Moving to New York City to attend The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, he was mentored by and recorded with both the legendary drummer Chico Hamilton and the pianist Junior Mance. There he also met his first ensemble that would form the studio and international touring band for his 2008 debut album “The Dreamer” (Jan 2008, Brownswood).
A chance meeting in London with international tastemaker and DJ Gilles Peterson led to a record deal on Peterson’s Brownswood Recordings label. Drawing upon diverse influences such as Freestyle Fellowship and Rahsaan Roland Kirk, “The Dreamer” was an international critical success, with José performing at venues such as the North Sea Jazz Festival, Billboard Live Tokyo, The Hermitage Museum, and Central Park Summerstage. “The Dreamer” was voted #21 Critic’s Pick of JazzTimes Top 50 Jazz Albums of 2008.
His sophomore release “BLACKMAGIC” (Feb 2010, Brownswood) explored the worldwide underground, featuring production from Flying Lotus, Moodymann, Taylor McFerrin, and DJ Mitsu the Beats. “BLACKMAGIC” also featured James’s live band in new territory, covering dubstep pioneer Benga’s “Emotions” and exploring a soul/hip-hop version of the R&B classic “Save Your Love For Me.” “BLACKMAGIC” toured in over 30 countries, at venues such as the Montreal Jazz Festival, Ancienne Belgique, Melkweg, and Lincoln Center. “Love Conversation” (produced by Taylor McFerrin), “Save Your Love for Me,” and “Desire” (from The Dreamer) were featured in Fox Searchlight Pictures 2010 “Our Family Wedding” starring Forest Whitaker, America Ferrera, Carlos Mencia, and Lance Gross.
Signing to Verve/Universal in 2010, James’s third studio album “For All We Know” (May 2010, Impulse!) was released on the legendary “Impulse!” label, home to many of John Coltrane’s masterworks. Largely recorded in a single day at the famed Galaxy Studios in Belguim, “For All We Know” is a deep and timeless duo album of jazz standards featuring Jef Neve on piano.
Winner of both the Edison Award and L’Académie du Jazz Grand Prix for best Vocal Jazz Album of 2010, “For All We Know” was James’s most intimate project to date, with performances in premiere concert halls such as L’Olympia, Royal Festival Hall, and De Roma, as well venues such as the Umbria Jazz Festival, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola and Cotton Club Tokyo.
The collaboration between James and Jef Neve continued with an ambitious ongoing live project “Facing East: The Music of John Coltrane.” Conceived and directed by James “Facing East” made its worldwide debut at Ancienne Belgique, Brussels, and continued on to venues such as the North Sea Jazz Festival, Nice Jazz Festival, New Morning, and Ronnie Scott’s.
As a featured guest José has recorded albums with Junior Mance, Chico Hamilton, Nicola Conte, Bassment Jaxx, Jazzanova, Toshio Matsuura, J.A.M., DJ Mitsu the Beats, Timo Lassy, Taylor McFerrin, and Flying Lotus.
Recent projects include guest performances with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra’s “A Tribute to Billy Strayhorn” at Rose Theater, as well as touring internationally with McCoy Tyner’s “The Music of John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman.”
He was recently voted 2011 DownBeat Critics Poll “Rising Star Best Male Vocalist” and is currently working on his fourth studio album “No Beginning, No End.”
http://josejamesmusic.com/
Come to My Door
José James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Since you set out on your own
You told me you had to find
Something to believe in
Never thought you'd ever leave
But as you walked out the door
I prayed that you would soon find
All that you needed
If the rain starts falling
Or you get too cold
If you need a place to go
Oh, I just want you to know
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
Oh, you can come to my door
I don't mind, I don't mind, I don't mind at all
So long you've been searching now
But still I can see your face
The memories numb this pain
Just for a moment
At night I lie sometimes
Awake in my bed
Repeating over and over
Our conversation
Right now as the moon is shining
I know you're out somewhere
And you're doing fine
If you ever feel alone baby
Oh, I just want you to know
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
Oh, you can come to my door
I don't mind, I don't mind, I don't mind at all
And on that fateful day
You know I will be waiting, oh
You'll smile at me, then say
You loved me all along
And you'll come home
Oh, I just want you to know
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
Oh, you can come to my door
I don't mind, I don't mind, I don't mind at all
Oh, I just want you to know
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
Oh, you can come to my door
I don't mind, I don't mind, I don't mind at all
Ooh, I just want you to know
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
Oh, you can come to my door
I don't mind, I don't mind, I don't mind at all
Ooh, I just want you to know
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
Oh, I just want you to know
It's alright, you can come to my door, it's alright, I don't mind
The lyrics of José James's song "Come to My Door" depict a story of separation, longing, and hope. The song tells the tale of a person who has left and gone on a journey to find something to believe in. As the individual leaves, the singer prays that they will find what they need. The singer assures them that if they ever need a place to go, they can come to their door. The lyrics are emotional, and the melody matches the sentiment, with a slow, melancholic sound that captures the feeling of separation and longing.
The lyrics also show the singer's resilience and patience. They have been waiting for a long time for the other person to return, but still, they can see their face in their mind's eye. They keep repeating the conversation they had with the other person in their head. They know that the other person is doing well, and if they ever feel alone or if it starts raining, they should come to the singer's door. The lyrics are hopeful, depicting a future where the two will be reunited and the singer's patience and faithfulness will be rewarded.
Overall, José James's "Come to My Door" is a heartfelt song that captures the feelings of separation and longing that many of us have experienced. The melody, combined with the lyrics, creates a beautiful, emotional piece that captures the sentiment of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
So long we've been distant now
We've been apart for a while
Since you set out on your own
Since you left to find yourself
You told me you had to find
You said you needed to discover
Something to believe in
A belief to hold onto
Never thought you'd ever leave
I didn't expect you to go
But as you walked out the door
When you left me behind
I prayed that you would soon find
I hoped you would discover
All that you needed
Exactly what you were searching for
While you're out there on your own
While you're alone
If the rain starts falling
If it starts to rain
Or you get too cold
Or you get too chilly
If you need a place to go
If you need somewhere to stay
Oh, I just want you to know
I want to assure you
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
Everything will be fine
Oh, you can come to my door
You're welcome to my home
I don't mind, I don't mind, I don't mind at all
I'm happy to have you
So long you've been searching now
You've been looking for a while
But still I can see your face
I can still remember your face
The memories numb this pain
Thinking about you helps me cope
Just for a moment
Even if only briefly
At night I lie sometimes
I stay awake at night
Awake in my bed
Unable to sleep
Repeating over and over
I keep replaying
Our conversation
Our last talk
Right now as the moon is shining
As the moon is out now
I know you're out somewhere
I know you're somewhere
And you're doing fine
You're doing well
If you ever feel alone baby
If you ever feel lonely
And on that fateful day
When that day arrives
You know I will be waiting, oh
I'll be waiting for you
You'll smile at me, then say
You'll smile and tell me
You loved me all along
You've loved me all this time
And you'll come home
And you'll return
Ooh, I just want you to know
I want to tell you
It's alright, you can come to my door, it's alright, I don't mind
You're always welcome here, I'm happy to have you
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Beatrice Margaret Emily Cowings
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Daniela Aguilar
So long we've been distant now
Since you set out on your own
You told me you had to find something
To believe in
Never thought you'd ever leave
But as you walked out the door
I prayed that you will soon find
All that you needed
And while you're out there on your own
If the rain starts falling
Or you get too cold
If you need a place to go
Oh, I just want you to know
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
Oh, you can come to my door
I don't mind, I don't mind,
I don't mind at all
So long you've been searching now
But still I can see your face
The memories numb this pain
Just for a moment
At night I lay sometimes
Awake in my bed
Repeating over and over
Our conversation
Right now as the moon is shining
I know you're out somewhere
And you're doing fine
If you ever feel that lonely
Oh, I just want you to know
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
Oh, you can come to my door
I don't mind, I don't mind,
I don't mind at all
And on that faithful day
You know I will be waiting, oh
You'll smile at me and say
You loved me all along
And you'll come home
Oh I just want you to know
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
Oh, you can come to my door
I don't mind, I don't mind,
I don't mind at all.
Daniela Aguilar
So long we've been distant now
Since you set out on your own
You told me you had to find something
To believe in
Never thought you'd ever leave
But as you walked out the door
I prayed that you will soon find
All that you needed
And while you're out there on your own
If the rain starts falling
Or you get too cold
If you need a place to go
Oh, I just want you to know
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
Oh, you can come to my door
I don't mind, I don't mind,
I don't mind at all
So long you've been searching now
But still I can see your face
The memories numb this pain
Just for a moment
At night I lay sometimes
Awake in my bed
Repeating over and over
Our conversation
Right now as the moon is shining
I know you're out somewhere
And you're doing fine
If you ever feel that lonely
Oh, I just want you to know
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
Oh, you can come to my door
I don't mind, I don't mind,
I don't mind at all
And on that faithful day
You know I will be waiting, oh
You'll smile at me and say
You loved me all along
And you'll come home
Oh I just want you to know
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
Oh, you can come to my door
I don't mind, I don't mind,
I don't mind at all.
Rastislav Stanik
Thanks!
FannyDreamz
This song is so sweet, in both meaning and sound. Superb!
Marmotte 24
Très très agréable à écouter, à se laisser porter par cette mélodie....
AsmoAtIt
Such a great song! The version with Emily King is dope as well..
Breendiita Cuevas
I love this song! ❤
Wayan Agus
love it!! 💚💕
Robbie Boyd
His arrangements are really tight! He reminds me of one or two Cats, but his sound is distinguished. I agree with ShedAtlanta, his base will get much stronger. This is real music with meaning; He stands alone in substance and voice. Refreshing, to hear great music! I also picked up his vinyl.
LOVASTELLI
Une voix superbe 💖💕🎶💕🎶💕
Yusuf Hassan
Clicked on a Spotify ad for him...this guy is very talented...i really like this song and his entire album