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)
Purify Me
India.Arie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Easy like Sunday mornin', like an angel callin'
He's taking me all in,
I'm embracing him with my skin
Like a glimmer of life, like a vision of light
And he's so perfect that I couldn't picture him if I tried
But I'll follow you wherever, your the perfect mate for my soul
And I know I lose control whenever
I'm around you cause you given me
(Your hand)
And that's more than enough
(your glance)
Is like jumpin' in the river of
(Jordan)
Purify me, baby
And I'm takin'
(Your hand)
And that's more than enough
(your glance)
Is like jumpin' in the river of
(Jordan)
Purify me, baby
And I'm takin'
It's summertime always, like it's sunny out all day
Whenever you smile, sweeter than momma's homemade
I thought every man was made the same way
But in a world of smoke and ashes boy, your are milk and honey
See some may come, some may go
But fill me up with your love, you're the nourishment to my soul
And I know I lose control whenever I'm around you cause you've given me
(Your hand)
And that's more than enough
(your glance)
Is like jumpin' in the river of
(Jordan)
Purify me, baby
(Your hand)
And that's more than enough
(your glance)
Is like jumpin' in the river of
(Jordan)
Purify me, baby
And I'm takin'
I'm so glad you're mine, yeah
(Your hand)
And that's more than enough
(your glance)
Is like jumpin' in the river of
(Jordan)
Purify me, baby
(Your hand)
And that's more than enough
(your glance)
Is like jumpin' in the river of
(Jordan)
Purify me, baby
And I'm takin'
(Your hand)
And that's more than enough
(your glance)
Is like jumpin' in the river of
(Jordan)
Purify me, baby
And I'm takin'
(Your hand)
And that's more than enough
(your glance)
Is like jumpin' in the river of
(Jordan)
Purify me, baby
And I'm takin'
In "Purify Me," India.Arie sings about finding the perfect soulmate who brings her peace and purity. She compares being with this person to being baptized with love, a clean slate, and renewed spirit. She describes feeling like she's embracing him with her skin, and being cleansed like the river Jordan. The singer speaks of losing herself when she's around this person because they have given her their hand, which feels like more than enough. She is grateful to have found someone who brings joy to her life, especially in a world filled with chaos and pain.
The lyrics of "Purify Me" are heartfelt and powerful. India.Arie sings about finding someone who is a breath of fresh air in a world of confusion and uncertainty. The lyrics touch on the need for love, and how it can be transformative in our lives. She also touches on the idea of baptism as a symbol of cleansing, and how this can happen not only in a religious context but also in a personal one. The chorus of the song repeats the mantra, "Your hand, your glance, purify me, baby," emphasizing the importance of this person in the singer's life.
Line by Line Meaning
It's like your baptizing me with you love
Your love is so pure and cleansing, it feels like a baptism.
Easy like Sunday mornin', like an angel callin'
Being with you is effortless and peaceful, like an angel's presence.
He's taking me all in,
You fully accept me for who I am.
I'm embracing him with my skin
Our physical intimacy is a way for me to fully express my love for you.
Like a glimmer of life, like a vision of light
Your presence in my life is like a beacon of hope and a symbol of positivity.
And he's so perfect that I couldn't picture him if I tried
You are so perfect for me that I cannot imagine finding anyone better.
See, some may come, some may go
People may enter and exit my life, but you are the constant that I will always follow.
But I'll follow you wherever, your the perfect mate for my soul
You are the perfect match for my soul, and I will follow you wherever life takes us.
And I know I lose control whenever I'm around you cause you given me
Your presence is so overwhelming that I lose control of my emotions.
(Your hand)
Your touch is enough to make me feel safe and loved.
(your glance)
The way you look at me is like a refreshing dip in the River Jordan.
Purify me, baby
Please cleanse me of my sins and make me pure.
And I'm takin'
I fully accept and embrace your love and everything that comes with it.
It's summertime always, like it's sunny out all day
Being with you fills my life with constant warmth and happiness, like a perpetual summer day.
Whenever you smile, sweeter than momma's homemade
Your smile is one of the sweetest things in my life, like my mother's homemade treats.
I thought every man was made the same way
I used to believe that every man was the same, but you proved me wrong.
But in a world of smoke and ashes boy, your are milk and honey
In a world full of darkness and destruction, you are my source of comfort and sweetness.
But fill me up with your love, you're the nourishment to my soul
Your love is like food for my soul, and I need it to survive and thrive.
I'm so glad you're mine, yeah
I am grateful every day that you are mine and that I get to love you.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: DALLAS AUSTIN, ALONZO STEVENSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@HerrComplexx
this hit different when you're on a spiritual journey .. God will manifest your divine counterpart once you allow God to spoil and nourish your heart..find your own milk and honey so once your cup runeth over it can send that into the universe . thank you God for purifying me
@inama2amani
So beautiful! Thank you beloved. Ase Ooo
@keyshaross2665
I like the way you put that.
@amberlyn1492
Beautiful
@shanacarter9816
Ase Absolutely Beautifully Said🖤🎁
@sheilamcmillan4323
Yeeesss🙂
@hysuka2
India has connected with something that not many other musicians can touch. I don't know what it is but whatever it is, it's from her heart.
@claresamorris2087
2023 and still listening I'm a Lifetime Fan of India Irie I 😍 her she's Phenomenal and the Very Best 👍
@tanyarenae-shebringslife664
This song will NEVER get old! It never matter how I feel, this song, THIS ALBUM TAKES ME Where I need to be. Reflective and happy!
Who's still listening in 2022?
@looksbyanya3287
🙏🏽