2013: Coolbeanz[edit]
Bizu won an open mic night competition in February 2013 winning over the crowd, which included Emeli Sande and Naughty Boy, who were in attendance.[1] She released her first independent EP Coolbeanz in September 2013 debuting at number 3 on the iTunes Soul and RnB Chart and selling 50,000 copies.[12] The EP’s lead single "White Tiger" was also chosen as Zane Lowe’s ‘Next Hype’.[13] In October 2013 she supported Sam Smith on his UK tour[14] and in November Jamie Cullum handpicked her to open for him at The Roundhouse in London.[15]
2014–16: A Moment of Madness[edit]
In June 2014, Bizu was selected by BBC Introducing[14] to perform at Glastonbury Festival.[16] In July 2014, she signed to Epic Records UK.[2]A year later, she released the first singles from her debut album, Adam & Eve and Diamond which enjoyed support from BBC Radio 1,[17] Radio 2[18] and 1Xtra.[4] and performed at Glastonbury for the second time.[19] In September 2015, following the release of her single Give Me Love, she also made her TV debut on Later with Jools Holland.[20] Bizu supported both Rudimental[5] and Foxes[6] on their UK headline tours. In November 2015, Bizu was shortlisted for a Brit Critics' Choice award.[7] Her debut album A Moment of Madness is due for release on 2 September 2016.[21]
In April 2016, Bizu recorded (with the BBC Concert Orchestra) an uptempo, updated version of the Edith Piaf 1957 hit "La Foule" as the theme music for the BBC's coverage of the Euro 2016 Football Tournament.
Bizu has described herself as a fan of jazz-fusion mixes and a lover of squat parties and warehouse raves. She grew up listening to Ella Fitzgerald, Bettye Swann and James Brown[9] and draws on these influences alongside newer influences such as Amy Winehouse and Adele to create a fusion of soul, funk, jazz and pop.[22] She lists The Black Keys, Diana Ross, Grammatics and Sam Cooke among her other influences.[23]
Diamonds
Izzy Bizu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Unleash me, why am I standing here
Yeah I really do believe that
There's more than just this universe, than you and me
Back up in the corner
She telling me, telling me
Don't you cross the border
You're a diamond in the rough
I can't fight the feeling
You're a diamond I can't touch
I can't fight the dreaming
You're a diamond in the rough, ooh
You're a diamond in the rough, ooh-ooh-ooh
Prince among thieves
You're a needle in a haystack
Please follow me
I won't ever dare go back
She begging on the phone
But I'm done with all that
Prince among thieves
You're a needle in a haystack
Back up in the corner
She telling me, telling me
Don't you cross the border
She stopping me, blocking me
You're a diamond in the rough
I can't fight the feeling
You're a diamond I can't touch
I can't stop the dreaming
You're a diamond in the rough, ooh
You're a diamond in the rough, ooh-ooh-ooh
You're the type that never rust, ooh-ooh-ooh
You're more than just gold dust, ah, ah, ah
You're a diamond in the rough
I can't fight the feeling
You're a diamond I can't touch
I can't fight the dreaming
You're a diamond in the rough, ooh
You're a diamond in the rough
You're a diamond in the rough, oh oh oh oh
The first section of the song appears to be a request. The singer requests to be taken to the promised land and to be unleashed. The phrase 'why am I standing here' could be interpreted as a rejection of staying stagnant in their current state. The singer believes that there is more in this universe than just themselves and the person they are addressing. This could be interpreted as a view that there is more to life than what they currently see and that there is unlimited potential if they are able to break free and reach the 'promised land' that they desire.
The second section of the song involves being blocked or stopped by someone, perhaps the same person referenced earlier in the song. The use of 'diamond in the rough' suggests that the singer sees themselves as a valuable yet unrefined treasure. They describe their feelings as an inability to 'fight the feeling' and call themselves a 'prince among thieves', possibly alluding to the concept of being the best among the worst, while still having faults. They ultimately continue to describe themselves as a diamond in the rough, both valuable and unpolished.
The phrase 'you're the type that never rust' is a direct reference to diamonds as diamonds do not rust or corrode. This reinforces the idea that the singer and the person they are referencing are valuable and timeless. The repetition of the phrase 'diamond in the rough' implies that they find comfort in the acknowledgement of their potential, even if they feel like they haven't quite reached it yet.
Line by Line Meaning
Take me to the promised land
The singer desires a better life, free from struggles and full of joy.
Unleash me, why am I standing here
The singer wants someone or something to help her unleash her full potential and wonders why she has not been able to do so yet.
Yeah I really do believe that
The singer has a strong conviction that there is more to life than just what we see on earth.
There's more than just this universe, than you and me
The singer believes there is a higher power or force beyond the universe that connects everything together.
Back up in the corner
The singer feels stuck or trapped in a difficult situation.
She telling me, telling me
Someone is giving the singer advice or guidance.
Don't you cross the border
The singer is being warned not to do something that could cause trouble or harm.
She stopping me, blocking me
The singer feels held back or prevented from moving forward by someone or something else.
You're a diamond in the rough
The singer sees potential in someone or something that is not yet fully developed or realized.
I can't fight the feeling
The singer is strongly drawn to the person or thing that she sees potential in and cannot resist the pull or attraction.
You're a diamond I can't touch
The singer cannot physically reach the person or thing that she sees potential in, perhaps because of social, emotional, or physical barriers.
I can't fight the dreaming
The singer cannot stop herself from dreaming about the person or thing that she sees potential in, even when it seems impossible to attain.
Prince among thieves
The singer sees the person she admires as both royalty and a rebel or outsider.
You're a needle in a haystack
The person the singer sees potential in is unique and hard to find, like a needle in a haystack.
Please follow me
The singer wants the person she sees potential in to follow her, perhaps because she sees herself as a guide or mentor.
I won't ever dare go back
The singer is determined to keep moving forward and not go back to a less fulfilling life.
She begging on the phone
Someone is pleading with the singer, perhaps to come back or change her mind.
But I'm done with all that
The singer has made up her mind and is not willing to go back to her old ways or listen to the pleading of others.
You're the type that never rust
The person the singer sees potential in is enduring and reliable, like something that would never rust or wear out.
You're more than just gold dust
The person the singer sees potential in is valuable and special, more than just something as common as gold dust.
You're a diamond in the rough
The singer sees the person or thing she admires as having great potential that has not yet been fully developed or realized.
You're a diamond in the rough, oh oh oh oh
The singer repeats the chorus to emphasize her admiration and attraction to the person or thing she sees potential in.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: ISOBEL BEARDSHAW, IAN BARTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rebbull2200
Mmmm...Take me to the promise land, Unleash me, why am I standing here
Yeah I really do believe that, There's more than just this universe,than you and meBack up in the corner, She telling me - telling me
Don't you cross the boarder, She stopping me - blocking meYou're a diamond in the rough, I can't fight the feeling
you're a diamond i can't touch, I can't fight the dreamingYou're a diamond in the rough, Prince among thieves
You're a needle a haystack, Please follow me
I won't ever dare go back, She begging on the phone
But I'm done with all that, Prince among thieves
You're a needle in a haystackBack up in the corner, She telling me telling me
Don't you cross the boarder, She stopping me blocking meYou're a diamond in the rough, I can't fight the feeling
You're a diamond I can't touch, I can't stop the dreaming
You're a diamond in the rough, You're the type that never rust
You're more than just gold dust
@amourlashai
Heard this on the radio & instantly fell in love. Beautiful.
@josephdellaselva484
Heard it on 02/01/2018 while driving on I-85 through Virginia listening to Virginia State University college radio station......had to look it up. Wonderful song!!
@bailaconmiga
amourlashai me too then had to remember it real quick n immediately go to YouTube ! Sweet !
@bailaconmiga
divaquana I have no idea ! It seems she's been around for a minute too....
@audreylester7184
me too
@leonardobraynen1524
amourlashai same babe! I HAD to listen to her voice...took me awhile to arrive here cuz there are like so many songs with this same name!!!
@LifesUncertainJourney
This song speaks to me. They are the words I heard about my husband when he was struggling so hard to get his footing and everyone was dismissing him. I called him my diamond in the rough. I still have that diamond! I feel another book coming on. thank you for sharing your gift.
@leonardobraynen1524
Nadine Davis Rock on Nadine! Glad to see you stuck with your diamond in the rough. I'm still searching for my diamond in the rough- i hope i can find her someday!
Hopefully in the future, you can give me tips on how to write and publish a book. Much thanks to you!
@sagewhunder642
Nadine Davis Spoken like a REAL WOMAN!!! There is only 1 way to love...UNCONDITIONALLY!!! I know you are sooo happy that you did not give up on your man during his struggle!!! God bless you both!!!💯💪💕💕💕💯
@fuckenmanny
Thats really touching and inspiring. As a young man trying to get back on my feet as well its really motivating you had those words for your lover.