Hamzaa has been rising steadily into the public consciousness this past year: there was her sold-out debut headline show at London's St Pancras Old Church, followed at the start of 2019 by another sell-out performance, this time at Omeara - the show got a four star review in the Evening Standard, who compared her to a 19-era Adele. She has supported Ray BLK; been called "the real deal" by The Line Of Best Fit; received radio support across tastemaker platforms like Repezent, national stations like Radio 1Xtra, and Julie Adenuga's Beats1 show; not to mention co-signs from Stormzy, Wretch32 and Ghetts, who both hopped on part two of her sublime track 'Breathing'. On top of all this, last year when when she only had two songs out, the executive producer for BBC institution 'Later... with Jools Holland' heard her on the radio - what followed, very quickly, was a sublime debut performance on the show.
Hamzaa's journey, however, starts long before all that - and, as she puts it, "I want people to fall in love with the journey and the story rather than just the hype and excitement."
Her childhood in East London's Hackney was one full of creativity, growing-up singing-along to a diet of artists she describes as "old school classics" at home (she cites the likes of Aretha, Beyoncé, John Legend, and even Dolly Parton), with her mum encouraging that passion for performance by sending her to various performing arts and stage schools. Aged 11, Hamzaa went to boarding school ("mum wanted me to get a chance to be out of our area"), where she became deeply involved in directing plays, arranging songs, and participating in singing competitions.
Halfway through A-Levels, however, she decided to drop-out and pursue music properly. Via a stint working the cloakroom at Brixton Academy, she was: "Always writing, always singing, always dancing and putting it into whatever aspect of my life."
Indeed, underpinning her rise to prominence was that Hamzaa had started writing songs when she was just nine years old. It was around the same time she had started learning piano, and she began to put her poetry to music. An only child, creating her own place for self-expression was vital - "I had no one to talk to, really, but myself - obviously I could talk to my mum, but it's a bit different when you're younger! So any of the thoughts that I had, I was very good at putting it down on paper and then getting on the piano finding some chords."
Via a now lost EP (the files were on her old laptop), almost a decade later Hamzaa's songwriting process comes from the same place - putting down her thoughts, diary-like, to process things, while also giving other people a space to relate: "I want to open a conversation and make people be fearless in their speech," she says.
'First Signs Of Me' reflects that boldness of intent, self-interrogating her mental space in the aftermath of a break-up, "rather than sitting in my sadness". This is particularly striking on opening track 'Red', which softly speaks of fear and suicidal thoughts and grappling with self-love. The beautiful accompanying video, filmed at Southend-on-Sea and directed by Filmawi Efrem, sees a dancer on the water, keeping above it all while everyone watches from the shore. "I'm very sensitive and very anxious," explains Hamzaa, "I've suffered from severe depression and anxiety, so I really advocate for talking about mental health. I want people to try and be in the best mental space possible, or working towards that - so I try to emulate that myself. It's tough sometimes, but I like to be the strong friend, the backbone of things. It makes me happy when I feel other people are good. I know what it's like not to feel good."
Comparisons with the likes of Amy Winehouse make sense - indeed, Hamzaa even lists her off when she talks about her aims for the future: this is timeless, universal, emotionally resonant music topped with a spellbindingly powerful voice. Not that Hamzaa needs to be compared to anyone but herself - what she's creating is deeply personal, and she's keen to highlight that the only trajectory she's focussing on is her own. Accordingly, she's not in a rush to put out a load of music, instead happy to let people take their time with 'First Signs' - "I don't wanna rush and put out something that I don't completely love," she explains, "I don't want people to see or hear something and just be like 'mmm, it's alright' when I know I didn't fully love it in the first place."
For now, there's a slew of singles she's planning - 'London' is the first post-EP, and is full of evocative, uplifting gospel warmth, as she talks about never giving up and her enduring love for her, at times, overwhelming city. Another forthcoming track, 'Write It Down' is one she describes as "powerful". Hamzaa doesn't like swearing, but admits the track is a "fuck you" to people who don't understand what she's about - to so-called friends trying to invalidate what she's doing and what she's talking about in her music while she's putting her all into it.
It all comes back to that focus on self-expression rather than on expectation; taking her time to evoke emotions that last, rather than riding the hype wave: "The way I want my path to go is longevity, I want to be remembered for my music and for what I was able to do with my music. And that longevity comes when you play your cards... not right, but you play them smart. You could play the wrong card, but if you've taken your time grinding and you've worked for it, it's gonna connect somehow."
And with that attitude, Hamzaa looks set to have a straight flush.
"Music inhabits the soulful jazzy space left by Amy Winehouse. A star is born." - Evening Standard
"There is no doubt about it - we're going to be hearing a lot more from Hamzaa and we are so, so ready for her." - The Line Of Best Fit
"Knows how to sing emotions that you didn't even realise you were feeling." - Julie Adenuga
Sunday Morning
Hamzaa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whatever we do comes easy like we want it
And we can't turn forever off 'cause
We ain't got the pressure on us
You make me feel like
You make me feel like it's a Sunday morning
Might seem like it took forever
You think I need better
So baby I need you to know
You hold my hand when I look at you
We know what it is
I know you're insecure, it's clear to see
So before we go to sleep, let me tell you something
You make me feel like it's a Sunday morning
Whatever we do comes easy like we want it
And we can't turn forever off 'cause
We ain't got the pressure on us
You make me feel like
You make me feel like it's a Sunday morning
What do I
Need to say
To let you know that all the time
You're in my head?
And I can't get enough of you (of you, baby)
It don't matter what I do
Listen, let it all get through
I never knew a thing so true
You make me feel like it's a Sunday morning
Whatever we do comes easy like we want it
And we can't turn forever off 'cause
We ain't got the pressure on us
You make me feel like
You make me feel like it's a Sunday morning
Do-do-do-do-do-do
Do-do-do, Sunday morning
Do-do-do-do-do-do
Sunday morning
Do-do-do-do-do-do
Do-do-do, Sunday morning
Do-do-do-do-do-do
Feel like it's a Sunday morning
You make me feel like it's a Sunday morning
Whatever we do comes easy like we want it (yeah)
And we can't turn forever off 'cause
We ain't got the pressure on us (no, oh)
You make me feel like
You make me feel like it's a Sunday morning
The song “Sunday Morning” by Hamzaa conveys the feeling of being in love and how everything seems effortless when you’re with the right person. The opening lines, “You make me feel like it's a Sunday morning, Whatever we do comes easy like we want it” sets the tone for the song. The reference to Sunday morning is used to describe the calm and serenity that the day brings and how the feeling of being with the right person generates the same sense of peace. The lyrics also mention that they don't have to worry about time running out, as they have no pressures on them that require an immediate deadline.
As the song progresses, the lyrics touch on the idea that everything can seem difficult at first, and it might seem like it took forever to find the right person. However, when that person appears, everything suddenly becomes easy. The verse, “Might seem like it took forever, But trust me when I say this one was easy mmh (easy yeah) You think I need better, So baby, I need you to know” signifies the idea of finally finding the right person and that everything has fallen into place.
Furthermore, the lyrics talk about how the singer's partner's insecurity is evident, but they make that person feel comfortable and secure in their love. The song's mood is upbeat, happy, and speaks of a love that is easy and calming. The chorus repeats the line, “You make me feel like it's a Sunday morning” to emphasize the feeling of security and contentment that comes with being in love with the perfect partner.
Line by Line Meaning
You make me feel like it's a Sunday morning
You make me feel comfortable and content, free from stress or worries, like on a peaceful Sunday morning.
Whatever we do comes easy like we want it
Everything we do together seems effortless, natural and enjoyable, like it's what we both want to do.
And we can't turn forever off 'cause
We cannot stop the passage of time, although we wish we could sometimes.
We ain't got the pressure on us
There is no stress or burden on us to hurry or make decisions, we can take our time.
Might seem like it took forever
Events or situations might appear to be lasting a long time, even if they are easy and positive.
But trust me when I say this one was easy mmh (easy yeah)
Believe me when I say that this one (our relationship) was not difficult, that we have a good thing together.
You think I need better
You believe that I deserve someone better, but I want you to know something important.
So baby I need you to know
I want to tell you something important, that you might not realize otherwise.
You hold my hand when I look at you
You offer me support and reassurance when I see you, which means a lot to me.
We know what it is
We understand each other, our feelings and our situation very well.
I know you're insecure, it's clear to see
I understand that you feel uncertain or lacking in confidence at times, even though it's obvious to me.
So before we go to sleep, let me tell you something
Before we rest for the night, I want to express my feelings or thoughts to you, so you can feel better.
What do I
What I am about to say is important or meaningful, so listen carefully.
Need to say
I have something to express or share with you.
To let you know that all the time
To make you realize how much you mean to me, every day and every moment.
You're in my head?
Do you understand that I am thinking about you a lot, that you occupy my thoughts?
And I can't get enough of you (of you, baby)
I enjoy your company and your presence so much, I always want more of it.
It don't matter what I do
No matter what I am doing or where I am, you are always in my mind and in my heart.
Listen, let it all get through
Please hear me out, understand what I am trying to say, don't dismiss it.
I never knew a thing so true
I never experienced something (our connection) that felt so real, so authentic, so right.
Do-do-do-do-do-do
Musical interlude, a break or pause in the singing.
Do-do-do, Sunday morning
Musical interlude, repeating the title of the song.
Feel like it's a Sunday morning
I feel like I am at ease and happy, enjoying the moment with you, like on a Sunday morning.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Cassandra-Malika Hamza, R. Hammond
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@onestay1207
Yes, come here after felix of stray kids recomended this beautifull song.
@rysiespuffs
YESSS SAMEEE
@bel1409
same
@stayatiny592
saaammme^^
@gnavadnama2558
Yess
@fheymatienzo7165
saammmeee
@ohblue1998
Thank you Felix for recommending this song, you have good tastes. 💛☺️
@rysiespuffs
IKR THIS IS BEAUTIFUL
@sari7022
Yess,
@exoplanet5482
Came here because of Felix too