RAYE’s debut EP 'Welcome To The Winter' was released in 2014 and was comprised of predominantly R&B sounds. After signing with Polydor Records, RAYE had her breakthrough by featuring on the 2016 singles; "By Your Side" by Jonas Blue and "You Don't Know Me" by Jax Jones. The latter, co-written by RAYE herself, would peak at number three on the UK Singles Chart. Both songs were certified platinum or higher by the BPI, and marked a shift in RAYE’s career both commercially and sonically. After releasing the 'Second' EP in 2016, RAYE released "I, U, Us" as the lead single alongside a Charli XCX directed music video. This marked the first collaboration of several between the British songwriters. RAYE later co-wrote XCX's song "After the Afterparty" and appeared on a remix version, as well as featuring on the track "Dreamer" from her 2017 mixtape 'Number 1 Angel'. RAYE was short-listed for the BBC Music Sound of... award for 2017 and was named in third place. Later in the year, RAYE released the platinum certified hit "Decline" featuring Mr. Eazi, which would serve as the lead single from her 'Side Tape' EP which followed in May 2018. In October 2018, RAYE embarked on her own headlining tour, visiting a number of cities around the UK and Ireland.
After releasing multiple singles in 2019 and 2020, RAYE’s debut mini-album, 'Euphoric Sad Songs' was released on 20 November 2020. The project featured the top 10 hit "Secrets" with Regard as well as "Regardless" with Rudimental. In early 2021, RAYE released the single "Bed" with Joel Corry and David Guetta. The song would peak at number three on the UK Singles Chart, becoming RAYE’s highest charting single as a lead artist on the chart. Later in the year, RAYE took to social media to reveal that her record label, Polydor Records, has been withholding her debut album for several years. Following the statements, RAYE disclosed in July that she is now officially an independent artist.
RAYE was brought up in a musical family - her parents met at church - both of them musicians in the parish, and her musical heritage goes right back to her Grandfather, who was a songwriter and musician in his own right. Since the age of 10, she's been writing her own music, slowly developing all the time to become the artist she is today. Along the way, RAYE has become confidently adept at various different instruments including the cello, flute, and piano, alongside honing her production skills (and learning to play the guitar). Music has always been a huge part of RAYE’s life. Brought up on the classic soul/jazz maestros of the 40's and 50's like Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole etc - this is where her love for songwriting and melody began. Since then her influences, have aligned with the times, citing Drake, and her all time hero Lauryn Hill as huge sources of inspiration.
I'll Remember April
RAYE Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We'll sigh goodbye to all we ever had
Alone where we have walked together
I'll remember April and be glad
I'll be content you loved me once in April
Your lips were warm and love and spring were new
I'm not afraid of autumn and her sorrow
The fire will dwindle into glowing ashes
For flames live such a little while
I won't forget but I won't be lonely
I'll remember April and smile
In Raye's song "I'll Remember April," the lyrics describe the end of a relationship and the memories that are left behind. The opening line, "This lovely day will lengthen into evening" suggests that the relationship has been beautiful but it has come to its natural end. The line, "We'll sigh goodbye to all we ever had" implies that, despite the good times shared, the relationship has run its course and it's now time to part ways.
The lines "Alone where we have walked together, I'll remember April and be glad" suggest that while there is sadness in the ending of a relationship, there are also memories that will be cherished. The memories of love, warmth, and newness in the relationship are expressed in the lines "I'm not afraid of autumn and her sorrow, for I'll remember April and you."
The final lines of the song, "The fire will dwindle into glowing ashes, for flames live such a little while. I won't forget but I won't be lonely, I'll remember April and smile" summarise the bittersweet feeling of the end of a relationship. While the passion and intensity of the relationship may have faded into glowing ashes, the memories will still be cherished and interpreted in the present with a smile.
Line by Line Meaning
This lovely day will lengthen into evening
As the day moves into evening, it signifies the end of something beautiful and enjoyable.
We'll sigh goodbye to all we ever had
As we say goodbye, we're acknowledging the end of something. We're reflecting on the good memories we made and the things we achieved.
Alone where we have walked together
Reflecting back at the places we went together, we realize that the people we spent our time with in those places are no longer with us. This realization brings a sense of loneliness and longing.
I'll remember April and be glad
Despite the sadness and isolation, when we look back at the time we spent with our loved ones, we can still find joy in those memories.
I'll be content you loved me once in April
The relationship might have ended, but we can still feel grateful for the times we shared, and the love we experienced.
Your lips were warm and love and spring were new
The memory of the warm love that we shared with our partner remains fresh and beautiful in our minds, like the spring season.
I'm not afraid of autumn and her sorrow
Reassuring ourselves that we can handle whatever life brings our way, we're not afraid of facing the changes and sadness that come with the fall season.
For I'll remember April and you
We take comfort in the memories of our past love and cherish them, even as time moves on.
The fire will dwindle into glowing ashes
Like a fire that burns out eventually, feelings and emotions can also fade away over time.
For flames live such a little while
Nothing lasts forever. All good things must come to an end, such as passion and desire.
I won't forget but I won't be lonely
Although we won't forget the love we had with our partner, we also realize that it's possible to find happiness within ourselves, rather than entirely relying on another person for companionship.
I'll remember April and smile
Even though the love may have ended, looking back on the memories we shared can still bring a smile to our faces and a warmth to our hearts.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DON RAYE, GENE DE PAUL, PATRICIA JOHNSTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Josie crotwell
Christiaan thank you for making it so long and up-tempo, Hard to find backing tracks longer than 4 or 5 minutes and they are usually at much slower tempos
Christiaan van Hemert
Welcome Josie!