Headley began playing the music of her native country at a young age, including calypso, reggae and soca. She moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana in the United States at the age of fifteen when her father was offered a job as pastor of McKee Street Church of God (in Anderson, Indiana).
After graduating from Northrop High School, Headley attended Northwestern University to study communications and musical theatre. In 1997, she played Nala in The Lion King, the Broadway musical. Headley's performance was well-received and she then originated the title role in the Broadway adaptation of Aida, earning the Tony Award for Best Actress in 1999.
Headley released her debut album, This Is Who I Am, in October 2002 on RCA Records. Although its first single, "He Is", was not very successful, the second single, "I Wish I Wasn't", achieved moderate success and earned her a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. Headley was also nominated for Best New Artist.
On September 6, 2003, Headley married Brian Musso, formerly of the New York Jets. Her second album, In My Mind, was delayed due to the various executive shake-ups associated with RCA parent BMG's merger with Sony, and Headley joked that it should have been called Caught Up instead. Under BMG North America chairman/CEO Clive Davis for the first time, Headley released the album in January 2006. The title track was released as the first single; it was produced by India.Arie collaborator Shannon Sanders, and its music video was directed by Diane Martel. The song reached number-one on the U.S. Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.
The Letter
Heather Headley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"to whom it may concern."
I began it in this way because
I needed to express through these words,
How deeply I was hurt,
And how distant from you I now was.
I wrote "normally I would say
These words to your face,
Cause I know the way you been movin'
And the things you been doin'
And right now I can't stand the sight of you."
So this is my goodbye
This means we are not together
This means that you're free,
See who you wanna' see, and me,
Well I know I can do better
So this is my goodbye
This makes it official, you've lost me forever
We are now the past, and it's kinda sad
That you had to read it in this letter
This is my goodbye
By the time you finish this
I'll be gone for good, your lesson learned.
Where it is I'll be, and who's lovin' me,
Sorry baby, that's no longer your concern.
And tell your lil' friend she'll be in my prayers,
Cause just having to deal with you
Is enough to break your soul.
I just hope she knows exactly
What it is she's getting into.
So this is my goodbye
This means we are not together
This means that you're free,
See who you wanna' see, and me,
Well I know I can do better
So this is my goodbye
This makes it official, you've lost me forever
We are now the past, and it's kinda sad
That you had to read it in this letter
This is my goodbye
Not that it matters to you,
But I wrote this with clear and dry eyes.
The years of being mistreated by you,
I've cried all the tears I can cry.
So this is the end, done and over with.
Believe me when I say that you won't be missed.
No hug, no kiss, signed sincerely.
P.S. Forget you ever knew me.
So this is my goodbye
This means we are not together
This means that you're free,
See who you wanna' see, and me,
Well I know I can do better
So this is my goodbye
This makes it official, you've lost me forever
We are now the past, and it's kinda sad
That you had to read it in this letter
This is my goodbye
Heather Headley's song 'The Letter' is a song about breaking ties with someone who has deeply hurt the singer. At the beginning of the song, Headley explains how she started writing the letter as "Dear You" before changing it to "To Whom It May Concern" because of how distant she had become from the person she was addressing. She needed to express how hurt she was and how she could no longer stand the sight of this person, hence the letter. The singer wishes to express her feelings to the addressee's face, but she cannot bear to do so because of the addressee's recent behavior. She explains that her "goodbye" to this person makes it official that they are not together anymore and that this person will be free to see whomever they wish.
The second part of the song addresses the addressee's new girlfriend and how she should be aware of what she's getting into. The singer does not see any reason to be with the addressee anymore and makes it clear that she is gone, leaving behind memories of mistreatment. Headley signifies that the person reading the letter will not be missed and that this is the end, done and over with. The lyrics show a sense of relief and determination as the singer has made up her mind to move on from the hurtful relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
At first I wrote it "dear you," then it turned,
Initially, I addressed this letter to you with kindness, but things changed as I wrote it.
"to whom it may concern."
This letter is now meant for anyone who may read it after you.
I began it in this way because
I started the way I did because
I needed to express through these words,
I had to communicate my thoughts and feelings in writing
How deeply I was hurt,
The extent of the pain you caused me
And how distant from you I now was.
I am now emotionally detached from you.
I wrote "normally I would say
I usually tell you things directly,
These words to your face,
I would say this to you personally,
But this time that I just can't do,
But this time I cannot do it,
Cause I know the way you been movin'
Because I understand your actions,
And the things you been doin'
And what you have been doing,
And right now I can't stand the sight of you."
And I cannot bear to be around you.
So this is my goodbye
I am ending things between us
This means we are not together
We are no longer in a relationship
This means that you're free,
You are now single and can do as you please,
See who you wanna' see, and me,
You can date whoever you want, but not me.
Well I know I can do better
I am confident that I deserve someone who will treat me better.
So this is my goodbye
This is my final farewell to you.
This makes it official, you've lost me forever
This confirms that we are no longer a couple, and we will never be together again.
We are now the past, and it's kinda sad
Our relationship is now a thing of the past, which is somewhat melancholic.
That you had to read it in this letter
It is unfortunate that you had to find out through this message.
Not that it matters to you,
It does not concern you,
But I wrote this with clear and dry eyes.
I wrote this without shedding a tear.
The years of being mistreated by you,
I have suffered from your mistreatment for several years,
I've cried all the tears I can cry.
I have no more tears to cry over you.
So this is the end, done and over with.
This marks the end of this chapter in my life.
Believe me when I say that you won't be missed.
Trust me when I say that I will not miss you.
No hug, no kiss, signed sincerely.
There will be no embrace, no kiss to remember, sincerely.
P.S. Forget you ever knew me.
P.S. Erase all memories of me from your mind.
And tell your lil' friend she'll be in my prayers,
Please let your new partner know that I will pray for her well-being,
Cause just having to deal with you
Dealing with your actions
Is enough to break your soul.
Is enough to shatter someone's spirit
I just hope she knows exactly
I only hope that she understands
What it is she's getting into."
What she is getting herself into by being with you.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: EZEKIEL L. LEWIS, JOHN STEVEN MCGEE, AARON JAC QUAR SMITH, BRANDON SMYTH, TROY TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind