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.
If It's Wrong
Leela James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let it do what it do
I think I love you
I've got this
Funny little feeling
Down in my
Inner most spirit
I can't help it
You stay on my mind
Feels so good
But it can't be right
If it's wrong, loving you
Then wrong will be right
Don't care if it's wrong
Let it do what it do
'Cause I think I love you
I love you
I try to stop it
'Cause we're so out of our [incomprehensible]
Set it tripping
Emotional orgy
This is nonsense
Can't keep doing this
I should let it go
But I can't 'cause I know it's wrong
If it's wrong, loving you
Then wrong will be right
Don't care if it's wrong
Let it do what it do
'Cause I think I love you
I love you, love you
I love you, I love you
I love you, I need you
I love you, I love you
I love you, I love you
I love you, I do
If it's wrong, loving you
Then wrong will be right
Don't care if it's wrong
Let it do what it do
'Cause I think I love you
If it's wrong, loving you
Then wrong will be right
Don't care if it's wrong
Let it do what it do
'Cause I think I love you
I love you, I love you
I love you, I love you
Leela James's song "If It's Wrong" is a song about the complexities of love and how sometimes love can feel wrong yet so right at the same time. The singer is acknowledging that even though it might not be the best decision to love this person, she can't help the way she feels. She describes the feeling as a "funny little feeling" that is deep within her spirit. The singer recognizes that they are out of their mind and the fact that they should let it go, but she can't.
Throughout the song, the singer is contradicting herself, stating that it can't be right but also recognizing that it feels so good. She doesn't care if it's wrong because she thinks she loves them. The chorus emphasizes this perspective "If it's wrong, loving you then wrong will be right. Don't care if it's wrong, let it do what it do 'cause I think I love you," showcasing the complex emotions of love and the importance of trusting one's instincts.
In essence, the song is about surrendering to love and following where it leads, even if that means going against one's better judgment or societal expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Wrong
The song is about a relationship that is considered taboo or frowned upon
Let it do what it do
The singer is letting the relationship run its course without trying to stop it
I think I love you
The singer acknowledges her feelings for her partner, despite the challenges the relationship poses
I've got this Funny little feeling
The singer is aware that the relationship is unconventional but still has a connection with her partner
Down in my Inner most spirit
The feeling she has is deep within her and has a strong hold on her emotions
I can't help it You stay on my mind
The singer cannot stop thinking about her partner
Feels so good But it can't be right
The relationship brings happiness but goes against social norms
If it's wrong, loving you Then wrong will be right
The singer is willing to go against societal norms for her love
Don't care if it's wrong Let it do what it do 'Cause I think I love you
She is willing to ignore the societal norms and continue with the relationship because of her love for her partner
I love you
The singer is expressing her love for her partner
I try to stop it 'Cause we're so out of our [incomprehensible] Set it tripping Emotional orgy
The singer acknowledges that the relationship is wrong and tries to stop it but their emotions take over
This is nonsense Can't keep doing this I should let it go But I can't 'cause I know it's wrong
The singer understands the gravity of the situation and that the relationship should not continue but finds it difficult to let go
I love you, love you I love you, I love you I love you, I need you
The singer is expressing her love and need for her partner
I love you, I love you I love you, I love you I love you, I do
The singer is reiterating her love for her partner
Contributed by Samuel Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.