person thinks are wrong with her. The final verse is a response to the other person's accusation that she set them up by not being who she pretended to be. The woman asks if they forgot about the love and acceptance they promised her too, and reiterates that all she can be is herself.
Overall, "Precious" touches on themes of self-acceptance, honesty in relationships, and the power dynamics that can come into play when one person is asked to change for another. It is a poignant and relatable exploration of the difficulties inherent in navigating relationships and the importance of staying true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Love me or leave me
Either accept me for who I am or let me go
But please
A plea to be treated honorably
Don't deceive me
Do not lie or mislead me
And say you
Be honest about your feelings if
Love me how I am
You truly love me for who I am
You love the way
You love me for fitting into a certain ideal
I fit some ideal
I fit into the image of the perfect woman
Not the real woman
But not the actual person that I am
You've yet to understand
You have not taken the time to truly know me
See love ain't all heaven
Love is not always idealistic and perfect
And I am no angel
I am not perfect or flawless
But I do the best I can
But I try my hardest to be the best version of myself
Now it's no nice excuse
It's not a pleasant explanation
But all the magic was used
All the passion and excitement was exhausted
Up on trying to uphold
In the effort of maintaining
Some kind of tame
A form of acceptable and conventional
Flattering persona
Image that pleased others
That soon enough
Which eventually
Was getting real old
Became uninteresting and tiresome
It takes more than pressure
It takes more than forceful influence
To change rock to diamond
To transform something to its ideal form
Now all you have is sand
All that is left is disappointment and loss
Slipping through your fingers
Fading away from your grasp
But I'm not gonna sit around
I will not idly wait
And waste
Squandering
My precious divine energy
My valuable and spiritual energy
Trying to explain
Attempting to justify or defend myself
And being ashamed of things
Feeling humiliated over things
You think are wrong with me
That you perceive as faults in me
Set you up
Betrayed or misled you
You say I set you up
You believe I deceived you
Like I was different
As if I was not the same person
Than what I am
Than my true self
Offering you now
Presenting myself to you currently
And drug your heart around
Playing with your emotions
Did you forget about
Have you failed to remember
All of the love
All the affection and care
And the acceptance
And the approval
That you promised me too?
That you also committed to providing?
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ESPERANZA SPALDING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DeeDee Lavell
The words of a strong woman, melody of a musical dreamer, bass playing of stylin gifted Goddess. What a song !
Diane Wentz
DeeDeeLavell: Word! I doubt anyone else has described this song more elegantly and eloquently.
afu
Based
Himansh Pandey
EXACTLY
jewelofaries
"You've always wanted something more from body"
"You said you needed something more from my lovin"
"But all I've got is me and that's all that I can be, sorry if it lets you down." My girl !!! My fav from her.
Apithanie Fraser
This song hs made me reflect on my current situation... no more wasting my precious divine energy! What a positive message x
africanbella28
Good for you💕💕💕
Mark Martinelli
amazing. the final chorus at 3:38 is so powerful; the backing vocals she does...could use a repeat about 1000 more times
koukalicious
Kudos to the Grammy's for recognizing TALENT and not just looking at popularity! Love this girl!
Callme Rachel
Progressive jazz. It's now one of my favorite genres, I love Esperanza's songs. Proof that not all modern music is bad.