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.
miss you
Leela James Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been sleeping all alone
Lord I miss you
I've been hanging on the phone
I've been sleeping all alone
I want to kiss you
Ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh
I've been haunted in my sleep
You've been starring in my dreams
Lord I miss you
I've been waiting in the hall
Been waiting on your call
When the phone rings
It's just some friends of mine that say
"Hey, what's the matter man?
We're gonna come around at twelve
With some Puerto Rican girls that are just dyin' to meet you.
We're gonna bring a case of wine
Hey, let's go mess and fool around
You know, like we used to"
Ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh
Oh baby why you wait so long
Oh baby why you wait so long
Come on! Come on!
I was walking in Central Park
Hanging after dark,
People think I'm crazy
Shuffling through the street
Just aching on my feet
People ask me, "What's the matter with you boy?"
Sometimes I want to say
Sometimes I want to say, yeah
Sometimes I say, to myself
Ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh
I won't miss you, girl
Ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh
I won't miss you, girl
Yeah, you've been haunting me in my dreams
Starring in my dreams, yes I miss you, baby
Yeah, you been messin' with my mind
Foolin' with my time, I'll miss you baby
I miss girl, I miss girl
I miss girl ? all around the world
I miss girl, I miss girl
C'mon hold on to me, darlin' yeah yeah
Ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh
Lord I miss you girl
Ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh
Ooh I miss you baby
Ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh
Yeah lets do it
Oh baby, why you wait so long?
Oh baby, why you wait so long?
Come on, come on
In "Miss You" by Leela James, the singer expresses her longing for someone who is not present in her life. The song starts with her admitting that she has been holding out for a long time and has been sleeping all alone. She then goes on to say that she misses the person and has been waiting for their call, but to no avail. She has been haunted by them in her dreams, and they have been starring in them. She is waiting for them to come back and be with her, but instead, she keeps getting calls from her friends asking to hang out with some Puerto Rican girls.
The second verse starts with James walking in Central Park in the dark, and people starting to think she's crazy. She's shuffling through the streets and people ask her what's wrong. She admits that sometimes she wants to say it's because she misses the person, but sometimes she keeps it to herself. The chorus repeats the main point of the song, which is that she misses the person and wants them to come back to her.
Overall, the song talks about the pain of missing someone deeply and the longing for them to return. It captures the emotions of anyone who has felt the pain of being apart from someone they love.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been holding out so long
I've been waiting for you for a long time.
I've been sleeping all alone
I've been lonely without you and haven't been able to sleep very well.
Lord I miss you
I miss you a lot and I hope you feel the same way.
I've been hanging on the phone
I've been waiting for you to call me so we can talk.
I want to kiss you
I want to be close to you and share my love with you.
You've been starring in my dreams
You are in my thoughts all the time and I can't stop thinking about you.
I've been waiting in the hall
I have been waiting for you to come and see me but you haven't shown up.
When the phone rings, it's just some friends of mine that say
When the phone rings, it's not you, it's just my friends calling me to invite me out.
"Hey, what's the matter man?
"Hey, what's wrong?"
We're gonna come around at twelve
We're going to hang out and have fun tonight at midnight.
With some Puerto Rican girls that are just dyin' to meet you.
We're going to introduce you to some Puerto Rican girls that are interested in you.
We're gonna bring a case of wine
We're going to bring some wine tonight so we can have a good time.
"Hey, let's go mess and fool around
"Let's have some fun and do wild things like we used to do."
Oh baby why you wait so long
Why did you take so long to come and see me?
I was walking in Central Park
I was wandering around Central Park by myself.
Hanging after dark, people think I'm crazy
I am walking around alone after dark and people think it's strange or weird.
Shuffling through the street, just aching on my feet
I am walking aimlessly through the streets, feeling sad and tired.
People ask me, "What's the matter with you boy?"
People are concerned about me and ask me why I look sad or troubled.
Sometimes I want to say
Sometimes I wish I could express my feelings to others.
Yeah, you've been haunting me in my dreams
You have been appearing in my dreams and I can't stop thinking about you.
Foolin' with my time, I'll miss you baby
You have been playing with my emotions and I will miss you if you leave.
I miss girl, I miss girl, I miss girl all around the world
I miss having a girl in my life, no matter where I go in the world.
C'mon hold on to me darlin' yeah yeah
Come and hold me, my darling, and don't let go.
Ooh I miss you baby, yeah lets do it
I miss you so much and I want us to be together again.
Oh baby, why you wait so long?
Why did it take you so long to come and see me?
Come on, come on
Come closer to me.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
essenceofebony0to9
Leela voice is so powerful. I'm a girl, and I get chills hearing her, I feel like I'm in Church. You go girl.
Dave Hurd
great vocals, great drummer!!!
Nik Nak
Leela James has a powerful voice... I believe her sound is her sound but she has power behind her voice like Tina Turner... Luv'n it Leela!!!
Kanaiya
Im a kenyan masai warriar but the sound of this beautiful lady is keeping me strong day by day.
yankessnperu
very suprised...Very Nice voice.. sounds full of soul....I like it...I can def jam to this....Her song called Music is awsome too...
Nina Newton
personally i think both leela and joss stone have great voices they are both great artist in their own right
ljtadic
really fantastic..
AN'SON WHITE
Im loving her voice very nina simone meets Etta James Meets Macy Gray and erykah Badu love it.
Deanna Green
@delirous8 Joss Stone & Leela do sound somewhat alike. When I first heard Leela's song, Tell me you love me, I thought it was Joss and then it sounded like Laura Izabor. I love the song. This young lady is very talented. Good to hear pure talent. Blessings to all.
said shaqale
It seems like quest love on the drums dymmmn girl can sing go on leela