H… Read Full Bio ↴Deva Mahal is one of New Zealand music's premier female vocalists.
Her voice has adorned a swagger of this country's best soul and roots albums including Sola Rosa's Moves On where she took the lead for single Redeemer as well as Rhombus' latest, Future Reference where she teamed up with brother Ahmed Mahal aka. Imon Star.
Daughter of Taj Mahal.
In the traditon of great soul/jazz artists Deva sings from places deep down to take the listener on high.
She has recently completed a seven track EP recorded live in Wellington to a receptive crowd at Hope Bros, where she can found every Wednesday night at 11pm
It's Down to You
Deva Mahal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To travel over land and sea
And I won't be the only one
'Cause that's the only life for me
Tell me 'bout your love and I've never seen it
It's not enough to make it, you gotta mean it
Woah, and it's down to you
And what else can I do
Darling, I can't wait
And I won't be the only one, who
Lay my life, lay my life on the line
The lights are up and curtains down
Listen boy, you're running out of time
You tell 'bout your love but you never show it
It's not enough to say, I gotta know it
Woah, and it's down to you
I've tried everything to please you
And what else can I do
Baby, I can't wait, oh
Woah, woah, woah
I know if I stay here, I'll never make it (never make it)
So running with my heart, before you break it
Woah oh
And it's down to you
I've tried everything to please you
And what else can I do
See baby, I can't wait
So woah, and it's down to you
I've tried everything, everything to please you
And what else can I do
Baby, I can't wait
See, love, I've tried everything
See, love, I've tried everything
See, love, I've tried everything
The lyrics to Deva Mahal's song It's Down to You express the singer's frustration with their partner's lack of effort in their relationship. The first stanza acknowledges that the singer is not the only one who is willing to go to great lengths to make the relationship work, implying that their partner needs to step up too. The second stanza emphasizes the singer's feeling of being out of options - they've tried everything to please their partner, but nothing seems to be enough. The repetition of "See, love, I've tried everything" emphasizes the singer's persistence, but also their exhaustion.
Throughout the song, the singer urges their partner to be more invested in the relationship - telling them about their love is not enough, they need to actively show it. The repetition of "And it's down to you" and "What else can I do?" highlights the power dynamic - the singer is at the mercy of their partner's actions, and they're running out of patience.
The bridge introduces the idea of the singer leaving the relationship if their partner doesn't change their ways, but ultimately they seem resigned to their fate. The final repetition of "See, love, I've tried everything" feels almost defeated - the singer has done all they can, but it's not enough.
Overall, the lyrics to It's Down to You capture the frustration and weariness of being in a one-sided relationship. The singer wants their partner to be more invested, but they also feel powerless to make them change.
Line by Line Meaning
And I won't be the only one
There are others who share my desire to travel
To travel over land and sea
I want to explore as much of this world as possible
And I won't be the only one
I am not alone in my adventurous spirit
'Cause that's the only life for me
Traveling and experiencing new things is the only way I want to live
Tell me 'bout your love and I've never seen it
I want you to prove your love to me, not just talk about it
It's not enough to make it, you gotta mean it
Saying you love me is not enough, you have to truly mean it
Woah, and it's down to you
The responsibility for our relationship's success is entirely on you
I've tried everything to please you
I've done all I can to make you happy
And what else can I do
I don't know what else to try
Darling, I can't wait
I can't wait any longer for you to reciprocate my feelings
And I won't be the only one, who
I won't be the only one who is willing to risk everything for love
Lay my life, lay my life on the line
I am willing to give everything for love, even my life
The lights are up and curtains down
It's time for us to face our problems head-on
Listen boy, you're running out of time
You need to act soon or else I may lose interest
You tell 'bout your love but you never show it
You talk a lot about loving me, but you never actually demonstrate it
It's not enough to say, I gotta know it
Words aren't enough to prove your love, you need to show it through action
I know if I stay here, I'll never make it (never make it)
If I continue our current relationship, I will never find true happiness
So running with my heart, before you break it
I am leaving before you break my heart even more
See, love, I've tried everything
I have done everything I could to make our relationship work
See, love, I've tried everything
I have tried everything, but it still wasn't enough
See, love, I've tried everything
I have done everything possible, but you still haven't reciprocated my feelings
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Deva Mahal, Franklin Delano Stribling
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jeansnatshirt
Just watched her episode on "Dating Around" and shazamed the song at the end not realizing it was her song..amazing voice!!
Floris van der Leest
Same here. Impressive persona
J JO
Me too.... Love her voice. Incredible
Awaken 2 Yoga With Vandana Dillon
I figured it was! Incredible voice and powerful presence. I’m so glad I watched that cheesy show and found her!
Jathiya Raven
Confession: I've been bingeing this song. Straight repeat for like two days. 🤦🏾♀️ don't know if it's only me but this song has touched the deepest parts of my soul. From the lyrics, melody, soul and the yearning in the vocals...smh. I've been musically starving for years. Straight up deprived. This is great music!
Blessed One
Me too
Koyness Saechao
Me too I was in tears at work
VTtom62
Jathiya Raven, Deva is fantastic IMHO...
george
Jathiya Raven starving for years???
Dude......i don't wanna that to hapen to me or to anyone else.
And i'm serious about that but i can't explain becouse i'm no good with english words
Anna Loiacono
Jathiya Raven I have same feeling about this song❤