Rhian - born Rhiannon Afua Benson in Ghana, West Africa - grew up surrounded by music and musicians. Her mother, from Wales in Britain - is a singer, and her father, a native of Ghana , is a guitarist. Rhian's grandfather led an acclaimed big band in the '50s and '60s, her eldest uncle was a popular highlife singer - and her youngest uncle a record producer. Home for Rhian was a place of music; her childhood was immersed in the sounds of Miles Davis, Earth Wind & Fire, Ella Fitzgerald and Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti among many others.
Rhian was not meant to be a spectator, though, and her desire to become a musician coincided with a family move to India . Within weeks of arriving in New Delhi , Rhian's passion was fully ignited: she began playing the piano, and wrote her first song when she was 9. By the time she and her family returned to Ghana , Rhian was fully engrossed in the music - both listening and creating.
While music was essential to Rhian, so was education; another paradox appears when one considers that Rhian left her artistic pursuits behind to attend the prestigious London School of Economics and then Harvard, ostensibly to pursue a career in the distinctly right-brained field of banking. But while studying in Boston , life intervened: Rhian's mother had been diagnosed with a serious illness.
Rhian immediately went back to London, where her mother was undergoing intense treatment. With her family spread throughout the world, Rhian, nurturing by nature and always close to her mother, became responsible for her mother's day-to-day care. It was during that time that Rhian rediscovered music: it became a source of strength for her, helping her to get through a tremendously difficult time. As her mother began to heal physically, Rhian began to heal emotionally-- through music.
"It was a major turning point for me," Rhian says. "I couldn't ignore my deep-rooted desire to be creative and artistically expressive any longer. I came to realize that taking a risk, following your dreams and listening to your strongest instincts is the only way to become one with your spirit. One of my favorite quotes is by Paulo Coelho in his wonderful book The Alchemist. I'll never forget what he said: 'To realize one's destiny is a person's only real obligationwhen you want something, all of the universe conspires in helping you achieve it."
Although her mother's health had improved, Rhian stayed in London - once she recognized the significance of music in her life, she abandoned her plans to return to Harvard -- and began performing regularly at small venues, where she was discovered and signed.
Rhian began working on her debut album (Gold Coast) in 2001 - in addition to singing and playing various instruments, she is writing and composing all the songs, collaborating with a close-knit group of other talented musicians and producers. "I love the entire process, from writing to recording," says Rhian. "There are so many things in life that I care deeply about, and it's very fulfilling to be able to capture and share them in song. The freedom of creating music is addictive - it reminds me of growing up in West Africa , with the sea, the skies, and wide open spaces everywhere."
"These same feelings are why I feel at home in California ," Rhian continues. "I've always been drawn to America and the sense of possibility that seems to lie around life's next corner."
With Rhian, that sense of possibility is now more promise than possibility. But it's not about California , it's not about paradox, and it's not about enigma - it's entirely about Rhian.
Spirit
Rhian Benson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wun ya eh oh, wun ya eh ya eh oh
Wun ya eh oh, wun ya eh oh
Wun ya eh oh
Slow down, close my eyes
Now I can see
To far away places
Senses so alive
Guide me on my trip
Closer to my dreams
Where can I find the spirit
Wun ya eh oh (Let's find the way)
Wun ya eh oh, wun ya eh ya eh oh
Wun ya eh oh, Wun ya eh oh
Wun ya eh oh
Wun ya eh oh (Let's find the way)
Wun ya eh oh, wun ya eh ya eh oh
Wun ya eh oh, wun ya eh oh
Wun ya eh oh
Ma ɛmpa a ba (Don't give up)
Na osruma bɛ pie (Your star will shine)
Gotta feel with your soul
And learn to believe
As life's mysteries unfold
Teach us of the Spirit
Spirit
The lyrics to Rhian Benson's song "Spirit" speak of a journey towards self-discovery - a journey that is both internal and external. The opening lines urge us to heed the call to find our way, as we are invited to join in the search ("Wunya eh oh (Let's find the way)"). As the singer slows down and closes her eyes, she is able to see and feel more vividly than ever before. The sights and sensations on this inward journey take her to places deep within herself, places that feel like faraway lands. In these places, she finds an enlivened spirit that guides her on this quest, ever-closer to her dreams.
The song encourages the listener to continue with the search and not to give up. The lyrics, "Ma ɛmpa a ba, na osruma bɛ pie" which is translated from Ghanaian Twi, means "Don't give up, your star will shine." In order to make progress, one must feel with their soul, which requires a willingness to open oneself up to new experiences and wisdom, and to be receptive to the teachings of the spirit.
Overall, Benson's "Spirit" is a beautifully inspiring song that encourages listeners to embark upon their own spiritual journeys towards self-discovery, with ultimately rewarding fruition.
Line by Line Meaning
Wunya eh oh (Let's find the way)
The search for meaning and direction in life is about to begin.
Wun ya eh oh, wun ya eh ya eh oh
Together we will embark on this journey, and we will find the answers we seek.
Wun ya eh oh, wun ya eh oh
We must not give up on this quest, but rather continue until we reach our goal.
Slow down, close my eyes
We need to take a break from the chaos of the world around us and focus inwardly.
Now I can see
Through this introspection, we will be able to gain insight into our true selves.
To far away places
This journey will take us to distant realms beyond our imagination.
Deep inside of me
But ultimately, the answers we seek lie within ourselves, in our deepest thoughts and emotions.
Senses so alive
As we go on this journey, we will become more attuned to our surroundings and to our inner selves.
Guide me on my trip
We need to seek guidance from our inner voice and intuition.
Closer to my dreams
Through this journey, we will become closer to realizing our greatest desires and aspirations.
Where can I find the spirit
The ultimate goal of this journey is to discover the spirit within us all.
Ma ɛmpa a ba (Don't give up)
We must persevere in the face of challenges and adversity, even when it seems impossible.
Na osruma bɛ pie (Your star will shine)
If we keep the faith and keep striving towards our dreams, we will eventually succeed and shine brightly.
Gotta feel with your soul
We must learn to listen to our inner voice and intuition, rather than relying solely on our rational mind.
And learn to believe
Through this journey, we will learn to have faith in ourselves and in the universe around us.
As life's mysteries unfold
The journey will be filled with surprises and twists, but each experience will help us grow and learn.
Teach us of the Spirit
Ultimately, this journey will teach us about the inherent spirit within us all and how to tap into its power.
Contributed by Ella D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@NalaAmari
I Love her the entire album. So underrated.
@TheSpookyDuke
I know right? An artist the level of Sade Adu remains obscure just because the times changed.
@dabodyrobinson
love this I used this in a wedding parade for a friend of mine, her bride's maid wlalked in the Church to this song.
@toburton15
The acoustic arrangement and enchanting vocals; I wish more music contained this level of musicianship.
@nikaproust
So beautiful