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.
Vultures
Jess Mills Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My freedom is priceless and so is my peace of mind
I shouldn’t have to pay for mine
If they were bees 'round my baby I would kill them
But they hover in packs and what a sorry excuse for men
There should be no excusing them
Cause they are dragging my faith out of me
Look the vultures are perching
And they are dragging my faith out of me
Everything I believed in
Look out in the waters they’re lurking
Cause they are dragging my faith out of me
It was not for the taking
Look the vultures are perching
And they are dragging my faith out of me
Everything I believed in
Look out in the waters they’re lurking
Quietly violent like a bad dream
They pursue day and night
They never rest like a hunting beast
A shadow in the corner of my eye and at the heels of my feet
Do they see any good in all this somehow?
I could charge them for murder cause they're killing my spirit now
It shouldn’t be allowed
Cause they are dragging my faith out of me
It was not for the taking
Look the vultures are perching
And they are dragging my faith out of me
Everything I believed in
Look out in the waters they’re lurking
Cause they are dragging my faith out of me
It was not for the taking
Look the vultures are perching
And they are dragging my faith out of me
Everything I believed in
Look out in the waters they’re lurking
In Jess Mills's song "Vultures," the lyrics describe a feeling of being surrounded by people who are draining the singer's faith and spirit. The use of the metaphor of vultures circling and perching creates a sense of impending doom and danger. The singer feels like they are under attack, and they compare the people around them to bees, an animal that would be easier to squash, but instead, these people are like packs of vultures, and the singer feels helpless against them.
The line "my freedom is priceless and so is my peace of mind" indicates that the singer is aware of their own worth and value, and they refuse to compromise it. They feel like they should not have to pay for their peace and freedom, but the people around them are trying to take it away. The repetition of the line "they are dragging my faith out of me" emphasizes the severity of the situation, and the feeling of being slowly stripped of something important.
The lyrics also suggest that the singer is questioning whether there is any good left in the people around them, and whether the situation could ever be resolved. The words "it shouldn't be allowed" express anger and frustration at the situation, as if the singer is being punished for something they did not do.
Overall, "Vultures" is a powerful song that explores the feeling of being helpless in the face of external forces that are trying to take away one's sense of self and worth.
Line by Line Meaning
They’re circling 'round but I need more time
People are hovering around me, but I need more time to deal with them.
My freedom is priceless and so is my peace of mind
Both my freedom and peace of mind are invaluable to me.
I shouldn’t have to pay for mine
I should not be punished for wanting to have my freedom and peace of mind.
If they were bees 'round my baby I would kill them
If they were bothering my loved one, I would fight to protect them.
But they hover in packs and what a sorry excuse for men
The people bothering me are weak and cowardly for ganging up on me.
There should be no excusing them
Their behavior should not be excused or justified.
Cause they are dragging my faith out of me
Their actions are causing me to lose my faith or trust in something.
It was not for the taking
My faith was not meant to be taken away from me.
Look the vultures are perching
The people bothering me are like vultures or predators waiting to cause harm.
And they are dragging my faith out of me
Their actions are continuing to cause me to lose my faith or trust in something.
Everything I believed in
Everything I had faith in or trusted is being destroyed by their actions.
Look out in the waters they’re lurking
There are potential threats in the distance that I need to be aware of.
Quietly violent like a bad dream
The way the people are bothering me is disturbing and unsettling.
They pursue day and night
They are constantly bothering me and not giving me any peace.
They never rest like a hunting beast
Their behavior is aggressive and relentless, like a predator stalking its prey.
A shadow in the corner of my eye and at the heels of my feet
I am constantly aware of their presence, even if I cannot see them directly.
Do they see any good in all this somehow?
I wonder if they think their behavior is somehow justified or for a greater good.
I could charge them for murder cause they're killing my spirit now
Their actions are taking a toll on my emotional and mental well-being, to the point of feeling like they are killing my spirit.
It shouldn’t be allowed
Their behavior should not be tolerated or permitted.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES BREAKAGE, JESSICA ROSEMARY FRANCIS MILLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@amandaprill1508
Her singing voice is so beautiful
@DJALVEY
Come on UK,,, This is a testament that we do really have talent in this country. We just sit around on a weekend and prefer to vote plastic pop stars on reality TV shows who go on to dominate the radio and every other form of media. Jess has an album out soon I hope, and I for one will be buying it. I wish I had gone to Sheffield to see Leftfield as she is awsome live.
@JOmarSanchezCarrasco
Amazing, stunning, UK still the root of the best music..and babes...
@amandaprill7421
Love her haunting singing voice
@amandaprill1508
My favourite song of Jess mills
@hollyhollytree
Finally! I feel like I've been waiting to hear music like this for years, instantly fell in love with her!
@amandaprill7421
I love Jess Mills singing voice a lot
@scorpiomarie
Such a meaningful song, Love it. <3 Jess Mills should have more views! :)
@MyPancakes13
we want more jess mills all the way! this girls got so much more to offer! this has got to be just the beginning
@blackhandgrenade
is Jess Mills not like.. rich and famous yet?! wtf is wrong with this world.. this girl has the sexiest voice. EVER.