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)
Psalms 23
India.Arie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've seen: old friend become new enemies
I've been: through a couple of litigations
I've been: through character assassination.
They try to put this stick in between my wheels
But they can't stop my motivation (nothing will)
I fear no evil cause I'm protected.
No weapon formed against me shall prosper
Cause I'm walking with the heavenly father
And I do believe I'm going to prosper
Cause I'm walking with the prayers of my mother.
[Repeat: x2]
You won't get the best of me even though you broke my heart
I'm gone pick up the pieces.
I was thinking: maybe this isn't the life for me.
I was thinking: maybe I should leave the music industry
I've been: betrayed by the people I trusted
I've been: ohâ?¦seriously disgusted.
They try to put this stick in between my wheels
But they can't stop my motivation (nothing will)
Though I walk through the valley where the shadow of death is
I fear no evil cause I'm protected.
No weapon formed against me shall prosper,
Cause I'm walking with the heavenly father,
And I do believe I'm going to prosper
Cause I'm walking with the prayers of my mother.
[Repeat: x2]
You won't get the best of me even though you got my money
I'm gone pick up the pieces.
You can't get the best of meâ?¦ cause of my destiny
Not to be less than me, but to be more.
So, don't question me,
I came and I conquered, I soared
To new heights and still I explored
In my fight to survive,
Lyte is too right,
Keep my eyes on new sights
I continue to plight
So, when try to hurting me
Even deserting me,
Know that I am designed to overcome adversity,
Want to bring out the worst in me, it won't happen!
Because I take responsibility for my actions.
My tenacityâ?¦well it has to be everlasting,
Cause even when comes to backstabbers, I'm laughing!
You won't get the best of me even though broke my heart â?¦.i'm gone pick up the pieces.
[Repeat: x2]
You won't get the best of me even though you got my money
I'm gone pick up the pieces.
[Repeat: x4]
You won't get the best of me because by the grace of god
I'm gone pick up the pieces.
India.Arie's song Psalms 23 is a powerful testament to her resilience in the face of adversity. The lyrics are an honest and personal reflection of her experiences, including the ways in which money, betrayal, and character assassination have impacted her life. Despite these challenges, Arie refuses to be broken, demonstrating her unwavering determination to overcome any obstacle in her path.
Throughout the song, Arie references her faith in God and the importance of surrounding herself with positive influences. She acknowledges the presence of evil and negativity in the world but remains steadfast in her belief that she is protected and guided by a higher power. The repetition of the phrase "no weapon formed against me shall prosper" reinforces this message and serves as a powerful reminder that she cannot be deterred from her path.
Ultimately, the message of Psalms 23 is one of hope and resilience. Arie's refusal to allow others to control her fate or break her spirit serves as an inspiration to us all.
Line by Line Meaning
I've seen: money come between my best friend and me
I have witnessed how money has caused a rift in my closest relationships
I've seen: old friend become new enemies
Old friendships has turned into new enemies in my life
I've been: through a couple of litigations
I have been involved in some legal cases in my life
I've been: through character assassination.
People have attempted to assassinate my character by spreading false rumors about me
They try to put this stick in between my wheels
Some people try to sabotage my success and progress by creating obstacles for me
But they can't stop my motivation (nothing will)
No matter what people do to bring me down, they can't stop my drive to succeed
Though I walk through the valley where the shadow of death is
Even when I am in a dark and difficult place in my life
I fear no evil cause I'm protected.
I don't fear any harm or negativity because I have faith and protection
No weapon formed against me shall prosper
No matter what challenges or negativity come my way, I will come out successful and unscathed
Cause I'm walking with the heavenly father
I am guided and protected by a higher power
And I do believe I'm going to prosper
I am confident that I will continue to succeed and prosper in life
Cause I'm walking with the prayers of my mother.
My mother's love and support fuels and inspires me to keep going and succeed
You won't get the best of me even though you broke my heart
Even though someone hurt me emotionally or financially, I will not be defeated by them
I'm gone pick up the pieces.
I will pick myself up and move forward despite any setbacks
I was thinking: maybe this isn't the life for me.
At times, I have questioned my path and purpose in my career and life in general
I was thinking: maybe I should leave the music industry
There have been times when I have considered leaving my industry altogether
I've been: betrayed by the people I trusted
People I confided in and trusted have let me down
I've been: ohâ?¦seriously disgusted.
Some actions of others have left me feeling deeply disappointed and disgusted
You can't get the best of meâ?¦ cause of my destiny
My destiny and purpose in life is too great for anyone to bring me down
Not to be less than me, but to be more.
I am not in competition with anyone else, but I am aspiring to be the best version of myself
So, don't question me,
No one should doubt my abilities or potential
I came and I conquered, I soared
I have achieved a lot in my life and will continue to do so
To new heights and still I explored
I am always reaching higher goals in my life and continuing to learn
In my fight to survive,
My path in life has been challenging, and I have had to work hard to overcome obstacles
Lyte is too right,
I am doing what is right for me and my life, despite any criticism or pushback
Keep my eyes on new sights
I am always looking towards new opportunities and experiences
I continue to plight
I keep persevering through challenges and difficulties
So, when try to hurting me
If someone tries to bring me down or hurt me
Even deserting me,
Even if someone abandons or betrays me
Know that I am designed to overcome adversity,
I am built to succeed through challenges and hardships
Want to bring out the worst in me, it won't happen!
No one can bring out the worst in me or defeat me
Because I take responsibility for my actions.
I am aware of my actions and their impact and take responsibility for them
My tenacityâ?¦well it has to be everlasting,
My determination and persistence will never fade
Cause even when comes to backstabbers, I'm laughing!
Even those who try to harm me will not succeed and I can even laugh in the face of their attempts
You won't get the best of me because by the grace of god
I am protected and guided by a higher power
I'm gone pick up the pieces.
No matter what challenges come my way, I will continue to persevere and succeed
Lyrics © Ultra Tunes, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDREW LUIS CASTRO, JARED LEE GOSSELIN, LANA MICHELE MOORER, INDIA ARIE SIMPSON, PHILIP WHITE, LANA MOORER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind