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.
Subway
Aṣa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My life’s like a subway
Oh I know this love don’t last
Look at me tell me what you see
Do you believe this love is real
Oh I know this love don’t last
To see this go down the drain
I have waited patiently
And this is what I get
Emotionally failing me
My whole wild world is caving in
I try so hard to express myself
but The woman in me
o o o don’t fade away
My mama say baby be careful
If any body comes to say I love o o o
My papa say baby I warn you
If anybody comes to say I love you
Now you asking me to trust you
Tell me how am I supposed to
When I know this love don’t last
Could this be the kind of love?
That my mum use to warn me about How will I know
that this love will last.
I have come from far away
To see this go down the drain
I have got so much to give
But I don’t know what I’ll get
Emotionally failing me
My whole wild world is caving in
I try so hard to express my self
but The woman in me don’t fade away.
My mama say baby be careful
If any body comes to say I love o o o
My papa say baby I warn you
If anybody comes to say I love you
Yeah Yeah
My mama say baby be careful
If any body comes to say I love o o o
My papa say baby I warn you
If anybody comes to say I love you
Asa's "Subway" is a song that explores the fear and uncertainty that can come with falling in love. In the first verse, she compares her life to a subway, suggesting that it can be chaotic, unpredictable, and full of ups and downs. She acknowledges that not every day can be a holiday and that this kind of love can be temporary. The chorus repeats twice, emphasizing the idea that this love won't last, despite the singer's own efforts and desires to express herself and connect with her partner.
In the second verse, Asa reflects on how she has come from a distance to be with this person, but all she is left with is emotional turmoil and the feeling that her whole world is falling apart. She questions whether this is the love that her parents warned her about and struggles to trust her partner's declarations of love. The repetition of her parents' advice shows the influence that family has on her choices and beliefs about love.
In the bridge, Asa's lyrics express a desperate hope that this love will not fade away completely, despite the fear and uncertainty that she feels. She is torn between wanting to believe in love and protecting herself from being hurt. The song ends with a final repetition of her parents' warning, leaving the listener to wonder whether Asa will heed their advice or take a chance on love.
Line by Line Meaning
Every day is not a holiday
Life is not always joyful and carefree
My life’s like a subway
My life is unpredictable and full of ups and downs
Oh I know this love don’t last
I am aware that love is not always permanent
Look at me tell me what you see
What is your impression of me?
Do you believe this love is real
Do you think our love is genuine?
I have come from faraway
I have traveled a long distance to be here
To see this go down the drain
To witness this relationship fail
I have waited patiently
I have been patient and understanding
And this is what I get
Despite my efforts, this is the outcome
Emotionally failing me
My emotions are overwhelming me
My whole wild world is caving in
Everything around me seems to be collapsing
I try so hard to express myself
I make a great effort to communicate how I feel
but The woman in me
My feminine side
o o o don’t fade away
Don't let me lose touch with my true self
My mama say baby be careful
My mother warned me to be cautious
If any body comes to say I love o o o
If anyone declares their love for me
My papa say baby I warn you
My father advised me
Tell me how am I supposed to
What am I expected to do
When I know this love don’t last
When I am aware of the impermanence of love
Could this be the kind of love?
Is this the type of love that is questionable?
That my mum use to warn me about
The one my mother cautioned me about
How will I know that this love will last
What guarantees the longevity of this love?
I have got so much to give
I have a lot to offer in a relationship
But I don’t know what I’ll get
I am uncertain of what I will receive in return
Yeah Yeah
Expressing agreement with the situation
My mama say baby be careful
My mother warned me to be cautious
If any body comes to say I love o o o
If anyone declares their love for me
My papa say baby I warn you
My father advised me
If anybody comes to say I love you
If someone professes their love for me
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore
Written by: BUKOLA ELEMIDE, COBHAMS EMMANUEL ASUQUO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-wb9pf3gy5u
Everyday
Everyday is not a holiday
My life's like a subway
Oh, I know this love don't last
Look at me, tell me what you see
Do you believe this love is real?
I know this love don't last
I have come from far away to see this go down the drain
I have waited patiently and this is what I get
Emotionally failing me
My whole wild world is caving in
I'm not so free to express myself
But the woman in me, don't fade away
My mama say baby be careful
If any body comes to say I love you
My papa say baby I warn you
If anybody comes to say I love you
Now you asking me to trust you
Tell me how am I supposed to
When I know this love don't last
Could this be the kind of love
That my mum use to warn me about?
How will I know that this love will last?
I have come from far away to see this go down the drain
I have got so much to give but don't know what I'll get
Emotionally failing me
My whole wild world is caving in
I try so hard to express my self
But the woman in me don't fade away
My mama say baby be careful
If any body comes to say I love you
My papa say baby I warn you
If anybody comes to say I love you
Feel it, you feel it
Feel it, you feel it
My mama say baby be careful
If any body comes to say I love you
My papa say baby I warn you
If anybody comes to say I love you
My mama say baby be careful
Because I love you and I won't hurt you
My papa say be careful 'cause I warn you baby
'Cause I love you, baby I warn you
@user-wb9pf3gy5u
Каждый день не праздник
Моя жизнь походит на метро
О, я знаю, что это любовь не продлится
Посмотри на меня скажите мне, что вы видите
Верите ли вы, эта любовь реальна
О, я знаю, что это любовь не продлится
Я пришел издалека
Чтобы убедиться в этом спуститься в канализацию
Я терпеливо ждал,
И это то, что я получаю
Эмоционально удается мне
Вся моя дикий мир проваливается в
Я так стараюсь, чтобы выразить себя
но женщина во мне
O O O не исчезают
Моя мама детка, будьте осторожны
Если какой-либо орган приходит сказать, что я люблю O O O
Мой папа детка, я предупреждаю вас
Если кто-то приходит сказать, что я люблю тебя
Теперь вы спрашиваете меня верить вам
Скажи мне, как я должен
Когда я знаю, что это любовь не продлится
Может ли это быть такая любовь?
Это моя мама использовать, чтобы предупредить меня о том, как я буду знать,
что эта любовь будет длиться.
Я пришел издалека
Чтобы убедиться в этом спуститься в канализацию
У меня есть так много, чтобы дать
Но я не знаю, что я получу
Эмоционально удается мне
Вся моя дикий мир проваливается в
Я так стараюсь, чтобы выразить себя
но женщина во мне не исчезают.
Моя мама детка, будьте осторожны
Если какой-либо орган приходит сказать, что я люблю O O O
Мой папа детка, я предупреждаю вас
Если кто-то приходит сказать, что я люблю тебя
Да Да
Моя мама детка, будьте осторожны
Если какой-либо орган приходит сказать, что я люблю O O O
Мой папа детка, я предупреждаю вас
Если кто-то приходит сказать, что я люблю тебя
@adoukonoumodeste1539
Il n'y a pas ce jour où je n'écoute tes chansons.mes enfants m'ont même surnommé ASHA
@benjokes1950
One of the best Albums ever produced in the history of Nigerian Music.....Grammy deserving!!! What a genius Asa..
@immobilieretconstruction8598
2024 on est là
@ifeomaprecious5113
2021 and this is still a masterpiece
Asa you are a legend
@2bstarbright5
Why do I always listen to Asa's music only when I'm going through difficult times?? Gosh you're music heals pain inside the heart
@MissMadelineMM94
heartbreak lol
@lorenzoXene
Same here
@MissMadelineMM94
started listening this album in high school as a teen and now I am 27 and have no intention of stopping.
@legrandndoumou8508
ME TOO
@xoxo_dd886
She is such a beautiful singer