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.
Radioactive
Rita Ora Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We unite
I feel it, and I feel it, and I feel fe-feel it
We rise tonight
(Hey, take a look at you)
(Hey, take a look at you)
I'm checking you out in your sweet desire
I'm coming over to make you mine
It's a crime boy, you're so fine
I'm taking you out, boy, it's a green light
I'm glad you came over, it was about time
It feels right, boy you're so fine
This goes radioactive
Drop the ball, let me feel the beat
This goes radioactive
Drop the ball, let me feel the beat
Palms to the sky
You know
I feel it, and I feel it, and I feel fe-feel it
We rise tonight
Palms to the sky
We unite
I feel it, and I feel it, and I feel fe-feel it
We rise tonight
Moving on me as the world ends
This nuclear heat is a beautiful air
You might not live to tell
This goes radioactive
Drop the ball, let me feel the beat
This goes radioactive
Drop the ball, let me feel the beat
Palms to the sky
You know
I feel it, and I feel it, and I feel fe-feel it
We rise tonight
Palms to the sky
We unite
I feel it, and I feel it, and I feel fe-feel it
We rise tonight
(Hey, take a look at you)
Palms to the sky
You, you, you, you and I
Palms to the sky
You, you, you, you and I
Palms to the sky
You, you, you, you and I
We rise tonight
Palms to the sky
You know
I feel it, and I feel it, and I feel fe-feel it
We rise tonight
Palms to the sky
We unite
I feel it, and I feel it, and I feel fe-feel it
We rise tonight
We unite, you and I are right tonight
We unite, you and I are right tonight
We unite, you and I are right tonight
You and I are right tonight
The lyrics to Rita Ora’s song “Radioactive” is about two people who come together in a moment of shared desire and passion, knowing that this moment might be fleeting as the “world ends” around them. The chorus, “Palms to the sky, we unite, I feel it, and I feel it, and I feel fe-feel it, we rise tonight” represents a sense of unity and rising together, despite the chaos and uncertainty around them. The imagery of “nuclear heat” and “radioactivity” suggests that their passion is intense and potentially catastrophic, but they are willing to embrace it anyway.
The verses subsequently intensify these themes, with lines such as “It’s a crime boy, you’re so fine” and “It feels right, boy you’re so fine” highlighting the irresistible nature of their attraction. Meanwhile, lines like “Moving on me as the world ends, this nuclear heat is a beautiful air, you might not live to tell” suggest that while they are living in the moment, they are also aware of the danger and uncertainty of the world around them.
Overall, the song portrays a sense of intense desire and unity in the face of chaos and uncertainty. It suggests that while the world may be ending, the moment of passion and connection between two people can still be a source of beauty and hope.
Line by Line Meaning
Palms to the sky
Raising our hands up high in unison
We unite
Coming together as a group
I feel it, and I feel it, and I feel fe-feel it
Expressing a strong emotional connection
We rise tonight
Ascending to a higher level
(Hey, take a look at you)
Expressing admiration
I'm checking you out in your sweet desire
Showing interest in someone's attractive qualities
I'm coming over to make you mine
Making a move to establish a romantic connection
It's a crime boy, you're so fine
Using playful language to convey attraction
I'm taking you out, boy, it's a green light
Giving the green light to start a relationship
I'm glad you came over, it was about time
Expressing happiness that someone has finally made a move
It feels right, boy you're so fine
Feeling confident about the potential for a relationship
This goes radioactive
Referring to the intensity of the situation
Drop the ball, let me feel the beat
Encouraging someone to let go and enjoy the moment
Moving on me as the world ends
Noticing the intensity of the moment
This nuclear heat is a beautiful air
Describing the excitement of a romantic connection
You might not live to tell
Acknowledging the intensity and potential danger of the situation
You, you, you, you and I
Emphasizing the connection between two people
We rise tonight
Ascending to a higher level
We unite, you and I are right tonight
Feeling confident that the connection is right
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Gregory Kurstin, Sia Furler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
WLY8
Palms to the sky
Mãos para o céu
We unite
Nós nos unimos
I'm feeling, I'm feeling it, feel-feeling it
Estou sentindo, sentindo, sentindo
We rise tonight
Nós elevamos esta noite
(Hey, take a look at you)
Olhe só pra você
(Hey, take a look at you)
Olhe só pra você
I'm checking you out in your sweet desire
Estou prestando atenção em você em seu doce desejo
I'm coming over to make you mine
Estou me aproximando pra te fazer meu
It's a crime, boy, you're so fine
É um crime garoto, você é tão bonito
I'm taking you out, boy, it's a green light
Vou te levar pra sair garoto, o sinal está verde
I'm glad you came over, it was about time
Fico feliz que você veio, já era sem tempo
It feels right, boy, you're so fine
Parece o certo a fazer garoto, você é tão bonito
This goes radioactive
Isso se torna radioativo
Drop the bomb, let me feel the beat
Solte a bomba, deixe-me sentir a batida
This goes radioactive
Isso se torna radioativo
Drop the bomb, let me feel the beat
Solte a bomba, deixe-me sentir a batida
Palms to the sky
Mãos para o céu
You know,
Você sabe
I'm feeling, I'm feeling it, feel-feeling it
Estou sentindo, sentindo, sentindo
We rise tonight
Nós elevamos esta noite
Palms to the sky
Mãos para o céu
We unite,
Nós nos unimos
I'm feeling, I'm feeling it, feel-feeling it
Estou sentindo, sentindo, sentindo
We rise tonight
Nós elevamos esta noite
Moving on me as the world ends
Se aproximando de mim enquanto o mundo acaba
This nuclear heat is a beautiful air
Esse calor nuclear tem um belo ar
You might not live to tell
Você pode não viver para contar
This goes radioactive
Isso se torna radioativo
Drop the ball, let me feel the beat
Solte a bomba, deixe-me sentir a batida
This goes radioactive
Isso se torna radioativo
Drop the ball, let me feel the beat
Solte a bomba, deixe-me sentir a batida
Palms to the sky
Mãos para o céu
You know,
Você sabe
I'm feeling, I'm feeling it, feel-feeling it
Estou sentindo, sentindo, sentindo
We rise tonight
Nós elevamos esta noite
Palms to the sky
Mãos para o céu
We unite,
Nós nos unimos
I'm feeling, I'm feeling it, feel-feeling it
Estou sentindo, sentindo, sentindo
We rise tonight
Nós elevamos esta noite
(Hey, take a look at you)
Olhe só pra você
Palms to the sky
Mãos para o céu
You and I
Você e eu
Palms to the sky
Mãos para o céu
You and I
Você e eu
Palms to the sky
Mãos para o céu
You and I
Você e eu
We rise tonight
Nós elevamos esta noite
Palms to the sky
Mãos para o céu
You know,
Você sabe
I'm feeling, I'm feeling it, feel-feeling it
Estou sentindo, sentindo, sentindo
We rise tonight
Nós elevamos esta noite
Palms to the sky
Mãos para o céu
We unite,
Nós nos unimos
I'm feeling, I'm feeling it, feel-feeling it
Estou sentindo, sentindo, sentindo
We rise tonight
Nós elevamos esta noite
We unite,
Nós nos unimos
You and I are right tonight
Somos certos um pro outro esta noite
We unite,
Nós nos unimos
You and I are right tonight
Somos certos um pro outro esta noite
We unite,
Nós nos unimos
You and I are right tonight
Somos certos um pro outro esta noite
You and I are right tonight
Somos certos um pro outro esta noite
Eliana Forever!
This song is so iconic can’t believe it’s nearly 10 years old! I love Rita’s music so much!
😍😍
JORDAN23
IKR 👐
Tristan
This one is catchy! She has so many good songs that should have blown up more than they did.
S-P-T Music
Sometimes it’s the record label to be blame. Once you are an artist and the record label cannot controlled you to an extend they will suffocate your art. They did the same thing to Keke Palmer and Charli XCX. And there is so much more artists.
elo nars
@S-P-T Music lol
Walter
This used to be my jam in 2012! Rita hasn't released one bad song since she came out.
Van Vogue Oddcast
well then what is 'Girls'?
Lonelyboyxo
Her songs aren't bad, but they aren't BOP! Except that one and obviously she didn't write it.
James Ward
Wow, I didn't know Rita was a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
Kenia Kelly
To apaixonada em todas as músicas dela.
ela é uma das minha novas divas.
hahahahaha como eu já amo ela