He released his first album with other French producer and friend Quetzal (Al Quetz) in 2006. A Hip-Hop tribute to Soul music which was played several times by Gilles Peterson, Benji B, and covered on Okayplayer.com.
At the same time, he started collaborating with American keyboard player called Byron The Aquarius and released an album under the name of The Big Payback in 2007 on Japanese label Circulations. A project full of different influences such as futuristic hip-hop, spaced out and jazzy broken beats. They also appeared on highly praised compilations such as Beat Dimensions and New Worlds.
In 2006, he went to Vietnam for the first time, the land of his grand-parents, and managed to bring back some 30 old records of Chinese and Vietnamese origin. He then made a full album with this material called Chinoiseries. Currently his most critically acclaimed album, "Chinoiseries" became the trademark sound of Onra since the song The Anthem has been chosen to illustrate a Coca-Cola TV commercial for Beijing Olympics.
He is also part of the 7x7 series by Irish label All City. His 2008 project 1.0.8 was inspired by Bollywood music and had been elected as album of the week by many different shops across Europe.
He recently started touring with his two MPC1000's to play some beats live, and has already been performing in Japan, China, Spain, Scotland, Ireland, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, England, Austria, New Zealand, Vietnam, Switzerland, Netherlands, and France.
High Hopes
Onra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tryin to catch yr eye
Been watchin you for quite some time
But you think i'm an average guy
Gonna figure out my approach
Cos you're such a classy girl
You might be the most beautiful
The most beautiful girl in the world
Standing over there
Looking like a beautiful black queen
I was over there doin my thing
Got distracted by the beauty you bring
Standing over there
Makeup and clothes are so damn clean
Finest girl in the whole damn scene
I gotta get this girl to be with me
Got high hopes
Get this woman of my dreams
Hope to stay together
Got high hopes
Give this woman everything
Make it last forever
Don't wanna come regular
I wanna show you a brand new thing
I don't wanna disrespect you
I wanna do more than buy you things
I only wanna complement you
Forever make you feel free
From the very first moment I saw you
I knew you were the one for me
Standing over there
Looking like a beautiful black queen
I was over there doin my thing
Got distracted by the beauty you bring
Standing over there
Makeup and clothes are so damn clean
Finest girl in the whole damn scene
I gotta get this girl to be with me
Got high hopes
Get this woman of my dreams
Hope to stay together
Got high hopes
Give this woman everything
Make it last forever
I'm finally gonna take my chances
Try to get you in my life
I'm not gonna pass this by
You become some other man's wife
I never felt like this before
Lovin some girl from afar
You shine bright as the sun
I had to know who you were
Standing over there
Looking like a beautiful black queen
I was over there doin my thing
Got distracted by the beauty you bring
Standing over there
Makeup and clothes are so damn clean
Finest girl in the whole damn scene
I gotta get this girl to be with me
Got high hopes
Get this woman of my dreams
Hope to stay together
Got high hopes
Give this woman everything
Make it last forever
Got high hopes
Get this woman of my dreams
Hope to stay together
Got high hopes
Give this woman everything
Make it last forever
The lyrics of Onra's "High Hopes" ft. Reggie B tells the story of a man who sees a woman he's attracted to and wants to pursue. Despite being an average guy, he believes he has the potential to win her over. He doesn't want to come off as an ordinary suitor, with just money to offer. Instead, he wants to show her something new, compliment her, and make her feel free to be herself. He feels that she's the one for him and he's willing to pursue her even if it means taking chances. The song ends with him expressing his high hopes of getting the woman of his dreams and making it last forever.
The lyrics are a testament to hope, desire, and the courage to pursue the things we want in life, even if it means taking risks. It's a universal theme that appeals to anyone who has fallen for someone and wants to take a chance. The song is also a celebration of black women, as evidenced by the lyrics that describe the woman the singer is attracted to as a "beautiful black queen." It's an empowering message that recognizes the beauty and worth of black women.
Line by Line Meaning
I know you seen me standing there
I saw you noticing me and I am trying to catch your eye
Tryin to catch yr eye
I want to get your attention
Been watchin you for quite some time
I have been observing you for a while
But you think i'm an average guy
But you perceive me as just an ordinary man
Gonna figure out my approach
I am going to determine the best way to approach you
Cos you're such a classy girl
Because you carry yourself with elegance and sophistication
You might be the most beautiful
You could be the most stunning woman I have ever seen
The most beautiful girl in the world
The most gorgeous woman on earth
Standing over there
You were standing in a particular spot
Looking like a beautiful black queen
You were looking like a stunning woman of color
I was over there doin my thing
I was occupied with my own activities
Got distracted by the beauty you bring
I got sidetracked by your breathtaking appearance
Makeup and clothes are so damn clean
Your makeup and outfits look immaculate
Finest girl in the whole damn scene
You are the most exquisite woman in this entire place
I gotta get this girl to be with me
I have to make you fall in love with me and be with me
Got high hopes
I have great expectations for us
Get this woman of my dreams
I want to have you, my dream woman
Hope to stay together
I wish to remain in a relationship with you
Give this woman everything
I want to give you everything I have
Make it last forever
I want our relationship to last a lifetime
Don't wanna come regular
I don't want to be ordinary when it comes to you
I wanna show you a brand new thing
I want to introduce you to a new and exciting experience
I don't wanna disrespect you
I do not intend to offend or insult you
I wanna do more than buy you things
I want to offer you more than material possessions
I only wanna complement you
I simply want to enhance your life and make it better
Forever make you feel free
I want you to feel liberated and unburdened forever
From the very first moment I saw you
Ever since I first laid eyes on you
I knew you were the one for me
I knew you were the perfect match for me
I'm finally gonna take my chances
I am finally going to take a risk and pursue you
Try to get you in my life
I want to have you in my life romantically
I'm not gonna pass this by
I'm not going to miss this opportunity
You become some other man's wife
I do not want you to marry anyone else but me
I never felt like this before
I have never experienced such strong feelings before
Lovin some girl from afar
Being in love with someone who is physically distant
You shine bright as the sun
You radiate a bright and vibrant energy
I had to know who you were
I had to find out more about you
Contributed by Jeremiah V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@AMG63S4ME
That was and still is one of the best musical arrangement ever in a song. Sylvers/Jam&Lewis are musical geniuses for sho!!!
@laurasanandres8322
I NEED THIS ON SPOTIFY HOW LONG WILL I HAVE TO WAIT JESUUUS!!!!!
@djmeekyoutube
This is one of my favorite songs in life. ❤️
@elenamiguel1463
Tell us more songs that you love!
@seanandersen1727
So smooth...this should have been played more
@alexandraardnaxela6367
Me too 🥰
@TheWoozybear
Mine too, I often come back to it when my soul needs some restoration.
@randomdude6572
Period, pernt blank.
@billhicks7937
Love this song. Makes me feel like I'm walking through NYC on a perfectly warm sunny day in 1994...
@MrDadeeblu
That's beautiful... it also reminds me of a city next to water at dusk