She absorbed musical skill early in life, encouraged by both parents: her mother, Joyce, herself a former singer, and now India Arie's stylist; and her father, former ABA and NBA basketball player Ralph Simpson (not former NBA star player Ralph Sampson, as has been mistakenly reported in some media). She had taken up a succession of musical instruments throughout her schooling in Denver, Colorado, but her interest in the guitar while attending the Savannah College of Art and Design led to a personal revelation about songwriting and performing. "When I started tapping into my own sensitivity, I started to understand people better. It was a direct result of writing songs," she said at the press release of her debut album, Acoustic Soul.
Co-founding the Atlanta-based independent music collective GroovmentEarthseed (Groovement was the collective artists' name and Earthshare was their independent label name), her one-song turn on a locally released compilation led to a second-stage gig at the Lilith Fair. Their Universal Records/Motown music scout spotted her and made an introduction to Motown CEO Kedar Massenburg. Sidestepping all the devices of flavor-of-the-month record-making, Acoustic Soul acquainted listeners with a brave and eloquent new voice, drawing an uncommonly broad swath of listeners from hip-hop, the so called neo-soul, blues, folk, and classic troubadour-style singer/songwriting, all at once. The album, released in 2001, debuted at number ten on the U.S. Billboard 200 albums chart and number three on the R&B album chart. Within months, without the concentrated radio play that typically powers pop and rap albums, Acoustic Soul was certified double-platinum.
India.Arie also features on Stevie Wonder's album A Time To Love which was released on October 18, 2005. India.Arie and Stevie Wonder duet on the title track "A Time To Love" that India wrote, which was nominated in the 2006 forty-eighth Grammy Awards, for Best Pop Vocal Collaboration with Vocals.
On the September 2005 premiere of The Tyra Banks Show, Arie performed "Just 4 2day". She wrote this song especially for Tyra's show. Arie also wrote "What About the Child", a song that did not air but was made available as a $1 internet download to support child victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Voyage to India
India.Arie followed the success of her debut in 2002 with the release of Voyage to India. Debuting at number six on the Billboard 200 and number one on the R&B chart, the album eventually earned a 2003 Grammy for Best R&B Album. The single "Little Things" also won a 2003 Grammy for Best Urban/Alternative Performance. Soon after its release, Voyage to India was certified gold; and it was certified platinum on Friday 4 August 2006.
Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship
India.Arie's third studio album, Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship, was released on June 27, 2006. Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship gave India.Arie her first number-one on the Billboard 200 and was her second chart-topper on the U.S. R&B album chart. This album was also the first #1 album for the Motown record label in 33 years since Diana Ross's #1 Lady Sings the Blues Its first week sales of 161,000 copies is Arie's best sales week to date and was certified gold on Friday, August 4, 2006.
Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics was released on Tuesday, February 10, 2009.
Songversation (2013)
Christmas with Friends (2015)
Worthy (2019)
I See God In You
India.Arie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What is your age, are you connected if so, does she treat you right
Now please, excuse me for being so forward
Bur I couldn't let this chance go by without lettin' you know I
[Chorus]
I wonder, I wonder if you really knew, that I see God in you
And I wonder if you can see, how much you mean to me
I think it's time I let you know that, I see the God in you
Every time that I see your face, I wonder, what lies beneath your smile
What are your dreams, what are your fears, what does your heart hold dear
I know, that you don't know me at all
But if you know yourself, well then you know me very well
[Chorus: x2]
India.Arie's song "I See God In You" speaks about the curiosity and wonder that come with meeting someone new. The singer is intrigued by this person and wonders about their life, age, and relationship status. However, what strikes the singer the most is their ability to see the divine, the goodness of God, in this person. The song suggests that even though the singer does not know this person intimately or well, they are still able to recognize the sparkle of the divine within this person, which prompts the singer to view them as significant and admirable. The song is more than just a simple love song since it implies that the idea of God exists in every soul and that everyone has the potential to be great in their unique way.
Line by Line Meaning
Every day that you pass my way, I wonder, I wonder about your life
Every time you cross paths with me, I find myself pondering about the intricate details of your existence.
What is your age, are you connected if so, does she treat you right
I'm curious to know your age, your relationship status, and whether or not you're being treated well by your partner.
Now please, excuse me for being so forward
I apologize for being so audacious and direct.
Bur I couldn't let this chance go by without lettin' you know I
I couldn't resist the opportunity to tell you that
I wonder, I wonder if you really knew, that I see God in you
I ponder if you're aware of the fact that I see a divine presence within you.
And I wonder if you can see, how much you mean to me
I also speculate if you comprehend the significance and value you hold in my life.
I know you cannot read my mind, but I hope you feel my vibe
Even though you can't discern my thoughts, I trust that you can pick up on the positive vibes I'm emitting.
I think it's time I let you know that, I see the God in you
I believe it's about time that I disclose that I perceive a divine essence within you and it's deeply meaningful to me.
Every time that I see your face, I wonder, what lies beneath your smile
Whenever I catch a glimpse of your countenance, I find myself wondering about the emotions concealed behind your smile.
What are your dreams, what are your fears, what does your heart hold dear
I'm curious about your aspirations, your anxieties, and what your heart cherishes the most.
I know, that you don't know me at all
I am aware that we're complete strangers.
But if you know yourself, well then you know me very well
However, if you have a deep understanding of yourself, then you'd have a good idea of who I am too.
I wonder, I wonder if you really knew, that I see God in you
Once again, I contemplate if you're cognizant of the fact that I witness a divine aura radiating from within you.
And I wonder if you can see, how much you mean to me
I also wonder if you realize the deep significance and importance you hold in my life.
I know you cannot read my mind, but I hope you feel my vibe
Even though I can't convey my thoughts to you telepathically, I wish for you to sense the positive energy I'm emitting.
I think it's time I let you know that, I see the God in you
I reckon it's appropriate to finally confess that I perceive a divine spirit within you and it's incredibly significant to me.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ARIE, BROADY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind