I am majorly loving her at the moment, im going back to my neo-soul days :lol: :wub: she is such an amazing and soulful and powerful vocalist. When she wants to give a messege in her songs, she doesn't try to hide it between metaphors, she tells it straight forward. Her new song 'I Am not My Hair' is absolutely amazing, and deserves #1, although it will never be. Her new album is out soon, and I personally can't wait for it. She is probably my favourite R&B female vocalist, and she is way too under-rated imo.

 

[flash=450,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8-3e5NLUO4.swf

 

''Log onto an India.Arie lyrics page and you won't come away expecting an easy-breezy listen--here's an artist, remember, who made a name for herself by declaring her disdain for silicone and Cristal on her 2001 debut. What's consistently a revelation for new recruits to the Arie camp, then, is how good the music makes you feel. No matter how heavy the subject matter (and it still gets heavy--God surfaces in the first verse of "Intro," the prayerful opening song), she delivers it in such a way that it ends up feeling like homespun wisdom--accessible, cloudless, and heartening. Testimony, no minor R&B/soul achievement, is full of such earth-mother moments: "The Heart of the Matter," a cover of the Don Henley song, is what a hug might sound like if it were music; "There's Hope" reminds tunefully that you don't have to pay to smile ("You better thank God for that"); "Private Party" points up the benefits of getting naked before a mirror and liking what you see (impossible as that sounds, it'll seem less so after listening); and "I Am Not My Hair," a sexy thumper featuring Akon, celebrates not the hair, not the skin, but "the soul that lives within." Musically, "Testament" is a testament to the benefits of branching out; in addition to gospel and hip-hop, you'll also find country and pure pop forays here. All of it works, and works wondrously. Arie may be the Oprah of the music world: she's spiritual, she's got her head screwed on straight, and whatever she touches turns to gold. Or at least it ought to. --Tammy La Gorce''

 

lyrics for new single, 'I Am not My Hair'

 

[Verse 1]

Little girl with the press and curl

Age eight I got a Jheri curl

Thirteen I got a relaxer

I was a source of so much laughter

At fifteen when it all broke off

Eighteen and went all natural

February two thousand and two

I went and did

What I had to do

Because it was time to change my life

To become the women that I am inside

Ninety-seven dreadlock all gone

I looked in the mirror

For the first time and saw that HEY....

 

[Chorus]

I am not my hair

I am not this skin

I am not your expectations no no

I am not my hair

I ma not this skin

I am a soul that lives within

 

[Talking:]

What'd she do to her hair? I don't know it look crazy

I like it. I might do that.

Umm I wouldn't go that far. I know .. ha ha ha ha

 

[Verse 2]

Good hair means curls and waves

Bad hair means you look like a slave

At the turn of the century

Its time for us to redefine who we be

You can shave it off

Like a South African beauty

Or get in on lock

Like Bob Marley

You can rock it straight

Like Oprah Winfrey

If its not what's on your head

Its what's underneath and say HEY....

 

[Chorus]

 

[bridge]

(Whoa, whoa, whoa)

Does the way I wear my hair make me a better person?

(Whoa, whoa, whoa)

Does the way I wear my hair make me a better friend? Oooh

(Whoa, whoa, whoa)

Does the way I wear my hair determine my integrity?

(Whoa, whoa, whoa)

I am expressing my creativity..

(Whoa, whoa, whoa)

 

[Verse 3]

Breast Cancer and Chemotherapy

Took away her crown and glory

She promised God if she was to survive

She would enjoy everyday of her life ooh

On national television

Her diamond eyes are sparkling

Bald headed like a full moon shining

Singing out to the whole wide world like HEY...

 

[Chorus 2x]

 

[Ad lib]

If I wanna shave it close

Or if I wanna rock locks

That don't take a bit away

From the soul that I got

Dat da da dat da [4x]

If I wanna where it braided

All down my back

I don't see what wrong with that

Dat da da dat da [4x]

 

[Talking:]

Is that India.Arie?

Ooh look she cut her hair!

I like that, its kinda PHAT

I don't know if I could do it.

But it looks sharp, it looks nice on her

She got a nice shaped head

She got an apple head

I know right?

It's perfect.

 

 

Edited June 19, 200619 yr by Screwed

I used to love 'Video' - I thought he was hilarious when she sang it live and her male back-up singers had to sing 'Because I am a queen'.

'Ready For Love' is brilliant too.

The new album is pretty fantastic!

I love her new song. New album is # 1 in USA, congratulations to her.

I love her new song. New album is # 1 in USA, congratulations to her.

 

That's BRILLIANT news. :cheer:

 

I have her first 2 albums she has such a soulful voice & writes really down to earth heartfelt lyrics.

GREAT new album, heads and tails above any other R&B out there at the moment, such menaingful lyrics and such an awesome voice :wub:

 

Heart of the matter is my current fav off of Testimony <3

India.Arie is great, although i personally prefer the original of 'I Am Not My Hair'