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.
Stay Together
Ledisi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Love you too
Ain't nobody got what we got, no, no
Whatever you and I baby
From the concrete baby
We can do better than this
We had some ups and downs
But we've always had some good times
And do it all
You held me down
Baby before we down
Oh yeah
There were times when I was afraid
And wanted you to leave
But you stayed right here by my side
You never let me go
You always stayed around
That's right, you stayed around
And you been so good to me
It doesn't matter
I don't know whatever comes our way
You do, you and me, we gonna stay, together
Baby we've been through so much
Our love is so strong , you know, I know
We gonna stay, together, oh yeah, my baby
We know each other so well
You always seemed to tell
When I need a little kiss and hug
That extra kind of loving
You love me like a champion
Baby you're my superman, yeah, yeah
Girl you know just what I live
What you do it makes me loose my mind
I just wanna give you, make love to you
Take you want you want touch the sky, whoa
Till we touch the sky
I don't know whatever comes our way
You do, you and me, we gonna stay, together
Baby we've been through so much
Our love is so strong , you know, I know
We gonna stay, together, oh yeah, my baby
I love you, I love you too
You mean the world to me
And I will never leave you
Never leave you
Together yea, uh yeah,
Baby gonna stay together
Gon', baby we gon' stay together
Your love my love, our love
We gonna stay together together
Your love, my love, our love
We will stay together
Gonna stay together
We gonna stay, together, together
In Ledisi's song, Stay Together, she expresses her commitment to her partner, stating that their love can overcome any obstacle that comes their way. The opening lines emphasize the love that she has for her partner and the belief that their relationship is unique and special. She acknowledges that they have faced difficulties along the way but also points out that they have had good times to balance out the bad.
Ledisi then thanks her partner for standing by her and staying with her through the ups and downs of their relationship. She admits to having been afraid and wanting to give up at times but appreciates the fact that her partner never left her side. The chorus affirms that whatever challenges may come, they will stay together as a team and support each other.
Ledisi also notes the intimacy and deep understanding that they share, with her partner being able to sense when she needs a little extra love and attention. The song ends with the couple reaffirming their love for each other and pledging to stay together no matter what.
Overall, Stay Together is a song that celebrates the strength of a couple's bond and their ability to overcome adversity. It is a declaration of love and commitment that highlights the importance of staying together through thick and thin.
Line by Line Meaning
Mmm, you know I love you right?
The singer is expressing their love for their partner and making sure that the partner knows about it.
Love you too
The partner reciprocates the love and tells the singer that they are loved too.
Ain't nobody got what we got, no, no
The singer believes that their love is unique and special, and that nobody else has a love like theirs.
Whatever you and I baby
The artist is willing to face any obstacle or challenge as long as they are with their partner.
From the concrete baby
The artist and their partner have come from humble beginnings, but their love has grown and strengthened over time.
We can do better than this
The singer believes that they can overcome any difficulties they face and make their love even stronger.
We had some ups and downs
The singer acknowledges that their relationship has had its share of good and bad moments.
Made a lot of bad mistakes
The artist and their partner have made errors in the past that have negatively impacted their relationship.
But we've always had some good times
Despite the bad times, the artist and their partner have always been able to enjoy positive moments together.
And do it all
The artist and their partner are committed to sticking together and getting through any challenges that come their way.
You held me down
The partner has been a reliable source of support for the singer during difficult times.
Baby before we down
The artist and their partner are determined to work through any issues in their relationship before it falls apart.
There were times when I was afraid
The singer has experienced moments of fear and uncertainty in the relationship.
And wanted you to leave
At times, the singer may have considered breaking up with their partner.
But you stayed right here by my side
The partner has consistently remained with the singer, even during difficult times.
You never let me go
The partner has been a constant presence in the artist's life and has never given up on their relationship.
You always stayed around
The partner has been loyal and devoted to the artist throughout their relationship.
That's right, you stayed around
The singer is expressing gratitude for the partner's unwavering support and loyalty.
And you been so good to me
The singer appreciates and acknowledges all of the positive things the partner has done for them.
It doesn't matter
The obstacles the artist and their partner may face don't matter as long as they have each other.
I don't know whatever comes our way
The artist is uncertain about the challenges they may face in the future.
You do, you and me, we gonna stay, together
The artist trusts that they and their partner will be able to overcome any obstacles together and stay together.
Baby we've been through so much
The singer acknowledges that their relationship has faced many challenges but has come out stronger on the other side.
Our love is so strong, you know, I know
The artist and their partner have a deep, strong love for each other that has seen them through many difficulties.
We gonna stay, together, oh yeah, my baby
The singer and their partner are committed to staying together through thick and thin.
We know each other so well
The singer and their partner have a deep understanding and knowledge of each other.
You always seemed to tell
The partner always seems to know what the singer needs or wants.
When I need a little kiss and hug
The artist wants physical comfort from their partner when they are feeling down or upset.
That extra kind of loving
The artist wants love and affection that goes beyond the ordinary, everyday affection.
You love me like a champion
The partner loves the singer with a deep, unwavering love that makes them feel like a winner or a champion.
Baby you're my superman, yeah, yeah
The partner is the singer's hero or superhero, and they admire them for their strength and love.
Girl you know just what I live
The partner knows the artist intimately and understands what makes them happy or fulfilled.
What you do it makes me loose my mind
The partner's actions or words can sometimes be so loving or exciting that they make the artist feel overwhelmed or crazy with emotion.
I just wanna give you, make love to you
The artist wants to express their love for their partner physically and emotionally.
Take you want you want touch the sky, whoa
The singer wants to satisfy their partner's desires and help them feel like they can achieve anything.
Till we touch the sky
The artist and their partner want to achieve great things together and experience the highest highs of life.
Gon', baby we gon' stay together
The singer and their partner are determined to fight for their relationship and stay together, no matter what.
Your love my love, our love
The singer and their partner share a deep love that is shared between them and is a part of their relationship.
We gonna stay together together
The singer and their partner are committed to staying together and making their love last.
We will stay together
The artist and their partner are determined to stay together through thick and thin.
Gonna stay together
The artist and their partner are determined and resolved to keep their love and relationship strong.
We gonna stay, together, together
The singer and their partner will stay together through all of life's challenges and obstacles.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: REX RIDEOUT, JAHEIM HOAGLAND, LEDISI YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind