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.
I Try
Leela James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When will they go from here
When will they stop
I believe that fate has brought us here
And we should be together
But we're not
I play it off but I'm dreamin' of you
I try to say goodbye and I choke
I try to walk away and I stumble
Though I try to hide it it's clear
My world crumbles when you are not near
Goodbye and I choke
I try to walk away and I stumble
Though I try to hide it, it's clear
My world crumbles when you are not near
I may appear to be free
But I'm just a prisoner of your love
I may seem alright and smile when you leave
But my smiles are just a front
I play it off but I'm dreamin' of you
I'll keep my cool but I'm fiendin'
I try to say goodbye and I choke
I try to walk away and I stumble
Though I try to hide it it's clear
My world crumbles when you are not near
Here is my confession
May I be your possession
Boy I need your touch
Your love kisses and such
With all my might I try
But this I can't deny
I play it off but I'm dreamin' of you
I'll keep my cool but I'm fiendin'
I try to say good bye and I choke
I try to walk away and I stumble
Though I try to hide it it's clear
My world crumbles when you are not near
The lyrics of Leela James's song I Try express the struggles of someone who is deeply in love with another person. The singer starts off by acknowledging a world full of games, changes and fears, questions when these feelings will go away, and wonders when they will stop. Despite these sentiments, the singer remains optimistic that fate has brought them and their lover together, and that they should be together, even though they are not at present.
The chorus of the song talks about the singer's attempts to hide their feelings, most prominently when they try to say goodbye to their lover but choke up and cannot follow through with it. When they do try to walk away, they stumble and struggle to hide the fact that their world crumbles in the absence of their lover. The second verse continues along with the theme of the singer appearing to be free, but in reality, they are merely a prisoner of their lover's love. They also mention how they hide their true feelings behind a smile, but their smiles are just a facade.
The bridge of the song is the singer's confession of their love for their partner, asking to become their possession and longing for their touch, love, and kisses. The singer concludes by saying they try with all their might but can't deny their true feelings for their lover. Overall, the song aptly defines the struggles of trying to hide one's feelings for another person and the desperation that comes with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Games, changes and fears
This line refers to the obstacles and uncertainties that come with any relationship, romantic or otherwise.
When will they go from here
The artist questions when these challenges will fade away and the relationship can flourish unimpeded.
When will they stop
The artist emphasizes her desire for a resolution and an end to the turmoil in the relationship.
I believe that fate has brought us here
The artist believes that they were destined to find one another, despite the difficulties they face.
And we should be together
The artist expresses her belief that despite the challenges, the two individuals should be in a relationship.
But we're not
The artist acknowledges the current reality of their relationship, which is not what she desires it to be.
I may appear to be free
The artist's outward demeanor may give the impression that she is unattached and unbothered by her emotions.
But I'm just a prisoner of your love
In reality, the artist is completely entranced and held captive by her love for her partner.
I may seem alright and smile when you leave
Even though she smiles and seems happy on the surface, the artist is struggling with her emotions when her partner is not around.
But my smiles are just a front
The artist acknowledges that her cheerful demeanor is not genuine, but rather a facade she puts on for others.
Here is my confession
The artist is revealing her deepest feelings and innermost thoughts to her partner.
May I be your possession
The artist wants to belong to her partner and be owned by them.
Boy I need your touch
The artist is expressing her desire for physical affection from her partner.
Your love kisses and such
The artist wants more than just physical touch, she wants emotional intimacy and affection from her partner.
With all my might I try
The artist is putting forth a lot of effort to suppress her feelings and maintain her cool exterior.
But this I can't deny
Despite her best efforts, the artist is unable to deny the strength and depth of her feelings for her partner.
I play it off but I'm dreamin' of you
The artist hides her true emotions and desires around others, but privately daydreams about her partner.
I'll keep my cool but I'm fiendin'
The artist will maintain her calm exterior but is actually craving the emotional and physical connection with her partner.
I try to say goodbye and I choke
The artist struggles to express her true feelings and end things with her partner when they need to be ended.
I try to walk away and I stumble
The artist has difficulty actually leaving the relationship and moving forward when she knows it is necessary.
Though I try to hide it it's clear
Although she tries to conceal her emotions, the artist's feelings are transparent and obvious to those around her.
My world crumbles when you are not near
The artist's entire world feels like it is falling apart when her partner is not by her side.
Goodbye and I choke
The artist has difficulty both expressing and accepting the idea of saying goodbye to her partner.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOFILL, ANGELA TOMASA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind