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.
Four Letter Word
Jessie J Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I waited for my stubborn to come through
Told me why my moods ain't easy
Challenge me like I do you
The feeling takes me back to never
I pray I get the chance to bloom
I can be a six letter word, but four letter word is you
This just changed my life
Can't believe I, can't believe I, can't believe I don't have time
B-A-B-Y
I talk to you at night
Won't believe I, won't believe I, won't believe I won't have time
'Cause someone's ready for me, waiting
To feel all my love and make you with me
I'll never give up, even if it breaks me
Fills in my heart, we'll meet one another
You'll be my baby, I'll be your mother
The pain, it makes me so impulsive
I hate I can't control what I do
Even though I know the reason, I still cry out for you
So many highs, it's balanced
I just gotta accept my truth
I will be a six letter word, but four letter word is you
B-A-B-Y
This just changed my life
Can't believe I, can't believe I, can't believe I don't have time
B-A-B-Y
I talk to you at night
Won't believe I, won't believe I, won't believe I won't have time
'Cause someone's ready for me, waiting
To feel all my love and make you with me
I'll never give up, even if it breaks me
Fills in my heart, we'll meet one another
You'll be my baby
Try to be patient
Real love will save me
God knows I'm waiting
To be your mother
Promises and loyalty
My truest dream, for you to look at me, look at me
And feel proud, love and eternity
When my time comes
And I find the one for you
We'll be forever happy
'Cause someone's ready for me, waiting
To feel all my love and make you with me
I'll never give up, even if it breaks me
Fills in my heart, we'll meet one another
You'll be my baby
Try to be patient
Real love will save me
God knows I'm waiting
To be a mother
To be a, to be a mother
Mother
Mother
Mother
Mother
Mother
Mother
Mother
Mother
In "Four Letter Word" by Jessie J, the lyrics express the intense emotions and longing the singer feels for someone she loves. The first verse talks about a past experience that broke her heart and made her reflect on her own stubbornness. Despite the challenges they face, she hopes to have the chance to grow and change. The line "I can be a six letter word, but four letter word is you" suggests that although she could be someone important or significant, the person she loves is the one who truly defines her and brings her happiness.
The chorus continues this theme of love and change. The repetition of "B-A-B-Y" emphasizes the transformative power of becoming a parent. The singer highlights how becoming a mother has completely changed her life, and she can't believe she doesn't have enough time. This could symbolize the sacrifices and responsibilities that come with motherhood. The lyrics imply that she talks to her baby at night, showing her deep affection and connection to her child.
The second verse highlights the impulsive nature of the singer's actions and her struggle to control her emotions. She admits that she cries out for the person she loves despite knowing the reasons for their distance. The line "So many highs, it's balanced" suggests that there are ups and downs in their relationship, but the truth is that the person she loves is what truly matters to her.
The final verse speaks to the singer's dreams and hopes for the future. She desires a deep connection, loyalty, and everlasting love. The lyrics express her longing for her child to feel proud, loved, and secure. The repetition of "Mother" emphasizes her desire to become a mother and the anticipation she feels for that role. The repeated use of the word "mother" at the end of the song signifies her overwhelming desire and commitment to fulfilling this role.
Overall, "Four Letter Word" conveys the singer's deep emotional connection to someone she loves. The lyrics capture her longing to become a mother and the transformative power of love in her life.
Line by Line Meaning
Broke me that day I remember
That day, something happened that completely shattered me emotionally, and it is a memory I will never forget.
I waited for my stubborn to come through
I hoped that my determination and persistence would eventually prevail.
Told me why my moods ain't easy
Someone explained to me why my emotions and temperament can be challenging to handle.
Challenge me like I do you
I want you to push me, test me, and challenge me just as I do to you.
The feeling takes me back to never
This emotion transports me to a place that doesn't exist, a realm where I can escape reality.
I pray I get the chance to bloom
I hope and pray for the opportunity to grow, develop, and flourish.
I can be a six letter word, but four letter word is you
Although I can be described using a longer word, ultimately, the essence of who I am is encapsulated in a simple four-letter word, which is 'you' (referring to someone she deeply cares about).
B-A-B-Y
The term 'baby,' often spelled out as individual letters representing each letter in the word.
This just changed my life
Referring to how the presence or arrival of a baby can profoundly transform someone's life.
Can't believe I, can't believe I, can't believe I don't have time
Expressing disbelief or astonishment at the fact that she doesn't have enough time or feels overwhelmed with responsibilities after having a baby.
I talk to you at night
Engaging in conversations or expressing thoughts and feelings to the baby during nighttime.
Won't believe I, won't believe I, won't believe I won't have time
Continuing to express disbelief that she won't have enough time, emphasizing the challenges and sacrifices involved in caring for a baby.
'Cause someone's ready for me, waiting
There is someone who is prepared and waiting for her, perhaps referring to a soulmate or partner who supports and understands her desire to have a baby.
To feel all my love and make you with me
Desiring to share her immense love with someone and create a new life together through the act of having a baby.
I'll never give up, even if it breaks me
She won't surrender or abandon her dream of having a baby, even if it takes a toll on her emotionally.
Fills in my heart, we'll meet one another
Having a baby would bring immense joy and completeness to her heart and signifies the anticipation of meeting her child for the first time.
You'll be my baby, I'll be your mother
Expressing the loving bond and relationship that will be formed once the baby is born, where she becomes the nurturing and caring mother.
The pain, it makes me so impulsive
The pain she experiences due to longing for a baby can cause her to act spontaneously or impulsively, as she struggles to cope with her emotions.
I hate I can't control what I do
She despises the fact that she lacks control over her actions and decisions in relation to her strong desire for a baby.
Even though I know the reason, I still cry out for you
Despite understanding the underlying reasons behind her longing for a baby, she still finds herself yearning and longing for it, leading to emotional distress.
So many highs, it's balanced
Despite experiencing both exhilarating and challenging moments in her journey towards having a baby, there is a sense of equilibrium or equilibrium achieved.
I just gotta accept my truth
She realizes that she needs to embrace and accept her genuine desires and aspirations, even if they are difficult or unconventional.
I will be a six letter word, but four letter word is you
Reiterating that, ultimately, her identity and purpose are intertwined with the person represented by a four-letter word ('you').
Promises and loyalty
Referring to commitments and faithfulness in a relationship, particularly in the context of parenting and raising a child together.
My truest dream, for you to look at me, look at me
Expressing her sincerest aspiration for the person she deeply cares about to truly see and appreciate her, strengthening their emotional connection.
And feel proud, love and eternity
Desiring for them to not only feel pride in their relationship but also experience boundless love and a sense of eternity together.
When my time comes
Referring to the future moment when the right circumstances align for her to fulfill her dream of having a baby.
And I find the one for you
When she discovers the person who is truly meant to be her life partner and with whom she envisions having a child together.
We'll be forever happy
Expressing the belief and hope that they will experience everlasting happiness and contentment once their family is complete.
Try to be patient
Encouraging herself or others to practice patience in waiting for the right time and circumstances to bring a baby into their lives.
Real love will save me
Believing that genuine and profound love will guide and protect her, providing strength and support throughout her journey to become a mother.
God knows I'm waiting
Acknowledging that she is aware of and trusts in a higher power or divine intervention, recognizing her patience and longing for a baby.
To be your mother
Reaffirming her desire and longing to fulfill the role of being a loving and nurturing mother to the person she deeply cares about.
To be a, to be a mother
Expressing the strong desire and longing to experience the joys and responsibilities of motherhood.
Mother
A single-word exclamation used to reinforce the significance and importance of the role of a mother.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jessica Cornish, Darhyl Camper
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind