Duterte is the daughter of Filipino immigrants and grew up playing trumpet. She had originally planned to attend a conservatory program for jazz but instead decided to focus on songwriting. After enrolling in community college and studying music production and recording, she began recording in her bedroom studio and self-released music under the moniker Jay Som.
Duterte performs all the music on her records herself and records in her own makeshift studio in her bedroom. Following the success of Turn Into, Duterte has opened for Peter Bjorn and John, Mitski and Japanese Breakfast and been featured on Pitchfork, NPR and Rookie Magazine.
In November, 2015, Duterte released nine tracks on her Bandcamp page under the name Untitled. Despite the fact that these recordings were intended as demos, they began to receive attention online, eventually being re-released twice as Turn Into, first under Top Shelf and then Polyvinyl in 2016.[3] The album received acclaim from critics, including an 8.2 rating from Pitchfork.
The next Jay Som album, Everybody Works, was released March 10, 2017 under Polyvinyl and Double Denim Records. It was preceded by the song "1 Billion Dogs" in February.
Tenderness
Jay Som Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Did you fall in at first glance?
Do you think you'll take a chance?
Do you think on the weekend I could know?
Show me
Before you haunt me on the screen
Will my affection pull the strings?
We've built
This city that we're sinking in
Nobody wants to play pretend
I just know that
I'm feeling like we've just begun
Nothing's ever good enough
Tenderness is all I've got
I'm feeling like we've just begun
Nothing's ever good enough
Tenderness is all I've got
I'm feeling like we've just begun
Nothing's ever good enough
Tenderness is all I've got
I'm feeling like we've just begun
Nothing's ever good enough
Tenderness is all I've got
I'm feeling like we've just begun
Nothing's ever good enough
Tenderness is all I've got
I'm feeling like we've just begun
Nothing's ever good enough
Tenderness is all I've got
The song "Tenderness" by Jay Som portrays the feeling of uncertainty and vulnerability that comes with falling in love. The lyrics ask questions about the potential for a relationship, such as "Did you fall in at first glance?" and "Do you think on the weekend I could know?" The singer is clearly hesitant, questioning whether their affection will be reciprocated and whether they will be left with a "forgotten memory" rather than a real relationship.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the singer's feelings of inadequacy, stating that "Nothing's ever good enough / Tenderness is all I've got." The use of the word "tenderness" here is particularly poignant, as it suggests a need for gentleness and care in a world that is often harsh and unforgiving. The repetition of the chorus reinforces the idea that the singer is beginning a new chapter in their life, but they are unsure of what the future will hold.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me
I want to know something from you
Did you fall in at first glance?
Did you become interested in me right away?
Do you think you'll take a chance?
Do you think you will give us a try?
Do you think on the weekend I could know?
Can we spend time together on the weekend to get to know each other?
Show me
Prove to me
Before you haunt me on the screen
Before you try to connect with me through technology
Will my affection pull the strings?
Will my love and attention make things happen between us?
Another forgotten memory
Will this end up being just another failed relationship?
We've built
We have created
This city that we're sinking in
This relationship that is bringing us down
Nobody wants to play pretend
We can't keep pretending and avoiding the truth
I just know that
All I know is
I'm feeling like we've just begun
I feel like our relationship is still new
Nothing's ever good enough
No matter how hard we try, things never seem to work out
Tenderness is all I've got
All I have to give is my love and care
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB.
Written by: Melina Mae Cortez Duterte
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
kerrsgurl
Tell me
Did you fall in at first glance?
Do you think you'll take a chance?
Do you think on the weekend I could know?
Show me
Before you haunt me on the screen
Will my affection pull the strings?
Another forgotten memory
We've built
This city that we're sinking in
Nobody wants to play pretend
I just know that
I'm feeling like we've just begun
Nothing's ever good enough
Tenderness is all I've got
I'm feeling like we've just begun
Nothing's ever good enough
Tenderness is all I've got
I'm feeling like we've just begun
Nothing's ever good enough
Tenderness is all I've got
I'm feeling like we've just begun
Nothing's ever good enough
Tenderness is all I've got
I'm feeling like we've just begun
Nothing's ever good enough
Tenderness is all I've got
I'm feeling like we've just begun
Nothing's ever good enough
Tenderness is all I've got
Crystal Beth Seize The Day!
This is beautiful. How on earth doesn’t this have a million views minimum??
Eden O’Reilly
I agree criminally underrated!! No exaggeration
Adderon
Nothing's ever good enough
Michael Hadzantonis
Agreed
Crystal Beth Seize The Day!
@Adderon ily
Ale
No marketing tho
Sean Capone
Sings like an angel, perfectly constructed songs, totally unpretentious charming videos -- youth culture is in good hands
Beatriz Garcia
Such an underrated song. I love it so much ❤
happygoluckycharms 😁
Jay Som I am so moved by your strengths you motivate me to keep pursing the impossible dreams that man says we're impossible to accomplish I am aspiring pianist/lyricist and I look at how you got bold and took a leap of faitg despite of the naysayers you are truly a force to be reckoned with singer, writer, producer, musician I am so proud of you 💓 💓
sunny m.
found her a week ago and im absolutely obsessed.. anak ko rising so fast on the list of my favorite albums