Debelle's debut album, Speech Therapy, was released in the United Kingdom on 31 May 2009. The album has had three singles released, "Searching", "The Key", and "Go Then, Bye". It won the Barclay Mercury music prize in 2009. The Mercury judges said she was a "remarkable new voice in British hip-hop, tough, warm and reflective". One judge, the broadcaster and conductor Charles Hazlewood added: "She's just quietly telling her stories in the most beguiling way."
Speech began writing poetry aged nine and started rapping lyrics in the schoolyard aged 13. Back then, initial inspiration came courtesy of Michael Jackson, which quickly turned to Blackstreet, Mary J Blige, TLC and reggae.
The first thing about Speech Debelle that strikes the ear is a contrast. Her voice is warm, youthful and listenable, and if you heard her in the background you might assume that her lyrics were the same. You’d be better placed tuning into them. In common with her new label-mate Roots Manuva, she’s astoundingly honest in her music, detailing and exorcising some very personal demons. That isn’t to say she’s another run of the mill rapper with more complaints than insights. Quite the opposite. Like all musicians worth listening to, she draws you into her universe and makes you glad you visited. There’s always a thaw to the chillier moments.
‘Searching’ is her debut single, and a perfect example of the offbeat, folky production that will litter the forthcoming album, as well as the whisper-in-the-ear quality of her vocals. One thing is certain, hip-hop has never been done in quite this way before. ‘Searching’ makes you wonder why not.
Speech Therapy
Speech Debelle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I hope that doesn t mean now I m trying it will be harder for me
I been hurt and its not an excuse but it s a reason
It s like some things happen in life for a lifetime or a season
And I m just now learning how this world really works
There s a law that says you get back what you put forth
All this running around doing nothing aint good for me man
Its stupidity so this mirrors up and it s looking at me
And its been said before in songs but you are my life
So if you really wanna move away and not work so hard
How can I tell you know this is my blessings mum
And you don t have to worry about me I m doing music now
It s the truth it s from my heart I hope it makes you proud
I haven t made you proud in such a long long time
That s why I m gonna stand by gran as long as I m alive
Nobody s gonna hurt her even though there trying
And nobody s gonna hurt you ever as long as this sun shines
And hell would have to freeze over before I take that back
This is my speech therapy, this isn t rap
I m not there yet I m still trying to fix my faults
Trying to pick sense from nonsense that s what I was taught
So many roads I ve walked I ve learnt so much so many thoughts
Bout who I really wanna be I guess it s now I m sure
I just wanna be love it takes a lot to say that
Cause I don t wanna be judged please don t judge me wrong
Even though I judge my father through a whole song
He s just a man I need to be mature and understand
Frenchie stay on this earth longer please
I can t believe your dying I can keep from crying
You mean a lot to me I owe you this whole album
I owe so many this album I owe the world man
I use to think the world owed me that s why I gained nothing
Use to feel sorry for myself man I tell you something
The day I changed my life is the day I learned pain is love
What I went through is my strength and that s what keeps me up
So I ll keep this fire burning lighting up my life
And to everyone who believes in me I ll do you right
Starting here today with these words on this paper back
I understand this is my speech therapy this aint rap
The lyrics to Speech Debelle's "Speech Therapy" involve the artist reflecting on her past mistakes and decisions that have hurt both herself and those around her. She acknowledges that these experiences have taught her valuable lessons about herself and the world, and that she is still in the process of learning and growing. The theme of redemption and self-improvement is prominent throughout the song, as she expresses a desire to be a better person and make her loved ones proud.
Line by Line Meaning
I made some mistakes in my life that I m not proud of see
The singer admits to having made mistakes in the past that she is ashamed of
And I hope that doesn't mean now I'm trying it will be harder for me
She hopes that her past mistakes do not inhibit her ability to succeed in the future
I been hurt and its not an excuse but it's a reason
The singer acknowledges that her past traumas have affected her behavior, but she does not use them as an excuse
It's like some things happen in life for a lifetime or a season
Some events in life are temporary, while others are long-lasting
And I'm just now learning how this world really works
The singer is gaining a greater understanding of how the world functions
There's a law that says you get back what you put forth
The concept of karma – the idea that the energy one puts out into the world will return to them – is acknowledged
All this running around doing nothing ain’t good for me man
The singer realizes that her previous aimless behavior was not beneficial
Its stupidity so this mirrors up and it’s looking at me
She views her past behavior as foolish and has come to the realization that she needs to change
I'm sorry mum for all the times that I made you cry
The singer apologizes to her mother for causing her pain
And its been said before in songs but you are my life
The singer's mother is extremely important to her and she wants her to know that
So if you really wanna move away and not work so hard
The singer acknowledges her mother's desires to live a easier life
How can I tell you know this is my blessings mum
The singer considers her musical talent as a blessing
And you don't have to worry about me I'm doing music now
She wants to reassure her mother that she is doing well now
It's the truth it's from my heart I hope it makes you proud
She hopes that her mother is proud of her
I haven't made you proud in such a long long time
The singer recognizes that she has not been making her mother proud, but she wants that to change
That's why I'm gonna stand by gran as long as I'm alive
She wants to be there for her grandmother and take care of her
Nobody's gonna hurt her even though there trying
The singer wants to protect her grandmother from any harm
And nobody's gonna hurt you ever as long as this sun shines
She also wants her mother to feel safe and protected
And hell would have to freeze over before I take that back
The singer is committed to protecting her loved ones, even if it means going to extreme measures
This is my speech therapy, this isn't rap
The song has a therapeutic purpose for the singer, as she works to address past mistakes and move forward
I'm not there yet I'm still trying to fix my faults
The singer is still working on improving herself and addressing her weaknesses
Trying to pick sense from nonsense that's what I was taught
She is trying to make sense of the chaos and confusion that she has experienced in her life
So many roads I've walked I've learnt so much so many thoughts
The singer has had a lot of different experiences and has learned a great deal from them
Bout who I really wanna be I guess it's now I'm sure
She has a clearer sense of who she wants to be in life
I just wanna be love it takes a lot to say that
The singer wants to be loved and accepted by others, but acknowledging this can be difficult
Cause I don't wanna be judged please don't judge me wrong
She fears being judged by others, and doesn't want to come across as anything other than her true self
Even though I judge my father through a whole song
The singer has written a song about her father, but recognizes that he is only human and she needs to be more understanding
He's just a man I need to be mature and understand
She realizes that her father is not perfect, but she needs to be more compassionate towards him
Frenchie stay on this earth longer please
The singer is asking for more time with a loved one who is not well
I can't believe your dying I can keep from crying
She is having a hard time accepting that someone she cares about is dying
You mean a lot to me I owe you this whole album
She wants to dedicate an entire album to this person who has had such an impact on her life
I owe so many this album I owe the world man
The singer feels that she has a lot to offer the world, and hopes that her music can make a positive impact
I use to think the world owed me that's why I gained nothing
The singer used to have a sense of entitlement, but now realizes that this attitude was not helpful
Used to feel sorry for myself man I tell you something
She used to pity herself, but has learned to take responsibility for her actions
The day I changed my life is the day I learned pain is love
She has had to endure a lot of pain in order to grow and learn, and realizes that this pain has been a form of love
What I went through is my strength and that's what keeps me up
Her past experiences have made her stronger and more resilient
So I'll keep this fire burning lighting up my life
The singer is motivated to keep moving forward and pursuing her dreams
And to everyone who believes in me I'll do you right
She is grateful for the support of others and wants to make them proud
Starting here today with these words on this paper back
The song represents a new beginning for the singer, as she puts her thoughts and feelings down on paper
I understand this is my speech therapy this ain't rap
The song is not just an artistic expression, but also a form of therapy for the singer
Contributed by Riley K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mark Goodbody
what a great tune!!! the violins sound a bit like the braveheart song,,, love speech debelle!
BOMBSCARE79
Beautiful song, awesome lyrics, well glad i found this. :-)
zaihiraray
Awesome Speech D. Glad I turned on my pc to search this out today. Classy will be added to my top ten listens.
MrCoventry1986
Glad to of found out about this album before i watched shank, good to see the films gained more attention to Debelle her music deserves to be noticed.
Paul Carty
PLEASE someone get the instrumental up on youtube of this....
Matt Gerrard
Well done on the Mercury prize lass! xxx
yeashah
finally found out what this track is called!!! beautiful!
Jack Durbin
I think the chords used are Am,C and a B-9? picking pattern is quite easy to work out...theres hammer ons on the E and B strings on the third fret also..hope that helps :)
M
I think you'll find it is all in a wobbly H.
Stanley Penrose
This is my speech therapy this ain't rap- so true