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.
Soul Survivor
Rita Ora Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Manipulated by fear and misdirection
Wrapped in your ugly chains, swore you'd rise me to heaven
Brought me nothing but pain, was that your intention?
Damn frustrating that you think I could never make it
Look who's standing right in front of you
Yes, it's me
What you doing?
Did you think you would see me ruin?
After all the shit that I've been through
I'm a soul survivor, I made it through the fire
I started with nothing, I've got nothing to lose
I'm a soul survivor, I made it through the fire
I started with nothing, I've got nothing to lose
Gonna see your mistake, get it out in the open
And if you wanna play, let's get this rolling
Damn frustrating that you think I could never make it
Look who's standing right in front of you
Yes, it's me
What you doing?
Did you think you would see me ruin?
After all the shit that I've been through
I'm a soul survivor, I made it through the fire
I started with nothing, I've got nothing to lose
I'm a soul survivor, I made it through the fire
I started with nothing, I've got nothing to lose
Damn frustrating that you think I could never make it
Look who's standing right in front of you
'Cause I'm a soul survivor, I made it through the fire
I started with nothing, I've got nothing to lose
'Cause I'm a soul survivor, I made it through the fire
I started with nothing, I've got nothing to lose
The lyrics of Rita Ora's song Soul Survivor delve into the personal struggles of an individual who has been fighting for the attention of a person for seven long years. The lyrics hint at the fact that the individual was manipulated by fear and misdirection, enveloped by chains that take him closer to hell than heaven. The line "Brought me nothing but pain, was that your intention?" suggests that the individual may have been betrayed by someone he trusted and cared for deeply, leaving him puzzled about the true intentions of the person who had led him down the path of destruction.
However, the song then takes a positive turn, as the individual declares himself to be a "soul survivor" who has successfully made it through the fire. The lines "I started with nothing, I've got nothing to lose" suggest that the individual is starting afresh, open to new possibilities in life, and not bogged down by past failures. The song strongly advocates for overcoming challenges, taking control of your life, and emerging victorious in the end.
Overall, Soul Survivor is a testament to the human spirit's strength and resilience, encapsulating the transformative power of refreshing new beginnings and the need to let go of past grievances to move forward into the future.
Line by Line Meaning
It's been seven long years fighting for your attention
I spent a lot of time trying to get you to notice me
Manipulated by fear and misdirection
You used fear to control me and misled me
Wrapped in your ugly chains, swore you'd rise me to heaven
You made me feel trapped and promised to make me happy
Brought me nothing but pain, was that your intention?
But instead, you only caused me pain; did you mean to do that?
Damn frustrating that you think I could never make it
It's frustrating that you didn't believe in me
Look who's standing right in front of you
But now, here I am, in front of you
Yes, it's me
I'm the one you didn't think could succeed
What you doing?
What are you up to?
Did you think you would see me ruin?
Did you expect me to fail?
After all the shit that I've been through
After everything that's happened to me
I'm a soul survivor, I made it through the fire
I survived and overcame all the obstacles in my life
I started with nothing, I've got nothing to lose
I didn't have anything to begin with, so I've got nothing to lose
Gonna see your mistake, get it out in the open
I'm going to make sure you realize your mistake and reveal it to everyone
And if you wanna play, let's get this rolling
And if you want to fight, let's get this started
'Cause I'm a soul survivor, I made it through the fire
I'm a survivor because I made it through all the adversity
I started with nothing, I've got nothing to lose
I had no advantages or resources to start with, so I have nothing to lose now
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Georgia Ku Overton, Mikkel Storleer Eriksen, Rita Ora, Simon Wilcox, Tor Erik Hermansen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@FranziMusic10
Such a powerful song, it really shows off her beautiful vocals and her ability to carry a lot of emotion 💕
@annahuber7032
yes but only with autotune !!!!!!!!!!
@rachelsmith1494
@@annahuber7032 no need to hate ,lol.
@janelleallen6934
Yeah I agree.. she has been singing the wrong songs in the kitchen sink..(places)..no hate from me... just critiquing.. and this (song DRAKE...?...
@detjonadollomaja9909
I am a soul survivor
I made it through the fire
DAMN
@suzanneclarke5067
Brilliant song
@artisan758
Manipulated by fear and misdirection. Hit me hard.
@EcroDeron
Who is here before 1M views?
@mikoajbartczak3127
I was here before 50 lmao
@MEGIDIOT
everybody. it will flop