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.
I Blame You
Ledisi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause I'm just not the same
They say I'm walking different, talking different
Looks like all of me has changed
Magic is in my eyes, I can no longer hide
When they look at me
Is the love you got me feeling
Like I'm dancing on the ceiling
I can hardly breathe
'Cause you're all I need
So when they ask me why I'm smiling like a fool
I blame you
Oh, baby, I blame you, oh yeah
My mind is frozen, got me open of you love
Can't think of no one else
I smell the roses, doing poses in the mirror
You make me love myself
Magic is in my eyes, I can no longer hide
When they look at me
What they fail to see
Is the love you got me feeling
Like I'm dancing on the ceiling
I can hardly breathe
'Cause you're all I need
So when they ask me why I'm smiling like a fool
I blame you
Oh, baby, I blame you, oh yeah
I blame you, oh yeah
Oh, baby, I blame you
I blame you each and every day
It's your fault that I'm completely blown away
You've been building castles in the sky
A place for only you and I
I, I, I
I blame you
Oh, baby, I blame you, oh yeah
I blame you
Oh, baby, I blame you, oh yeah
When they look at me
What they fail to see
I blame you
I can hardly breathe
'Cause you're all I need
I blame you
I blame you
You
The song "I Blame You" by Ledisi is about being deeply in love with someone and how that person has brought so much joy and positive change into their life that it is impossible to hide it from the world. The lyrics suggest that the singer has gone through a transformation since meeting this person: they are walking and talking differently, and feel like a whole new person. They are now full of energy and life, and it feels like they are dancing on the ceiling. They explain that the reason for this transformation is the love they receive from this person, and that they cannot help but smile from ear to ear because of it. People around them notice this change and ask questions, and the singer's response is that they blame the person they are in love with for making them feel so alive.
The song expresses the idea that love can have a profound effect on a person's life and can lead them to become a better version of themselves. The lyrics also suggest that the singer is grateful to the person they are in love with for this positive change. They even go so far as to blame them for everything, including how the singer can't stop smiling or how they are completely blown away by their love.
The upbeat tempo of the song, coupled with Ledisi's powerful vocals, makes it a fun and lively ode to the transformative power of love.
Line by Line Meaning
People keep asking about this glow I have
People are curious about the happiness and inner glow that I am exuding
'Cause I'm just not the same
Because I have been completely transformed
They say I'm walking different, talking different
Others have noticed a change in my behavior, posture, and communication style
Looks like all of me has changed
Everything about me seems to have been affected by this transformation
Magic is in my eyes, I can no longer hide
I cannot conceal the happiness and love that is radiating through my eyes
When they look at me
When people observe me
What they fail to see
What they are unaware of
Is the love you got me feeling
The intense love that you have brought into my life
Like I'm dancing on the ceiling
The feeling of being on cloud nine, unable to contain my joy
I can hardly breathe
The intensity of my emotions is overwhelming
'Cause you're all I need
Because you are the reason for my emotional change
So when they ask me why I'm smiling like a fool
When people inquire about my happiness and silly grin
I blame you
I attribute it all to you and your love
My mind is frozen, got me open of you love
I am completely consumed by your love and cannot think of anything else
Can't think of no one else
I am exclusively focused on you
I smell the roses, doing poses in the mirror
I am enjoying the little things in life and feeling confident in myself
You make me love myself
Your love has helped me appreciate and accept myself
I blame you each and every day
Every single day, I owe my happiness to you
It's your fault that I'm completely blown away
Your love has swept me off my feet and I am totally taken by you
You've been building castles in the sky
You have been dreaming up and working towards a beautiful, imaginary future with me
A place for only you and I
A world where only we exist
I, I, I
Repetition of 'I' to emphasize the personal connection and impact of your love
When they look at me
When people observe me
What they fail to see
What they are unaware of
I blame you
I attribute it all to you and your love
I can hardly breathe
The intensity of my emotions is overwhelming
'Cause you're all I need
Because you are the reason for my emotional change
I blame you
I attribute it all to you and your love
You
Your love and presence
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHARLES HARMON, CLAUDE KELLY, LEDISI YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mystic Macabre
She is hands down one of the most underrated singers of our time! I will always support you girl because you speak the truth about what women of color are going through!
Romario Brown
so true. They only use her for tributes.
Ria
One of the few artist that truly sounds even better live than in studio
pattiemelt35
Ledisi and her band are just a JOY to watch! I so enjoy the ease and happiness she brings to EVERY performance. You can tell the smiles and dances are genuine because it's exactly how I react when I'm watching. The talent that surrounds her is superb and I am really looking forward to seeing this live! Congrats on another fabulous project. I love it!
Romario Brown
Ledisi is one of the few persons who can do a tribute for any artist.
Lo Yo
Been following her for YEARS...she's nothing shy of AMAZZZING!!! I LUV HER :)
pebblesduckmurray
Ledisi makes you wanna sing. Love her voice and how she's true to her style
Toni H. Justice
She has the best energy from any female singer I've ever seen.
roxiedeva09
Great performance!!! Love this song!!!
Elder Mathis
DIVA for life! May God continue to bless you in everything you do much sista love.