After graduating high school at 17, Mereba continued her education at her parents' insistence, attending Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. She eventually transferred in 2009 to the liberal arts women's college Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, seeking to immerse herself in its black culture. Mereba graduated from Spelman with an English degree and a Music minor.
In 2013, Mereba self-released Room For Living EP, under her full name. Mereba collaborated with Atlanta hip-hop collective Spillage Village on their 2015 release, Bears Like This Too. She also has collaborations with Spillage Village members EARTHGANG, JID, and 6LACK, on numerous projects.
In 2018, Mereba was signed by Interscope Records. Singles "Black Truck" and "Planet U" were released in 2018, and would go on to appear in her debut album, The Jungle Is The Only Way Out, released February 27, 2019.
Souvenir
Mereba Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And my doors knocked on 'round 8
Grey is the color I wear when its cold
I donβ²t mind shaking, it keeps me awake
Ahhhh Red is the shade that I wear when I run
Through misty mountains just chasing the sun
Blue is the color and pale is the hue
When I start thinking of you
Oh when I feel like I'm drifting
I close my eyes and I'm sitting
On that soft sand, slipping right through my hands
Any time of the day I start floating away
Looking at the sky, there were meteors exploding high, high
On that soft sand, slipping right through my hands
Remember
Green is the color that sprouts up in June
Put it in paper and burn away blues
Pink is the shade of the heart that I gave
You as a Souvenir from our escape
Ahhhh
Oh when I feel like Iβ²m drifting
I close my eyes and Iβ²m sitting
On that soft sand, slipping right through my hands
Any time of the day I start floating away
Looking at the sky, there were meteors exploding high, high
On that soft sand, slipping right through my hands
Remember
I'm leaving Samsara
Iβ²m leaving Samsara
I'm leaving Samsara
Mereba's song "Souvenir" showcases her unique storytelling skills. The song opens with a scene-setting verse where Mereba describes the different colors she wears and why. Red is the color she wears when it's late and someone knocks on her door at around 8 pm. Grey is the color she wears when it's cold because it keeps her alert. She then goes on to describe how red is the shade she wears when she is running through misty mountains, chasing the sun. When she starts thinking of someone special, blue and pale colors fill her mind.
In the chorus, Mereba talks about how she escapes reality when she is feeling lost, and she goes to a place where she sits on soft sand and watches meteors explode in the sky. She remembers that moment in time, slipping right through her fingers, and how it made her feel. In the second verse, Mereba talks about the colors green and pink. Green is the color of growth that sprouts up in June, and pink is the color of the heart that she gave away as a souvenir.
The song "Souvenir" is about escaping from mundane reality and finding solace in moments of pure beauty. Mereba's lyrics are poetic and thought-provoking, touching on the theme of nostalgia and the beauty of fleeting moments. The song is also an ode to memories and how they can be used as souvenirs to escape from reality. With Mereba's soothing voice and heartfelt lyrics, "Souvenir" is a beautiful musical trip that listeners can go on.
Line by Line Meaning
Red is the color I wear when it's late
I wear red when it's late as a way to portray strength and confidence.
And my doors knocked on 'round 8
Late at night, when someone comes to my door around 8 o'clock, I wear red to show I'm not afraid.
Grey is the color I wear when it's cold
When it's cold, I wear grey because it doesn't matter that I shake, since it helps me stay alert.
I don't mind shaking, it keeps me awake
When I face the cold, shaking helps me stay awake.
Red is the shade that I wear when I run
When I'm running, I wear red to show off my courage and strength.
Through misty mountains just chasing the sun
During my runs, I pursue the feeling of chasing the sun through the misty mountains.
Blue is the color and pale is the hue
When I miss you, I see a blue and pale image in my mind.
When I start thinking of you
I see the blue and pale colors when I think of you.
Oh when I feel like I'm drifting
When I feel lost and adrift,
I close my eyes and I'm sitting
I close my eyes and transport myself.
On that soft sand, slipping right through my hands
As I'm transported, I see myself sitting on soft sand that drifts through my fingers.
Any time of the day I start floating away
I can drift away at any time of the day.
Looking at the sky, there were meteors exploding high, high
As I drift, I see meteors exploding high in the sky.
Remember
I try to remember those moments and experiences.
Green is the color that sprouts up in June
In June, I see the color green symbolizing new growth.
Put it in paper and burn away blues
I try to burn away any sadness or negativity by writing it down and letting it go.
Pink is the shade of the heart that I gave
I gave you my heart, symbolized by the color pink.
You as a Souvenir from our escape
You, and the memories of our escape, are precious to me and something I want to keep.
I'm leaving Samsara
I am trying to leave behind the cycle of birth and death, or any negative feelings that entrap me.
I'm leaving Samsara
I am determined to break free from the cycle and find peace.
I'm leaving Samsara
I will not stay trapped and will instead move forward.
Writer(s): Marian Mereba, Sam Hoffman
Contributed by Gabriella Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@sunkked7964
[Verse 1]
Red is the color I wear when itβs late
And my doors knocked on βround 8
Grey is the color I wear when its cold
I donβt mind shaking, it keeps me awake
Ahhhh Red is the shade that I wear when I run
Through misty mountains just chasing the sun
Blue is the color and pale is the hue
When I start thinking of you
Youβ¦
[Chorus]
Oh when I feel like Iβm drifting
I close my eyes and Iβm sitting
On that soft sand, slipping right through my hands
Any time of the day I start floating away
Looking at the sky, there were meteors exploding high, high
On that soft sand, slipping right through my hands
Remember
[Verse 2]
Green is the color that sprouts up in June
Put it in paper and burn away blues
Pink is the shade of the heart that I gave
You as a Souvenir from our escape
Ahhhh
[Chorus]
Oh when I feel like Iβm drifting
I close my eyes and Iβm sitting
On that soft sand, slipping right through my hands
Any time of the day I start floating away
Looking at the sky, there were meteors exploding high, high
On that soft sand, slipping right through my hands
Remember
[Outro]
Iβm leaving Samsara
Iβm leaving Samsara
Iβm leaving Samsara
@wysoup3506
I canβt explain the sensation this sound gives me, itβs so dreamy
@theminimalist2063
WySoup I know right, itβs the βLooking at the sky there were meteors exploding highβ... I feel that!
@Natasha76234
It's sad yet beautiful
@le3308
It reminds me of a dream I had of dancing in the clouds
@syckindahead
Dreamy and bittersweet
@benjiobbbw
She really need to be known she deserves more recognition!
@earthy_girl1016
Real artist don't do it for recognition..the awaken will find them anyway
@MIKEO96
@@earthy_girl1016 facts
@timzigashane6083
she is so underrated
@olloworld
This song always makes me tear up but it makes me want to twirl and lay in the sun too lol itβs beautiful