“Very different”: The record that inspired Corinne Bailey Rae to start making music
Although Corinne Bailey Rae first emerged to the timeless croons of ‘Put Your Records On’, the Leeds-born musician had a significant impact on the development of 2000s pop and R&B, establishing a deeper, more intricate sound that stood against many of the thunderous anthems exploding from the indie world. Although she struggled with appearing interesting enough, Rae charmed with her sheen, peering confidently against an industry defined by corruption.
“I was making acoustic music, wearing these kinds of old-fashioned dresses,” she later reflected, saying the British press saw her as “boring and straight”. Although not many have ever really complained about being less of a partygoer than many of her contemporaries, Rae’s issue was that her artistry and talent were often overlooked because the media felt she didn’t have a good story to tell—because she wasn’t making mistakes at every turn.
While others pandered to the new version of the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, hitting every bar in London almost every night and becoming a significant and consistent focus for British tabloid headlines, Rae kept to herself and focused on the music, attracting an impressive level of fame without the need for the type of controversy that sells. In this way, she inadvertently exposed the darkness of the press by opting out of their frenzy from day one.
However, though somewhat frustrated by the lack of recognition against her peers, Rae remains steadfast in her commitment to music, which also means absorbing the countless work of those who inspire her. Often, she will attend a concert, and people might be surprised by her attendance, thinking that the type of music isn’t her thing at all, but she ultimately enjoys being as eclectic as possible. After all, expansive knowledge is often the key to making great music.
Her tastes span far and wide, therefore, but one band that inspired her to start making her own music was rock outfit Belly. In her eyes, the simplicity of Belly is what initially draws you in, but their confidence in blending genres during a pivotal time for music is what impressed her the most. “I think Belly is a great indie band,” she told Bandwagon. “I love what they write about; it’s really simple and you can listen to music and pick out what the guitar melodies do, what the bass is doing, what the drums are doing.”
She also explained that their music was “very different” from that which came before it, like the sounds of Michael Jackson and the many artists that blended “string players” with “jazz and drums and all that”. Belly, on the other hand, emerged as a fully realised indie rock outfit, proving that anyone can emerge successful in the music industry so long as they have the talent and the confidence to do it.
This is exactly what Rae established during a time when the pop musical landscape seemed to be veering off in a completely different direction. During her rise to fame, stars endured intense scrutiny under the spotlight, with the media seemingly following their every move. At the same time, musicians were expected to look, act, and sound a certain way, but Rae decided that none of it was for her.
