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)
Promises
India.Arie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know it's because of you, that I receive so many blessings
I had a home but no privacy, I didn't know a thing about my legacy
When I realized you were there for me, I called on your name and you came
And you did, just what you said, for that I'll love you forever
You kept, your word to me, for that I'll love you forever
A promise, is a promise in my eyes
The very thing that keeps two hearts intertwined
A promise is a promise you can't deny, there's no way
I think of when there was a young boy, not even two years old
Blessed with a mother who loved him so, she abandoned her dreams to nourish his own
It wasn't easy for the two of them, but she knew she had to give him a chance
At a better life, it was only right, so she worked and she prayed
And she did, just what she say, for that he'll love her forever
She kept her word to him, for that he'll love her forever
A promise, is a promise in my eyes
Can't say you're gonna just to compromise
The very thing that keeps two hearts intertwined
A promise is a promise you can't deny, there's no way
A man's only as good as his word
Her wedding day and she's thinking ‘bout the way he won her affection
She was so cynical about love ‘cause she didn't want to be heart broken again
He looked her in her eye with sincerity, said he only wanted to protect her so she
Took a chance on him and she's glad she did because he came for real
And he did, just what he said, for that she'll love him forever
He kept his word to her, for that she'll love him forever
A promise, is a promise in my eyes
Can't say you're gonna just to compromise
The very thing that keeps two hearts intertwined
A promise is a promise you can't deny, there's no way
A man's only as good as his word
In "Promises" by India.Arie, the singer praises the importance of keeping one's promises. She recounts different scenarios in which people kept to their word and how it impacted the situation positively. The first example she uses is her own, about how she was in a position of vulnerability and needed help. She called on someone for support, and they delivered. This made her realize the value of keeping promises and the impact it has on a person's life. She then talks about a mother who sacrificed her dreams for her child's future, and a couple who kept their word to each other in their relationship.
The song's message is that promises hold immense power and should be taken seriously. It is a tribute to those who keep their word and an encouragement to others to follow their example. India.Arie's soulful voice brings the lyrics to life, and the message resonates with listeners as they reflect on the importance of keeping their own promises.
Line by Line Meaning
When I think about the turn my life has taken
Reflecting on the positive changes in my life
I know it's because of you, that I receive so many blessings
Grateful for the positive influence of a special person
I had a home but no privacy, I didn't know a thing about my legacy
Realizing the lack of understanding in my past
When I realized you were there for me, I called on your name and you came
Feeling the comfort and support of a trusted individual
And you did, just what you said, for that I'll love you forever
Appreciating someone who follows through on their promises
You kept, your word to me, for that I'll love you forever
Expressing love for a person who has kept their promises
A promise, is a promise in my eyes
Believing that keeping promises is important
Can't say you're gonna just to compromise
Promising without the intention to comply is wrong
The very thing that keeps two hearts intertwined
Trust and honesty are essential for strong relationships
A promise is a promise you can't deny, there's no way
Breaking a promise is unacceptable
I think of when there was a young boy, not even two years old
Reflecting on a past moment of sacrifice
Blessed with a mother who loved him so, she abandoned her dreams to nourish his own
Recognizing the selfless love and commitment of a mother
It wasn't easy for the two of them, but she knew she had to give him a chance
Understanding the difficulties of making a sacrifice for someone else
At a better life, it was only right, so she worked and she prayed
Dedicating effort and spirituality towards achieving a better life
And she did, just what she say, for that he'll love her forever
Expressing gratitude for someone who has kept their promises
She kept her word to him, for that he'll love her forever
Valuing the importance of keeping promises in relationships
Her wedding day and she's thinking ‘bout the way he won her affection
Recalling a memorable moment in a romantic relationship
She was so cynical about love ‘cause she didn't want to be heart broken again
Admitting past emotional hurt and fear
He looked her in her eye with sincerity, said he only wanted to protect her so she
Gaining trust and comfort from promises of protection
Took a chance on him and she's glad she did because he came for real
Appreciating someone who has followed through on promises
And he did, just what he said, for that she'll love him forever
Acknowledging the love for another person who has kept promises
He kept his word to her, for that she'll love him forever
Valuing the importance of trust and honesty in a relationship
A man's only as good as his word
Stressing the importance of integrity and honesty
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Capitol CMG Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: INDIA ARIE, PAIGE LACKEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind