Early life
Ware was born at Queen Charlotte's Hospital in Hammersmith, London, on 15 October 1984. She was raised in Clapham, London. She is the daughter of Helena (née Keell, usually called Lennie), a social worker, and John Ware, a BBC Panorama reporter, who divorced when she was 10. She is the younger sister of British actress Hannah Ware. Her mother was supportive in her early musical career and Ware considers her to be "her hero", saying "She brought up my sister, brother and me with so much love and fun and always told me I could do anything I want." Ware's mother is Jewish and she was raised in the faith.
Ware was educated at Alleyn's School, a co-educational independent school in Dulwich in South London, followed by the University of Sussex, where she graduated with a degree in English literature. After her studies, Ware briefly worked as a journalist at The Jewish Chronicle, did sports journalism at The Daily Mirror and worked behind the scenes at TV company Love Productions. There, she was a colleague of Erika Leonard, otherwise known as E. L. James, the author of Fifty Shades of Grey.
2009–11: Career beginnings
In the years prior to releasing her first solo album, Ware did backing vocals at live shows for Jack Peñate (who took her on tour in the U.S.) and Man Like Me. Ware said she learned a lot during her time with Jack Peñate: "Performing with him was really good training, because I got to learn all about how other people do it – I was able to perform live without the pressure of being a lead singer. It gave me a taste of what to expect, and it prepared me for what I’m doing now."
One of Peñate's bandmates, Tic, first introduced Ware to SBTRKT; Ware and SBTRKT went on to collaborate on 'Nervous' (2010). She consequently met Sampha, best known as SBTRKT's main collaborator and live member. They created "Valentine" together, which was released on a special edition, heart-shaped vinyl by Young Turks in 2011. "Valentine" was partly inspired by James Blake's song "The Wilhelm Scream" and based on their own personal experiences in love. The music video for "Valentine" was directed by Marcus Söderlund. "Nervous", "Valentine" and an additional collaboration with DJ Joker ("The Vision") led Ware to a record deal with PMR Records. She also featured on Ceremonials, the 2011 album by Florence and the Machine in which her good friend Florence Welch is lead singer.
On 14 October 2011, Ware released her debut solo single "Strangest Feeling" on limited 10" purple vinyl, although the song did not chart in the United Kingdom.
2011–13: Devotion
On 20 August 2012, Ware released her debut album Devotion, which peaked at number five on the UK Albums Chart. She then released "Running" on 24 February 2012 as the lead single from her debut studio album, Devotion. "110%" was released as the album's second single on 13 April, peaking at number 61 in the United Kingdom. "Wildest Moments" was released as the album's third single on 29 June, peaking at number 46 in the United Kingdom. "Night Light" was released as the fourth single on 24 August.
Devotion was announced as a nominee for the prestigious Mercury Prize that year. Ware toured in the United Kingdom in the early part of March 2013, supported by Laura Mvula, starting with Cambridge, Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, Oxford, Bristol and ending in London. The United Kingdom tour was followed by a European tour in the second half of March 2013 and a US tour in April 2013. In the summer of 2013, Ware played many festivals all over the world, and at the end of 2013, Jessie went on tour in the United States again.
2014–16: Tough Love
The new album, Tough Love, was released on 6 October 2014. Ware began writing the album earlier that year. The album peaked at number nine on the UK Albums Chart, becoming her second top ten album. "Tough Love" was the first single to be taken from the new album and released on 3 August 2014. "Tough Love" was compared to "Prince at his minimalist '80's best" by Pitchfork. "Tough Love" is produced together with BenZel, the production duo composed of London post-bass producer Two Inch Punch and mega-producer Benny Blanco who Ware previously worked with on the single "If You Love Me"; Benzel are also executive producers of her new album. Ed Sheeran co-wrote the song "Say You Love Me". Ware played the Wilderness Festival (7–10 August 2014); a pair of additional dates at Berlin Festival 2014 (6 July 2014) and Sopot Gulf of Art (26 July 2014) that year.
Ware contributed a song for Nicki Minaj's third studio album, The Pinkprint (2014), called "The Crying Game" in which Minaj alternates between "devastating verses and pensive crooning" whilst Ware adds "haunting" and "soulful" vocals to the chorus. Originally, Ware only received a songwriting credit, but she was then credited on updated versions of the album. She also co-wrote the song "New Man" for Ed Sheeran's third album ÷ and provided background vocals on it and two other songs.
2017–18: Glasshouse
n October 2017, Ware returned to the stage after a two-year absence in anticipation of the release of her third studio album Glasshouse. Featuring contribution from Francis and the Lights, Ed Sheeran, Cashmere Cat, Julia Michaels and others, it was preceded by its first three singles "Midnight", "Selfish Love" and "Alone". Glasshouse debuted and peaked at number seven on the UK Albums Chart.
In October 2018, Ware released the non-album single "Overtime."
2019–present: What's Your Pleasure?
Ware's What's Your Pleasure? was released on 27 June, 2020, after being pushed back from its initial release date of 5 June. The first single from the album, "Adore You", was released in February 2019. This was followed by "Mirage (Don't Stop)" in November. The next single from the album, "Spotlight", was released in February 2020.
Other work
Towards the end of 2017, Ware launched a podcast, produced with her mother, called Table Manners for Acast and Island Records about "family, food and the art of a good old chit-chat", featuring a new guest each week on the show. The first episode became available on 8 November 2017 and featured British singer-songwriter and friend Sam Smith. The show has since entered its fourth season, including guests such as Ed Sheeran, Randy Jackson, Nigella Lawson, Sandy Toksvig, Daniel Kaluuya, Paloma Faith, George Ezra Annie Mac and Kylie Minogue .
On 23 January 2019 Jessie announced on her Instagram that she had created a unique premium kidswear collaboration called "Anyware Kids" launching online and in selected retailers Spring 2019, developed by award-winning designer George Reddings. "Designed specifically to grow with your child, the oversized boxy shapes and simple minimal styles, are seasonless and gender-equal." The website officially went live on 31 March 2019.
Philanthropy
Ware is a UNICEF UK ambassador and travelled with them to Bangladesh, Cameroon and North Macedonia to see the work they are doing there to help children who have fled violence. On 15 November 2014, Ware joined the charity group Band Aid 30 along with other British and Irish pop acts, recording the latest version of the track "Do They Know It’s Christmas?" at Sarm West Studios in Notting Hill, London, to raise money for the 2014 Ebola crisis in West Africa.
Ware was also part of the lineup for "Artists for Grenfell" charity single which was released to raise money for the families of the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017 and for The London Community Foundation.
Personal life
Ware shared a flat with Felix White of The Maccabees and is friends with Adele. In August 2014, she married her childhood friend, Sam Burrows, whom she had met at school, on the Greek island of Skopelos, where the couple had previously become engaged. On 15 April 2016, Ware revealed that she was expecting her first child. On 8 September 2016, Ware announced the birth of her daughter who was born three days prior.
She supports the Labour Party and endorsed Jess Phillips as leader in the 2020 Labour Party leadership election.
Cruel
Jessie Ware Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I told you
What you said before
Would you be just as certain
What's going on?
Cause actions
(Actions)
(And you ought to know)
I've been wonderin'
Why I'm holdin', still holdin' on
Do us both a favour
(Tonight)
If you want to do the real thing
(Make it right)
You need to mind your mind up
(Just try)
Do you feel me reach the end of the li-I-I-ine?
Never knew our love could be so cruel
(Be so cruel, be so cruel to me)
It's not just what you say, it's what you do
(What you do, what you do to me)
Never knew our love could be so cruel
(Be so cruel, be so cruel to me)
It's not just what you say, it's what you do
(What you do, what you do to me)
Oh-oh-oh-ah...
Your actions
(Actions)
They speak louder than the words you sowed
(And you ought to know)
Have you been wonderin'
Why I'm holdin', still holdin' on?
Do us both a favour
(Tonight)
If you want to do the real thing
(Make it right)
You need to mind your mind up
(Just try)
Do you feel me reach the end of the li-I-I-ine?
Never knew our love could be so cruel
(Be so cruel, be so cruel to me)
It's not just what you say, it's what you do
(What you do, what you do to me)
Never knew our love could be so cruel
(Be so cruel, be so cruel to me)
It's not just what you say, it's what you do
(What you do, what you do to me)
(Ooh-ooh-ooh)
(Ooh-ooh-ooh)
You're so cruel to me
(Ooh-ooh-ooh)
Don't be so cruel to me
(Ooh-ooh-ooh)
The lyrics of Jessie Ware's song "Cruel" narrate a struggle between two lovers who are questioning the authenticity of their relationship. The lyrics suggest that the singer has been holding on to the relationship and has been wondering why they still are. The actions of the other partner seem to contradict their words, and the singer cannot seem to understand why that is. They encourage their partner to make things right and to be honest with themselves about their feelings.
Throughout the song, the singer questions the sincerity of their love while expressing frustration and hurt at how cruel the relationship has become. This theme is evident from the repetition of the phrase "never knew our love could be so cruel." The lyrics allude to the idea that love can turn vicious and exhibit callousness, which is a painful realization for the singer.
Overall, the lyrics of "Cruel" present a situation of emotional imbalance that is fraught with conflict and tension. It highlights the challenges that come with sustaining a relationship while navigating the emotions of both parties involved.
Line by Line Meaning
If I told you
If I were to reveal to you
What you said before
What you uttered on a past occasion
Would you be just as certain
Are you equally confident
What's going on?
About the current state of affairs?
Cause actions
Since the conduct
(Actions)
The behavior
Speak louder than the words you sowed
Are a more powerful expression than your promises
(And you ought to know)
(And this is something you should be aware of)
I've been wonderin'
I have been contemplating
Why I'm holdin', still holdin' on
Why I am staying steadfast, still not giving up
Do us both a favour
Act in the interest of both of us
(Tonight)
(This very night)
If you want to do the real thing
If you really want to do it
(Make it right)
(Do it properly)
You need to mind your mind up
You need to make up your mind
(Just try)
(Give it an honest attempt)
Do you feel me reach the end of the li-I-I-ine?
Do you sense I am near the breaking point?
Never knew our love could be so cruel
I never imagined our love could be so harsh
(Be so cruel, be so cruel to me)
(Treat me that way, be unkind to me)
It's not just what you say, it's what you do
It is not only your words but also your deeds
(What you do, what you do to me)
(What you do or don't do to me)
(Ooh-ooh-ooh)
(vocalizations)
Your actions
Your actions
(Actions)
(Behavior)
They speak louder than the words you sowed
Are a more powerful expression than your promises
(And you ought to know)
(And this is something you should be aware of)
Have you been wonderin'
Have you been contemplating
Why I'm holdin', still holdin' on?
Why I am staying steadfast, still not giving up?
Do us both a favour
Act in the interest of both of us
(Tonight)
(This very night)
If you want to do the real thing
If you really want to do it
(Make it right)
(Do it properly)
You need to mind your mind up
You need to make up your mind
(Just try)
(Give it an honest attempt)
Do you feel me reach the end of the li-I-I-ine?
Do you sense I am near the breaking point?
Never knew our love could be so cruel
I never imagined our love could be so harsh
(Be so cruel, be so cruel to me)
(Treat me that way, be unkind to me)
It's not just what you say, it's what you do
It is not only your words but also your deeds
(What you do, what you do to me)
(What you do or don't do to me)
(Ooh-ooh-ooh)
(vocalizations)
(Ooh-ooh-ooh)
(vocalizations)
You're so cruel to me
You are so brutally unkind to me
(Ooh-ooh-ooh)
(vocalizations)
Don't be so cruel to me
Please do not be so unkind to me
(Ooh-ooh-ooh)
(vocalizations)
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES ELLIS FORD, JESSIE WARE, DAVID OKUMU
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mandonnaa5574
She is so chic, elegant, and smooth. A Pure Goddess 🖤🔥! She is underrated for a reason as only a premium select audience can appreciate her swagger.
@chasingjonrankin
💯
@ZzolllozZ
she is selfconsumed smug. Thats why she is unpopular
@baezantine
This woman is such an icon tbh. Her music is going to be popular for decades to come.
@thecarlox5
I think this is one of my favorite songs ever! Thank you Jessie Ware 💕 greetings from Mexico 💚
@HaleyVic17
Jessie Ware is simply amazing. I can say so much more...but I wouldn't be able to stop.
Honestly, I didn't really care for this song when I first heard it. But as I kept listening more and more to it, it grew on me so much. I absolutely love this song now.
That Tough Love album, the whole thing is just genius to me.
Go JESSIE!
@kaim0nd
Jessie Ware is such a Charismatic woman. I was hooked since her first album. 'Devotion'. Iconic!
@4lifemusiclova
Her voice is just pure heaven.
@laurafigueroa9542
Such an amazing artist! Never get bored of listen to her.
@MIDULCEFLOR
Jessie is the best!! she does not get the credit she deserves.