Joy Oladokun (born 1992) is an American singer-songwriter. Her music spans … Read Full Bio ↴Joy Oladokun (born 1992) is an American singer-songwriter. Her music spans the genres of folk, R&B, rock, and pop and is influenced by her identity as a queer woman of color. She has released a series of studio albums; Carry (2016), In Defense of My Own Happiness (The Beginnings) (2020), In Defense of My Own Happiness (2021).

While she had been playing guitar since childhood, it wasn’t until 2015 that Oladokun quit her job and took a shot at realizing her dream of making music full-time. She dropped a solo acoustic EP, Cathedrals, that year, and followed it up with 2016’s Carry, a full-band effort that included the single “Shelter,” which introduced her to a wider online audience.

Raised in a small rural community in Arizona, Joy Oladokun began playing guitar when she was ten years old. Inspired by artists like Tracy Chapman, Lauryn Hill, Bob Marley, and singer/songwriters of the ‘70s, Oladokun began writing songs but initially had no intention of pursuing music as a career, preferring to perform for family and friends, sometimes writing them new tunes as gifts. After completing college, Oladokun got a job and was planning to settle into her new position when a friend asked her what she would be doing if money were not a consideration. Oladokun replied writing songs and traveling, and her friend urged her to follow her muse before it was too late.

Oladokun relocated to Los Angeles, and initially landed gigs as a backing vocalist while she honed her craft and played occasional solo shows. In April 2015, Oladokun released a solo acoustic EP, Cathedrals, and later that year launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise the money to record a full-length album. Oladokun was able to raise more than her $30,000 budget, and Carry, featuring backing from a full band, was released in April 2016. Full of personal, emotionally powerful songs, Carry helped Oladokun expand her audience, and she followed it up with touring in the United States and the United Kingdom. The fiercely independent Oladokun continued to record and release new material in a series of singles, with “Memphis” appearing in October 2016, “No Turning Back” in April 2017, and “Sober” in June 2018.

No Turning Back
Joy Oladokun Lyrics

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I'm gonna love you
Till the end of time
With all my breath, my blood, my strength and my mind
If you don't love me
I swear that's fine
Cause I'm gonna love you
I'm gonna love you
When the moons a glow

And your head rests sweet on your pillow
Study the lights in your face like roads on a map
Leading me home
I'm gonna love you
Till the stars and their ghost fade to black
Until time rots our bones, wrinkles our heads
You will find me doing all I can
to love you
I'm gonna love you
Near or far
Gonna hold you like a treasure in my crackling heart
I don't wanna scare you
There's no need for a line
I just think you're something special and you made your mark
Till the stars and their ghost fade to black
Until time rots our bones, wrinkles our heads
You will find me doing all I can
to love you x2

Now that I love you
There's no turning back

Overall Meaning

The song "No Turning Back" by Joy Oladokun is a powerful ode to unconditional love. The lyrics express a profound love that is steadfast and enduring, no matter what. The singer makes a promise to love the person she is singing to, till the end of time, with all her breath, blood, strength, and mind. Even if the person doesn't reciprocate her feelings, she says it's okay and she will continue to love them. The second verse paints a beautiful picture of the singer studying the lights on the face of the person she loves, exemplifying her deep fascination and attention to detail towards that person. In the third verse, the singer promises to love the person, hold them like a treasure in her heart. She reassures the person that she doesn't want to scare them, but she finds them something special and has made a mark in her life. Finally, the chorus talks about how the singer has fallen in love, there's no turning back, and she will do everything in her power to love the person unconditionally.

Overall, the song 'No Turning Back' is one of the most beautiful and touching love songs, with lyrics that speak straight to the soul. The song embodies the idea that true love is unconditional and doesn't require reciprocation. It's a pure expression of a deep emotional connection and the promise of a never-ending commitment between two people.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm gonna love you
I am committed to loving you

Till the end of time
I will love you forever

With all my breath, my blood, my strength and my mind
I will love you with every part of myself

If you don't love me
Even if you do not reciprocate my love

I swear that's fine
I will still love you

Cause I'm gonna love you
My love for you is unchanging

When the moons a glow
Even when everything looks magical

And your head rests sweet on your pillow
When you are at peace and asleep

Study the lights in your face like roads on a map
I admire every detail of you

Leading me home
You are my safe haven

Till the stars and their ghost fade to black
My love for you will persist until the end of the universe