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.
Free Yourself
Jessie Ware Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Keep on moving up that mountaintop
Why don't you please yourself?
If it feels so good then don't you, baby, don't you
Stop, don't stop, don't stop
Baby, don't you
Don't stand there waiting all of your life
The clock is ticking, baby, now is the time
For someone to come and hold you
You are a name, not a number
Extraordinary colors
Don't you hide under cover, baby
Free yourself
Keep on moving up that mountaintop
Why don't you please yourself?
If it feels so good, then don't you, baby, don't you
Stop, don't stop, don't stop
Baby, don't you
No complications, distractions
Reactions, no retractions
Only obsessions, motivations
Investigation, there's new information
You are a name, not a number
Extraordinary colors
Don't you hide under cover, baby
Free yourself
Keep on moving up that mountaintop
Why don't you please yourself?
If it feels so good then don't you stop
Free yourself
Keep on moving up that mountaintop
Why don't you please yourself?
If it feels so good then don't you, baby, don't you
Stop, don't stop, don't stop
Baby, don't you
If you feel it (ah)
If you feel it, take it (over)
If you feel it (ah)
If you feel it, take it (over)
If you feel it (ah)
If you feel it, take it (over)
If you feel it (ah)
If you feel it, take it (don't tease me)
If you feel it (don't)
If you feel it, take it (don't tease me)
If you feel it (don't)
If you feel it, take it (don't tease me)
If you feel it (don't)
If you feel it, take it (don't tease me)
If you feel it (don't)
If you feel it, take it
You've got to free yourself
Keep on moving up that mountaintop
Why don't you please yourself?
If it feels so good then don't you stop
Free yourself
Keep on moving up that mountaintop
Why don't you please yourself?
If it feels so good then don't you, baby, don't you
Stop, don't stop, don't stop
Baby, don't you
The song "Free Yourself" by Jessie Ware is an anthem for personal liberation and self-discovery. Through the lyrics, she encourages the listener to break free from their fears and insecurities and embrace their authentic selves. The song's first verse encourages the listener to keep moving forward towards their goals, doing what makes them happy even if it isn't what society expects of them. Jessie Ware tells them to "please yourself" and not let anyone or anything stop them. In the second verse, she urges them not to wait around for someone else to make them happy, but instead to take charge of their own lives and find someone who will support them. The chorus repeats the message that the only way to be truly happy and fulfilled is to free oneself from the constraints of society's expectations.
The lyrics of "Free Yourself" focus on themes of self-realization, personal growth, and empowerment. Jessie Ware encourages listeners to be true to themselves and not to allow society or other people to define who they are. The song's message is highly relatable, resonating with anyone who has ever felt stifled or constrained, or struggled to find their place in the world. Through her lyrics, Ware shows that liberation is possible, and that each person has the power to break free and chart their own course in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Free yourself
Release yourself from any burdens and constraints that may be holding you back.
Keep on moving up that mountain top
Continue to aim high and keep climbing towards your goals.
Why don't you please yourself?
Do what makes you happy and fulfilled, rather than constantly seeking to please others.
If it feels so good then don't you, baby, don't you
If something truly brings you joy and fulfillment, don't let fear or doubt hold you back from pursuing it.
Stop, don't stop, don't stop
Don't give up on your dreams or desires, keep pushing forward even in the face of challenges or setbacks.
Don't stand there waiting all of your life
Don't let your life pass you by without taking action or making changes towards your goals and aspirations.
For the night to come and find you
Don't wait for opportunities to come to you, actively seek them out and create them for yourself.
The clock is ticking, baby, now is the time
Time is precious and limited, so take action towards your goals and dreams before it's too late.
For someone to come and hold you
Don't rely on others to bring you fulfillment or happiness, find it within yourself and pursue what truly lights you up.
You are a name, not a number
You're more than just a statistic or a label, you're an individual with your own unique identity and worth.
Extraordinary colors
You have your own unique talents, skills, and personality traits that make you stand out and be remarkable.
Don't you hide under cover, baby
Don't shy away from showing the world who you truly are and embracing your unique qualities.
No complications, distractions
Don't let obstacles or external factors distract you from pursuing your goals and dreams.
Reactions, no retractions
Stay focused on your goals and don't let fear or doubt hold you back from taking action towards them.
Only obsessions, motivations
Allow yourself to be driven by your passions and what truly motivates you, rather than outside influences or expectations.
Investigation, there's new information
Be curious and open to new opportunities or information that may lead you towards your goals.
If you feel it, take it (over)
If you have a strong desire or passion for something, go after it with everything you've got and don't let anyone or anything hold you back.
You've got to free yourself
It's up to you to take action towards freeing yourself from whatever is holding you back or causing you stress and dissatisfaction.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Clarence Bernard Coffee, Jessica Lois Ware, Stuart David Price
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@noeLotreboR
Discovering Jessie Ware was the best thing to happen in my life
@spacebluemoth8320
Same. She’s heaven in this wretched world
@bendelaportilla3747
@@spacebluemoth8320 this comment gave goosebumps cos it´s true :( :)
@milomirjukanovic3248
The same. Go and check Sharon Kovacs as well, I discovered them at the same time - different style though, but another strong female artist doing it her way!
@TheEkwazako
@@milomirjukanovic3248 and Roisin Murphy
@noeLotreboR
@@TheEkwazako I love Roisin Murphy, I discovered Murphy's Law the same time as WYP.
@charliequinn_
Can we’ll just take a moment to appreciate Jessie’s confidence?! She has come so far since ‘Devotion’ days and is only getting bigger and better with every new era. It’s really inspiring!
@Kasia.PL85
For you and for her 👏👏👏💐😉💋
@patrick4510
I thought this was some bot comment at first
@williamira3052
Oi