Aṣa (pronounced Aasha) means "little hawk". She was born in Paris to Nigerian parents, but after two years she moved with her parents to Nigeria and grew up in the capital of Lagos. Her music is thus linked to her time in Western Africa. Asa grew up under the influence of her father's record collection, which included legendary artists such as Marvin Gaye, Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, and Aretha Franklin.
At the age of twelve years, her mother gave her the opportunity to attend one of the best music schools in the country. Aṣa not only developed her voice and her technique, over time she also discovered more about the musicians who fascinated her. When she came home, she discovered Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, Raphael Saadiq, Lauryn Hill, Femi Kuti, and Angélique Kidjo, in whose footprints she dreamed of following.
At the age of 18 she secretly signed up for the Peter King’s School of Music and learnt to play the guitar in six months. In 2004 Aṣa met her manager and friend, Janet, who introduced her to Cobhams Emmanuel Asuquo, who in turn became her musical partner and producer. He enabled Aṣa, the free spirit, to find her bearings. She wrote songs in both English and Yoruba, with the music falling somewhere between pop and soul, inspired by her musical heritage. Particular care was paid to the melodies reflecting the feeling she puts into it.
Her texts talk about her country, the things in life, the things in her life, all delivered with feigned naïveté and real irony. She states "I like writing or thinking about my texts on the bus, or the molué, as we call it. 49 seats, 99 passengers standing up, as Fela described it. Everyone’s squashed up together and mini-dramas break out all the time. And, at the end of the day, we still manage to laugh, that’s where our strength lies..."
It was at this stage of her life that Aṣa finally returned to Paris. This was her chance to test out her talent on the French musical scene, playing with artists such as the Nubians, Manu Dibango, Doctor L and Tony Allen. In the meantime, back in Nigeria, her first single, Eyé Adaba, then Jailer, were beginning to get airtime. MTV chose her as the ambassador for South Africa. Her popularity became big, that when she came back to Nigeria she opened for Akon, John Legend, Beyoncé and Snoop Dogg amongst others.
Aṣa soon signed to the 'Naïve label'. Partnered by Cobhams, and with the new involvement of Christophe Dupouy, she produced a magnificent debut album, ASA a 12 track album with chartstopping tracks. R&b rubs up against pop, with reggae also making an appearance on 'Fire On The Mountain', the first track released from the album, an impertinent and barely-disguised metaphor for an ignorant and indifferent world. "Jailer", another highlight of the album, reinterprets the old adage “you reap what you sow”. This emblematic song with its irresistible refrain opens the album by denouncing modern slavery in all its forms.
Preacher Man
Aṣa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've come to you 'cause I lost my way
Here I am with my bag of shame
Oh please don't send me away
Yesterday like every other day
I had it all but now it's all gone
Where are you? Where can I find you?
Oh lord please show me your face
I need you now
I need you here
I need you everyday
I need you now
I need you here
I need you everywhere
Oh lord, I've been very greedy
I worshiped money, and wouldn't help the needy
Their pains just didn't move me
What am I and who have I become?
I'm reaching out, I need you now
Come ease this pain, I need you now
I'm down on my knees,
I'm ready to change
Save me lord, I'm feeling low
I need you now
I need you here
I need you everyday
I need you now
I need you here
I need you everywhere
Asa's song "Preacher Man" is a heartfelt plea to a man of faith to help guide her back to the right path in life after losing her way. The lyrics speak to a deep feeling of emptiness and loss, with the singer acknowledging that she has made mistakes in life and that she needs help to find her way back to a more meaningful existence.
The first verse of the song is a direct plea to the preacher man to have faith in her and not to reject her because of her mistakes. The singer is carrying a "bag of shame" with her and is afraid that the preacher man will simply turn her away without offering any help or guidance. She is lost and searching for meaning in her life, and she hopes that the preacher man can provide her with the support that she needs.
The second verse of the song speaks to the singer's own realization that she has been selfish in her life, worshipping money and ignoring the needs of those around her. She recognizes that she has become someone that she doesn't want to be and is reaching out to ask for forgiveness and help changing her ways. The final lines of the song return to the chorus, with the singer once again acknowledging her need for guidance and support from a higher power.
Overall, "Preacher Man" is a powerful and moving song that speaks to the human need for connection, meaning, and guidance. The singer's vulnerability and honesty make the song relatable and heartfelt, and the plea for help is something that many listeners will identify with.
Line by Line Meaning
Preacher man please have some faith
Asking the preacher to have faith in helping her overcome her struggles.
I've come to you 'cause I lost my way
Asking for guidance because she feels lost.
Here I am with my bag of shame
Feeling ashamed of past actions or decisions and carrying the weight of those on her.
Oh please don't send me away
Begging not to be rejected or turned away in her time of need.
Yesterday like every other day
Reflecting on the past and how it's similar to every day before it.
I had it all but now it's all gone
Lost everything she had, possibly due to bad decisions or circumstances.
Where are you? Where can I find you?
Asking for guidance and help, questioning where to find it.
Oh lord please show me your face
Asking for a sign from God or a higher power.
I need you now
Urgent plea for help and guidance.
I need you here
Asking for immediate presence and comfort.
I need you everyday
Expressing a continuous need for help and guidance.
I need you everywhere
Expressing a need for help in every aspect of life.
Oh lord, I've been very greedy
Acknowledging a past mistake of being too focused on money and material gain.
I worshiped money, and wouldn't help the needy
Prioritizing money and not being willing to help those in need.
Their pains just didn't move me
Lack of empathy for those struggling and in pain.
What am I and who have I become?
Reflecting on past actions and how they have changed her.
I'm reaching out, I need you now
Asking for help again, acknowledging the need for assistance.
Come ease this pain, I need you now
Asking for comfort and relief from the pain she is feeling.
I'm down on my knees, I'm ready to change
Expressing a willingness to make changes and improve her life.
Save me lord, I'm feeling low
Asking to be saved from her current state of sadness and despair.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@olugbotemifakunle8962
ASA this song is timeless. love it!
@financialbrainbox3142
I need here everyday ASA, you're so lovely.luv ya
@OluwaseyiAdejoro
This lyric is deep. It's thought provoking and inspiring.
@kerryogie7465
Good vibes
@ibrahimasamb8444
Ohhhhh so nice❤
@patrickkamgadefo4437
merci ASA
@destinyvincent6913
My number one song from you #oneloveasa
@relaxmusic5171
Genius song
@johnhowell6464
my queen your soul is perfect
@alabijamiu9643
🥰🥰🥰🥰