Mica as a singer
The range, power, and sheer soulfulness of Mica's singing made a major impact on the UK scene and in the following year, 1988, she released her debut, platinum-selling album with 4th & Broadway when she was 17 years old. "My One Temptation" was the lead single. This led to a collaboration with American soul singer Will Downing on a cover version of a classic "Where Is the Love", made famous by Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack in the early '70s.
The follow-up album, Contribution was released in 1991. This extended Mica's soul and gospel influences to bring in hip-hop and house music and It featured the track "If I Love U 2 Nite", written especially for Mica by Prince, which she recorded at his Paisley Park studios. With Omar Lye-Fook, a classically trained musician Paris recorded "I Should Have Known Better" in 1990. It was issued on the B-side to "I Never Felt Like This Before". Paris also recorded with Anita Baker, Bonnie Raitt and Natalie Cole on the album Nelson Mandela: An International Tribute for a Free South Africa (1990), and provided the title track to Isaac Julien's Young Soul Rebels movie soundtrack the following year. She worked with the saxophonist Courtney Pine ("Redemption Song" - 1992), the Stereo MCs ("Don't Let Up" - 1992) and Bobby Womack ("I Wish I'd Never Met You" - 1991).
Mica's third album, Whisper A Prayer (1993) marked another departure for Mica, fusing soul, jazz and blues with lush string arrangements. Garnering further top twenty singles ' Never Felt Like This Before and ' Wanna Hold On To You'. This followed by more collaboration work on album tracks with Guru on his Jazzmatazz II ("Looking Through Darkness" in 1995), Mark Morrison ("Tears For You" - 1996) and Maxwell ("Mantra" - 1996).
Paris released the album Black Angel on Chrysalis in 1998. It contained a cover version of U2's "One", and a duet with James Ingram. "Black Angel" produced two more top twenty singles 'Stay' and 'Carefree'. More collaborations followed with Omar ("Confection" - 1994), Max Beesley ("High Vibes" - 1994), Dubversive ("Police & Thieves" - 1998), the Mobo All Stars compilation album in 1998, Mister Exe ("One Million Smiles" - 1998), Prince ("Just My Imagination" - 2000) and Boy George ("I Could Be Someone" - 2000). A particularly memorable collaboration with Pink Floyd's David Gilmour and Jools Holland on Screamin' Jay Hawkins' classic track, '("I Put A Spell On You' followed in 2001. The trio had regrouped on numerous occasions to perform the hit.
A best of collection was released in 1999.
Two years later Paris lent her voice to Walt Disney Pictures (Touchstone Pictures) soundtrack for, High Heels and Low Lifes, which was later included in the Primal Screen soundtrack compilation album (2001).
In 2003, following 3 sellout nights at London's The Jazz Cafe Mica released the Moby sampling 'Heart' with Seraphim Suite. Mica also joined Omar onstage for his gig at The Shepherds Bush Empire. She also contributed to the track 'I Don't Understand' on Milk & Sugar album Housmusic.de. 2004 saw Mica feature as a guest on 'The new Inspirational Choir' album 'Inspirations' along with Keisha White and Jocelyn Brown. This took Mica back to her Gospel roots.
Mica collaborated on the track 'Bodyswerve' by M-Gee in 2005. The track was incredibly successful in the club charts and can be found on many dance compilations released to this day.
In 2005, Paris released the album If You Could Love Me (Wounded Bird Records), which featured backing from the Brecker Brothers on the title track. Also in 2005, she released an album, Soul Classics, a collection of the most celebrated and loved soul tracks chosen by listeners of her BBC Radio 2 programme 'Soul Solutions' and then jetted off to Australia for a few months to do some live performances at the Basement in Sydney.[1] Mica can also be found duetting on the track 'Run' with Jimmy Barnes on his 2005 "Double Happiness" album.
Mica collaborated with Lemar on the track 'Can't you see' on his album 'The truth About Love' in 2006.
In February 2008 Mica released the duet 'Secret lovers' with Alexander O'Neal. This was followed by a residency at the Indigo 02 'Mica Paris & friends' in May and every last Sunday of each month.
2009 sees the release of Mica's new album 'Born Again', indicating a fully fledged return to her first passion: music. She has embarked on a nationwide tour meeting fans old and new and reminding her millions of TV fans what first put her in the public eye twenty- two years ago. This includes sell out dates at the Jazz Cafe in February 2009 to showcase her upcoming material. The album is released June 1st and has been produced by the legendary 'hit- maker', Brian Rawling. James Morrison (singer) wrote Mica's first single, 'Baby Come Back Now' - an up- tempo retro tune, penned especially for Mica's soaring vocals.
Mica as a radio and television presenter
Throughout 2000s Mica actively engaged her other talents, as a celebrated television presenter, an actress and author. Although she remained behind the microphone, in 2002 Paris moved to the presenter's chair, when she hosted the 'Soul Solutions' programme on BBC Radio 2 and narrated several music documentaries for the station. She also presented the 2002 Channel 4 television documentary The Gospel of Gospel which revealed the influence of the black American church tradition on pop music. Produced and directed by David Upshal, it featured contributions from Ray Charles, Isaac Hayes, B. B. King, Al Green, Chaka Khan, Alexander O'Neal, Edwin Hawkins, The Blind Boys of Alabama and Mary Mary. Furthermore, she broadcast a two-part show, 'Purple Reign: The Prince Story', on BBC Radio 2 which covered the entirety of the American artist's controversial career and featured interviews with George Clinton, Chaka Khan and Jimmy Jam.
In 2005 Mica appeared on week three of the ITV reality show, Hit Me, Baby, One More Time, which was won by Carol Decker. The same year she made an appearance in, and was the winner of, week one in the second series of Come Dine With Me. From 2007, she was a co-host for two seasons of the popular consumer style programme, What Not to Wear for BBC Television. Other television presenting has followed with Mica being and expert judge on Gok Wan's Miss Naked Beautyfor Channel 4 and ITV's CelebAir. Paris continues to appear on a variety of television programmes – from Channel 5's news talk show, The Wright Stuff, ITV1's all-female panel talk show, Loose Women, and BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing.
Mica as an actress
In 1993, Mica turned to the stage, where she starred in two acclaimed West End shows, 'Mama I Want to Sing' and 'Sweet Lorraine'.
In October 2004, Paris took part in the UK tour of the stage play, The Vagina Monologues.
In 2007, she played the part of Amelia Walker, a (fictitious) American jazz singer, in a drama made for television, Marple: At Bertram's Hotel; during the drama the character gives a concert at the Royal Albert Hall, and also sings with Louis Armstrong's band in the hotel dining room whilst both were guests at the hotel, which was central to the plot.
Mica as an author
While presenting 'What Not To Wear', Mica encountered many woman who's stories touched her. She began to examine her own life and choices and was compelled to tell her story in a bid to inspire confidence and self- esteem to those woman and others that find life overwhelming at times. Thus her book "Beautiful Within: Finding Happiness and Confidence in Your Own Skin" was born. It was published by Simon & Shuster UK. ISBN-10: 1847370853, ISBN-13: 9781847370853 and was an instant hit. The paperback was released August 2008.
What Becomes of the Broken Hearted
Mica Paris Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I have visions of many things.
Love's happiness is just an illusion filled with sadness and confusion.
What becomes of the brokenhearted who had love that's now departed?
I know I've got to find some kind of peace of mind.
Maybe, the fruits of love grow all around
but for me they come a tumblin' down.
I can't stand this pain much longer.
I walk in shadows, searching for light,
cold and alone, no comfort in sight.
Hoping and prayin' for
Someone to care, always movin' and goin' nowhere.
What becomes of the brokenhearted who had love that's now departed?
I know I've got to find some kind of peace of mind.
Maybe, I'm searching though I don't succeed,
but someone look, there's a growing need.
Oh, he is lost, there's no place for beginning;
all that's left is an unhappy ending.
What becomes of the brokenhearted who had love that's now departed?
I know I've got to find some kind of peace of mind.
I'll be searching ev'rywhere just find someone to care.
I'll be looking ev'ry day;
I know I'm gonna find a way.
Nothing's gonna stop me now;
I'll find a way some how.
I'll be searching ev'rywhere just find someone to care.
I'll be looking ev'ry day;
I know I'm gonna find a way.
Nothing's gonna stop me now;
I'll find a way some how.
Mica Paris's "What Becomes of the Broken Hearted" is a song about heartbreak and the aftermath of a failed relationship. As she walks through life with broken dreams, she realizes that love's happiness is just an illusion, filled with sadness and confusion. She wonders what happens to those who have lost love and can't find peace of mind. The song is a poignant commentary on the human condition and the longing for love and acceptance.
The lyrics suggest that love's fruits may grow all around, but for some, they come tumbling down. Every day, heartaches grow stronger, and the pain becomes unbearable. The broken-hearted wander in shadows, searching for light, but they feel cold, alone, and lost. They hope and pray for someone to care, but they are always moving without purpose. The sense of despair is palpable.
In the final verses, Mica Paris emphasizes the need to keep searching for love and connection. She refuses to give up and promises to keep looking everywhere for someone to care. She knows she'll find a way to heal her broken heart and find peace of mind. The song speaks to the universal human emotions of love, loss, and perseverance in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
As I walk this land with broken dreams
I am traversing through my life with shattered aspirations
I have visions of many things.
I can see many possible scenarios for my future
Love's happiness is just an illusion filled with sadness and confusion.
Love may appear delightful, but it often leads to melancholy and perplexity
What becomes of the brokenhearted who had love that's now departed?
What happens to those who have lost the love they cherished?
I know I've got to find some kind of peace of mind.
I realize that I must discover a way to calm my thoughts
Maybe, the fruits of love grow all around but for me they come a tumblin' down.
Perhaps love is abundant for others, but for me it always fails
Ev'ry day heartaches grow a little stronger; I can't stand this pain much longer.
Each passing moment intensifies my sorrow, and I cannot tolerate it anymore
I walk in shadows, searching for light, cold and alone, no comfort in sight.
I am lost in darkness, seeking illumination, feeling isolated and without solace
Hoping and prayin' for Someone to care, always movin' and goin' nowhere.
I crave for someone to show the slightest regard for me, as I keep traveling without a purpose
Maybe, I'm searching though I don't succeed, but someone look, there's a growing need.
Perhaps I am questing without success, but there is an increasing demand for affection
Oh, he is lost there's no place for beginning; all that's left is an unhappy ending.
He is directionless, with no chance of starting anew, and everything seems to culminate in misery
I'll be searching ev'rywhere just find someone to care. I'll be looking ev'ry day; I know I'm gonna find a way. Nothing's gonna stop me now; I'll find a way some how.
I will desperately explore every corner of the world to find a person who genuinely cares for me. I will tirelessly investigate every day, assured that I'll figure out how to achieve my aim. Ultimately, nothing can thwart my determination to succeed
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES DEAN, PAUL RISER, WILLIAM WEATHERSPOON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind