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".
Feel Up
Grace Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Feel Up
Feel Up
Feel Up
Feel Up
Feel Up
Feel Up
You count on
Try to run
Feel Up
Don't give up, Don't give up
Feel up
You hide your dreams
Youre dreams aren't real
Feel Up
Don't give up, Don't give up
Feel up
Feel Up
Feel Up
Feel Up
Feel Up
Feel Up
Feel Up
Feel Up
You're just sixteen
You're all I got
Feel Up
But Don't give up, Dont give up
Feel it up
Don't hide your dreams
Your dreams aren't real
Feel Up
Don't give up, Don't give up
Feel Up
Feel Up
Feel Up
Feel Up
Feel Up
Feel Up
Feel Up Feel Up
The lyrics to Grace Jones's song "Feel Up" convey a message of perseverance and encouragement. The repetition of "Feel Up" serves as a powerful mantra to uplift and inspire the listener to keep going, no matter what obstacles they may face. The first verse, "You count on, try to run, feel up," seems to suggest that one should always look for opportunities to grow and seize the moment instead of running away from challenges. The next verse speaks to the importance of holding onto one's dreams and not becoming dissuaded by those who may not believe in them: "You hide your dreams, your dreams aren't real, feel up."
The chorus, "Don't give up, don't give up, feel up," reinforces the message of perseverance and the need to maintain a positive attitude despite setbacks. The final verse, "You're just sixteen, you're all I got, feel up," is perhaps directed at a younger generation, encouraging them to embrace life and pursue their ambitions.
Overall, "Feel Up" is a song that inspires listeners to push past limitations and believe in themselves, no matter their age or circumstance.
Line by Line Meaning
Feel Up
Encouraging the listener to embrace and indulge their desires
Feel Up
Reinforcing the first line, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling one's desires
Feel Up
Continuing to urge the listener to seize what they want without hesitation
Feel Up
Stressing the importance of acting on one's desires
Feel Up
Urging the listener to go all out and not hold back in satisfying their yearnings
Feel Up
Encouraging the listener to explore their feelings and fulfill their desires without fear
Feel Up
Emphasizing the importance of embracing one's sensual side
You count on
Assuring the listener that they can rely on their own abilities to achieve their desires
Try to run
Urging the listener to pursue their dreams actively and not run away from them
Feel Up
Reiterating the importance of indulging and satisfying one's desires
Don't give up, Don't give up
Motivating the listener to persist in chasing their dreams, despite any obstacles or setbacks
Feel up
Encouraging the listener to continue exploring their passions and desires
You hide your dreams
Highlighting the tendency for people to keep their aspirations secret, rather than pursuing them openly
Youre dreams aren't real
Challenging the listener's fear that their dreams may not be attainable or grounded in reality
Feel Up
Reiterating the importance of embracing and fulfilling one's desires
Don't give up, Don't give up
Encouraging the listener to persist in their pursuit of their dreams despite any difficulties
Feel Up
Reiterating the importance of indulging and satisfying one's desires
Feel Up
Encouraging the listener to continue seeking pleasure and fulfillment
Feel Up
Reiterating the need to indulge in one's passions and desires
Feel Up
Encouraging the listener to explore and satisfy their sensual side
Feel Up
Re-emphasizing the importance of indulging and satisfying one's desires
You're just sixteen
Acknowledging the youthfulness of the listener, but not dismissing their sensuality because of it
You're all I got
Reinforcing the idea that the listener can rely on themselves to pursue their desires
Feel Up
Encouraging the listener to embrace and explore their sexual desires
But Don't give up, Dont give up
Reminding the listener to persist in their pursuit of pleasure and fulfillment
Feel it up
Encouraging the listener to fully immerse themselves in their sensual experiences
Don't hide your dreams
Encouraging the listener to express and pursue their aspirations actively
Your dreams aren't real
Asserting that the listener's dreams are valid and deserve to be pursued
Feel Up
Reiterating the importance of indulging and satisfying one's desires
Don't give up, Don't give up
Encouraging the listener to persist in their pursuit of pleasure and fulfillment
Feel Up
Reiterating the importance of fulfilling one's desires
Feel Up
Encouraging the listener to embrace and indulge their sensual desires
Feel Up
Reiterating the importance of experiencing and indulging in sensual pleasure
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GRACE JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind