I fell in love with India.Arie’s ability to weave a tale the moment I heard her sing the first few lines of Video in 2001. Her melodic, soulful voice and the catchy tune were enough to make the song good, but it was her message, an unapologetic celebration of her own unique beauty, that made the song truly special.
It was a song written for the rest of us. The women who didn’t look like runway models and video vixens. Women who would likely never grace the cover of a magazine, but who were truly beautiful both inside and out. This anthem of self-love resonated with me and with millions of women who needed to be reminded that we were beautiful and that we should celebrate what was unique about us, rather than trying to look like someone else.
I was impressed.
But, it was Brown Skin, the second song released from her debut album, Acoustic Soul, that sealed the deal for me. In Video India.Arie created a love song that advocated that we learn to love ourselves. In Brown Skin she gave us a sexy, sultry song that celebrated love and lust, yet further celebrated non-traditional beauty. It’s no wonder the album was nominated for seven Grammys.
While Alicia Keys swept the Grammys that year, India.Arie proved that she was an extraordinary singer/songwriter with a gift for creating positive, engaging stories of love and self-acceptance.
India has given us several gorgeous songs that weave beautiful stories while also infusing us with love, light, and encouragement. My all-time favorite being, The Truth. This song and the accompanying video are powerful storytelling at its best. The song captures the intoxicating feeling of being with someone who makes us feel truly special, while acknowledging how maddening that same relationship can be.
India.Arie appeals to me as a storyteller on so many levels. First and foremost, it is probably her ability to convey her sense of self in a way that is positive and celebratory rather than divisive. Second is her ability to tell compelling stories of love. The love affair we should have with ourselves. The pulse-pounding, skin-tingling, heart-melting connection we have with the person we love. A sense of brotherhood and concern for people all over the globe.
The Truth is the essence of what I try to convey in my own storytelling. The stories I’ve written so far feature women who are on a journey of self-growth, learning to learn to love and accept themselves, and experiencing romantic relationships that help them finally see themselves as the remarkable women they truly are.
What songs, stories, or movies have made the biggest impression on you? Is there a song, story, or movie that captures the essence of one of your stories? We’d love to hear about it in the comments below.
PS: Thank you Demetria for reminding me what a phenomenal storyteller she is.
Roxanne Ravenel (263 Posts)Roxanne is a freelance journalist and novelist living in North Carolina. Her alter ego, Reese Ryan, writes smart, spicy fiction populated by deliciously flawed, multicultural characters living in the Midwest and Southeast. Her debut novel, TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, will be published by Carina Press July 22, 2013. She is Managing Editor of the long-running e-zine, All Things Girl.
Roxanne Ravenel (263 Posts)Roxanne is a freelance journalist and novelist living in North Carolina. Her alter ego, Reese Ryan, writes smart, spicy fiction populated by deliciously flawed, multicultural characters living in the Midwest and Southeast. Her debut novel, TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, will be published by Carina Press July 22, 2013. She is Managing Editor of the long-running e-zine, All Things Girl.
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(30 minutes later…) Yay! It loaded! Love India.Arie – even been thinking about changing my name to M.L.Sw.i.ft.
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I love how you incorporate the importance of music in your blog as a way to make us better writers…pace, rhythm, cadence, word choices…all improve when we are in tune with the universe.
My listening preferences are almost exclusive to contemporary Christian and gospel…wonderful inspiration and I always pull from the songs (which many pull from the Bible) strength and a way of life for both me and my characters.
Even the “bad” characters are enhanced by this…much inspirational music is about struggle and where to turn…the heroes turn to the positive, the villains miss that lesson.
Thanks for another wonderful Storyteller Saturday.
ML Swift recently posted..Blog Hop: The Next Big Thing
Can’t stop laughing about “M.L.Sw.i.ft.” No matter what you change your name to, I’ll still be a fan of your writing and positive, supportive personality.
Roxanne Ravenel recently posted..The Next Big Thing: Too Good to Be True
I love music that speaks to my soul and can conjure emotions and revelations. Thanks for introducing me to this artist. What is it about the combination of notes and rhythms mixed with great lyrics that can touch us beyond our thought process?
And I love any message that unites me with women and reminds us all we are more than collective body parts of stereotyped beauty.
Awesome article, Roxanne.
I am so inspired by strong, positive women. Fortunately I know a few, both online and off.
Roxanne Ravenel recently posted..The Next Big Thing: Too Good to Be True
Roxanne, I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love India Arie. There are so many of her songs I love, including the ones you have here.
She’s an awesome storyteller, and I love her sultry, soulful voice and inspirational messages. I always turn to her CDs when I need something to get my creative juices flowing while working on a manuscript.
This was a great selection for Storyteller Saturday.
Oh and by the way, CONGRATULATIONS on NaNoWriMo!!!! Rock it, girl!
Demetria Foster Gray recently posted..I Can’t Be Converted, No Matter How I Try
She is definitely on my list of performers I’d like to see in concert one day. Thanks on NaNo, Demetria!
Roxanne Ravenel recently posted..The Next Big Thing: Too Good to Be True