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.
Knockin'
Ledisi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hear you knockin' but you ain't gon' win
I hear you knockin' uh uh
I hear you knockin' uh uh
I hear you knockin' knockin' knockin' knockin'
Workin' day and night
Gotta get up and pay my bills
They don't care about how you feel
You ain't gon' get me today
You better move out of my way
I got a whole lot to live
For don't wanna hear the blues today
Economy down said news
'cause we bought the war
Change comes like the wind
Now I know what hope is for
I see the sun on my face
And you won't hear me complain
Hey! 'Cause I can't let the dark days
Bring me down
Got a lot of things to say
People always using other people
Trying to get ahead
Runnin' after the light
Never thinkin' about they said
Hey! What's the matter with you
You need to watch what you do
You got to get your head straight
Live your life and do what He told you to do
Early Sunday morning
Preacher talkin' bout saving souls
He said I don't have all the answers
I'm just here to try to let you know
Every time that you pray
A blessing comes right away
Don't let the hard times
Take your spirit move the devil away
“Knockin’” is a high-energy song with a positive, empowering message meant to inspire listeners to keep pushing through tough times. The song is about perseverance and facing hardships head-on. The first verse sets the tone for the song, with Ledisi singing “I hear you knockin' but you can't come in, I hear you knockin' but you ain't gon' win.” Here, she is essentially saying that no matter what obstacles come her way, she won’t let them defeat her.
The second verse talks about the daily struggles faced by many people, such as the need to pay bills and the pressure to please others. Despite these difficulties, Ledisi is determined to keep going and not let anything bring her down. The bridge of the song emphasizes the importance of staying positive and not getting bogged down by negative thoughts. Ledisi encourages listeners to focus on the good things in life and not let “the hard times take your spirit.”
Overall, “Knockin’” is a song designed to uplift and motivate listeners, reminding them that they are strong enough to get through anything that comes their way.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear you knockin' but you can't come in
Someone is trying to enter Ledisi's life but is not welcome
I hear you knockin' but you ain't gon' win
The person trying to enter Ledisi's life will not succeed
I hear you knockin' uh uh
Ledisi doesn't want the person knocking to interrupt her life
I hear you knockin' uh uh
Ledisi repeats that she doesn't want the person knocking to interrupt her life
I hear you knockin' knockin' knockin' knockin'
The person trying to enter Ledisi's life is persistently knocking
Workin' day and night
Ledisi is constantly working
Gotta get up and pay my bills
Ledisi has financial responsibilities
People want what they want
Others only care about their own desires
They don't care about how you feel
Others are unconcerned with Ledisi's emotions
You ain't gon' get me today
Ledisi is determined to not be swayed by external factors
You better move out of my way
Ledisi will not be stopped or slowed down
I got a whole lot to live for
Ledisi has many aspirations and goals
Don't wanna hear the blues today
Ledisi doesn't want to be brought down emotionally
Economy down said news
The news reports that the economy is struggling
'cause we bought the war
The war has negatively impacted the economy
Change comes like the wind
Change happens unexpectedly and quickly
Now I know what hope is for
Ledisi has learned that hope is important in difficult times
I see the sun on my face
Ledisi is experiencing positive moments
And you won't hear me complain
Ledisi is grateful for the positive moments and won't complain
Hey! 'Cause I can't let the dark days
Ledisi refuses to let negativity control her life
Bring me down
Negativity will not defeat Ledisi
Got a lot of things to say
Ledisi has opinions and views to express
People always using other people
Others take advantage of each other
Trying to get ahead
People are focused on advancing themselves
Runnin' after the light
People are chasing success and positivity
Never thinkin' about they said
People don't consider the consequences of their actions
Hey! What's the matter with you
Ledisi is questioning why people act egocentrically
You need to watch what you do
Ledisi believes people should be more aware of their actions
You got to get your head straight
Ledisi believes people should get their priorities in order
Live your life and do what He told you to do
Ledisi suggests living according to one's spiritual beliefs
Early Sunday morning
Ledisi is at church on a Sunday morning
Preacher talkin' bout saving souls
The preacher is discussing spiritual salvation
He said I don't have all the answers
The preacher admits to not having all the solutions
I'm just here to try to let you know
The preacher is attempting to provide guidance
Every time that you pray
Praying results in a positive result
A blessing comes right away
A positive outcome occurs immediately after prayer
Don't let the hard times
Challenging experiences should not defeat an individual
Take your spirit move the devil away
One's spirit should not be defeated by hardship or negativity
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ADAM DEITCH, ERIC KRASNO, LEDISI ANIBADE YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind