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.
Don't Judge Me
Rita Ora Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And don't say you're hurting
Without the scars
Don't promise me tonight without tomorrow too
Don't say you love me unless you do
We've been close, but inconsistent
You hold my heart at a safer distance, yeah
But you can't deny that something's missing
I need a little bit more
I need a little bit more
You gotta know what it's like
I know you been here before
I've been waiting, I've been patient
But I need a little bit more
Don't say you miss me when you don't call
Don't say you're hurting without the scars
Don't promise me tonight without tomorrow too
Don't say you love me unless you do
How am I supposed to take it
When weeks go by and I'm still waiting? yeah
I'll say I'm okay but I can't fake it, yeah
Even when I try, yeah, something's missing
I need a little bit more
I need a little bit more
You gotta know what it's like
I know you been here before
I've been waiting, I've been patient
But I need a little bit more
So don't say you miss me when you don't call
Don't say you're hurting without the scars
Don't promise me tonight without tomorrow too
Don't say you love me unless you do
Unless you do
Don't say you love me unless you do
Don't say you love me, don't say you love me
Don't promise me tonight without tomorrow too
Don't say you love me, unless you do
I need a little bit more
I need a little bit more
You gotta know what it's like
I know you've been here before
I've been waiting, I've been patient
But I need a little bit more (More)
So don't say you miss me when you don't call
Don't say you're hurting without the scars
Don't promise me tonight without tomorrow too
Don't say you love me unless you do
In "Don't Judge Me" by Rita Ora, the lyrics explore the frustration and disappointment in a one-sided relationship. The singer is tired of empty promises and insincere actions from their partner. They express their longing for more effort, genuine love, and commitment.
The opening lines set the tone for the song, highlighting the hypocrisy of the partner who claims to miss them but fails to reach out. The singer challenges the partner not to pretend to be hurting without visible scars, suggesting that mere words are not enough to sustain a relationship. They also demand sincerity when it comes to love, stating that the partner should not say they love them unless they truly mean it.
The lyrics further illustrate the inconsistencies in the relationship. The partner keeps the singer at a distance, holding their heart "at a safer distance." The singer acknowledges that the partner may believe that words can smooth things over but insists that something crucial is missing.
Throughout the song, the recurring line "I need a little bit more" emphasizes the singer's desire for more effort, commitment, and authenticity. They have been patient and waiting for the partner to step up, but they're realizing that it's not enough. The bridge of the song reflects their frustration, expressing how the passing weeks without change make it harder to pretend everything is okay.
In conclusion, "Don't Judge Me" by Rita Ora delves into the frustration of a one-sided relationship and the longing for more effort, sincerity, and commitment from a partner.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't say you miss me when you don't call
Don't pretend to long for me if you don't even bother to reach out
And don't say you're hurting without the scars
Don't claim to be in pain when there are no visible signs of it
Don't promise me tonight without tomorrow too
Don't make empty promises of a fleeting moment without a future
Don't say you love me unless you do
Don't say those three words if you don't genuinely mean them
We've been close, but inconsistent
Our connection has been strong, yet unstable
You hold my heart at a safer distance, yeah
You keep my emotions at a distance for your own security
You think words can ease the tension
You believe that mere words can resolve the underlying turmoil
But you can't deny that something's missing
However, you cannot deny that there is an undeniable void
I need a little bit more
I require a bit more effort and dedication from you
You gotta know what it's like
You must understand the experience I am going through
I know you been here before
I am aware that you have faced similar situations in the past
I've been waiting, I've been patient
I have been waiting and showing restraint
But I need a little bit more
But I need you to step up and give more of yourself
How am I supposed to take it
How should I interpret your actions
When weeks go by and I'm still waiting? yeah
When weeks pass and I am still left waiting for a response
I'll say I'm okay but I can't fake it, yeah
I may claim to be fine, but I cannot pretend any longer
Even when I try, yeah, something's missing
Even when I make an effort, something feels incomplete
So don't say you miss me when you don't call
Therefore, refrain from expressing longing when you don't make an effort to communicate
Don't say you're hurting without the scars
Avoid claiming pain when there is no evidence of its existence
Don't promise me tonight without tomorrow too
Do not make promises for the present without considering the future
Don't say you love me unless you do
Do not utter declarations of love unless they are genuine
I need a little bit more
I require a higher level of commitment and dedication from you
So don't say you miss me when you don't call
Hence, do not claim to miss me if you do not bother to contact me
Don't say you're hurting without the scars
Refrain from proclaiming pain without any visible signs of suffering
Don't promise me tonight without tomorrow too
Avoid making empty promises of fleeting moments without considering the future
Don't say you love me unless you do
Do not express love unless it genuinely exists
Unless you do
Only if you truly love me
Don't say you love me unless you do
Do not claim to love me if your feelings are not genuine
Don't say you love me, don't say you love me
Do not profess love, do not pretend
Don't promise me tonight without tomorrow too
Do not make commitments for the present without considering the future
Don't say you love me unless you do
Do not declare love unless it truly exists
I need a little bit more
I require a greater amount of effort and dedication from you
I need a little bit more
I am in need of a slightly higher level of commitment from you
You gotta know what it's like
You must understand the challenges and experiences I go through
I know you've been here before
I acknowledge that you have faced similar situations in the past
I've been waiting, I've been patient
I have been waiting and displaying patience
But I need a little bit more
However, I need you to offer a bit more of yourself
So don't say you miss me when you don't call
Therefore, refrain from claiming to miss me if you do not make the effort to contact me
Don't say you're hurting without the scars
Do not assert pain if there is no evidence of the wounds
Don't promise me tonight without tomorrow too
Avoid making commitments for the present without considering the future
Don't say you love me unless you do
Do not express love unless it truly exists
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@makyralee7706
Come, let me kiss you right there
Wake you up like sunrise
On the backs of your thighs
I'm gonna pray you this prayer
That I keep in my mind
As a lovely reminder
Even though you tell me you love me
I'm afraid that you just love my disguise
Taste my fears and light your candle to my raging fire
Of broken desire
But don't judge me
I know I got issues
But they drown when I kiss you
Don't judge me
Baptize me with ocean
Recognize my devotion
The water's perfectly good
Let's reintroduce ourselves
From a free point of view
If I'm gon' sin, it's with you
Tattoo your love on my heart
Let the rumors be true
Even though you tell me you love me
I'm afraid that you just love my disguise
Taste my fears and light your candle to my raging fire
The dirty desire
But don't judge me
I know I got issues
But they drown when I kiss you
Don't, don't judge me
Baptize me with ocean
Recognize my devotion
What if I, what if, what if I touched you right there?
Even though you say that you love me
Is it me or do you love my disguise?
If I missed you, would you think I was lonely
If I say what's on my mind?
Even though you say that you love me
Is it me or do you love my disguise?
If I kissed you, would you think I was lonely
If I let you inside?
Come, let me kiss you right there
What if I kissed you right there?
Would you tremble inside, or just call it a night?
What if I gave you a show?
You could touch if you like
Right there
If I kissed you would you think I was lonely?
If I
It feels so good
Come, let me kiss you right there
Just say that you love me (just tell me you love me)
@jamievolosin2804
How does this song feel like a throwback and feel futuristic at the same time? I love it.
@billyretrogamer
Elena Volosin it’s called “timeless”
@EYELOVEMUSICSOUL
Also Tony Toni Tone- anniversary
@queenteireigns6212
It's our anniversary sample maybe?
@ChanellJWilson
Always
@luieluu
I don’t like to compare people, but even though they have a different sound, I believe Chloe x Halle have a very timeless sound as well
@crowndrip1892
Prince would be so proud! His spirit is definitely living throughout this album. ❤
@nikkidillard922
totally agree.
@MrsRight-pb2bz
Yesss💜💜💜
@zoecooke4082
This is one of the best, rawest, most evocative songs on the album. A throwback to early 90s r&b, lauryn hill, etc., but it incorporates some jazz and blues as well and blends them all symphonically. The mumbled lyrics at the end paired with the sensual jadedness of the refrain make the song both vulnerable and fierce. THIS. This is Janelle Monae at her peak. This song is music.