India.Arie - Pearls (ft. Dobet Gnahore)

[DanielRamirezGarrido]

Beautiful song.. Too bad that she isn't (so far as I know) well known in the Netherlands

[TreyIM2]

Wow. When I seen this vid listed in the Related Videos while watching a montage put together to Sade's original, I thought, "BLASPHEMY!!!" but, it's India Arie so I had to give it a listen. I like this. Different feel although Sade's is much more powerful and moving yet I really like the sound of this version. Not bad, not bad at all.

[nyiskillinme]

This is a wonderful interpretation!!!!! India did her thang!!

[jooooo1982]

i luv her voice.

[Lifehouse21]

A true professional and put her own spin on it. Sade's version will never be outdone. This is a unique version which I like.

[Akkkico]

This song makes me cry. We shouldn't ignore poverty in Africa any more. All people deserve to have good life on Earth.

[Adeng91]

im the women from Sudan lol I love this song 1st time listening to it its wonderful

[Ndakanatswa]

I much prefer this version! Sade's version (despite being the original) seems to be more despairing...this version tells the same story but with a much more profound spirit of Hope. I love it!!!

[Edsgirl78]

India did a great job but i think Sada's version is better

[digbafola]

Please listen to Dobet Gnahoré 's album !!! she's wonderfull too, the great diva of Africa...The third one is now in the stores or in itunes "djekpa la you"... enjoy !!!

[bedazzled32]

such a soothing voice..... makes me wanna cry because of its beauty.

[kalaranet]

This song was written by Dobert Gnahore. The name of the song is "Palea"

[stazzia2010]

India's voice exudes love! That must be why I love her so much. That love is healing to the soul. Thank you Lord for this woman's gift and for everyone who nurtured it. <3

[pf243]

from a congolese girl, thank you india!! luv u..

this sounds like something papa wemba or youssou ndour would produce..amazing!

[morgan699]

I will say I LOVE SADE, but this version doesn't RUIN Sade's song as astafina wrote; it just enhances it. it seems more like a PART 2 of Sade's song than a cover. Love that she included other countries and made this song HER OWN. It does pain me that she won a grammy for this but Sade didn't. I think Sade's version is more powerful. But I think this 1 is more approachable and I like it also.

[talili87]

so true. I love what she did with it.

[tulipandshaq]

I <3333 India but this is Sade song yall give the creator a lil credit :)

[ralise2]

@tulipandshaq

She did, when she accepted a grammy for the song :)

[skoffioyua]

Please do not give credit to the wrong person but to the right One. This song was written by an artist from the Ivory Coast, Miss Dobert Gnahore daughter of another great voice of Cote d'Ivoire( West Africa) singer Gnahore Boni. NB: We must thank India. Arie for taking this song and put it out there for everyone to enjoy.TX

[olakunde]

Foreign Exchange should have one. Aire is overrated.

[phatboy5454]

@olakunde haha thank you!

[maridadi25]

wonderful song.......just cant get enough of it!

[ROXIE2DAFULLEST]

this song is just so beautiful.

[12sweetpain12]

Thank you for showing those black girls you don't need to have fake boobs, fake hair and appear half naked in a video to be a good singer...all I can say beautiful song by two role models!

ps: Big thought to Sade

[habibp18]

Ah la, Dobet , on est trop enjaille, tres bon boulot ma soeur, continue comme ca. on te soutient

[cj06feb]

Wow my natural hair is like this this women just made me realise that dang I need to rock it naturally

I always find a way to cover my natural look now I have changed my mind Afro chick is my new look

[31meeeee]

It did. For Best Urban/Alternative Performance

[JuStAReaLChiCk]

This song won her a Grammy = ). Congrats to her.

[micarae]

OMG I had no idea she covered this! I love Sade's version but this one is lovely as well! :)

[kimgil24]

JUST BEAUTIFUL!!!! makes your eyes water!!! LOVE IT!!

[TheMusicVoyager]

See India and Dobet playing together when they met in Washington last weekend for MLK Day, on Music Voyager's youtube channel TheMusicVoyager

[nigeriangurl816]

this is a beautiful song

[elkinrod]

Dobet Gnahore is the best! What about her???

[1mintygirl]

i love this song it say something that everyone should listen to she sings for everyone and it speaks to me

[elkinrod]

love the song playing which is  Dobet Gnahore -- Palea. I think both songs should be separate. Pearls and Palea

[onec07]

good interpretation but Sade's version has so much more feeling and sorrow whereas Arie's version has more hope to it. Good version but Sade's is untouchable!

[Shaybunny]

DUHH!!!!

[queenalla12]

india is untouchable. the best at everything wanna meet her

love this song

[NYTruth]

I'm sorry but Sade songs are untouchable. I wish I could get down with this but it amounts to blaspheme!

[adedola123]

love it

[17sunnyhour]

Why is she not as publicized as Alica Keys, Lady GaGa, Mariah Carey, Beyonce or even Pairs Hilton?

[laneangeln08]

talent gets never publicized in this commercial world

[17sunnyhour]

I don't think that explanation is true! Alicia Keys is musically talented but so is India Arie. Why does Alicia receive more attention than India Arie? Although I think I might know the answer, India acknowledged that she looks nothing like Beyonce, Alicia Keys or Mariah.

[laneangeln08]

I agree that she is talented but is she getting as much attention as lady gaga and beyonce ?? i'm sorry no !! really talented people like goapele india arie, erika badu or even jill scott they are so much more talented than the ones that are on the covers now !! that's why i said that talent is never publicized because often it doesnt sell to these dumb teens !!!

[dancinchik88]

I think she looks better than all of them...she's got that inner beauty thing that makes her look even better!!

[sthephanel]

great featuring.!!!!

[Kosovaluver]

sades version is very beautiful, but its very sad... and india turned it to a song with hope.

[taramic]

@Kosovaluver

I believe this is a great explanation. Thank you. :) I will give you a thumbs up.

[kedmead1]

I like this better then sade's

[lesmavoadora]

Sade!

[VioVis]

sade!

[Chellefan]

This song was nominated for a Grammy! I hope it wins!

[Quinburk]

and it did...whoop whoop ms india

[Paulihead]

My Pearls of Wisdom: I think some of you are misinterpreting the metaphor. Yes, new shoes do hurt, but thhey are a luxury. She's trying to point out what we take for granted. She's comparing a dying woman to the discomfort of shoes probably purchased for your own vanity. Geez, isn't that obvious to everyone? Wake up, people!

[bilqiys1]

I don't think she is comparing a dying women to brand new shoes hurting, it is the pain and suffering of the dying women she is comparing to brand new shoes hurting.

[Emayzin]

this is a great cover of the original.

[CocoJaela]

omg luv this one

[141953]

I love it. God knows i Love Sade but this version is differently beautiful.

The metaphore is fantastic. A lot of us may not know the suffereing others put up with it. Some may even thik they know! A new pair of shoes is something we can all experience. Imagine never being able to take those painful shoes always with you. It sure melts my heart.

Loving this track!

[lovingmusic11]

I love this song and her voice is marvelous =) xx

[bilqiys1]

this version sucks nothing compared to Sade. The tone and the beat takes away the essence of the song.

[Ohioma]

I agree completely. When I listen to the sade version it takes my breath away with sadness and feeling. this just sounds nice

[izzo3913]

@Ohioma and talk about getting nominated for a Grramys !

Sade all the way

[Gr33nDymond]

This version is really nothin compared to Sade's...too mainstream for no reason

[folayans]

For people who don't understand the brand new shoes is a metaphor for something that is really really hurting. If some people would stop and think they would that new shoes haven't been wore before and when it is it is in pain since its new and hasn't felt the fiction of the floor. So stop saying bad things about this beautiful song.

[titichristoff]

please tell them ooo

[ruzage]

how can women's suffering in Africa be compared to brand new shoes lol is this American ignorance am watching on you tube.........

[wakeUPdreamers]

American ignorance?

Actually, this song was first sung by Sade--a Nigerian (by heritage) from England.

You might want to take it up with those countries instead (so that YOU won't sound ignorant).

Anyway, Great Song!

[ruzage]

Americans or British same difference......same ignorance ...ps Sade is mixed race am not sure she's lived in Africa......funny how black people who live in the west also adopt western ignorance lol........

[aclass22]

Wow! I think Sade would have some life experience in african suffering, beside do you have to live there to understand their pain.

[aclass22]

also if you see india, you should know she is in touch with the mother land.

If you dont understand thats ok

[titichristoff]

ummm actually she was BORN in Ibadan, Nigerian....

[Kosovaluver]

if you want to know she was born in nigeria and lived her first years ther!

[EmpressMelly]

Gosh don't be so extra love, it's just a metaphor, Brand new shoes symbolizes the discomfort before a new pair are worn in, that aching feeling, I'm sure Sade was trying to use the shoes as a comparitive to life, that rather than life fitting around her like a glove as worn shoes do, she's stuck ridgedly in it, and they never give, it never get comfortable, each day the same ache...

[lovelynpoetic]

I was immediately drawn to this song. and then found out later that sade was the originator.i then went and listened to sades version and appreciated the depth !But i like india's version better!Her voice is so beautiful to me

[Inmypumps]

FLAWLESS!! Not one bad track on this album. India is THE TRUTH!! Ahhhhh...

[luvlife347]

One of my favorite songs no matter who sings it...Sade or this wonderful version by India...I love it.

[Emmahjayx]

Amaziin....Really makes you think...hurts like brand new shoess

[bohosweet]

definitely like Sade's better but i luv Dobet Gnahore on this... so nice

[wladenoo]

Sade's better

[khureegal]

love this song

[fatfineNfeisty]

i like sades version but this version is better.......man, this song makes you think !!!

[krazykrista24]

She sings with strait up emotion, that is how she sings all the time. She did a great job!

[Swiftly8]

@red No1 doubts that India had remade the song very well, it's so well done actually it's surprising. The argument is, it wld hv bn more preferable if she sang a song by herself trying 2 xprss her poverty. Sade Abu is part Nigerian & knows her father's side v well as she goes home quite often. 4 her, these things she sings about r painful becoz she sees family members go through them.

Sampling & remakes hv been over done & some songs do not need remaking. Sade's Pearls did not need a remake.

[CruzBrazil]

great song she has a beautiful voice

[redblkgirl99]

this is why India is never recognize the way she should because people are always comparing her to someone else. India did this song to the best of her ablitites it evokes the right amount of emotions in the people who it suppose to evoke emotion in. It does not take away from Sade to say India sang this song well but it does setract from India to say you okay but you can't do it like her.

[sushanne2002]

I so agree, she is in a groups all by herself. she is great at what she does and that is singing

[LyanneJordan]

Josh Groban and Angelique Kijo blow India out of the water! you should listen to it!

[sushanne2002]

what are on about

[Mikashmak]

i love india, but don't know "sade" i will look her up now. thanks.

[breezyanna219]

india arie sung it like sade did at the concert...the emotion is there...it was beautiful like watching an angel sing.

[hakunamatata12322]

sade's version is better i think. india's is good, but it doesn't bring out the emotion sade's does. i guess now a days, people don't like to fully realize the pain people are going through, i normally don't either, but reality isn't pretty, and sade shows that. it's not there to make you feel like your living a lucky life. it's sung to make you step out of your life and into the life of others who struggle. well, in my opinion.

[ShringyWebster]

i like india arie's upbeat better. But i agree Sade brings out the emotion and at the consert India said she hoped she did this song justice like Sade did so shes agrees.

[otokuya]

天使のような歌声！

[indieandi]

india makes everything her own she is an amazing artist

[Empr3ss112]

Omg I agree with you soo much Danyleeby lol India's version makes you feel it and Sade's version is kinda sad and long out and kinda boring... but we still give respect to Sade for her originality..... :-)

[DanYleebbY]

india arie's version sing it to your soul and speaks to your hearts. sade's version makes you too sad to really understand what going on. india makes you really want to listen to the lyrics and feel it. I like this version much much much better!

[ngenes2006]

That's the point of the song by SAde...it evokes emotion. It's not a 'feel good song'. She puts you right there in the middle of an arid desert and a woman scrapping maize on the ground for her kids (probably left overs form one of the UN trucks). That's how I understood it.

[DanYleebbY]

ii love this songs. its so inspirational

[yoreh85]

Great song!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[reyesjaen07]

I like Sade's version much better. But that's my own taste anyway.

[Empr3ss112]

Hey new mind and soul, you are right, It sounds soooooooo crazzyy and goood on VH1 soul. I love live performances! she killed it on the soulstage Vh1 performance. omg...I love this song....it gives me chills.... India has be stopping in my tracks.... Love you India!

[newmindandsoul1]

She perfomed it on VH1 soul and it sounded it 10x better. Maybe it is just me. I have a tendacy to like live performances to recordings.

[iluvlycheenuts]

Arie should have left this song alone. I understand having your own style, but you can actually FEEL the pain and picture the suffering in Sade's song as she sings to such a slow haunting melody. This song is too happy and it's as if India is on the outside looking in, where as Sade may actually know or is close to ppl she sings about. Iono. It's like putting dreads in my hair & jammin Marley but never been to Jamaica. lol

[hasangood]

hmhm i dont really like this song .. i liked the outher one better but the lerics are good

[Hillsz]

love the original of Sade's and love india's rendition too..both beautiful & talented artists inside & out..

[staecyie]

dobet gnahore is an ivoirian group

[meteorstaar]

This is obviously India's rendition of the Sade classic by the same name and Dobet Ghanore is a native Indian suitar solist as you can hear in the background and he is working the percussion ...btw first time hearing this version but enjoi it thoroughly....listen to Sade and hear the difference ciao!

[DaBlackGeisha]

Its called irony... poor people dont have the opportunity to have new shoes... but new shoes sure can hurt, cant they?

[ChazzySing]

Dear..... its not irony.. its a metaphor. Think Before you write something on here charging others up..... hmmmm

[DaBlackGeisha]

Chazzy - you are SO right. I actually realized that AFTER I hit "post comment" but didn't care enough to come back and address Innit2winnit199. Can I ask if you agree with Innit's comments?

[ChazzySing]

I disagree with Innit's comment, because it's not the fact that people in poverty don't know how new shoes feel, it was her way of interpreting their pain to people who know just how painful new shoes can be... A metaphor. Or a simile.. either way it goes.. Because you can't know how poverty feels if you've never experienced it. But you know the feeling of new shoes, right?! Especially if they're dressy ones. :) Just something to think about.

[jusboss21]

its a simile

[applemoon237]

it's probably both..that can happen in literature (and lyrics)..I don't think you have to altogether dismiss someone else's opinion ..a valid one at that..

[pingumac]

AMAZING!!

Does anyone have the lyrics, or know what Dobet Ghanore is saying throughout the song??

thanx in advance!

[staecyie]

It's in "Bété" language from Cote d' Ivoire.

[pingumac]

thanks for the info!

any idea what she's saying?? :)

[writerinspired]

Very beautiful song, Ms. Arie is an amazing songstress. An inspiration always.

Feel Blessed!

Be Blessed!

God Bless!

[peachorchard]

Sade should be proud.

[surabelwaina]

o lord..shes amazing! beyonce and bitches are crap..this is TRUTH!

[jusboss21]

i dont think that its right to bash other artist.I love Beyonce(except when she acts).I believe she is a talented young woman..So is India...Everyone has their own style and I appreciate it all

[quiana0722]

she's going to be in Philly 2mar for a concert. I'll be happy if she performs this one.

[kahzlo]

what school do you go to?

[stmahu]

Dobet Gnahore was at my school this week too! One of the songs she sang about her mother and grandmother back Africa made me cry. I didn't know what she was saying but the way she sang it and the emotion in her voice made the song absolutely amazing!!!!

[kahzlo]

Dobet Gnahore sang at my school yesterday, it was amazing. They are part of what makes this world beautiful.

[eyed9]

Very nice version like Angelique Kidjo's version too but none of them surpasses emotinally the original version penned and sung by the amazing Sade

[naakoshieodarley]

I think Sade did this song and I thought no one could rival Sade but India easily proves me wrong! Why does she not get the credit she deserves? What is the music industry scared of? I think Alicia Keys for eg has as much talent as India but gets much more credit. Is India's look and message less "marketable?"

Either way, I'm happy she hasn't gone the route of frying her hair, lightening her skin and flashing her breasts just to get more airtime.

I love her she is the best! A rare TRUE talent.

[tp213]

i prefer the live version much more...the one on tavis smiley

[TheDreamKillers]

Great song!!

Great album!!

[Babyluvmusic]

WOW!

[CLWHITEJESUSFREAK]

Man...I Love Her Voice and I love this SONG...It's such a powerful message in this song. ofcourse India Arie is Ordained to do what she does!!!!

[cheffaking]

she is sooooooooooooo beautiful........skin is flawless!! and that voice!! she was great on tavis smiley.

[dimebeats]

yes!!! i heard this clip on on tavis smiley. i kow that dude was on some next level after she was done with him. the song is magical. full of ancient love. the one im looking for. magic

[Underpress21]

Ok just saw you on Tarvis Smiley. I love you much. Africa what is it going to take before we stop all these divisions? Erase those line and lets embrace each other. there is a boy in west Africa

there is a girl in south Africa

there is a man in east Africa

there is a widow in north Africa

All crying to the heavens Above just begging for a little relief from all of it.

Damn this is some heavy shit . Wow!

[YayMe5xo]

the lyrics made me cry. :(

[savemaat7]

i love SADE

and now i Love india's version too!

i don't know why but i just teared up.

i saw "the woman"

and indias soul comes thru.

thank you india

[anamarijas]

What a song!

This woman is amazing!!!

AMAZING!

[onyness]

i am in love with this song and i love india arie and her musice new and old!!!!

[disneygal2009]

got the cd... it gets better every time...i could almost swear

[ijamsville97]

Thank you India!!! The plight of our Sisters across the face of this sad planet

is not a passing fad. Their suffering is not going away and will not until we all get up and DO SOMETHING!!!!

[Trubeauty4u2c]

Love India's take on this classic Sade song... Sade's version still takes the cake, but I love her soulful twist.

[simsim619]

no words are enough to describe how beautiful this song is..a gorgeous song by a gorgeous singer ..^^

[imdidio]

I had big expectation from this cover but I was disappointed.

Sade version is the best (but than again i'm in love with Sade so I cant be really objective).

[Poshanderson]

I think it's a matter of which one the listener heard first. I like ths version better because I heard it first.(but then again i'm in love with India..lol) Sade version is really good too though.

[mielsocool]

love this song!! can listen to this without gettin tired!!

[AtotheGtotheA]

the original version of this song is from SADE! india has covered this song... but her version is good, too! India is great!!!

[tirapizon]

i love this song soooo much...incredible lyrics and a wonderful voice!!!

[nefermul9]

india you are a jewel from the heavens thank you for allowing love to move through you

[Africangel80]

Wow, so moving... I'm from Rwanda, u see what i mean ?

India, go forth, keep on teaching us real values ; your talent is undeniable !

God bless you, India. Love.

[eyed9]

it was written and sung by Sade first in 1992

[MIZZ4BRK]

Beautiful MUSIC...

[LeeskeBeer]

Beautiful !

[MissZieglerOnline]

The music sounds really african gotta love it. And isn't Dobet Ivorian? she is very talented. As talented as her daddy

[Faitss]

Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful what else can I say?

[MissZieglerOnline]

She always delivers she never disappoints!

[africangoddess707]

wow, i have fallen in love with this song. why isnt she more popular? you go mrs. arie!

[Zimchili]

WOW

[JusticeLoveandPeace]

Beautiful interpretation of Sade's beautiful song.

[shiyah4sure]

I l0v3 th!s s0ng!!

[Urbanrose98]

Such powerful lyrics. Amazing.

[Salukis8865]

I love this song, it is amazing! However, I wish we can find the lyrics, for the part of the song that is being sung by Dobet Gnahore.

[samuelgabs]

Lovely, Somalia, Rwanda, and Sudan are countries where women suffer greatly.

[IntelligentT82]

Sade orginally did this song. I like India Arie's interpretation as well.

[didi425]

also each grain carefully wrapped up- not gray

[Poshanderson]

i swear i listened to this song at least 15 times today.

[MzTeacherLadi]

this is 1 of the best songs on the album besides grains

[RnBismyBFF]

Sade and India should perform this live together

[Dr33ka]

I agree. I sure there wouldnt be a dry eye in the house.

[rvanbeusekom]

Totally agreee with deezdreamz, this makes me appreciate the original even more, beautiful version... India just knows how to cover great songs in a way that it's not a copy of the original, but just a great reference to it (just like in The Heart Of The Matter).

[ladypro615]

beautiful

[skugl23]

This song does something to my soul.

[deezdreamz]

i didnt get it until now...i appreciate the original even more, and thank India for making it even more clear to me. God Blessings in Love.

[starpower06]

YESSS INDIA!!! This song is proof that she is terribly underrated!!! Beautiful rendition of a Sade classic.... @ 2:53, she took me to heaven.

[hazel1eyes]

This song is phenomenal.