Following a minor stroke at age 18, she gained a Sony publishing contract and penned hits for the likes of Chris Brown, Dutch X Factor winner Lisa Lois, and Miley Cyrus (the American number two hit "Party in the USA"). After building up an established online presence, she signed to Universal Records and began working with the likes of hitmaker Dr. Luke (Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson), Atlanta rapper B.o.B, and R&B producer Labrinth on her debut album, Who You Are. In 2010, her first single, "Do It Like a Dude," originally written for Rihanna, reached number 25 in the U.K. charts and, following in the footsteps of Adele, Florence + the Machine, and Ellie Goulding, she was announced as the winner of the Critics Choice Award at the 2011 Brits. That same year, an appearance on Saturday Night Live coincided with her album being reissued in the U.S.
Following a tour that took in the U.K., Ireland, Australia, Malaysia, and her first show in North America, Jessie J became the first U.K. female solo artist to achieve six Top Ten singles from a single studio album. The success of the sixth single, "LaserLight," featuring David Guetta, was aided in no small part by her appearance as judge on the U.K. edition of The Voice. The hit show gave the singer a chance to display her talent for musical coaching, while building a rapport with fans both old and new on prime-time television. Also involved were Tom Jones and will.i.am, with whom Jessie J performed at Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Concert in June 2012, before heading back to the studio to work on the follow-up to Who You Are.
After finishing her second and final season of coaching on The Voice in 2013, J returned with the singles "Wild" and "It's My Party," which preceded her second album, Alive, that September. With a planned U.S.-only version of Alive featuring collaborations with Pharrell Williams eventually put aside, J instead focused on recording new material for what would become her third studio album, Sweet Talker. Including the likes of Diplo, the-Dream, and the aforementioned Pharrell, the album also saw her join forces with De La Soul and 2 Chainz, while Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj both featured on the lead single, "Bang Bang," which debuted at number one in the U.K. and became a Top Ten hit in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Bulgaria. Sweet Talker arrived in October 2014, reaching the Top Ten in the U.S. and U.K. Taking a break from music, she joined the cast of judges on television singing competition The Voice Australia. She returned in 2017 with the singles "Real Deal" and "Queen," which later appeared on her fourth LP, R.O.S.E.
Big White Room
Jessie J Lyrics
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Tilt my head back, feel the tears fall down
Close my eyes to see in the dark
I feel young, broken, so so scared
I don't wanna be here anymore
I wanna be somewhere else normal and free, like I used to be
But I have to stay in this big white room
I'm going crazy, I'm losing my mind
I'm going crazy, in this big white room of mine
I'm going crazy, I'm losing my mind
I'm going crazy, in this big white room of mine
Sitting in a big white room alone
Close the door don't want the pain to come in
I clench my fist and try to stay strong
I cry, feel sick my hearts beating b-b-b-b-beating neating out of control
Can I run, run faster than you
I wanna feel my body again, feel the wind in my hair, yeah
But I have to stay in this big white room
'Cause no one else cares no
I'm going crazy, I'm losing my mind
I'm going crazy, in this big white room of mine
I'm going crazy, I'm losing my mind
I'm going crazy, in this big white room of mine
Everybody's looking at me, everybody's staring at me
What do I do now, smile, yeah, yeah
Everybody's looking at me, everybody's staring at me
What do I do now, smile
I'm going crazy, I'm losing my mind
I'm going crazy, in this big white room of mine
I'm going crazy, I'm losing my mind
I'm going crazy, in this big white room of mine
I'm going crazy, I'm losing my mind
I'm going crazy, in this big white room of mine
I'm going crazy, I'm losing my mind
I'm going crazy, in this big white room of mine
The song "Big White Room" by Jessie J is a powerful and emotional ballad that delves into the feeling of being trapped and alone. The song describes the singer sitting in a big white room alone, feeling young, broken, scared, and losing her mind. She wants to be somewhere else, normal and free, but she can't because she is stuck in this big white room with no one else to turn to. The lyrics also touch on the physical and mental turmoil that the singer is going through, with her heart beating out of control and crying while trying to stay strong.
The opening lines of the song set the tone for the entire track. Sitting alone in a big white room suggests that the singer is in some sort of institution, possibly a mental hospital or rehab center. The emptiness of the room enhances the feeling of loneliness, and the fact that the singer is alone suggests that she has been abandoned by all those who were once close to her. She is tilting her head back, feeling the tears fall down, and closing her eyes to see in the dark, indicating that she is struggling with overwhelming emotions.
The repeated refrain of "I'm going crazy, I'm losing my mind" furthers the idea that the singer is struggling with her mental health. The line "Can I run, run faster than you?" reflects her desire to escape the pain and loneliness she feels. Moreover, the line "Everybody's looking at me, everybody's staring at me" shows the singer's paranoia, and the fact that she feels like she is being observed and scrutinized.
Overall, Jessie J's "Big White Room" is a haunting and poignant song that captures the feeling of being trapped and alone, both physically and mentally. It's a reminder that mental health struggles can be isolating but that there is hope in finding help and support from others.
Line by Line Meaning
Sitting in a big white room alone
Feeling isolated and trapped in a sterile environment
Tilt my head back, feel the tears fall down
Emotionally overwhelmed, crying uncontrollably
Close my eyes to see in the dark
Seeking mental escape and comfort from the outside world
I feel young, broken, so so scared
Feeling vulnerable, helpless and afraid
I don't wanna be here anymore
Desperate to leave the situation and return to normalcy
I wanna be somewhere else normal and free, like I used to be
Longing for the past and the comfort of familiar surroundings
But I have to stay in this big white room
Forced to stay in an uncomfortable and unfamiliar environment
With little old me
Feeling small and insignificant in an empty room
I'm going crazy, I'm losing my mind
Feeling overwhelmed and on the brink of a breakdown
In this big white room of mine
Feeling trapped and helpless in a sterile environment
Close the door don't want the pain to come in
Trying to shut out emotional pain
I clench my fist and try to stay strong
Attempting to gather inner strength and composure
I cry, feel sick my hearts beating b-b-b-b-beating neating out of control
Unable to contain overwhelming emotions, feeling physically ill
Can I run, run faster than you
Desiring to escape the situation and needing to feel in control
I wanna feel my body again, feel the wind in my hair, yeah
Craving sensory experience and freedom
'Cause no one else cares no
Feeling abandoned and alone in the situation
Everybody's looking at me, everybody's staring at me
Feeling self-conscious and judged
What do I do now, smile, yeah, yeah
Putting on a brave face and pretending to be okay in front of others
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JESSICA CORNISH, SHER AGHA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind