In 2004, James toured as an opening act for the Black Eyed Peas and Macy Gray. That same year, she was featured on hip hop producer, DJ, and emcee Pete Rock's album Soul Survivor II, providing vocals to the track "No Tears".
Her debut album was released on June 21, 2005, entitled A Change Is Gonna Come. The album is a soul music record incorporating the styles of 1960s and 1970s American soul singers, with a mixture of funk, R&B and gospel influences. The first single from the album, entitled "Music," laments what Leela James sees as the decline of hip hop and soul music and asks for a return to the artistry of musicians of earlier decades. Leela co-wrote most of the tracks on her debut album, with two notable exceptions being her cover of No Doubt's "Don't Speak," and the classic song by Sam Cooke for which the album is named. Notable collaborators on the album include Raphael Saadiq of the 1990s R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!, Kanye West, and former Fugees member Wyclef Jean.
After parting ways with Warner Bros., James signed with the independent label Shanachie Records and released her second studio album on March 24, 2009, an all-cover set entitled Let's Do It Again (the title being a homage to the 1975 soundtrack album of the same name by The Staple Singers).
In 2005, she lent her voice to the posthumously released Ray Charles album Genius & Friends, duetting with the singer on the song "Compared to What". Leela also guested on Robert Randolph and the Family Band's 2006 album Colorblind, lending her vocals to "Stronger". In June 2009, she appeared on Moby's new album "Wait for Me", performing the vocal on "Walk with Me".
After parting ways with Warner Bros., James signed with the independent label Shanachie Records and released her second studio album on March 24, 2009, an all-cover set entitled Let's Do It Again (the title being a homage to the 1975 soundtrack album of the same name by The Staple Singers).
In June 2009, she appeared on the Moby album Wait for Me, performing the vocal on "Walk with Me".
James' third album My Soul - her debut release for the Stax label - was released on May 24, 2010, and debuted on the US Hip Hop/R&B chart at #7. Speaking in May 2010 to UK soul writer Pete Lewis of Blues & Soul, she stated: "With this album I wanted to make sure that I showed all sides of me - in terms of variety in the music and in my vocal range - while at the same time making it clear that every song deeply came from my soul. Plus I also wanted to incorporate a little more hip hop this time, and infuse it with my traditional R&B - because I felt that. By making my beats edgier and harder-hitting, I'd show there was more to me than just doing ballads and things of that sort."
On July 8, 2014, Leela James released her fifth studio album, Fall For You. The album's first two singles, "Say That" feat. Anthony Hamilton and "Fall For You" both reached Top 15 on the Billboard Urban AC charts, with "Fall For You" reaching #12. Ms. James supported her album with tours nationwide, including performances at Essence Music Festival, Arizona Jazz Fest, San Diego Jazz Fest, Capitol Jazz Fest, and more.
James' sixth album, Did It for Love was released on March 31, 2017 by Shesangz Music under license to BMG.[5] The album has the singles "Don't Want You Back" released on October 28, 2016,[6] "Hard for Me" released on February 25, 2017, "Don't Mean a Thang" released on March 27, 2017,[8] and a video single "All Over Again" on May 4, 2017.[9] The single "Don't Want You Back" reached number 1 on Billboard' Adult R&B Songs chart on April 15, 2017, becoming her highest charting single ever.
Do Me Right
Leela James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Want you hold it down and understand
Is it right? Is that right?
Said you ready to be my man
Maybe you can take my hand
Is that right? Is that right?
Said you never leave me all alone
Hurt me and treat me wrongTell me your not lying cuz I'm tired of cryin'
I am a good girl, show it, boy you beter do me right
Do me right
Said I'm a good girl, show you that, boy you beter do me right
Do me right
And if I give you all of me would you promise to be there for me
Yeah and treat me right, treat me right
And never hurt my heart even when you're apart
Boy would you treat me right
So treat me like you wanna be treated
And on't get me nothing less
I deserve the best
Nothing less
I'm a good girl, show you that, boy you beter do me right
Do me right
Said I'm a good girl, show you that, boy you better do me right
Do me right
Help me, ypu know I'm a real good women
You gotta be real good man
Oohi had enogh pain in my life
You know how you gotta treat me right
Ooh I'm a good girl, show you that, boy you beter do me right
Do me right
Said I'm a good girl, show you that, boy you better do me right
Do me right
I'm a good girl, show you that, boy you better do me rightDo me right
Said I'm a good girl, show you that, boy you better do me right
Do me right
In Leela James's song "Do Me Right," she expresses that she wants a genuine and committed relationship with a man who can treat her with respect and love. She questions whether or not he can be faithful and never break her heart. She desires a partnership where she can be herself, and her partner can be real with her as well. She puts her foot down, saying that she deserves nothing less than the best, and she wants a man who can honor her and give her the love she deserves. Ultimately, she makes it clear that she is a good woman and that if her partner cannot do her right, then they do not deserve her at all.
Throughout the song, James asks her partner if they are willing to commit to her fully, asking multiple times if they can do right by her. She wants to know if they can handle being her man and not hurt her as others have before. This shows that although she is willing to pursue the relationship, she is cautious and does not want to get hurt again. She repeats that she is a good girl and that her partner needs to treat her right because she deserves nothing less.
In conclusion, Leela James's song "Do Me Right" is a strong and powerful message about self-respect, trust, and loyalty in romantic relationships. It is a reminder that genuine love and respect are essential for a healthy partnership, and anything less should not be tolerated.
Line by Line Meaning
Said you want yourself a really good man
Leela James is asking if the man she's interested in wants a good partner.
Want you hold it down and understand
Leela James wants someone who she can rely on and who comprehends her.
Is it right? Is that right?
Leela James is questioning whether her potential partner understands her needs.
Said you ready to be my man
Leela James is asking if the man she's interested in is ready for a committed relationship.
Maybe you can take my hand
Leela James is suggesting they take their relationship to the next level.
Is that right? Is that right?
Leela James is questioning whether her potential partner is committed to her.
Said you never leave me all alone
Leela James wants someone who will always stand by her side.
Hurt me and treat me wrong
Leela James doesn't want to be with someone who mistreats her.
Tell me your not lying cuz I'm tired of cryin'
Leela James has been hurt in the past and doesn't want to be lied to again.
I am a good girl, show it, boy you beter do me right
Leela James is a good partner and wants someone who will treat her properly.
Do me right
Leela James wants her partner to treat her well.
And if I give you all of me would you promise to be there for me
Leela James wants to know if her partner will support her no matter what.
Yeah and treat me right, treat me right
Leela James wants to be treated with respect and kindness.
And never hurt my heart even when you're apart
Leela James doesn't want her partner to hurt her emotionally even when they're not together.
Boy would you treat me right
Leela James wants her partner to treat her well.
So treat me like you wanna be treated
Leela James wants her partner to treat her with the same level of care and respect that they would want for themselves.
And on't get me nothing less
Leela James won't settle for less than she deserves.
I deserve the best
Leela James knows she deserves the best in a partner.
I'm a good girl, show you that, boy you beter do me right
Leela James is reminding her partner that she's a good partner and deserves to be treated well.
Help me, ypu know I'm a real good women
Leela James is asking for assistance from her partner, and reminding them that she's a good person.
You gotta be real good man
Leela James wants someone who is truly good and will treat her well.
Oohi had enogh pain in my life
Leela James is expressing that she's been hurt in the past.
You know how you gotta treat me right
Leela James is reminding her partner how she wants to be treated.
I'm a good girl, show you that, boy you beter do me right
Leela James is repeating that she's a good partner and deserves to be treated well.
Do me right
Leela James wants her partner to treat her well.
Said I'm a good girl, show you that, boy you better do me right
Leela James is reminding her partner that she's a good partner and deserves to be treated well.
Do me right
Leela James wants her partner to treat her well.
I'm a good girl, show you that, boy you better do me right
Leela James is reminding her partner that she's a good partner and deserves to be treated well.
Do me right
Leela James wants her partner to treat her well.
Said I'm a good girl, show you that, boy you better do me right
Leela James is reminding her partner that she's a good partner and deserves to be treated well.
Do me right
Leela James wants her partner to treat her well.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, THIRD SIDE MUSIC INC
Written by: LEELA JAMES, TIM KELLEY, CHRISTOPHER SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind