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".
PRIDE
Grace Jones Lyrics
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Pride, it does'nt matter now whose wrong or right,
I, I hold my head up high for all to see,
I'm, I'm not fooling anyone but me.
What good does it do to hide,
The hurting that I'm feeling?
It may be too late to show,
But just in case your wondering, I need you so!
Pride, a lot of good it does alone at night,
Pride, it does'nt matter now whose wrong or right,
I, I hold my head up high for all to see,
I'm, I'm not fooling anyone but me.
What good does it do to hide,
The hurting that I'm feeling?
Since your no longer sleeping by my side,
It may be too late to show,
But just in case your wondering, I need you so!
Pride, I'd like to have my way -? ,
Pride, ? one to hold,
So, I'm asking you in all humility,
Would, would you please come back to me?
What good does it do to hide,
The hurting that I'm feeling?
Since your no longer sleeping by my side,
It may be too late to show,
But just in case your wondering, I need you so!
Pride, a lot of good it does alone at night,
Pride, it does'nt matter now whose wrong or right,
I, I hold my head up high for all to see,
I'm, I'm not fooling anyone but me
The song "Pride" by Grace Jones conveys the message that pride can be both a source of strength and a hindrance to healing after a breakup. The lyrics reflect on the loneliness and pain that can come from holding onto pride instead of reaching out for the support of a loved one. The chorus repeats "Pride, a lot of good it does alone at night, pride, it doesn't matter now who's wrong or right" to emphasize that pride cannot heal the pain of a broken heart.
The second verse reflects on the difficulty of hiding one's emotions and longing for companionship when a relationship ends. It acknowledges that it may be too late to try to fix things, but the hope of reconciliation remains. The song's message ultimately highlights the importance of vulnerability and humility in a relationship and the detrimental effects that excessive pride can have on it.
Line by Line Meaning
Pride, a lot of good it does alone at night,
Holding onto pride only results in loneliness and isolation when facing sleepless nights alone.
Pride, it does'nt matter now whose wrong or right,
Being right in an argument does not matter as much as coming to a resolution, regardless of who is right or wrong.
I, I hold my head up high for all to see,
Maintaining self-respect and dignity is important and should be visible to all.
I'm, I'm not fooling anyone but me.
Pretending to be unbothered by something may only deceive oneself, people can see through the facade.
What good does it do to hide,
There is no benefit to suppressing emotions and concealing feelings.
The hurting that I'm feeling?
The pain and sorrow that is being experienced currently.
Since your no longer sleeping by my side,
Since the person is no longer beside me while sleeping, their presence is being missed.
It may be too late to show,
The opportunity to express how much someone is needed may have passed.
But just in case your wondering, I need you so!
Making clear to the other person that they are needed and wanted, in case it was unclear.
Pride, I'd like to have my way -?,
Desiring things to happen a certain way, despite other perspectives or opinions.
Pride, ? one to hold,
Wanting someone to hold and comfort, despite any issues or conflicts that may have arisen.
So, I'm asking you in all humility,
Asking for what is desired, with a sense of humbleness and vulnerability.
Would, would you please come back to me?
Asking the other person to come back, expressing desire for reconciliation.
Lyrics © MOULTON MUSIC, INC. , NEXT DECADE ENTERTAINMENT,INC.
Written by: JACK ROBINSON, JAMES BOLDEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind