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.
Music
Leela James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Makes me think of my favorite songs
Reminds me of when I heard Aretha sing
Gladys, Steven, and Chaka Khan
Can't go back to yesterday
Can we just put the thongs away
And fall back in love with music
Oh
Everybody knows that Marvin's gone
Still I gotta tell you what's going on
Said the music's gone
Where did all the soul go?
It's all about the video
We don't sang no mo' (no mo)
Where's the music gone? (no no)
Where'd the music go?
It's all just for the dough
It ain't songs no mo'
Where's the music gone?
Still hear Donny playin' them keys
Singin' one day we'll all be free
Can't even turn on my radio
Somebody hollerin' bout a bitch or a hoe
Right now I'm missing music
Black folks count on music
Where did all the soul go?
It's all about the video
We don't sing no mo'
Where's the music gone?
The lyrics to Leela James's song "Music" express frustration with the current state of contemporary music and the lack of soul in the industry. James reminisces about the golden era of music, the days when artists like Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder, and Chaka Khan dominated the airwaves with their legendary hits. The sound of a guitar strings takes James back to these moments, but she is disappointed that she can't relive those days. The line "Can't go back to yesterday, can we just put the thongs away" refers to the fact that the present generation has turned away from the soulful rhythms of the past in favor of a more commercial sound.
The song also tackles the issue of the music industry selling out in search of fame and fortune. James acknowledges the passing of musical legends like Marvin Gaye and Donny Hathaway while lamenting the commercialization of their once-pure sound. The catchy refrain of "Where did all the soul go? It's all about the video, we don't sing no mo'" encapsulates the frustration felt by many lovers of old-school music who are tired of hearing songs that prioritize money over substance.
Overall, the song is a call for the industry to get back to its roots and remember the true essence of music - to express emotions, communicate important messages, and bring people together.
Line by Line Meaning
Somebody play on the guitar strings
Hearing someone play the guitar makes me think of my favorite songs from artists like Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder, and Chaka Khan.
Reminds me of when I heard Aretha sing
Hearing the guitar reminds me of the powerful vocals of Aretha Franklin.
Can't go back to yesterday
We can't go back in time and relive the music of the past.
Can we just put the thongs away
Can we stop focusing on trivial things and instead focus on the music?
And fall back in love with music
Let's rediscover our love for music.
Nothin' but the music
Let's focus solely on the music and forget about the superficial aspects of the industry.
Everybody knows that Marvin's gone
Marvin Gaye, a legendary singer, has passed away and this is common knowledge.
Still I gotta tell you what's going on
Despite this knowledge, there are still important issues with the current state of the music industry that need to be addressed.
Said the music's gone
Many people believe that the soul and true essence of music has disappeared.
Where did all the soul go?
People are questioning where the emotional and authentic aspects of music have disappeared to.
It's all about the video
The focus of the industry has shifted from the music itself to visual aspects such as music videos.
We don't sang no mo' (no mo)
There is a lack of true singing in the industry now.
Where's the music gone? (no no)
People are asking where the passion and authenticity in music has gone.
Where'd the music go?
People are once again questioning where the true essence of music has disappeared to.
It's all just for the dough
The focus of the industry is primarily on making money rather than creating meaningful artistic expression.
It ain't songs no mo'
True songs with meaningful lyrics and emotional depth are becoming less common in the industry.
Still hear Donny playin' them keys
Donny Hathaway, another legendary musician, is still remembered for his incredible talent playing the piano.
Singin' one day we'll all be free
Donny Hathaway's song 'Someday We'll All Be Free' speaks to a hopeful vision for the future where everyone can be truly free.
Can't even turn on my radio
Even listening to the radio has become a frustrating experience where music is often overshadowed by shallow and unappealing content.
Somebody hollerin' bout a bitch or a hoe
Instead of hearing great music, radio stations and other media outlets are filled with derogatory and misogynistic content.
Right now I'm missing music
I'm yearning for the passion and soul that has been lost in the music industry.
Black folks count on music
Music has always been an important aspect of black culture and identity.
Where did all the soul go?
Once again, people are questioning where the authentic and emotional aspects of music have disappeared to.
It's all about the video
Visual aspects of the industry such as music videos have taken priority over the music itself.
We don't sing no mo'
True singing and musical talent is becoming less common in the industry.
Where's the music gone?
People are still searching for the true essence and passion of music.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: DAMIAN RHODEN, JAMMY JAMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MOI-gc4ey
Somebody play on the guitar strings
Makes me think of my favorite songs
Reminds me of when I heard Aretha sing
Gladys, Steven, and Chaka Khan
Can't go back to yesterday
Can we just put the thongs away
And fall back in love with music
Nothin' but the music
Oh
Everybody knows that Marvin's gone
Still I gotta tell you what's going on
Said the music's gone
Where did all the soul go?
It's all about the video
We don't sang no mo' (no mo)
Where's the music gone? (no no)
Where'd the music go?
It's all just for the dough
It ain't songs no mo'
Where's the music gone?
Still hear Donny playin' them keys
Singin' one day we'll all be free
Can't even turn on my radio
Somebody hollerin' bout a bitch or a hoe
Right now I'm missing music
Black folks count on music
Where did all the soul go?
It's all about the video
We don't sing no mo'
Where's the music gone?
@dakotarivero7
Somebody play on the guitar strings
Makes me think of my favorite songs
Reminds me of when I heard Aretha sing
Gladys, Steven, and Chaka Khan
Can't go back to yesterday
Can we just put the thongs away
And fall back in love with music
Nothin' but the music
Oh
Everybody knows that Marvin's gone
Still I gotta tell you what's going on
Said the music's gone
Where did all the soul go?
It's all about the video
We don't sang no mo' (no mo)
Where's the music gone? (no no)
Where'd the music go?
It's all just for the dough
It ain't songs no mo'
Where's the music gone?
Still hear Donny playin' them keys
Singin' one day we'll all be free
Can't even turn on my radio
Somebody hollerin' 'bout a bitch or a hoe
Right now I'm missing music
Black folks count on music
Where did all the soul go?
It's all about the video
We don't sing no mo'
Where's the music gone?
@xyzabc3492
Y‘all have no idea how hard it was looking for a song called Music without knowing the lyrics at all...but after 10 years it was like finding gold
@coraturnertate2974
I just heard it for the first time completely today. I kept typing in "real soul music" and still came up with nothing. Finally I got it
@MOI-gc4ey
@@coraturnertate2974 can you please make the lyrics?
@coraturnertate2974
@@MOI-gc4ey no. Search online
@MOI-gc4ey
Okey-dokey, @@coraturnertate2974.
@MOI-gc4ey
Somebody play on the guitar strings
Makes me think of my favorite songs
Reminds me of when I heard Aretha sing
Gladys, Steven, and Chaka Khan
Can't go back to yesterday
Can we just put the thongs away
And fall back in love with music
Nothin' but the music
Oh
Everybody knows that Marvin's gone
Still I gotta tell you what's going on
Said the music's gone
Where did all the soul go?
It's all about the video
We don't sang no mo' (no mo)
Where's the music gone? (no no)
Where'd the music go?
It's all just for the dough
It ain't songs no mo'
Where's the music gone?
Still hear Donny playin' them keys
Singin' one day we'll all be free
Can't even turn on my radio
Somebody hollerin' bout a bitch or a hoe
Right now I'm missing music
Black folks count on music
Where did all the soul go?
It's all about the video
We don't sing no mo'
Where's the music gone?
@macmac-ok6bl
I'm just discovering Ms. Leela James. Her voice ignites my soul, unbelievable talent.
@lpinn29
Me too, I just discovered her tonight cause a FB friend posting one of her videos and I looked on Youtube and discovered all her beautiful songs. WOW!
@daddygirlchanelhines4600
She from 2006 where ya'll been. Good Lord..
@benc4189
Her feat with the root is not on YouTube ! What a shame !!!