New Orleans marks the Cash Money imprint’s 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 there’s no better ambassador to musically personify that message than Morton, whose self described “soulful pop” seamlessly spans multiple genres from gospel and R&B/funk to pop and rock.
“I’ve always pushed boundaries,” says Morton, “but I always remain true to who I am musically. New Orleans is a natural progression of who I am. I can’t explain it except through my music. That proves it better than anything I can say.”
Building that case is “Only One” 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-boppin’ groove, the up-tempo number showcases Morton’s velvety tenor, songwriting skills and musicianship, accented by Wonder’s distinctive harmonica.
“Stevie joining me on the track is the ultimate start. It’s my dream come true,” says Morton of teaming with Wonder. “I want to continue the legacy he represents: musicianship and positivity.”
New Orleans itself stems from Morton’s acclaimed 2012 EP, Following My First Mind, featuring guest cameos from Maroon 5’s Adam Levine, Lil Wayne and Jazmine Sullivan. A nod to Morton’s 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.
“New Orleans is where I learned how to play music,” recalls Morton. “It’s the physical and mind space I was in when I fell in love with music. It wasn’t 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. That’s why I’m excited about this next chapter.”
Also featuring rapper Busta Rhymes, New Orleans comes packed with a diverse slate of musical influences. There’s the reggae-infused “Hard Enough,” which explores relationship issues. “I’m looking for a love unconditional / Not one that goes wherever the wind blows,” declares Morton as the song opens.
The self-described “Dr. Love” traverses the same landscape on the mid-tempo “Work It Out.” Set off by a touch of synth and a hypnotic drumbeat, the song once again spotlights Morton’s tantalizing tenor. Also noteworthy is “Heavy,” a song revamped from Morton’s 2012 EP and featuring Adam Levine. Sporting a funk/rock track reminiscent of Sly Stone and Prince, the song’s lyrics were inspired by Morton’s frustration at one point with his indie career.
“It was at a point where I was trying to figure out what the next step was,” says Morton, who hadn’t yet connected with pop hitmakers Maroon 5. “This was me getting those feelings out. Since that frustration, I’ve had one of the biggest years in my career. It’s crazy.”
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.Arie’s “Interested” 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. Woods’ “Let Go, Let God” 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 (“Slumdog Millionaire”), who asked Morton to contribute a song (“Sajna”) to the soundtrack for the Vince Vaughn comedy “Couples Retreat.”
Morton’s 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 Morton’s music and vision to Cash Money co-CEO’s Roland “Slim” Williams and Bryan “Birdman” Williams. With Lil Wayne co-signing his approval as well, Morton is ready to bring his journey full circle with New Orleans.
“My indie years and working with various artists, including Maroon 5, have helped me understand who I am as both an individual and an artist,” says Morton. “It has allowed me to create a fan base that will forever be with me. Now I’m being given the opportunity to do on steroids what I’ve been doing for years.”
SAY SO
PJ Morton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mmm, mmm
Oh, oh-woah-oh
It's getting hard for me to hold my own
See, nobody wants to be in love alone
So I'm trying my best not to overreact
But I need to know right now, no lies, just facts
So if you love me, just say so
'Cause I can't play these games with you no more
So if you love me, just say so
I need to know from you right now before I go
It's just that I can feel I'm falling deep
And I don't wanna fall unless you're falling with me
I need to know if this is really real
And if you feel the same way that I feel
So if you love me, just say so, just say so
'Cause I can't play these games with you no more (Oh)
So if you love me, just say so, then just say so
I need to know from you right now before I go
Just say, "La-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la, ooh
La-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la"
Baby, I hope that you understand
This is for my peace of mind
And I just don't wanna waste any more time
And if this love isn't what you want
Then baby let me know
I don't wanna go but I'll walk out that door, oh, woah
So if you love me, just say so, can you just say so?
'Cause I can't play these games with you no more, oh-woah
If you love me, just say so, then just say so
I need to know from you right now before I go
PJ Morton's song "Say So" is about wanting to know where one stands in a relationship. The song starts with a sense of insecurity in the relationship, "It's getting hard for me to hold my own, see nobody wants to be in love alone." The singer expresses their desire to know whether their partner loves them or not. The line "But I need to know right now, no lies, just facts" highlights the singer's desperation to know the truth.
The chorus of the song, "So if you love me, just say so," is a plea from the singer to their partner to express their love. The singer can "feel [themselves] falling deep" but only wants to fall if their partner is falling with them. The song is a message to the singer's partner that they need to know the truth about their relationship, whether it is real or not.
Overall, the song captures the anxiety and fear of not knowing whether a relationship is real or not. The message is clear, the singer wants to know where the relationship stands, and only the truth will set them free.
Line by Line Meaning
It's getting hard for me to hold my own
I'm struggling to keep myself emotionally strong
See, nobody wants to be in love alone
Being in love by oneself is not desirable
So I'm trying my best not to overreact
I don't want to let my emotions get the best of me
But I need to know right now, no lies, just facts
I need to hear the truth from you with no sugarcoating
So if you love me, just say so
If you truly love me, please communicate it honestly
'Cause I can't play these games with you no more
I'm tired of pretending and hiding my feelings
It's just that I can feel I'm falling deep
I'm getting emotionally invested in you
And I don't wanna fall unless you're falling with me
I don't want to be in love alone, I need you too
I need to know if this is really real
I need confirmation that this love is not just a fantasy
And if you feel the same way that I feel
I need to know if you share the same emotions as I do
I need to know from you right now before I go
I can't wait any longer for the answers that I need
Baby, I hope that you understand
I'm hoping you're able to comprehend my situation
This is for my peace of mind
I'm asking for this clarification in order to alleviate my anxiety
And I just don't wanna waste any more time
I don't want to invest more energy into a relationship that is going nowhere
And if this love isn't what you want
If this relationship isn't what you're looking for
Then baby let me know
Please communicate your feelings to me
So if you love me, just say so
If you love me, please convey it honestly
I need to know from you right now before I go
I can't wait any longer for the answers that I need
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: PJ Morton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lisafraser3
I see why this won a Grammy. It’s so beautiful and sung so perfectly.
@jacklweya1937
It won a Grammy???? Don't know why I'm shocked, it totally deserved it
@DKDUBB24
@Jack Lweya i didn't even know the song until i saw it won a grammy i listened to it that night and been rockin it since!
@kitsontuli2713
🎉I didnt know this
@namani640
Grammy? I thought this was a song i only knew 😂
@garretjones2304
PER. FECT. LEEEEEE. !!!!!!!!
@KatyaVasilivna
Can we please take a second to appreciate how there is zero vulgarity, how intimate the lyrics are, and how Jojo's and PJ's voices paired together brings a whole new definition to "smooth?"
I don't typically listen to R&B, but there's something magical about this song. Thank you!
@djtonytavalis
Facts. still viben right now to the beauty
@raywilliams4387
They could have picked a stronger voice to accompany her
@ronaldstewart5409
@Ray Williams ummm it's PJ's song. JoJo is a feature on the song.