Raised in Syracuse, New York, she found success in the 70s as a model, working in New York and Paris (where she shared an apartment with Jerry Hall and Jessica Lange), before rising to public prominence as a singer and personality.
Jones secured a record deal with Island Records, which resulted in a string of club hits. The three disco albums she recorded - Portfolio (1977), Fame (1978), and Muse (1979) - generated dance singles such as Sorry That's The Trouble, I Need A Man, and a classic cover of La Vie En Rose. During this period, she also became a muse to Andy Warhol, appearing in his portraits and accompanying him to Studio 54 on many occasions.
As the 70s drew to a close, Jones adapted the emerging New Wave music to suit a different style, a significant departure from her previous output that resulted in some of her strongest work. Still with Island, and now working with producers Alex Sadkin and Chris Blackwell at Compass Point Studios, and with the considerable talents of Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare (Sly & Robbie) behind her, she released the acclaimed Warm Leatherette (1980) and Nightclubbing (1981). These included re-imaginings of songs by Sting, Iggy Pop, The Pretenders, Roxy Music, Flash And The Pan, The Normal, and Tom Petty, as well as originals like the innuendo-filled Pull Up To The Bumper and the haunting I've Seen That Face Before (Libertango). Parallel to her musical shift was an equally dramatic visual departure; Jones - working heavily with style artist Jean-Paul Goude - adopted a severe, androgynous look that enhanced her already striking presence, the iconic cover of Nightclubbing exemplifying this new identity. Her collaboration with Sadkin and Blackwell continued with the dub reggae-influenced album Living My Life, which featured Nipple To The Bottle, The Apple Stretching, and the Jones-penned and much-sampled My Jamaican Guy.
Later in the 80s, she worked with Trevor Horn for the conceptual musical collage Slave to the Rhythm (1985), and with Nile Rodgers for Inside Story (1986) - her first album away from the Island label. Inside Story produced her last US Hot 100 hit to date, I'm Not Perfect (But I'm Perfect For You), while Bulletproof Heart in 1989 produced the #1 US club hit Love on Top of Love - Killer Kiss, produced by C+C Music Factory's David Cole and Robert Clivilles. Though a chart regular in the UK Grace Jones never achieved mainstream musical success in the US, but most of her singles became huge hits in the dance underground.
Jones' strong visual presence was extended to her stage work. Her performances were unique spectacles as she adopted various personas and wore outlandish costumes throughout, particularly during her years with Goude. Her most memorable performances include the Paradise Garage in 1985, wherein she collaborated with legendary visual artist Keith Haring for her costume and the extraordinary One Man Show filmed in Drury Lane Theatre London and in New York and released on video in 1982 (it is yet to be re-released).
In 2008 she returned with the album "Hurricane".
Do Or Die
Grace Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can sell an Eskimo snow
Baby, you're a calculator
But all you ever tell me is no
You make me run, run, run, say you're having none
You make me run, run, run, chase me with a gun
I'll never give up
I got to do or die, I'm reaching for the sky
I'd like to make you mine, you know I will in time
[Incomprehensible] got to do or die
No matter how you try, you'll never change my mind
I got to do or die
Taurus's are more determined
Nothing's gonna stand in their way
Loving you was my ambition
I was born the nineteenth of May
You make me run, run, run, you say you're having none
You make me run, run, run, chase me with a gun
I'll never give up
I got to do or die, I'm reaching for the sky
I'd like to make you mine, you know I will in time
[Incomprehensible] got to do or die
No matter how you try, you'll never change my mind
I got to do or die
I've been called an operator
I can sell an Eskimo snow
Baby, you're a calculator
But all you ever tell me is no
You make me run, run, run, you say you're having none
You make me run, run, run, chase me with a gun
I'll never give up
I got to do or die, I'm reaching for the sky
I'd like to make you mine, you know I will in time
The lyrics to Grace Jones's song "Do or Die" speak to the determination and persistence of the singer in pursuing a potential love interest. The first stanza introduces the singer as an "operator" who can sell an Eskimo snow, indicating their ability to persuade and charm. However, the object of their affection is compared to a "calculator," always responding with "no" and making the singer feel like they are constantly running and being chased. Despite this, the singer refuses to give up and is willing to "do or die" to reach their goal of being with this person.
The second stanza references astrology, with the singer revealing they were born under the sign of Taurus, known for their determination and ability to overcome obstacles. They state that loving the object of their affection was their "ambition," emphasizing the importance they place on this relationship. Overall, the lyrics portray an intense desire and unwillingness to give up on love, no matter the challenges and rejections faced.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been called an operator
People have described me as someone who knows how to get what they want
I can sell an Eskimo snow
I have the ability to sell anything to anyone
Baby, you're a calculator
You are analytical and logical in your decision-making
But all you ever tell me is no
You are resistant to my advances and ideas
You make me run, run, run, say you're having none
You refuse my advances and force me to chase after you
You make me run, run, run, chase me with a gun
You pursue me aggressively despite my pursuit of you
I'll never give up
I am committed to getting what I want from you
I got to do or die, I'm reaching for the sky
I will stop at nothing to achieve my goal
I'd like to make you mine, you know I will in time
I am confident in my ability to win you over eventually
[Incomprehensible] got to do or die
I have a single-minded focus on winning you over or failing trying
No matter how you try, you'll never change my mind
My determination is unbreakable
Taurus's are more determined
As a Taurus, I am known for my persistence and determination
Nothing's gonna stand in their way
I will not let any obstacle stand in the way of my goal
Loving you was my ambition
My goal is to win your love and affection
I was born the nineteenth of May
As a Taurus, I was born with the traits of persistence and determination
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JAMES BOLDEN, JACK ROBINSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind