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.
Tell Me You Love Me
Leela James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do everything that you want me to
Can't believe I gave you all my love
What in the world was I thinkin' of?
I just let it all slip away
With every minute, hour of the day
And if it really meant to be, just share with me
Tell me, yeah
I need to know, baby
I got to know
Tell me, yeah
Tell me that you love me
If I give you what you need
Would you do the same thing for me?
'Cause I don't want to be alone
I want you here all night long
'Cause when you leave me, baby
I'm thinkin' about you always
I'm ashamed to say
How much I want you to stay
Baby, tell me, yeah
I need to know
Say it now
I got to know
Tell me that you love me
Now you see
I'm not tryin' to make a big fuss over this
But I'm just sayin', you need to let me know how you feel sometimes
Say it, it's not wrong, expressing yourself?
That's what wo-women like that, you know what I'm sayin'?
You know, you got to tap into your romantic side
Shoot, return the love, baby, return the love
I need to know, I want to know
I need to know, I want to know
I need to know, I want to know
I need to know, yeah baby
I got to know, oh, tell me
Tell me that you love me, love me, love me, love me
That you love me, love me, love me, love me
I unpacked my chest for you
Do everything that you want me to
Can't believe I gave you all my love
The lyrics to Leela James's "Tell Me You Love Me" express a sense of vulnerability and insecurity in a relationship. The singer seems to have given their all to their partner, and yet is left feeling incomplete and uncertain of their partner's feelings. The line "I unpacked my chest for you" suggests that the singer has opened up and exposed themselves emotionally to their partner, perhaps revealing their deepest thoughts and feelings. However, despite this vulnerability, the singer still feels like something is missing in the relationship, and is seeking reassurance from their partner.
The chorus is a plea for the partner to express their love and make their commitment clear. The repeated line "Tell me that you love me" emphasizes the need for this reassurance. The singer states that they don't want to be alone and wants their partner by their side all night long. The last verse seems to be a call for the partner to also be more expressive with their feelings, as the singer notes that women like it when men tap into their romantic sides.
Overall, the lyrics of "Tell Me You Love Me" convey a sense of emotional complexity in a relationship, with both the singer and their partner struggling to communicate effectively with each other about their feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
I unpacked my chest for you
I opened up my heart to you and let you in completely
Do everything that you want me to
I have done everything you asked of me
Can't believe I gave you all my love
I can't believe I trusted you with all of my love
What in the world was I thinkin' of?
What was I thinking to give you all of my heart and trust so easily?
I just let it all slip away
All the love, effort and energy I put into this relationship has gone to waste
With every minute, hour of the day
I have been trying to make this work every single day, all the time
And if it really meant to be, just share with me
If this relationship is truly meant to be, you just need to communicate with me
Why do I still feel incomplete?
Even though I have given you everything, I still feel like something is missing
Tell me, yeah
Please tell me what I need to know
I need to know, baby
I need to understand where we stand, my love
I got to know
It's crucial that I know this
If I give you what you need
If I satisfy all that you desire from me
Would you do the same thing for me?
Would you reciprocate my efforts?
'Cause I don't want to be alone
I don't want to be without you
I want you here all night long
Be with me throughout the night
'Cause when you leave me, baby
Whenever you leave me
I'm thinkin' about you always
You are always on my mind
I'm ashamed to say
It's hard for me to admit
How much I want you to stay
Just how much I desire for you to be here with me
Now you see
Now, do you understand?
I'm not tryin' to make a big fuss over this
I don't want to make a big deal out of this, but it bothers me
But I'm just sayin', you need to let me know how you feel sometimes
I am just asking for you to communicate your feelings to me sometimes
Say it, it's not wrong, expressing yourself?
It's okay to express your feelings, isn't it?
That's what wo-women like that, you know what I'm sayin'?
Women appreciate men who are sensitive and expressive
You know, you got to tap into your romantic side
You have to be more in touch with your emotional and romantic side
Shoot, return the love, baby, return the love
Return the love I have given to you
Tell me that you love me
Tell me that you care for me and your love for me is genuine
Now you see
Now, do you understand?
I need to know, I want to know
I need to understand where we stand and I am eager to know
Tell me that you love me, love me, love me, love me
Reassure me that your love for me is strong and unwavering
That you love me, love me, love me, love me
That my worth to you and my place in your heart is secure and constant
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: LEELA JAMES, JOHN D. LOUDERMILK, GERRARD C. BAKER, ANDREA MARTIN, GORDON WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sasha Taylor
This song is like a meeting of female soul legends...it's like Leela James meets Betty Wright , Gladys Knight, Roberta Flack, Lauryn Hill all together in a sound studio, chilling and singing!! Love it!!
real recognize real
Love 💘 it
Umar Faroq
Hey beautiful 😍
Carlos P. Jr
WHY WHY WHY is this beautiful talented Women still underrated in 2020🎶🎤🎶 let's elevate her already.
lovewhoGODmademe2B
She’s not!!! She’s ain’t gotta be mainstream to be on top.. gon’ girl sang to your true fans!
Carlos P. Jr
@lovewhoGODmademe2B Where was the last time you seen her perform? Any award show’s? Concerts? I am a fan, I also live in the music NYC where my wife and I love live music concerts. A fan !
jen tate
Do think this is a female or male. maybe why? Beautiful Voice
Carlos P. Jr
@jen tate What’s your question 🤔
jen tate
@Carlos P. Jr just asking? First transgener.was I the b.c.time in rome.
Tonya Shields
She's has one of those 60's soulful voices ....Love it , Love ya Leela