In 2009, Ledisi released her fourth album Turn Me Loose , which earned her a couple more Grammy nominations.
Ledisi's fifth album, Pieces Of Me, was released on June 14, 2011 debuting at #8 on the Billboard 200, her first entry on the top 10 of the album chart.
She and her band are from a new breed of modern soul singers (that fall into the New Organic Soul movement in the U.K.) that do not bow to the formulated 'pop' format that permeates the national charts of the U.K. and the U.S.A.
Her mother sang in an R & B band and opened her daughter's ears to classical music, then to jazz and gospel.
‘My mother is an inspiration to me because she was an R & B singer when I was growing up, and I'd watch her perform in the park by our house. I grew up on Earth, Wind and Fire. Tina Turner is my favorite’.
As a teenager Ledisi first sang in a friend’s band, but soon realised she'd have to form her own if she was going to get the creative freedom she desired.
She formed the group Anibade.
The band consisted of:
Sundra Manning (keyboards)
Cedrickke Dennis (guitar)
Nelson Braxton (bass)
Wayne Braxton (saxophone)
and Tommy Bradford on (drums)
Anibade means ‘my mother is great’ in Yoruba and also happens to be Ledisi's middle name.
The band the group performed at several nightspots including Bruno's, The Black Cat, and Rasselas, in the San Francisco area before, successfully, getting a local radio station, KMEL, to play the single ‘Take Time’, without any major label distribution.
Ledisi said, ‘We took it to other labels to try and get a deal, but we found that they didn't get it 'cause it wasn't already out there. We got frustrated with that.’
Ledisi is said to be recording a jazz record with bassist Marcus Shelby on Noir Records.
That album was due in early 2000, although the set has not yet surfaced.
Her first solo album ‘Soulsinger’, was, however, released in 2000, to critical acclaim.
The album addressed several personal issues, none more so than the track ‘Papa Loved To Love Me’, a harrowing tale of a father sexually abusing his daughter.
The track is uncomfortably close to home.
Ledisi said ‘My family heard it, though, and they said, 'Wow, you went and told everything!'. I know it's giving something away about myself, but it's a part of me. That's why people relate to a story like that.’
Eric Benét and Rahsaan Patterson recently attended her groups' concerts and they have opened for Eric Benet, D’Angelo and Angie Stone.
A second album entitled 'Feeling Orange And Sometimes Blue' was released in early 2002.
Ledisi travelled to London's Jazz Cafe in March 2003 for more gigs following a successful concert at Subterranea in the autumn of 2002.
She was supported by the Braxton Brothers along with several other performers.
BGTY
Ledisi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take time to hear me, cause you've got to be told
So busy looking for love, like you don't know your worth
Get it together
Even when it hurts
You gotta be good to yourself (be good to yourself)
You can't wait on nobody else (no one else)
Oh you can't love nobody else
Somedays you feel like runnin', from everyone you know
The things that you thought might be right now
It ain't necessarily so,so much on my mind
Need a break from it all to get myself together
So I don't fall
Gotta be good to myself(be good to yourself)
You can't wait on nobody else (no one else)
Baby oh yeah be good to yourself (be good to yourself)
Oh you can't love nobody else
Oh woo woo woooo
When you're traveling
Through the highs and the lows
Make sure you listen to your spirit
You gotta take care of your soul
Hold on, never give up
You can get through whatever
Always make time
For yourself woooo
Be good to yourself (be good to yourself)
You can't wait on nobody else (no one else)
Be good to yourself (be good to yourself)
Oh you can't love nobody else
Be good to yourself (be good to yourself)
You can't wait on nobody else (no one else)
Be good to yourself (be good to yourself)
Oh you can't love nobody else
In Ledisi's song "BGTY," the lyrics emphasize the importance of self-love and self-care. The song acknowledges the struggles that people go through in their journey of self-discovery, as well as the societal pressures to constantly search for validation in relationships. Ledisi encourages listeners to take a step back, breathe, and focus on themselves without waiting for someone else to save them. The repeated line "be good to yourself" is a reminder to prioritize self-care and personal growth. The line "you can't love nobody else" illustrates that one cannot truly love or give love to others if they do not first love and take care of themselves. The song acknowledges the difficult moments when one may feel lost and need a break to get through it, but ultimately urges listeners to keep moving forward and never give up, no matter the challenges faced.
Overall, the song acts as an anthem for self-love and encourages listeners to prioritize their mental and emotional well-being. It highlights the importance of treating oneself with the same care and compassion that one would give to others.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes we don't listen to what we already know
We often overlook our inherent knowledge and need to start paying attention.
Take time to hear me, cause you've got to be told
Listen, I have something important to tell you.
So busy looking for love, like you don't know your worth
You are too preoccupied with finding love that you fail to see your own value.
Get it together
Pull yourself together, you need to shape up.
Even when it hurts
It might be painful, but that's what you need to do to improve.
You gotta be good to yourself (be good to yourself)
Take care of yourself, prioritize your well-being.
You can't wait on nobody else (no one else)
Don't rely on others to make you feel good, do it yourself.
Baby, be good to yourself (be good to yourself)
Hey, you need to treat yourself better.
Oh you can't love nobody else
If you don't love yourself, you cannot love anyone else.
Somedays you feel like runnin', from everyone you know
At times, you might want to retreat from those around you.
The things that you thought might be right now
Ideas that you thought were correct may no longer apply.
It ain't necessarily so,so much on my mind
What's been on your mind isn't necessarily true.
Need a break from it all to get myself together
You may need some time off to collect yourself.
So I don't fall
To avoid collapsing under the weight of it all.
Oh woo woo woooo
A vocalization without any specific meaning.
When you're traveling
As you journey through life.
Through the highs and the lows
Both during good and bad times.
Make sure you listen to your spirit
Pay attention to what your gut feelings are telling you.
You gotta take care of your soul
Ensure that you prioritize your spiritual health.
Hold on, never give up
Stay strong, don't stop trying.
You can get through whatever
You have the ability to overcome any obstacle.
Always make time
Always set aside time for yourself.
For yourself woooo
For your own sake.
Be good to yourself (be good to yourself)
Treat yourself well.
Oh you can't love nobody else
You cannot offer genuine love if you don't love yourself first.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LEDISI YOUNG, SALAAM REMI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind