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 And 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
The song "You and Me" by Ledisi speaks about a relationship that is built on trust, love, and communication. The lyrics start with the partner taking care of their significant other by doing their hair and listening to their worries and concerns. The lyrics further explain how they have each other's back and will support one another even when people talk negatively about them. The song highlights that it's all about the two of them and they will work it out and leave everything else behind.
The second verse describes how her partner is always working hard but he still makes time for her, and she admires the love and time he gives her. This verse emphasizes how strong and sensitive he is, which is the perfect combination for her. She validates their relationship and is not bothered by what others have to say about them. They feel magical together, and nothing else matters to them.
Ledisi delivers her message about love and relationships in a positive and uplifting manner in this song. It's about two people who are committed to each other and are willing to work hard to maintain their relationship. They don't care what others think, and their focus is only on building something beautiful together.
Line by Line Meaning
Come here baby let me do yo hair,
I want to take care of you, listen to what's on your mind and alleviate your concerns.
Tell me who about your worries and your cares.
Share with me your worries and stresses in life, I'm here to support you through anything.
'Splain to me exactly what you need,
Explain what you need, I will go above and beyond to fulfill your desires.
I'm here for you and I aim to please.
I'm by your side and my goal is to satisfy you and make you happy.
Oooh I got ya back
I'm always on your side and will support you no matter what.
When those fools be talkin' smack,
When others try to bring negativity to our relationship, I will defend you and our love.
Cause they jealous of this thang we got.
Others envy the strong and loving connection we have together.
I'm the one that be givin' you
I'm the one who provides for your emotional and physical needs.
(Oh) in the mornin'
I'm there to support you at the start of the day.
(Oh) in the evenin'
I'm always present at the end of the day when you need me the most.
And baby I got what you need.
I have everything that you desire and am ready to give it all to you.
You never have to worry bout a thang because,
You don't need to worry about anything because our love is strong and we will overcome any obstacle.
It's all about you and me and baby we gon' do our thang! and leave.
Our love is the most important thing and we will continue on, enjoying each other's company.
My baby workin' always on the grind,
My partner works hard every day, but always makes time for our relationship.
And everyday day he work he always make time for me.
Despite a busy schedule, my partner prioritizes our relationship and makes an effort to spend time with me.
Strong and sensitive and that's how he lives.
My partner is both strong and caring, and these qualities are evident in how he lives his life.
I'm just amazed by all the lovin' he gives.
I am in awe of the amount of love and care my partner shows me every day.
Oooh ya got my back,
I know that my partner always supports and stands up for me.
When my girls be talkin' smack,
Even when my friends say negative things, my partner always has my back.
My baby be givin me,
My partner provides me with all the love and care I need.
Oh, baby u got what I need.
My partner fulfills all of my needs and desires.
You and me, we're beautiful,
Our love is a beautiful thing that we share between the two of us.
Magical together.
There's something special about the love we share that is more than just ordinary.
Ain't nothin' wrong, wit what we do.
Our love is perfect and there is no flaw in what we have.
Everybody want what we got!
Our love is so strong and beautiful that others envy what we have.
We growin' strong, everyday!
Our love continues to grow stronger with each passing day.
Oh you take my breath away!
My partner is so amazing that their presence always leaves me breathless and in awe.
It don't matter what other people think,
The opinions of others don't matter because our love is strong and unbreakable.
All that matters to me!
The only thing that matters is the love that exists between us.
(Baby we gon' work it out whatever comes our way)
No matter what comes our way, we will work together to overcome any challenges and obstacles.
(It don't matter what people say)
We won't let the opinions of others sway our love for each other, it will always be strong.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Songtrust Ave
Written by: REX K. RIDEOUT, LEDISI ANIBADE YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind