Her first UK exposure came after several collaborations with British singer Craig David. In 2009, she also auditioned for BBC talent competition 'Your Country Needs You' – to select the United Kingdom's entrant for the Eurovision Song Contest – but withdrew her application.
In 2009, she signed a recording contract with Jay-Z's label Roc Nation and relocated to America. The How We Do (Party) Songfacts reports that when Ora visited Clear Channel with Jay-Z to present music and videos from her debut release, the executives were so enthused by what they heard that they organised for How We Do (Party) to be immediately premiered on DJ JJ's afternoon show on New York's top hit music station WHTZ (Z100). Her debut album ORA was released on 26th August, 2012.
In December 2015, Ora filed a lawsuit against Roc Nation, seeking release from the label and citing that the contract she signed in 2008 is "unenforceable", due to California's "seven-year rule." The complaint stated that she's "only been permitted to release one album despite creating multiple additional records for release" and that her relationship with Roc Nation is "irrevocably damaged." Her complaint also pointed out a breach of contract, reporting that Roc Nation breached the recording agreement by improperly taking twenty percent commission of her income. In January 2016, Roc Nation filed a counter-lawsuit against Ora for breaking her recording contract. They reached a settlement in May 2016. In June 2016, it was reported that she signed a new record deal with Atlantic Records and Warner Music Group.
Ora's second studio album, Phoenix, was released in November 2018. The lead single, "Your Song", reached the UK top ten; and the subsequent singles, "Anywhere" and "Let You Love Me", reached the top five in the UK. "Let You Love Me" allowed Ora to become the first British female solo artist to have thirteen top ten songs in the United Kingdom. Phoenix was supported by the "Phoenix World Tour" which began March 1st, 2018 and commenced July 16th, 2019.
In September 2019, Ora revealed she had begun work on her third studio album.
Been Lying
Rita Ora Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wear them to hide my tears from you
Behind the smoke I'm so red eye
And I'm tired of you asking why
I said I've been lying to you
And I've been lying to me too
My heart has been through hell and back
Middle finger when it comes to love
Act like I don't really give a fuck
Cause I've been lying to you
I said I've been lying to me too
I've been lying, lying to you
Baby I've been lying, lying to me, too
I've been lying, lying to you
Baby I've been lying, lying to me, too
I don't always say what I want to say
I tattoo myself to show my pain
Don't lead in a crowded space even though we're both face to face
Cause I've been lying to you
Said I've been lying to me too
Hurry up and wake for the spotlight
Looks like another whisky night
What's inside they never expose
They only see what the camera shows
Cause I've been lying to you
Said I've been lying to me too, noo
I've been lying, lying to you
Baby I've been lying, lying to me, too
I've been lying, lying to you
Baby I've been lying, lying to me, too
It's like the whole world's getting at me
Tryin' to make everyone happy, that ain't me
Walking around, wearing a smile, but deep down I'm really fucked up, this ain't me
I don't wanna quit, tryin' to hang with this
And figure out who the hell I am
I don't mean to make you run away
But I don't wanna forget to be me
The truth is I don't wanna lose you
But I don't wanna lose me too
I've been lying, lying to you
Baby I've been lying, lying to me, too
I've been lying, lying to you
Baby I've been lying, lying to me, too
I've been lying, lying to you
Baby I've been lying, lying to me, too
I've been lying, lying to you
Baby I've been lying, lying to me, too
In this song, Rita Ora talks about her struggles with being honest with both herself and her significant other. She wears sunglasses not to appear cool but to hide her tears. She admits to putting on a façade of not caring when it comes to love, but in reality, her heart has been through a lot. Ora expresses her difficulty in expressing herself honestly and discussing her pain. She fears losing the person she loves but also doesn't want to lose herself in the process. The song is raw and vulnerable and shows the struggle one can go through when they aren't true to themselves.
Overall, "Been Lying" is about Rita Ora's difficulty in expressing herself truly, both to her lover and to herself. She talks about the struggle of wanting to be true to oneself while also maintaining relationships with others. The song is a heartfelt and honest take on the difficulties of being honest.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't wear my shades to be cool
I'm not trying to look stylish, I just wear sunglasses to hide my tears from you
Behind the smoke I'm so red eye
I'm tired and my eyes are bloodshot, but I hide it with a smokescreen
And I'm tired of you asking why
I'm annoyed that you keep questioning me about my emotions
My heart has been through hell and back
I've been through a lot of emotional pain and it has taken a toll on me
I've only dressed in pretty and black
I only wear fashionable clothes to conceal my true inner feelings
Middle finger when it comes to love
I act indifferent or rebellious towards love and relationships
Act like I don't really give a fuck
I pretend not to care about anything, even though deep down, I do
I said I've been lying to you
I admit that I've been dishonest with you
I've been lying, lying to you
I've been deceitful towards you
I don't always say what I want to say
I struggle to express my true thoughts and feelings
I tattoo myself to show my pain
I use tattoos as a form of expression and outlet for my emotional distress
Don't lead in a crowded space even though we're both face to face
I avoid confrontation or revealing my true self, even when I'm with you in a public setting
Hurry up and wake for the spotlight
I'm impatiently waiting for my moment of fame or recognition
Looks like another whisky night
I drink and party excessively to forget my troubles and mask my pain
They only see what the camera shows
People only see my public persona or image, but not my true self
It's like the whole world's getting at me
I feel like everyone is judging or criticizing me
Walking around, wearing a smile, but deep down I'm really fucked up, this ain't me
I'm constantly putting on a happy face for others, but inside, I'm a mess and it's not who I truly am
I don't wanna quit, tryin' to hang with this
I don't want to give up on trying to be happy and fulfilled
And figure out who the hell I am
I'm struggling to discover my true identity and purpose
I don't mean to make you run away
I don't intend to push you away with my issues and emotional baggage
But I don't wanna forget to be me
I don't want to lose sight of my true self amidst all the chaos and challenges
The truth is I don't wanna lose you
I'm afraid of losing you and want to hold onto our relationship
But I don't wanna lose me too
But at the same time, I don't want to lose myself and my sense of identity
Baby I've been lying, lying to me, too
I've also been dishonest with myself
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RITA ORA, RACHEL RABIN, EDWIN SERRANO, MICHAEL BROOKS LINNEY, BRANDON LINNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
fathead init
This song sends shivers throught my body its just so amazing :) its a beautiful song xx ;
Laura Ranarivony
I can't stop listening to that song, this is so good
James Cooke
Love love this song it's so powerful!! Definitely her best song to date!!!
Olivera Miteva
I LOVE this song .. really is amazing! :)
Yah roby
This song is amazing!!! I'm in love!!
RayRihanna22
OMg i absolutely love this song, Rita i support and salute you!!!
Xhea
my albanin singer <3
Jessie
Ohhh love...i want her to do a live acoustic version...i think it would be amazing! :)
Lucia G Valero
this song speaks my story, only rita could do that. Long Live Queen Rita
Besiana Kryeziu
great song <3 !