Hooking up w/ producer Michael Jay, Martika landed a deal with Columbia Records. Martika's self-titled debut album was released in the fall of 1988. But it wasn't until 1989 that she broke through in a big way. By January her debut single "More Than You Know" was a US Top 20 smash. Her second single, a haunting ballad about addiction, entitled "Toy Soldiers" spent 2 weeks at #1 in the US during the summer of 1989. Up next was a dance/rock version of the Carole King classic "I Feel The Earth Move" which would eventually score Martika her 3rd Top 40 US hit. This song as well as her previous singles also became huge hits all over the world by charting high in the UK, Australia, Japan and Spain just to name a few. A fourth single was released in Europe and Australia entitled "Water".
After the success of her debut, her label compiled a 4 song EP of Spanish language versions of 3 of her hits ("Water" was included as well but in it's bilingual original state). It was during this time that Martika would perform throughout many Spanish speaking countries, and was heavily promoted to the US Latino market.
During the fall of 1990, Martika returned briefly to acting playing Dahlia Mendez on the CBS drama "Wiseguy". Playing a sultry nightclub singer & girlfriend to the then new lead Steven Bauer, Martika turned heads w/ her sexy outfits & latin jazz standards sprinkled throughout the show. Much like her character's untimely death, the show also was cancelled after failing to catch on with viewers. Luckily for Martika all 4 of her episodes aired.
Martika followed up her debut (which eventually went gold in the US) with 1991's "Martika's Kitchen". Led by the first single, "Love...Thy Will Be Done", a prayer that Martika had written which would later be turned into a song by Prince, Martika would find herself once again on the charts. The song peaked at #10 in the US and was a #1 hit in Australia. Unfortunately a sophmore slump of sorts took its toll on what could have been a huge hit album. The 2nd single, a funky Prince penned and produced tune, failed to set the charts on fire and stalled at #98 in the US. However it did fare better in Europe making it all the way to #1 in Spain. A third single, the C+C Music Factory produced "Coloured Kisses", failed to chart in the US but was a modest hit internationally. Two more singles would see the light of day in Europe, a club only release of yet another Prince produced track "Spirit" made the rounds as did a 4th single "Safe In The Arms Of Love".
It was during 1992 that Martika would walk away from her music career. After a headlining stint at the Expo Sevilla in Sevilla, Spain, Martika walked off the stage and began a long hiatus from music. Rumors of her whereabouts would range from the weird to plain ridiculous.
During this time Martika wrote songs for several artists (Maria Nyler, Tevin Campbell, etc.) as well as lending her voice to several projects (C+C Music Factory's "Música es mi vida" and the Conga Club's "The Happy Song" to name a few). But it was not until 1999 that Martika would come out of musical obscurity by launching a website (the new defunct martika.net) and talk of a new album brought many fans out of the woodwork so to say. At this time several demos leaked on the internet and she even went as far as to release an internet only single "The Journey" available exclusively on mp3.com.
This brief return sort of came and went and it wasn't until the beginning of this decade that Martika would again return. This time as 1/2 of the musical duo Oppera. Along with her musical partner (and husband) Michael Mozart, the duo released their internet only debut "Violince". Since they have released a self-titled follow-up, opened for Pat Benatar.
In 2010 Martika, under the name Vida Edit, starred in the internet series J8DED along w/ her hubby Michael Daemon. The show is currently on hiatus.
Martika is currently working on her first solo album in 20 years. It will see her return to her dance/pop roots. Expect a fall 2011 release.
Also of note rapper Eminem sampled Martika's "Toy Soldiers" in his 2004 hit "Like Toy Soldiers", thus resparking some interest in this often ignored pop star. To boot, in 2007 British shoegaze/alternative rock band My Vitriol covered the song for their A Pyrrhic Victory EP.
Take Me To Forever
Martika Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I can't understand myself sometimes
Feel as if I were drowning
Won't you lift me up?
And sometimes I can't face it, no, no
When I take a look inside
And I just don't like what I see
Because I think about tomorrow
And what I really know
Is that I can't contain this feeling
Growing deep in my soul
Take me to forever
Point me to the sky
'Cause I don't like it
And I don't wanna spent another sleepless night
We can be together
You can make it right
And I won't feel like my life was a waste of time
Reaching in the darkness, mm-hmm
My innocence is long, long gone
I'm caught up in this loneliness
Has time done me wrong?
'Cause when I look into the mirror
I see what I've become
And I've lost my own direction
Only you, only you can lead me home
Take me to forever
Point me to the sky
'Cause I don't like it
And I don't wanna spent another sleepless night
We can be together
You can make it right
Time will turn all the pages into memories
Ever since you touched my heart
I have wanted to be free
Take me to forever
Point me to the sky
'Cause I don't like it
And I don't wanna spent another sleepless night
We can be together
You can make it right
Take me to forever
Point me to the sky
'Cause I don't like it
And I don't wanna spent another sleepless night
We can be together
You can make it right
The lyrics of "Take Me to Forever" by Martika is about seeking refuge in one's loved one during difficult times. The singer talks about how she feels lost and drowning in situations where she can't seem to understand herself, implying an emotional turbulence she can't handle. The lyrics demonstrate a struggle with self-doubt and the fear of not seeing one's life having purpose or direction. The singer needs someone to lean on and guide her back to the right path. She seeks her lover's comfort as they make life's journey together, taking her to a place of tranquility, inner peace, and eternal love, a place where she can escape her troubles and fears.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Take me to forever" symbolising a place beyond time or mortality, a sanctuary where problems don't exist, troubles don't seem so big and life is beautiful. The lyric, "Point me to the sky' mirrors the idea of transcendence and hope, the ability to rise above one's limitations and reach for the stars. The song suggests hope amidst pain, light amidst shadow and a prospect of endless love.
Overall, "Take Me to Forever" is a reflective song about the human condition of being lost and searching for meaning. It shows a longing for emotional security, and the yearning to find a place that offers respite from life's challenges. The song also speaks to the power of love as a healing force, as well as the need for emotional support from loved ones.
Line by Line Meaning
Situations come along
Life gets complicated sometimes.
And I can't understand myself sometimes
I struggle to comprehend my own thoughts and feelings.
Feel as if I were drowning
I feel overwhelmed and suffocated by life's challenges.
Won't you lift me up?
Please help me out of this darkness.
And sometimes I can't face it, no, no
I feel like I can't handle what life throws at me.
When I take a look inside
When I examine my own thoughts and feelings.
And I just don't like what I see
I am not happy with the person I am becoming.
Is there nowhere left to hide?
Is there no escape from my own flaws?
Because I think about tomorrow
I worry about the future.
And what I really know
What I understand for certain.
Is that I can't contain this feeling
I cannot control this emotion.
Growing deep in my soul
That is consuming me from within.
Take me to forever
Help me escape from my troubles.
Point me to the sky
Guide me towards a brighter future.
'Cause I don't like it
I am unhappy with my current situation.
And I don't wanna spent another sleepless night
I am tired of feeling overwhelmed and stressed.
We can be together
Let's face our problems together.
You can make it right
I need your help to fix my life.
Reaching in the darkness, mm-hmm
Searching for answers in the midst of confusion.
My innocence is long, long gone
I am no longer naive or innocent.
I'm caught up in this loneliness
I feel isolated and alone.
Has time done me wrong?
Is time responsible for my current struggles?
'Cause when I look into the mirror
When I examine myself closely.
I see what I've become
I am unhappy with the person I have become.
And I've lost my own direction
I feel lost and uncertain about my future.
Only you, only you can lead me home
I need your guidance and support to find my way back.
Time will turn all the pages into memories
Everything I experience will eventually become a memory.
Ever since you touched my heart
I have been deeply affected by your presence in my life.
I have wanted to be free
I yearn for freedom from my struggles and challenges.
Contributed by Kaitlyn I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.