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.
How We Do
Rita Ora Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And party and bullshit
And party and bullshit
And party, and party
I stumbled up to the window
Opened the curtains to blinding light
Make up all over the pillow
What went on last night?
You look so sweet while you're dreaming (yeah)
Holding your bottle of Tanqueray (yeah)
It isn't even the weekend
Baby, that's how I know you're the one for me
I wanna party and bullshit
And party and bullshit
And party and bullshit
And party, and party
'Cause when the sun sets baby
On the avenue
I get that drunk sex feeling
Yeah, when I'm with you
So put your arms around me, baby
We're tearing up the town
'Cause that's just how we do
We got that sweet, hot loving
Dancing in the dark
Out in the streets we're running
Shut down every bar
So put your arms around me, baby
We're tearing up the town
'Cause that's just how we do
How we do, that's just how we do
How we do, that's just how we do
Hungover, I think I'm broken
You said the fix is a shot of Jack
I said, "Man, what are you smoking?"
But alright, pour a glass, and we'll throw 'em back
I wanna party and bullshit
And party and bullshit
And party and bullshit
And party, and party
'Cause when the sun sets baby
On the avenue
I get that drunk sex feeling
Yeah when I'm with you
So put your arms around me baby
We're tearing up the town
'Cause that's just how we do
We got that sweet, hot loving
Dancing in the dark
Out in the streets we're running
Shut down every bar
So put your arms around me, baby
We're tearing up the town
'Cause that's just how we do
How we do, that's just how we do
How we do, that's just how we do
How we do, that's just how we do
How we do, that's just how we do
And party and bullshit
And party and bullshit
And party and bullshit
And party, and party
I wanna party and bullshit
And party and bullshit
And party and bullshit
And party, and party
'Cause when the sun sets baby
On the avenue
I get that drunk sex feeling
Yeah when I'm with you
So put your arms around me baby
We're tearing up the town
'Cause that's just how we do
We got that sweet hot loving
Dancing in the dark
Out in the streets we're running
Shut down every bar
So put your arms around me baby
We're tearing up the town
'Cause that's just how we do
How we do, that's just how we do
How we do, that's just how we do
How we do, that's just how we do
How we do, that's just how we do
And party and bullshit
And party and bullshit
And party and bullshit
And party and party
The song "How We Do" by Rita Ora is an anthem for party lovers, as it glorifies the act of partying, getting drunk, and engaging in casual sex. The repetitive chorus, "And party and bullshit" reinforces this theme throughout the song. The opening lines depict the aftermath of a wild night of partying, where the singer wakes up with makeup all over her pillow and wonders what went on the previous night. She looks at her partner, who is holding a bottle of Tanqueray, and realizes that they are meant to be because he is also into the party scene.
The first verse is followed by the chorus, where the singer expresses her desire to party and engage in casual sex. The second verse shows another side of the partying culture, where the singer is hungover and needs a fix. Her partner suggests a shot of Jack Daniels, and they proceed to drink and party again. The repeated line, "So put your arms around me, baby, we're tearing up the town," shows a sense of wild abandon that characterizes this song.
The bridge is more of a breakdown, where the singer talks about the physical sensations of being with her partner in a drunken state. The final chorus repeats the theme of partying and casual sex, and the closing line, "And party and party" reinforces the singer's love for the party lifestyle.
Line by Line Meaning
And party and bullshit
The singer wants to engage in carefree and reckless behavior, likely involving alcohol and casual sex.
I stumbled up to the window
The singer had a wild night and wakes up disoriented.
Opened the curtains to blinding light
The singer is facing the consequences of their actions and must face reality.
Make up all over the pillow
The artist engaged in some sort of physical activity the previous night, likely with someone they don't know very well.
What went on? What went on?
The artist is confused and can't remember everything they did the previous night.
You look so sweet while you're dreaming (yeah)
The singer admires the person they spent the night with, but it's not clear if it's genuine or just due to the singer's intoxicated state.
Holding your bottle of Tanqueray (yeah)
The singer remembers the specific alcohol their partner was drinking, which suggests a level of intimacy.
It isn't even the weekend
The artist engages in partying and reckless behavior frequently, not just on weekends.
Baby, that's how I know you're the one for me
The artist finds someone who shares their desire for partying and casual sex to be highly desirable, which may not be a healthy attitude.
I get that drunk sex feeling
The artist is highly motivated by their intoxicated state to engage in sexual activity.
So put your arms around me, baby
The singer desires physical closeness with their partner.
We're tearing up the town
The artist and their partner are engaging in reckless behavior that is disruptive to others.
We got that sweet, hot loving
The singer feels they are experiencing passionate and fulfilling sexual encounters.
Dancing in the dark
The singer is engaging in sexual activity in dimly lit or private locations.
Out in the streets we're running
The singer and their partner are experiencing an adrenaline rush and feel invincible while partying.
Shut down every bar
The artist and their partner are disrupting the venues they visit to party, likely to the annoyance of others.
Hungover, I think I'm broken
The artist is experiencing physical discomfort and is likely regretting their choices from the previous night.
You said the fix is a shot of Jack
The singer's partner is encouraging further drinking to remedy their hangover symptoms.
But alright, pour a glass, and we'll throw 'em back
The singer gives in to their partner's encouragement to drink more, indicating a lack of self-control or respect for their health.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Andre Davidson, Sean Winston Davidson, Hal Davis, Alexander Joseph Delicata, Berry Gordy, Andrew Harr, Osten Jr. S. Harvey, Willie Hutch, Jermaine Jackson, Bonnie Leigh McKee, Kelly Marie Sheehan, Christopher Wallace, Bobby West
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MissShumi
When she says '' party and bullshit '' or something like that I feel how she is smiling. Love it <3
Haha Klassic
auuuu aikae
samuraison_cauley
& how she is in her prime 💞💞💞
Paul
I freaking love this song
Just here
This song came out around the time my parents devorcied I was in 11th graid. A friend would give us a ride to and from school pretty much everyday until we moved away we had limited time together with our friend but this song was always playing in her car. It reminded me to enjoy life regardless of the mess.
Mslizzieforbes
Wait why am I crying read this? Is it cause my parents got divorced when I was like 9 and I didn’t have anyone to do this for me? Is it because this is so sweet? Is it some other reason?
QueenBusheera💐🦋
@mslizzieforbes of course not❤
Cereal
How do you think I feel my parents got divorced when I was 5
Rhoyjd Mari Dizon
Still my go to party song <3
Nikita James
Perfect song for a summer day out with my squad!.👍😎😊💯