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.
Velvet Rope
Rita Ora Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Guess we'll never know
Is it hidden behind that velvet rope?
While I'm standing alone, out in the cold
Where did you go?
(Do-do-do-do-do-do-do)
Do your new friends know that it's all for show
(Do-do-do-do-do-do-do)
(Do-do-do-do-do-do-do)
Did you do as you're told? Will it ever get old?
(Do-do-do-do-do-do-do)
(Do-do-do-do-do-do-do)
Don't you remember me, darling?
When you lay down to sleep, do you still think of me?
'Cause I remember you, darling
Without the sadness in your eyes
Now the champagne's running dry
I heard that you been living it up, living it up
Where did I go wrong?
Only yesterday, you were beside me, -side me
Now I'm just another one
You're the one who's giving it up, giving it up
Singing that same song
You're the only one I want beside me, -side me
Now I'm just another one
Singing that same song
You were so high
I bet you felt you could touch the sky
Now you reached the top, was it worth the climb?
Oh, what did you find? Would you leave it behind?
If I were to say
(Do-do-do-do-do-do-do)
That since you've been gone it isn't the same
(Do-do-do-do-do-do-do)
That maybe I'm wrong and I've made a mistake
(Do-do-do-do-do-do-do)
By letting you go so far away
(Do-do-do-do-do-do-do)
(Do-do-do-do-do-do-do)
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Don't you remember me, darling?
When you lay down to sleep, do you still think of me?
'Cause I remember you, darling
Without the sadness in your eyes
Now the champagne's running dry (Oh, oh, oh, oh)
I heard that you been living it up, living it up
Where did I go wrong?
Only yesterday, you were beside me, -side me
Now I'm just another one
You're the one who's giving it up, giving it up
Singing that same song
You're the only one I want beside me, -side me
Now I'm just another one (Ooh)
(Do-do-do-do-do-do-do)
Singing that same song, yeah (Ooh, ooh, yeah, yeah)
(Do-do-do-do-do-do-do)
Now I'm just another one (Come on, ooh)
(Do-do-do-do-do-do-do)
Clap with me now
(Do-do-do-do-do-do-do)
Singing that same song (Ooh, ooh)
(Do-do-do-do-do-do-do)
You're the only one I want beside me, -side me
(Do-do-do-do-do-do-do)
Now I'm just another one
(Do-do-do-do-do-do-do)
I heard that you been living it up, living it up (Oh, no)
(Do-do-do-do-do-do-do)
Where did I go wrong? (Yeah, yeah)
(Do-do-do-do-do-do-do)
Only yesterday, you were beside me, -side me
(Do-do-do-do-do-do-do)
Now I'm just another one (You know that I know that I know it feels right, yeah, yeah)
(Do-do-do-do-do-do-do)
You're the one who's giving it up, giving it up (Oh, no)
(Do-do-do-do-do-do-do)
Singing that same song
(Do-do-do-do-do-do-do)
You're the only one I want beside me, -side me
(Do-do-do-do-do-do-do)
Now I'm just another one (Oh)
Rita Ora’s “Velvet Rope” secrets deal with her regret for allowing someone to slip away from her, while she was inebriated by her fame and success, they prioritized her on her looks and achievements rather than her essence. She questions the individual's true motives and asks whether it was all a show, whether they didn't feel superficial or used. The velvet rope's theme is repeated in the song and is symbolic of the barrier that exists between the two's former lovers. It reinforces the notion that something has changed and they haven't been able to get back the sense of closeness they once had. They are now standing on opposite sides, and the individual who left is now having a fun lifestyle, while Rita is just another lonely person feeling displaced.
Line by Line Meaning
Where did it go, the love that we shared?
Wondering what happened to the love that was once shared between the two.
Guess we'll never know
The answer may be unknown forever.
Is it hidden behind that velvet rope?
Perhaps the answer is kept behind a figurative barrier.
While I'm standing alone, out in the cold
Despite the question, the singer feels isolated and abandoned.
Where did you go?
Asking where the other person has disappeared to.
Do your new friends know that it's all for show
The singer questions whether the other person's new company is aware of the insincerity.
Or did you fool them all into thinking you're gold?
Suggesting that the other person may have misled their new friends into believing they are better than they truly are.
Did you do as you're told? Will it ever get old?
The singer questions if the other person is merely following orders and if the behavior will eventually become stale.
Don't you remember me, darling?
Asking the other person if they still recall the singer's presence.
When you lay down to sleep, do you still think of me?
Wondering if the other person still thinks about the singer even when they are trying to rest.
'Cause I remember you, darling
The singer still clearly remembers the other person.
Without the sadness in your eyes
Noticing that the other person used to have a melancholy demeanor.
Now the champagne's running dry
Potentially referring to a luxurious lifestyle coming to an end.
I heard that you been living it up, living it up
Rumors suggest that the other person has been having a good time.
Where did I go wrong?
Wondering where the singer made a mistake in this situation.
Only yesterday, you were beside me, -side me
Reminiscing about a time when the other person was still present.
Now I'm just another one
Feeling like just another forgotten person.
You're the one who's giving it up, giving it up
Implying that the other person is the one who is letting things go.
Singing that same song
Metaphorically means that the other person is repeating similar behavior.
You're the only one I want beside me, -side me
Expressing a desire for the other person to return to the singer's side.
I heard that you been living it up, living it up
Repeating the previous line to emphasize the rumors heard about the other person.
You were so high
Referring to the other person's previous status or rank.
I bet you felt you could touch the sky
The other person may have felt untouchable or invincible.
Now you reached the top, was it worth the climb?
Wondering if the other person's climb to prominence was worth it in the end.
Oh, what did you find? Would you leave it behind?
Asking the other person if they discovered something important and if they would be willing to abandon it.
If I were to say
Hypothetically starting a thought.
That since you've been gone it isn't the same
Reflecting on how things have changed since the other person left.
That maybe I'm wrong and I've made a mistake
Admitting the possibility of the singer being incorrect or having made a bad decision.
By letting you go so far away
Thinking about the choice to let the other person leave and become distant.
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Vocalizing a sound without any distinct meaning.
Clap with me now
Encouraging listeners to join in with a syncopated pattern of clapping.
Singing that same song
Repeating the idea that the other person is stuck in a repetitive pattern of behavior.
You're the only one I want beside me, -side me
Reiterating the desire for the other person's presence.
Now I'm just another one
Still feeling unimportant and forgotten.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: James John Napier, Sam Roman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lucas Telles
Para onde foi o amor que compartilhamos?
Acho que nunca saberemos
Está escondido atrás dessa corda de veludo?
Enquanto eu fico parada, sozinha, no frio
Para onde você foi?
Seus novos amigos sabem que é só para se mostrar?
Ou você os enganou os deixando pensar que você vale ouro?
Fez o que te mandaram fazer? Algum dia vai amadurecer?
Você se lembra de mim, querido?
Quando se deita para dormir, ainda pensa em mim?
Porque eu lembro de você, querido
Sem a tristeza em seus olhos
Agora, o champanhe está acabando
Escutei que você tem se divertido, se divertido
Onde foi que eu errei?
Ontem mesmo, você estava ao meu lado, ao meu lado
Agora, sou só mais uma
Você é que está desistindo, desistindo
Cantando aquela mesma música
Você é o único que eu quero ao meu lado, ao meu lado
Agora, sou só mais uma
Cantando aquela mesma música
Você estava tão chapado
Aposto que achou que podia tocar o céu
Agora que alcançou o topo, valeu a pena escalar?
Oh, o que você encontrou? Você deixaria isso para trás?
Se eu te dissesse
Que desde que você se foi, não é a mesma coisa
Que talvez eu esteja errada e tenha cometido um erro
Te deixando partir para tão longe
Você se lembra de mim, querido?
Quando se deita para dormir, ainda pensa em mim?
Porque eu lembro de você, querido
Sem a tristeza em seus olhos
Agora, o champanhe está acabando
Escutei que você tem se divertido, se divertido
Onde foi que eu errei?
Ontem mesmo, você estava ao meu lado, ao meu lado
Agora, sou só mais uma
Você é que está desistindo, desistindo
Cantando aquela mesma música
Você é o único que eu quero ao meu lado, ao meu lado
Agora, sou só mais uma
Cantando aquela mesma música, sim
Agora, sou só mais uma (vamos)
Batam palmas comigo agora
Cantando aquela mesma música
Você é o único que eu quero ao meu lado, ao meu lado
Agora, sou só mais uma
Escutei que você tem se divertido, se divertido Oh, não)
Onde foi que eu errei? (sim, sim)
Ontem mesmo, você estava ao meu lado, ao meu lado
Agora, sou só mais uma
(Você sabe que eu sei
que eu sei que parece certo, sim, sim)
Você é que está desistindo, desistindo (oh, não)
Cantando aquela mesma música
Você é o único que eu quero ao meu lado, ao meu lado
Agora, sou só mais uma (oh)
verity smith
I can’t believe she wrote it all by herself with no help from other composers. I love her so much ❤️❤️
Chloe Mcqueeney -
verity smith I love her more, I mean she is my mum! 😏😂
Chloe Mcqueeney -
verity smith btw I swear I aren’t stalking I just found your comment at the top 😂
verity smith
Chloe Mcqueeney - 😂 stalking is good though. I do it all the time to the bots haha
verity smith
Chloe Mcqueeney - we are shisters ahaha
Joey Contino
I am beyond confused on how this doesn't have over 10 million views. This song is absolutely amazing. The way the sound builds up and creates this awesome wall of sound. It really pulls you into a sound scape that almost sounds like a happy song when it's not. Rita Keep up the great work. Love the new stuff. Keep pushing!!! ❤️
Sky and Kid Show
First 3 seconds of the song made me say that this is gonna be an awesome again! RITA YOU ARE SO TALENTED!
Plaban Kalita
Probably Rita’s most underrated song . This song deserves way more fucking views ❤️
tannlegeoslo
All songs of this album deserves way more views / succes. Simply gold ❤❤
Jackson Hill
This song is showcases the sultry, soulfulness of Rita Ora's voice.