In 2016, Jayla released her debut EP 118 on her 18th birthday, with each song on the 6-track project being self-penned and featuring production from herself and Henny Tha Bizness. She later followed this up two years later with the EPs, Ideas, Vol. 1 and 2, which led her to be recognised by Interscope's senior vice present of A&R and creative director Sickamore, who would then sign her to his Sick Projects imprint as the first signee. Her major label debut Onto Something was finally released in 2019, with all 7 songs being self-penned and self-produced.
Since the release of her major label debut, she was featured on singer H.E.R's Instagram Live segment of Girls with Guitars in May 2020, and has also put out two singles called "Demonstration" and "Let You Go", respectively in June and November 2020.
Onto Something
Jayla Darden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Babe
And say what's on my mind but for what
Babe, yea
Not sure if your down or what
Babe
Leading me on
Maybe I read it wrong
Thought we were onto something
Something, something
I guess it was nothing
Nothing, nothing
Thought we were onto something
Something, something
I guess it was nothing
Nothing, nothing
Night and Day like I'll be sure
Babe
(I can tell you)
If you said the word I was your
Baby
And I can't lie wanted to cry when I saw you with her
(Yea yea yea)
Foolish made this more than it was
Thought we were onto something
Something, something
I guess it was nothing
Nothing, nothing
Thought we were onto something
Something, something
I guess it was nothing
Nothing, nothing
Oh no no no no
(No no no)
Yea yea yea yea yea
(Yea)
Oh no no no no
(No oh)
Yea yea
Thought we were onto something
Something, something
I guess it was nothing
Nothing, nothing
Thought we were onto something
Something, something
I guess it was nothing
Nothing, nothing
Oh no no no
The song Onto Something by Jayla Darden is a reflection on a relationship that didn't quite work out as expected. The singer is contemplating calling up her lover and sharing her thoughts, but is unsure if this will be a fruitful conversation. She feels that she may have misread the entire situation and that she might have been led on in vain. The chorus, "Thought we were onto something, something, something, I guess it was nothing, nothing, nothing" reinforces this idea that the relationship was not what she thought it was.
The emotions in the song are layered and complicated, and Darden communicates them beautifully. She is able to capture the intense feeling of wanting to communicate with someone who may not be interested, the disappointment of realizing that you made up a connection that wasn't really there. The pain of seeing someone you like with someone else is evident in the lyrics, "And I can't lie wanted to cry when I saw you with her, Foolish made this more than it was."
The ambiguity of the relationship is masterfully communicated through the lyrics and the music. The beat is understated, the production is clean, yet full of emotion. The song ends with a soft and wistful "Oh no no no no" that lingers long after the song is over.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm tempted to call you up
Feeling the desire to communicate with you
Babe
Term of endearment
And say what's on my mind but for what
Wondering if it's worth expressing my thoughts to you
Babe, yea
Another term of endearment to emphasize the previous line
Not sure if your down or what
Confused about your intentions
Babe
Once again endearing you
Leading me on
Giving me false hope
Maybe I read it wrong
Admitting the possibility of misunderstanding
Thought we were onto something
Believing our relationship had potential
Something, something
Repeating this phrase for emphasis
I guess it was nothing
Realizing it wasn't what I thought it was
Nothing, nothing
Again, repeating for emphasis
Night and day like I'll be sure
Assuming you feel the same way as me
Babe
Calling you endearingly
(I can tell you)
Confessing I could disclose my feelings for you
If you said the word I was your
Stating how easy it would be for us to be together
Baby
Endearment once again
And I can't lie wanted to cry when I saw you with her
Admitting that you being with someone else makes me sad
(Yea yea yea)
Emphasizing this statement
Foolish made this more than it was
Regretting the mistake of becoming too invested in the relationship
Oh no no no no
Expressing disappointment
(No no no)
Short version of the above line
Yea yea yea yea yea
Repeating this phrase for emphasis
(Yea)
Another instance of emphasizing
Thought we were onto something
Reiterating the previous belief
Something, something
Once again repeating for emphasis
I guess it was nothing
Admitting the disappointing realization
Nothing, nothing
Repeating for impact
Thought we were onto something
Final restating of the initial belief
Something, something
Final repeating for emphasis
I guess it was nothing
Final acknowledgement and acceptance of the relationship's true status
Nothing, nothing
Final repeating for ultimate impact
Oh no no no
Final expression of disappointment
Contributed by Emma N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@PyrozPlayground
This is exactly what music has been missing. No autotune, no mumbling, it's got that nostalgic vibe to it, it's beautiful!
@jthrilla84
Exactly! I'm even starting to see a few of these artist bring back that 90s look with their clothing
@user-lm8dj6ur6c
PyrozPlayground sameeee😭
@misstiklyrique
So nostalgic that it reminds me of Brandy
@R.J.S
I mean it does have auto tune in her vocals there no song that’s come out without Auto tune it’s all about pitch correction my guy
@peter3273
@R.J.S Official Page you're right many people don't understand that. And st the end of the day is a stylistic choise if you want full autotune as a effect go for it or if you want autotune just for correction go for It it's a choise.
@LIAHEDWARDSKOBE24
She makes beats , writes her own music , and can sing beautifully. What more can you ask for?
@nakeyshalove2425
Love this song giving me 90s r&b brandy 😍
@bernarddarius3411
Nakeysha Love https://youtu.be/HKb7i7nRtA4
https://youtu.be/9HGdqN_5qkM
@RnBReworked
Definitely gave me "Put That On Everything" vibes.