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)
flowers
India.Arie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Mmm) this is a song for every girl who's
Ever been through something she thought she couldn't make it through, yeah (mmm)
I sing these words because
I was that girl too
Wanting something better than this
But who do I turn to?
Now we're moving from the darkness into the light
This is the defining moment of our lives. mmm, yeah
'Cause you're beautiful like a flower
More valuable than a diamond
You are powerful like a fire
You can heal the world with your mind and
There is nothing in the world that you cannot do
When you believe in you, who are beautiful
Yeah, you, who are brilliant
Yeah, you, who are powerful
Yeah, you, who are resilient
This is a song for every girl who
Feels that she is not special
'Cause she don't look like a supermodel Coke bottle
The next time the radio tells you to shake your moneymaker
Shake your head and tell them, tell them you're a leader
(Mmm) now we're moving from the darkness into the light, yeah
(Mmm) this is the defining moment of our lives, yeah
'Cause you're beautiful like a flower (you are)
More valuable than a diamond (beautiful)
You are powerful like a fire (you are)
You can heal the world with your mind (powerful)
There is nothing in the world that you cannot do
When you believe in you, who are beautiful
Yeah, you, who are brilliant
Yeah, you, who are powerful
Yeah, you, who are resilient
Yeah, you, who are beautiful
Yeah, you, who are brilliant
Yeah, you, who are powerful
Yeah, you, who are resilient
Yeah, you, this song is for you
Yeah, you, this song is for you
Yeah, you, this song is for you
Yeah, you, yeah, you
You who are brilliant
India.Arie's song "Flowers" is a powerful anthem for every girl who's ever gone through something they thought they couldn't overcome. The song begins with India acknowledging the struggles that many girls face- wanting something better but not knowing who to turn to. However, she also identifies herself as one of these girls, making the song incredibly relatable. As the song progresses, India reminds every girl listening that they are valuable and powerful, using metaphors to compare them to flowers and diamonds. She sings that they can heal the world with their minds and that there's nothing they can't do when they believe in themselves.
The song's chorus emphasizes this message. India sings that every girl listening is beautiful, brilliant, powerful, and resilient. This affirmation is meant to empower girls who might not receive that kind of support in their daily lives. India acknowledges that many girls might feel like they're not special because they don't look like supermodels. Still, she tells them to reject messages like the one that tells them to "shake their moneymaker" and instead embrace their leadership qualities.
Overall, "Flowers" is a moving tribute to the strength and resilience of girls everywhere. It reminds girls that they have the power to do anything they set their minds to and that they don't need anyone's approval to be brilliant.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, mmm
Opening sound introducing the song.
this is a song for every girl who's
The song is dedicated to every girl who has gone through hardships.
Ever been through something she thought she couldn't make it through, yeah (mmm)
The girl has faced tough situations where she thought she would not be able to overcome them.
I sing these words because
The singer is sharing these lyrics because she has gone through similar struggles.
I was that girl too
The singer relates to the struggles faced by the girls and has been in their shoes as well.
Wanting something better than this
The girls want to improve their situation and not just settle for what they have.
But who do I turn to?
The girls feel lost and unsure about whom to ask for help or guidance.
Now we're moving from the darkness into the light
The girls are making progress and moving towards a better future from a difficult past.
This is the defining moment of our lives. mmm, yeah
The current moment is crucial in shaping the future of these girls' lives.
'Cause you're beautiful like a flower
Despite their struggles, the girls are beautiful and have value in the world.
More valuable than a diamond
Their worth goes beyond material wealth and is priceless.
You are powerful like a fire
The girls have the strength and influence to make a difference in the world, like a fire that spreads.
You can heal the world with your mind and
Their thoughts and actions can positively impact the world.
There is nothing in the world that you cannot do
The girls can accomplish anything they set their minds to.
When you believe in you, who are beautiful
Having self-belief is important, especially for girls who may feel undervalued in society.
Yeah, you, who are brilliant
The girls are intelligent and capable of great things.
Yeah, you, who are powerful
The girls have the power to make an impact in their own lives and those around them.
Yeah, you, who are resilient
The girls have the ability to bounce back from tough situations and keep going.
This is a song for every girl who
The song is meant for every girl who feels like they are not special or valued enough.
Feels that she is not special
The girls may feel like they are not unique or worthy of attention/respect.
'Cause she don't look like a supermodel Coke bottle
Society has a narrow definition of beauty that the girls may not fit into.
The next time the radio tells you to shake your moneymaker
The media may encourage girls to use their bodies as a means of gaining attention or validation.
Shake your head and tell them, tell them you're a leader
The girls should reject the idea of using their bodies as objects and assert their leadership and value in society.
Yeah, you, this song is for you
The song is specifically dedicated to the girls.
Yeah, you, yeah, you
Emphasizing the importance of the girls.
You who are brilliant
Reiterating the girls are intelligent and capable.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: INDIA ARIE SIMPSON, JOYCE SIMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind