Corinne Bailey Rae: The Soulful Voice of British Pop

Corinne Bailey Rae is a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter from Leeds, England, celebrated for her blend of soul, pop, and jazz influences. Her self-titled debut album was a global phenomenon, selling over four million copies worldwide and launching her as a defining voice of 2000s British music.

Early career

Born in Leeds in 1979, Corinne Bailey Rae's musical journey began in church and was later shaped by the city's indie rock scene. She initially fronted the guitar band Helen before embarking on a solo career, signing with EMI in 2005 after a series of well-received live performances and demo recordings.

Breakthrough

Her breakthrough arrived in 2006 with the release of the single Put Your Records On and her self-titled debut album, Corinne Bailey Rae, on EMI. The album entered the UK Albums Chart at number one, achieved double-platinum status in the UK, and earned three Grammy nominations, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year.

Key tracks

Put Your Records On — This triple-Grammy-nominated lead single became her signature anthem, reaching the top ten in multiple countries.

Like a Star — The delicate, jazz-inflected first single introduced her intimate songwriting and vocal style to a global audience.

The Girl Who Forgot To Breathe — A standout from her 2023 album Black Rainbows, it showcases her bold, experimental turn towards art rock and alternative sounds.

Paris Nights/New York Mornings — This track from her 2010 album The Sea highlights her sophisticated, jazz-pop evolution following her debut's success.

Closer — A smooth, R&B-inflected single from her 2016 album The Heart Speaks in Whispers that marked her confident return to the spotlight.

Her critically acclaimed second album, The Sea (2010), won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance for the single Is This Love. After a six-year interval, she returned with The Heart Speaks in Whispers (2016) before undertaking a radical artistic shift with the genre-defying, rock-inspired Black Rainbows in 2023, inspired by artifacts at Chicago's Stony Island Arts Bank.

Her notable collaborations include work with Herbie Hancock, Al Green, and Tyler, The Creator, and she contributed the song The Scientist to the 2011 compilation album Science Fair. Throughout her career, she has maintained a reputation for thoughtful, evolving artistry beyond her initial pop-soul success.

Fans of Corinne Bailey Rae's soulful and melodic style also appreciate the work of Adele, who shares a powerful vocal delivery and chart-topping British soul-pop sensibility. The sophisticated jazz-pop fusion of Norah Jones offers a similar warmth and musical intricacy. Listeners may also enjoy the contemporary R&B and neo-soul of Lianne La Havas, another gifted British singer-songwriter and guitarist. For the eclectic and genre-blending spirit of her later work, explore Solange.

Corinne Bailey Rae's music maintains a strong presence on radio, featured across adult contemporary stations, smooth soul channels, and eclectic public radio programs that champion sophisticated singer-songwriters. Her timeless hits and adventurous new material ensure regular rotation on curated playlists and independent music radio stations dedicated to quality pop and soul.

You can hear the soulful pop and adventurous later work of Corinne Bailey Rae on radio stations featured across our network. Explore and listen to her music directly through the curated radio stations available on onairium.com.