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.
You & Me
Ledisi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me who about your worries and your cares.
'Splain to me exactly what you need,
I'm here for you and I aim to please.
Oooh I got ya back
When those fools be talkin' smack,
Cause they jealous of this thang we got.
I'm the one that be givin' you
(Oh) in the evenin'
And baby I got what you need.
You never have to worry bout a thang because,
It's all about you and me and baby we gon' do our thang! and leave.
It's all about you and me.
(We gon' work it out oh yeah)
You and me, and baby we gon'
Do our thang.
It's all about you and me.
You'll never have to worry
Bout a thang!
My baby workin' always on the grind,
And everyday day he work he always make time for me.
Strong and sensitive and that's how he lives.
I'm just amazed by all the lovin' he gives.
Oooh ya got my back,
When my girls be talkin' smack,
They jealous of this thing we got.
My baby be givin me,
(Oh) in the mornin'
(Oh) in the evenin'
Oh, baby u got what I need.
You never have to worry bout a thang because,
It's all about you and me and baby we gon' do our thang! and leave.
It's all about you and me.
(It don't matter what people say)
You and me do our thang.
It's all about you and me.
You'll never have to worry
Bout a thang!
Because
You and me, we're beautiful,
Magical together.
Ain't nothin' wrong, wit what we do.
Everybody want what we got!
We growin' strong, everyday!
Oh you take my breath away!
It don't matter what other people think,
All that matters to me!
You and me!
(Baby we gon' work it out whatever comes our way)
It's all about you and me.
You and me do our thang.
It's all about you and me.
You'll never have to worry
Bout a thang because
(Baby we gon work it out whatever comes our way)
It's all about you and me.
You and me do our thang.
It's all about you and me.
You'll never have to worry
Bout a thang because
In Ledisi's song "You & Me," she sings about a strong and loving relationship between two people who have each other's backs through thick and thin. She talks about how her lover is always there for her, even when her friends talk negatively about their relationship out of jealousy. The lyrics convey a sense of security and comfort in knowing that their relationship is solid and they don't have to worry about what others say. The chorus repeats the phrase "It's all about you and me," emphasizing the importance of their connection and how it's the only thing that matters.
Throughout the song, Ledisi also emphasizes the physical side of their relationship, singing about how her lover satisfies her needs both in the morning and in the evening. However, the lyrics don't come across as vulgar or objectifying, but rather as a natural part of their relationship that adds to the depth of their love.
Line by Line Meaning
Come here baby let me do yo hair,
I want to take care of you and provide comfort for you.
Tell me who about your worries and your cares.
Share with me everything that's going on in your life, good or bad.
'Splain to me exactly what you need,
Explain to me in detail what you require from our relationship.
I’m here for you and I aim to please.
I am committed to you and want to make you happy.
Oooh I got ya back
I will support and protect you no matter what.
When those fools be talkin' smack,
When people are talking negatively about us, I won't let it affect our relationship.
Cause they jealous of this thang we got.
They envy the love and companionship that we share.
I’m the one that be givin' you
I am the one who provides for you in every way possible.
(Oh) in the mornin’
I am there for you from the very beginning of the day, supporting you in every way.
(Oh) in the evenin’
I am still there for you at the end of the day, making sure you're okay and happy.
And baby I got what you need.
I have everything you require in a relationship, emotionally and physically.
You never have to worry bout a thang because,
You don't need to stress or worry about anything, because I am here for you.
It’s all about you and me and baby we gon' do our thang! and leave.
Our relationship is just about us, and we will do what makes us happy and fulfilled.
You’ll never have to worry
I will take care of everything, so you won't need to stress or worry about anything.
My baby workin' always on the grind,
My partner is a hard worker and committed to providing for us.
And everyday day he work he always make time for me.
Even with a busy schedule, my partner always manages to make time for me and put in effort for our relationship.
Strong and sensitive and that’s how he lives.
My partner is emotionally strong and also in touch with his feelings.
I’m just amazed by all the lovin' he gives.
I feel overwhelmed and grateful for the affection and care my partner shows me.
Oh, baby u got what I need.
My partner is everything I want and need in a relationship.
It don’t matter what people say
We don't need to care about other people's opinions, our love is the only thing that matters.
Ain’t nothin' wrong, wit what we do.
Our relationship is healthy and positive in all aspects.
Everybody want what we got!
Our love is enviable and attractive to those around us.
We growin' strong, everyday!
Our love and relationship is strengthening and improving as time goes on.
Oh you take my breath away!
My partner has an undeniable impact on me and my emotions.
It’s all about you and me.
Our relationship is the most important thing, and everything else comes second.
Baby we gon' work it out whatever comes our way
We will overcome any obstacle or challenge that comes our way, as a team.
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: REX K. RIDEOUT, LEDISI ANIBADE YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind