New Orleans marks the Cash Money imprintโs first step toward broadening its already wide appeal, thanks to a hit-making and award-winning roster that includes founder Lil Wayne, Drake and Nicki Minaj. And thereโs no better ambassador to musically personify that message than Morton, whose self described โsoulful popโ seamlessly spans multiple genres from gospel and R&B/funk to pop and rock.
โIโve always pushed boundaries,โ says Morton, โbut I always remain true to who I am musically. New Orleans is a natural progression of who I am. I canโt explain it except through my music. That proves it better than anything I can say.โ
Building that case is โOnly Oneโ featuring Stevie Wonder. Quickly garnering strong reaction following its January premiere on Billboard.com, the song is the lead single from New Orleans. Armed with an infectious hook and a head-boppinโ groove, the up-tempo number showcases Mortonโs velvety tenor, songwriting skills and musicianship, accented by Wonderโs distinctive harmonica.
โStevie joining me on the track is the ultimate start. Itโs my dream come true,โ says Morton of teaming with Wonder. โI want to continue the legacy he represents: musicianship and positivity.โ
New Orleans itself stems from Mortonโs acclaimed 2012 EP, Following My First Mind, featuring guest cameos from Maroon 5โs Adam Levine, Lil Wayne and Jazmine Sullivan. A nod to Mortonโs hometown and musical roots, the forthcoming New Orleans finds Morton at the keyboard playing with a full backing band complete with horns and strings. The result is a lush, melodic yet organic 10-track set that grabs listeners right from the opening title track.
โNew Orleans is where I learned how to play music,โ recalls Morton. โItโs the physical and mind space I was in when I fell in love with music. It wasnโt about marketing, radio and publicity. It was just about making music because I loved it. It made me feel good. Young Money wanted me creatively as I am. Thatโs why Iโm excited about this next chapter.โ
Also featuring rapper Busta Rhymes, New Orleans comes packed with a diverse slate of musical influences. Thereโs the reggae-infused โHard Enough,โ which explores relationship issues. โIโm looking for a love unconditional / Not one that goes wherever the wind blows,โ declares Morton as the song opens.
The self-described โDr. Loveโ traverses the same landscape on the mid-tempo โWork It Out.โ Set off by a touch of synth and a hypnotic drumbeat, the song once again spotlights Mortonโs tantalizing tenor. Also noteworthy is โHeavy,โ a song revamped from Mortonโs 2012 EP and featuring Adam Levine. Sporting a funk/rock track reminiscent of Sly Stone and Prince, the songโs lyrics were inspired by Mortonโs frustration at one point with his indie career.
โIt was at a point where I was trying to figure out what the next step was,โ says Morton, who hadnโt yet connected with pop hitmakers Maroon 5. โThis was me getting those feelings out. Since that frustration, Iโve had one of the biggest years in my career. Itโs crazy.โ
Influenced by acts ranging from the Beatles and James Taylor to Wonder and Donny Hathaway, the New Orleans native is the son of gospel singer Paul S. Morton. His formal foray into the industry was as a member of the band Freestyle Nation, which debuted in the early 2000s. But it was as a songwriter/ producer that Morton left his first indelible impression. He won a Grammy Award for his songwriting/ production of India.Arieโs โInterestedโ from her 2002 album Voyage to India.
That opened the door to more collaborations (Jermaine Dupri, LL Cool J, Monica, Musiq Soulchild, Trinitee 5:7) and additional accolades (Dove and Stellar Awards) for his work with gospel singer DeWayne Woods. Woodsโ โLet Go, Let Godโ spent a record 70 weeks on the gospel chart. Along the way, Morton released several acclaimed indie solo albums. He also attracted the attention of Academy Award-winning producer AR Rahman (โSlumdog Millionaireโ), who asked Morton to contribute a song (โSajnaโ) to the soundtrack for the Vince Vaughn comedy โCouples Retreat.โ
Mortonโs next big break occurred three years ago, when he was asked to audition by friend and Maroon
5 music director Adam Blackstone for a spot in the band as its keyboardist/vocalist. Soon after, childhood friend and Young Money Entertainment president Mack Maine championed Mortonโs music and vision to Cash Money co-CEOโs Roland โSlimโ Williams and Bryan โBirdmanโ Williams. With Lil Wayne co-signing his approval as well, Morton is ready to bring his journey full circle with New Orleans.
โMy indie years and working with various artists, including Maroon 5, have helped me understand who I am as both an individual and an artist,โ says Morton. โIt has allowed me to create a fan base that will forever be with me. Now Iโm being given the opportunity to do on steroids what Iโve been doing for years.โ
First Began
PJ Morton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is the best feeling I've ever felt
I know it took a long time, but now I'm here
And I ain't going nowhere, no more fear
Room full of people but I only see you
Yeah, I'm so focused, everything else is in my rear view
Tell me what it's going to take for you to see
I only wanna be with you
Say girl, you know that you're the only one that I want
The one that I want, one that I want
You know that you're the only one that I need
The one that I need, one that I need
You know that you're the only one that I want
The one that I want, one that I want
You know that you're the only one that I need
The one that I need, one that I need
You know that you're the only one that I want
Ooh
I know you've heard me say the same things before
But this time's different, I'm sure that I want more
So give me just one more chance, I won't let you down
Just watch what i show you, watch what I show you now
I know that forever is a long time
But there is no other choice in my mind
Tell me what it's going to take to make you see
That I only wanna be with you
Say girl, you know that you're the only one that I want
The one that I want, one that I want
You know that you're the only one that I need
The one that I need, one that I need
You know that you're the only one that I want
The one that I want, one that I want
You know that you're the only one that I need
The one that I need, one that I need
You know that you're the only one that I want
Ooh
Oh I, I've made uแน my mind
I know just what I want
I'm just waiting for you to see
What I see so clearly
I've never been more sure
Oh never in my life
But the time is right for you to be my one and only
Say girl, you know that you're the only one that I want
The one that I want, one that I want
You know that you're the only one that I need
The one that I need, one that I need
You know that you're the only one that I want
The one that I want, one that I want
You know that you're the only one that I need
The one that I need, one that I need
You know that you're the only one that I want
Ooh
In the song "First Began," PJ Morton is expressing his love and commitment to his partner. The opening verse emphasizes that he doesn't need anything else and that he is at his happiest with his significant other. He has reached a place where he is no longer afraid of commitment and wants to be with this person for the long haul. The line "Room full of people but I only see you" emphasizes how much the person means to him and how he is focused solely on them.
The chorus of the song drives home the message of the song - that this person is the only one PJ Morton wants and needs in his life. He repeats this message multiple times to emphasize the point. The second verse highlights how much he is willing to do to prove his love and commitment to his partner. There is a sense of urgency in his voice as he mentions that he has never been more sure that this is what he wants.
"First Began" is a poignant and heartfelt love song that showcases PJ Morton's vocal range and his skill as a songwriter. The song is a reminder that love can be scary, but when you find the right person, it can be the most fulfilling thing in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm pretty sure I don't need anything else
I have never felt more content than I do right now
This is the best feeling I've ever felt
I have never been happier than I am right now
I know it took a long time, but now I'm here
It took a while, but I finally made it to where I want to be
And I ain't going nowhere, no more fear
I am committed to staying here, I have no more doubts or hesitations
Room full of people but I only see you
You are the only thing that matters to me, nothing else in this room compares
Yeah, I'm so focused, everything else is in my rear view
I am completely focused on you, everything else is unimportant
Tell me what it's going to take for you to see
What do I need to do to make you realize?
I only wanna be with you
I want to be with you and only you
I know you've heard me say the same things before
I have said these things to you in the past
But this time's different, I'm sure that I want more
This time, my feelings are real and I want more from you
So give me just one more chance, I won't let you down
Please give me another chance, I will not disappoint you
Just watch what i show you, watch what I show you now
I have something to prove to you, watch what I can do
I know that forever is a long time
I understand that forever is a significant amount of time
But there is no other choice in my mind
But my mind is made up, you are the one for me
Oh I, I've made uแน my mind
I have completely made a decision
I know just what I want
I am very sure of what I want
I'm just waiting for you to see
I am waiting for you to understand and agree with me
What I see so clearly
What I see so clearly is that you and I belong together
I've never been more sure
I have never been more confident of anything else
Oh never in my life
This is the first time I have been this sure of something
But the time is right for you to be my one and only
The circumstances are perfect for you to be my one and only
Say girl, you know that you're the only one that I want
You should know that you are the only one I desire
You know that you're the only one that I need
You should know that you are the only one I require
Ooh
Acknowledging the emotional tone of the song
Contributed by Jackson M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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No one makes me feel the way you do inside
And I don't know what I would do without you and that's no lie
If I die, I'd hope to find you in another life
So we could fall again
Be the way we were when we first began
Like the first time that I ever saw you smile
I want that feeling again
Let's be the way we were when we first began
Yes, we've got something special, let's hope
Hold on and don't let go
And I'll never find another like you and this I know
If I die, I'd hope to find you in another life
So we could fall again
Let's be the way we were when we first began
Like the first time that I ever saw you smile
I want that feeling again
Let's be the way we were when we first began
When we first began
When we first began
When we first began
When we first began
Chano Rinaldy
No one makes me feel the way you do inside
And I don't know what I would do without you and that's no lie
If I die, I'd hope to find you in another life
So we could fall again
Be the way we were when we first began
Like the first time that I ever saw you smile
I want that feeling again
Let's be the way we were when we first began
Yes, we've got something special, let's hope
Hold on and don't let go
And I'll never find another like you and this I know
If I die, I'd hope to find you in another life
So we could fall again
Let's be the way we were when we first began
Like the first time that I ever saw you smile
I want that feeling again
Let's be the way we were when we first began
When we first began
When we first began
When we first began
When we first began
TheLoveForEight
I cry every DAMN time ๐ญ heโs so talented ! This song just does it !!!
IโmHer
Right ,my current situation ๐ญ this song is so beautiful and not only that Iโm pregnant so itโs even worse for me Iโm crying fr
Britanie Williams
Right!! It's such a special and beautiful song
brwnbarbie24
This is one of my favorite PJ Morton songs. So beautiful.
terzenda wilson
I am in deep love with this song...its on repeat! On my wedding playlist.
Eartha Alford House
P. J. Morton, I absolutely Love this song. This is one of the best love song that I have heard in few year's. Thanks for sharing your gift with the world. Man , P.J. You nailed it.
Boitumelo Mahlase
Man, I love this song. Definitely playing this song on my wedding day.
Vallorie Young
There are no words to describe this mood, these lyrics, the love resonating through each noteโฆwhat a gift he is.
ChiefCornerstone 777
P.J. IS DOPE AS HELL!!! Vocally he reminds me of mix in between Musiq Soulchild, Stevie Wonder & D'Angelo I swear! ๐ฏ
Kappa AMU
This song right here is a true testament of real love โค๏ธ thanks PJ for this incredible song