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.
Uneasy
Rita Ora Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When waterproof mascara is the key to stop those tell tell signs
My make up is my armor for the dramas that I always fight
Attire is inspired is the other statements of my life
I just can't free my mind
It's making me uneasy
I just can't free my mind
I just can't free my mind
It's making me uneasy
Oh, oh, oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
In the know it's crazy whenever I get myself in that zone
But I know you gotta remember London let's just put them on
This, and if it gets easy, then I feel so uneasy
But I know you'll never forget the fact is that I walk alone
I just can't free my mind
It's making me uneasy
I just can't free my mind
It's making me uneasy
I just can't free my mind
It's making me uneasy
Oh, oh, oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I feel a rush on me
Come get this cuffs off me
Come get me out of my head
And I'm stuck in sight on what I see
These bulls are blinding me
Makes me crazy, I'm feeling uneasy
I just can't free my mind
It's making me uneasy
I just can't free my mind
It's making me uneasy
I just can't free my mind
It's making me uneasy
Oh, oh, oh
I just can't free my mind
It's making me uneasy
I just can't free my mind
It's making me uneasy
I just can't free my mind
It's making me uneasy
Oh, oh, oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
The song "Uneasy" by Rita Ora is a reflection on the struggles the singer faces while trying to cope with the emotional rollercoaster of life. The lyrics describe her habitual patterns of holding onto negative thoughts and how her 'make-up' is her armor that she uses to hide her inner turmoil. She knows that she needs to break free from this cycle of negativity and anxiety, but it is easier said than done.
The chorus repeats the phrase "I just can't free my mind, it's making me uneasy," which underscores the theme of the song. Despite her attempts to cope with life's challenges, Rita Ora is still struggling to let go of her mental roadblocks.
The second verse alludes to her past, where she has been in similar emotional states, and how she urges herself to remember the good times, represented by "London." She acknowledges that it is challenging to maintain a balance between the good and the bad in life, but she must keep pushing herself until she can break free.
Overall, "Uneasy" is a song about self-doubt, anxiety, and the struggles of mental health. It encourages listeners to confront their inner demons, and find the strength to break free from the cycle of negativity and anxiety.
Line by Line Meaning
Why do I keep falling, keep installing bullshit in my mind
I wonder why I tend to believe in and accept false and negative thoughts that bring me down.
When waterproof mascara is the key to stop those tell tell signs
I rely on makeup to cover up my emotions and hide my vulnerabilities from others.
My make up is my armour for the dramas that I always fight
I use makeup as a shield to protect myself from the difficulties and challenges that I face.
Attire is inspired is the other statements of my life
The clothes I wear reflect my personality and what I want to say to the world about myself.
I just can't free my mind
I am struggling to clear my head from all the negative thoughts that consume me.
It's making me uneasy
It's creating a sense of discomfort and anxiety within me.
In the know it's crazy whenever I get myself in that zone
I realize it's insane whenever I find myself in that mindset.
But I know you gotta remember London let’s just put them on
But I know that I need to focus on the positive things in life, like the memories I have from London.
This, and if it gets easy, then I feel so uneasy
If I start to feel comfortable and at ease, it actually makes me feel more uncomfortable and uneasy.
But I know you'll never forget the fact is that I walk alone
But I know that ultimately, I am the only one who can truly understand and deal with my own struggles.
I feel a rush on me
I experience a sudden wave of emotions and feelings.
Come get this cuffs off me
I need someone to help me break free from the emotional restraints that hold me down.
Come get me out of my head
I want someone to help me escape my own negative thoughts and feelings.
And I'm stuck in sight on what I see
I am fixated on the negative things I see and have trouble letting them go.
These bulls are blinding me
These negative thoughts are making it hard for me to see things clearly and positively.
Makes me crazy, I'm feeling uneasy
This situation is driving me insane and creating a sense of unease within me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Katie White, Makeba Riddick, Jules De Martino, Rita Ora
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind