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.
Soul Food
Leela James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Make it hot like Lousiana hot sauce
Whoa, whoa-oh-oh whoa-oh-oh, oh-ooh
(Shoot, that's soul food)
Whoa, whoa-oh-oh whoa-oh-oh, oh-ooh
(Stankin' like chitlins)
Like collard greens and yams on the side
I'm full from top to the bottom and this ain't no lie
I'm hot like Mississippi burning in the middle of July
And I'm sayin'
Whoa, whoa-oh-oh whoa-oh-oh, oh-ooh
(you got me singin' whoa-whoa-oh-oh)
Whoa, whoa-oh-oh whoa-oh-oh, oh-ooh
(hmm hmm hmm)
Sip me up like lemonade from a mason jar
Make it good like some chicken fried in a pan of lard
I'm getting spoiled like old beans and I can't lose my head
'Cause when you're not around I'm crumbling like cornbread
Whoa, whoa-oh-oh whoa-oh-oh, oh-ooh
(you got me singin' whoa whoa, whoa whoa)
Whoa, whoa-oh-oh whoa-oh-oh, oh-ooh
Hmm hmm, hmm hmm hmm
Whoa-whoa-whoa
Whoa, whoa-oh-oh whoa-oh-oh, oh-ooh
(I'm talkin' about soulfood, soulfood)
Whoa, whoa-oh-oh whoa-oh-oh, oh-ooh
(I'm talkin' about soulfood, whoa)Whoa,
Whoa-oh-oh whoa-oh-oh, oh-ooh
(I'm talkin' about soulfood, soulfood)
Whoa, whoa-oh-oh whoa-oh-oh, oh-ooh
(I'm talkin' about soulfood, whoa)
The song "Soul Food" by Leela James is an ode to the rich and flavorful culture of Southern cooking, a symbol of love and intimacy for the singer. James uses food metaphors to express her feelings of passion and desire towards her lover. The opening lines "Kiss the back of my neckbone / Make it hot like Lousiana hot sauce" suggest an erotic intimacy, with James wanting her partner to arouse her with affection like a spicy seasoning.
Throughout the song, Leela compares the feelings she shares with her partner to various Southern dishes. She describes herself as "full from top to the bottom," like a satisfied appetite after a good meal, and wishes for her lover to "Sip me up like lemonade from a mason jar / Make it good like some chicken fried in a pan of lard." The lyrics also include a reference to the history of Southern racism, with the line "I'm hot like Mississippi burning in the middle of July," which makes the song even more powerful in its representation of both the joys and the pains of Southern food culture.
Overall, "Soul Food" is a song that uses Southern cooking and cuisine as a metaphor for love and connection between partners. James uses the richness of the soul food culture to convey her feelings of warmth and affection, and ultimately sings an ode to Southern hospitality, culture, and traditions.
Line by Line Meaning
Kiss the back of my neckbone (whoa)
Make it hot like Lousiana hot sauce
Show me some affection by kissing the back of my neck and make it passionate and intense, just like the hotness of Louisiana hot sauce.
Whoa, whoa-oh-oh whoa-oh-oh, oh-ooh
(Shoot, that's soul food)
The intensity of the kiss is so steamy and passionate that it feels like eating soul food.
Whoa, whoa-oh-oh whoa-oh-oh, oh-ooh
(Stankin' like chitlins)
The good feeling of the kiss smells and tastes like the infamous chitlins, which have a strong and pungent odor.
Sweet like sweet potato pie
Like collard greens and yams on the side
I'm full from top to the bottom and this ain't no lie
I'm hot like Mississippi burning in the middle of July
And I'm sayin'
The affection shared between us feels like indulging in nutritious and delicious soul food such as sweet potato pie, collard greens, and yams, leaving no empty space within me. The feeling is as hot as the blazing heat of the Mississippi in the peak of July.
Whoa, whoa-oh-oh whoa-oh-oh, oh-ooh
(you got me singin' whoa-whoa-oh-oh)
Whoa, whoa-oh-oh whoa-oh-oh, oh-ooh
(hmm hmm hmm)
The feeling of the love and affection is so intense that it has got me singing and humming uncontrollably.
Sip me up like lemonade from a mason jar
Make it good like some chicken fried in a pan of lard
I'm getting spoiled like old beans and I can't lose my head
'Cause when you're not around I'm crumbling like cornbread
Like sipping fresh lemonade off a mason jar on a hot summer day, show me some love and make it as delightful as chicken fried in a pan of lard. The love and affection is making me spoiled like old beans, and I feel like I am losing my mind when you're not around.
Whoa, whoa-oh-oh whoa-oh-oh, oh-ooh
(you got me singin' whoa whoa, whoa whoa)
I am singing even louder and with more passion as the love and affection between us keeps growing stronger.
Whoa, whoa-oh-oh whoa-oh-oh, oh-ooh
(I'm talkin' about soulfood, soulfood)
Whoa, whoa-oh-oh whoa-oh-oh, oh-ooh
(I'm talkin' about soulfood, whoa)Whoa,
The intensity of our love and passion reminds me of soul food, and I can't stop talking about it.
Whoa-oh-oh whoa-oh-oh, oh-ooh
(I'm talkin' about soulfood, soulfood)
Whoa, whoa-oh-oh whoa-oh-oh, oh-ooh
(I'm talkin' about soulfood, whoa)
The feeling of our love and affection is so powerful that it feels like consuming delicious and fulfilling soul food, and I can't stop talking about it.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JUSTIN LEWIS SCOTT, MYARIAH NIKOLE SUMMERS, RAPHAEL SAADIQ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ladylace97
Her voice taps in to my soul
ChildofGod's Favor
Never heard of this song until today on TikTok. I used it for the music for a picture of our Sunday's soul food dinner.
Celebrating 24 years of marriage.💞
C
Lisa Hill
This is my jam🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
A Sabre
Raphel Saadiq is a straight beast!
Mary Smith
(Oatmeal for me tonight ) love the song.....
Lisa Blackson
Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa. I'm hot like Mississippi burning in the middle of July
Kdanielle
she sanging this
Leon Holt
(!🔥!)
lawlaw1
F
I
R
E
Kenneth Gillion
M Hm mom