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.
TELL ME
RAYE Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't argue that you're close to
Perfect and almost worth it
So I'll argue back
You're pretty dreaming, big achiever
And you always back
Up what they say, but you can't do
You always bring it back
They all tell me that you can let me down
No no
They don't know the way I know you, no no
They don't know
You kill everything you touch but
In that good way, oh
You don't wanna but you never
Need to let them know
Now that is what I love
About you, love about you, love about you
And there's nothing I don't love about you
Love about you
So tell me what you love about me, yeah
Tell me what you love about me, yeah
Tell me what you love about me, yeah
Tunnel vision, focused on it
Oh you've always been on your mission
First position and I always
Seem to be surprised
And taken back, by the fact
That you work so hard
Carry all this weight on your back
They all tell me that you can let me down
No no
They don't know the way I know you, no no
They don't know
You kill everything you touch but
In that good way, oh
You don't wanna but you never
Need to let them know
Now that is what I love
About you, love about you, love about you
And there's nothing I don't love about you
Love about you
So tell me what you love about me, yeah
Tell me what you love about me, yeah
Tell me what you love about me, yeah
Recognition, a flawless precision
Handmade, handcrafted, all made for me
And I, I can never need anything more
I don't need anything more
Now that is what I love
About you, love about you, love about you
And there's nothing I don't love about you
Love about you
So tell me what you love about me, yeah
Tell me what you love about me, yeah
Tell me what you love about me, yeah
Tell me ya, tell me, tell me, tell me ya
So tell me what you love about me
Tell me ya, tell me, tell me, tell me ya
So tell me what you love about me
Tell me ya, tell me, tell me, tell me ya
So tell me what you love about me
Tell me ya, tell me, tell me, tell me ya
So tell me what you love about me
Tell me ya, tell me, tell me, tell me ya
So tell me what you love about me
Tell me ya, tell me, tell me, tell me ya
Tell me ya, tell me, tell me, tell me ya
The song "Tell Me" by Raye is about a person who is falling in love but is in denial. The singer is addressing her partner, trying to convince them to admit their feelings and tell the truth about their emotions. The singer observes closely and notices the telltale signs of their partner's love, such as the sparkling eyes, the way they move, and their trembling body. However, despite their actions revealing their feelings, the partner keeps saying that they cannot take another heartache.
The singer urges the partner to stop denying their true emotions and confess that they are in love. They sing about how the partner's denial is the last thing holding the wall, and they should not hold back anymore. The singer wants the partner to speak from their heart and soul and let their lips say what their heart already knows.
In summary, the song is about someone who is falling in love but is in denial and afraid to admit it. The singer wants the partner to stop hiding behind fear and be honest about their feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
I know you're ready, you show all the signs
I understand that you're ready for a romantic relationship with me because you've demonstrated all the signals that point to your desire.
Your eyes sparkle oh how they shine
I can see the excitement in your eyes, and it's apparent that you're attracted to me.
But you keep saying
However, you keep insisting that
You can't take another heartache
You're afraid of going through another heartbreak or disappointment which is why you're hesitant to pursue this love story.
The way you hold me, the way that you move
The way you embrace me and react to my touch is revealing your true feelings towards me.
Your feelings keep showing through
Your emotions are getting the best of you, and it is evident that you're connecting with me on a deeper level.
You can't hide it
You're unable to conceal your true feelings for me.
It's written all over your face
Your emotions are so evident that they are plainly visible on your countenance.
Don't tell me you're not in love
Please don't lie to me about your true feelings and tell me that you don't love me.
When your heart beats like it does
It is easy to tell that your heart is beating fast when we're together indicating that you're in love with me.
Your trembling body tells on you
Your body language is betraying you showing that you're nervous or excited around me.
Each time we touch
Just a brief touch or encounter seems to be enough to expose the strong chemistry between us.
You can tell me you're afraid
You can confide in me and express your fears about our possible relationship.
I am too and that's okay
I'm also scared, but it shouldn't stop us from exploring the possibility of a future together.
I got eyes, I can see
I'm observant, and I'm picking up on all the subtle signs you're giving me.
Baby don't tell me you're not in love
What I need is for you to be honest with me about your feelings because they're so evident that not admitting them would be unfair.
Sweet love songs bring you to tears
The emotive power of love songs affects you deeply to the point of tears.
Come on baby don't hide in your fear
I plead with you that you should not let your fear stop you from embracing your true feelings for me.
Let your lips say
Let your speech reflect
What your heart already knows
What deep down, you already know to be your true feelings for me.
Your denial is a last thing to fall
Your denial is the last obstacle preventing you from admitting your love for me.
The only brick left holding the wall
The only obstacle left that is stopping the progress of the relationship is your denial.
Don't hold back
Don't suppress or restrain your emotions and desires any longer.
Speak with your heart and your soul
Express your feelings with all your emotion and sincerity.
I got eyes, I can see
I'm observant, and I'm picking up on all the subtle signs you're giving me.
Baby don't tell me you're not in love
What I need is for you to be honest with me about your feelings because they're so evident that not admitting them would be unfair.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Albert Hammond, John Bettis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind