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.
So Good
Leela James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So good, so good
No change, no games
No cheers, no pain
Is this real?
'Cause I feel like I'm living a fantasy
I feel like new
You're feeling me and I'm feeling you
I never ever thought that I could have it all
But you got all I need and more
'Cause I ain't never have love as good
You treat me just the way you should
Better than before
You keep me coming back for more
Your love is so good, so good, so good
Your love is so good, so good, so good
No love, no games
You're not the same
I'm glad I gave you a try
'Cause you keep me high
I see myself with you for the rest of my life
You're too good to be true
I feel like new
You're feeling me and I'm feeling you
I never ever thought that I could have it all
But you got all I need and more
'Cause I ain't never have love as good
You treat me just the way you should
Better than before
You keep me coming back for more
Your love is so good, so good, so good
Your love is so good, so good, so good
So good, so good, so good
Your love is so good
So good, so good, so good
Your love is so good
You got me open , I'm so in love with you , baby
You got me hypnotized, I'm so in love with you baby
Just like the ocean I'm deep in love with you baby
You got me open
So good, so good,
I ain't never love as good
You treat me just the way you should
Better than before
You keep me coming back for more
Your love is so good, so good, so good
Your love is so good, so good, so good
"So Good" by Leela James is a love song about a woman who has found a man who treats her right and loves her unconditionally. The woman is in disbelief that she has found someone who she never thought could exist for her, and she's so grateful to have finally experienced true love. The lyrics describe the woman's disbelief and how this love feels like a fairytale to her.
The song starts with the repetition of the line "So good, so good," which sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics. The woman describes how her relationship with this man is different from previous ones, as there are no games, pain, or change. She is in disbelief that this love is real and feels like she is living in a fantasy. She recognizes that this man is too good to be true but is grateful to have experienced such love.
The woman is amazed that she has found someone who loves her unconditionally, and she sings about how great it feels to have such a love. She recognizes that this love is better than any she's had before and that this man treats her the way she deserves to be treated. She's grateful that he keeps her coming back for more and describes how his love is so good that she can't help but want more of it.
Overall, "So Good" by Leela James is a beautiful love song that describes the feeling of finding true love and being grateful for it. The lyrics are relatable for anyone who has experienced the feeling of finally finding a love that is good and pure.
Line by Line Meaning
So good, so good
The feeling of being loved is amazing and indescribable.
No change, no games
There are no ups and downs or games being played, just constant love.
No cheers, no pain
There are no arguments or fighting, just a happy relationship.
Is this real?
The love is so good that it almost feels too good to be true.
'Cause I feel like I'm living a fantasy
The relationship feels like a dream come true.
You're too good to be true
The lover is so perfect that it feels unrealistic.
I feel like new
The love has rejuvenated and energized the singer.
You're feeling me and I'm feeling you
The love and connection is mutual.
I never ever thought that I could have it all
The singer didn't believe they could experience such a wonderful love.
But you got all I need and more
The lover fulfills all of the singer's needs and exceeds expectations.
'Cause I ain't never have love as good
The singer has never experienced such a great love before.
You treat me just the way you should
The lover treats the singer with love and respect.
Better than before
The love is better than any previous relationships.
You keep me coming back for more
The singer is constantly drawn to the lover and the love they provide.
Your love is so good, so good, so good
The love is truly amazing and deserving of praise.
You got me open , I'm so in love with you , baby
The singer is completely vulnerable and in love with their partner.
You got me hypnotized, I'm so in love with you baby
The love is so strong it feels like the singer is under a spell.
Just like the ocean I'm deep in love with you baby
The love is all-encompassing, like the depth of the ocean.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOE RYAN, LEELA JAMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind