She grew up in Kentish Town, North London. At school there she met Niomi McLean-Daley, better known as Ms Dynamite, becoming friends and, "doing dodgy dance routines in assembly together."
After graduating from Sussex University, Jess began working in a local pub in order to fund a continued interest in music on the side. After a steady string of collaborations with various musicians throughout the '00s (including one with Dom Search from The Nextmen) she eventually got her real break touring with Leftfield in 2010.
She has worked extensively with drum and bass / dubstep producer Breakage, scoring a UK top 40 hit with the track "Fighting Fire."
Other tracks to be released in 2011 include the singles "Vultures" and "Live For What I Die For," as well as a cover of The Cure's 'A Forest' (of which Rob Smith himself has admitted he is a fan).
She has attracted interest from the Press including a feature to run in i-D magazine.
Her debut album will be released in 2012 by Island Records UK.
Live For What I'd Die For
Jess Mills Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Speak the words I hid away
Wanna say each word how I would say your name
I wanna say the things that I was scared to
Shout them high see where they fall
Let it make no sense but never care at all
My heart is beating to a rhythm
That nobody else can hear
If you can see me now,
Am I who you’d want me to be?
I’m gonna live for what I’d die for
So I’m pushing for a fight
To feel that I’m alive, everyday
I’m gonna live for what I’d die for
Like I’m fighting for my life
Wanna know I did it right
When it’s taken away
I wanna step on to the high wire
100 miles above the ground
To walk the line, but never to look down
So that’s where they can find me
Between the clouds and the sky
That is where I’m gonna watch the world go by
If you can see me now
Am I who you’d want me to be?
I’m gonna live for what I’d die for
So I’m pushing for a fight
To feel that I’m alive, everyday
I’m gonna live for what I’d die for
Like I’m fighting for my life
Wanna know I did it right
When it’s taken away
I’m gonna live for what I’d die for
So I’m pushing for a fight
To feel that I’m alive, everyday
I’m gonna live for what I’d die for
Like I’m fighting for my life
Wanna know I did it right
When it’s taken away
The song Live For What I'd Die For by Jess Mills is about the desire to live life to the fullest and not hold back on one's dreams and aspirations. The lyrics express a longing to be true to oneself and to live authentically, even if it means taking risks and facing challenges. The chorus echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of fighting for what one believes in and living with purpose and passion.
The first verse speaks to the fear of speaking out and expressing one's true feelings, but the desire to do so is strong. The second verse takes this theme a step further, with the image of walking a high wire between the clouds and the sky—a metaphor for the danger and excitement of pursuing one's dreams. Ultimately, the song is a call to action, urging listeners to live boldly and strive for greatness.
The lyrics also contain a poignant question: "If you can see me now, am I who you'd want me to be?" This line speaks to the desire for approval and validation from others, but also suggests that ultimately, the only person one needs to answer to is oneself.
Overall, Live For What I'd Die For is an inspiring anthem that encourages listeners to embrace their passions and live life to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanna love the one I never dared to
I want to fall in love with someone I previously felt too scared to pursue.
Speak the words I hid away
I want to express my true feelings that I kept hidden.
Wanna say each word how I would say your name
I want to express everything I want to say in the way that only I can.
I wanna say the things that I was scared to
I want to express everything I've been too frightened to say before.
Shout them high see where they fall
I want to express my thoughts loudly and see where they end up.
Let it make no sense but never care at all
I want to say these things even if they don't make sense, and not care what others think.
My heart is beating to a rhythm
I'm feeling a certain way that's unique to me.
That nobody else can hear
No one else can understand or feel what I'm feeling.
But I can hear it, I can hear it clear
I understand and am attuned to my own feelings.
If you can see me now, Am I who you’d want me to be?
If someone were to see me at this moment, would they approve of who I am and how I act?
I’m gonna live for what I’d die for So I’m pushing for a fight To feel that I’m alive, everyday
I'm going to devote my life to what I believe in, and fight for it to feel alive everyday.
Like I’m fighting for my life Wanna know I did it right When it’s taken away
I want to fight for what I believe in like my life depends on it, and know that I made a difference even when it's gone.
I wanna step on to the high wire 100 miles above the ground To walk the line, but never to look down
I want to take risks, but not let them intimidate me.
So that’s where they can find me Between the clouds and the sky That is where I’m gonna watch the world go by
I want to experience life from an elevated perspective and observe how the world unfolds.
I’m gonna live for what I’d die for
I'm going to devote my life to what I believe in.
So I’m pushing for a fight To feel that I’m alive, everyday
I'm going to fight for what I believe in to feel alive on a daily basis.
Wanna know I did it right When it’s taken away
I want to know that I lived my life in a way that was right if it were to all go away.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ADAM OLIVER EUGENE MIDGLEY, JAMES DANIEL BOYLE, JESSICA ROSEMARY FRANCES MILLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alexander Grimur
Why remixes almost always way better than original?)
Why I’m listening this song again over and over after 8 years?)
Drippy George .
People talk about golden age is often pertaining to history, well buddy I want you to know that me you and everyone else here live through a golden age and it’s on right. It’s not the remix . It’s everything that led up to the remix.
JAN PAWEŁ II
I always push the gas pedal deeper when this magnificent tune vibrates in my car, the bass is excellent on this one
JVBO55
listening to this tune helps me get rid of emotion and chill out in moments of stress. who agree's with me?
Talphazero
@Declan Reucroft Sometimes the bad thoughts make the good ones more memorable. Sometimes the sadness makes the happiness better...
Declan Reucroft
Agree but if I am over stressed this makes me think even deeper into bad thoughts
JVBO55
@Connor Harvey that's the beauty of life buddy 😉
Connor Harvey
its so crazy how people were here on this exact same spot on the internet leaving comments like us 9 years ago.
JVBO55
@Tommy McDonough love a trip down memory lane. got to listen to this beauty again haha
Danimaeartistry
one of the best i've heard in a while. i love when lyrics are included.