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.
Shine
Ledisi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know I'm not alone
'Cause you got me
And when others try to turn me down
I'm gonna stand my ground
Like you told me
I think that you were sent from heaven to protect me
That's why
I don't mind doing anything you ask me
I'll lay down my life for you
I am here, I am,
This is what you did for me
I can shine, I can shine
I'll be here for you, you just stood back and you
Let me shine, let me shine
You, you let me, you let me shine
You, you let me, you let me shine
Must have done something right
To have you by my side
Just like this
When everybody else had doubts
You held me down
Just like you said you would
So
Ain't nobody on the planet that can touch you
(Ain't nobody, ain't nobody, no)
Oh, and you gotta know
From the bottom of my heart I'll always love you
I'll lay down my life for you
I am here, I am
This is what you did for me
I can shine, I can shine
I'll be here for you, you just stood back and you
Let me shine, let me shine
You, you let me, you let me shine
You, you let me, you let me shine
You, you let me, you let me shine
You, you let me, you let me shine
You let me
(Shine)
For the world to see
(Shine)
Like the sun out bright
(Shine)
I can feel your light
Oh, you let me shine
Oh, you let me shine
Oh, you let me shine
Yeah, you
I am here, I am
This is what you did for me
I can shine, I can shine
I'll be here for you, you just stood back and you
Let me shine, let me shine
You, you let me, you let me shine
You, you let me, you let me shine
You, you let me, you let me shine
You, you let me, you let me shine
(Shine)
You let me shine
(Shine)
You let me shine
(Shine)
Oh
This song by Ledisi is a celebration of the support and encouragement that she has received from a special person in her life. The lyrics convey a profound sense of gratitude and love for this person, who has been a consistent source of strength and inspiration for her. The song begins with the acknowledgment that even when she is alone, Ledisi feels the presence of this person and knows that she is not really alone because they have her back. This support is all-encompassing and extends to moments when others try to bring her down, but she is determined to stand her ground because of the confidence and motivation that she receives from this person.
The lyrics capture the idea that this person is like a guardian angel who has been sent from heaven to protect and guide Ledisi. She is willing to do anything to repay this person's kindness, even to the point of laying down her life for them. The chorus, which repeats the phrase "let me shine" multiple times, expresses Ledisi's desire to express her true self and potential without fear or hesitation, knowing that this special person will always be there to support her.
Overall, the song "Shine" is a testament to the powerful impact that one supportive and loving individual can have on another person's life. It is a message of hope, gratitude, and resilience that encourages listeners to find and cherish those who bring out the best in them.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, even when I'm on my own
I know I'm not alone
'Cause you got me
I'm not afraid to be alone as long as I have you in my life. Your support and love make me feel safe and confident.
And when others try to turn me down
I'm gonna stand my ground
Like you told me
I won't let anyone bring me down. With your encouragement and guidance, I have the strength to stand up for myself and my beliefs.
See I
I think that you were sent from heaven to protect me
That's why
I don't mind doing anything you ask me
I'll lay down my life for you
I believe that you are my guardian angel who is here to watch over me. I trust you completely and will do anything you ask of me, even if it means putting myself in danger.
I am here, I am,
This is what you did for me
I can shine, I can shine
I'll be here for you, you just stood back and you
Let me shine, let me shine
You, you let me, you let me shine
You, you let me, you let me shine
Because of your love and support, I am able to shine brighter than ever before. You believed in me and gave me the space to express myself and be my true self.
Must have done something right
To have you by my side
Just like this
When everybody else had doubts
You held me down
Just like you said you would
So
I must have done something right in life to have you in it. While others had doubts about me, you stuck by my side and supported me endlessly like you promised you would.
Ain't nobody on the planet that can touch you
(Ain't nobody, ain't nobody, no)
Oh, and you gotta know
From the bottom of my heart I'll always love you
I'll lay down my life for you
You are so special to me that no one on this planet can compare to you. I want you to know that I will always love you from the bottom of my heart and will do anything to protect you.
You let me
(Shine)
For the world to see
(Shine)
Like the sun out bright
(Shine)
I can feel your light
Oh, you let me shine
You gave me the courage and space to be my true self and express my talents to the world. Because of you, I feel like I'm shining like the sun, and I can feel your love and support shining through me.
You let me shine
Oh, you let me shine
Oh, you let me shine
Yeah, you
You are the reason I am able to shine as bright as I do. Your love and support has given me the freedom and space to be my true self and reach my full potential.
You, you let me, you let me shine
You, you let me, you let me shine
You, you let me, you let me shine
You, you let me, you let me shine
You, and only you, are the reason I am able to shine like I do. You let me be me and support me unconditionally, allowing me to become the best version of myself.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHRISTOPHER YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind