SOJA’s first album was recorded independently with renowned sound engineer Jim Fox. Jacob notes, “Jim told us that he would work with us and so we could afford to make our first record, and when we ran out of money he started making up ‘discounts.’ It was awesome. I asked him why a while back, and he said ‘I didn’t want to see a good thing stop.’ What was even crazier was at the time he wasn’t working with bands that were from the US, just Jamaican artists. Big ones like Black Uhuru, Israel Vibration, Burning Spear, Don Carlos, and Inner Circle. Jim worked with us independently and recorded, mixed, and mastered the whole thing. That is how it all started.” SOJA’s first album, “Soldiers of Jah Army EP” was released at the beginning of 2000.
In 2002, SOJA released their first full-length album, “Peace in a Time of War.” Though the band was young, the album had hits. “True Love,” “Rasta Courage,” and “Peace in a Time of War” were the first songs to bring the band strong attention nationally and internationally and cement them in the reggae world. Tours became larger, their fan base expanded rapidly and they grew up smart in the independent music industry. In 2006, the band released “Get Wiser,” their second full-length album. The album was a break through for the band, as they explored the duality in their music, combining beautiful, longing melodies with hard drum and bass, and layered with intricate lyrics. SOJA created their musical style with a new complexity and depth that they would carry with them to their future albums. Jacob shares, “When you listen to an artist you can either have a series of one liners, or you can tell a story with your music. We set out to tell a story, it’s like poetry – dancing around an entire theme, but never putting a period on anything. It is like the two sides of a coin, but you can see them at the same time.” “Get Wiser” debuted in the Top 10 Reggae Albums on iTunes and has remained in the top 100 since its release. Singles off the album including “Open My Eyes, “You Don’t Know Me,” and “Can’t Tell Me” remain in heavy rotation on college radio across the United States, and have also received major radio play internationally in places such as France, Brazil, Argentina, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, Costa Rica, Mexico, Venezuela, Guam, and Tahiti. The success of “Get Wiser” took the band on three years of intense touring nationally, and internationally. In 2008 SOJA released their EP “Stars and Stripes.” They blended new sounds and new rhythms with their existing reggae sound, growing into what SOJA was becoming. The EP contained three new songs plus remixes and new versions of popular songs. In early 2009 the band released the documentary DVD “SOJA Live in Hawaii: A Marc Carlini Film,” showcasing the power and energy of their 2008 Hawaiian tour which included four islands, five cameras, four shows, and everything in between.
Now, SOJA is ready to unleash their third full-length album “Born in Babylon” - the culmination of all past efforts on their label DMV Records. Set to be released August 25, 2009 exclusively on iTunes, “Born in Babylon” focuses on telling the same roots story that reggae artists have been singing about for decades, but their way, from the flip perspective of kids who grew up not in poverty, but in a government saturated community in Arlington, Virginia, across Mason-Dixon Line from the White House. SOJA shares about their new album, “This is the album we’ve been wanting to make for ten years. At first we were hard-core old school, then we got new school and inventive. This is what we’ve learned from all that. ‘Born in Babylon’ is hard roots drum and bass, big wide guitar and vocal melodies, and two and three sided lyrics, with two and three sided messages.”
For the rest of 2009 and moving into 2010 – SOJA plans on touring the United States extensively while promoting “Born in Babylon” with mainstay horn players Hellman Escorcia (saxophone) and Rafael Rodriguez (trumpet). Currently, SOJA averages 150 shows a year and the group has toured every major city in the US and internationally throughout Canada, Puerto Rico (avg 2500), Brazil (avg 4000), Argentina, Uruguay, New Caledonia (16,000 in attendance) Palau, Saipan, Guam (avg 3500), Hawaii (avg 2,000 on each island), Sweden, Switzerland, France, Portugal (avg 2000) and Holland. The band has also shared the stage with notable artists such as Citizen Cope, Matisyahu, Ben Harper, Slightly Stoopid, Damian Marley, Govt Mule, Umphrees McGee, and Steel Pulse to name a few.
In addition to their new music and touring, the band remains committed to creating real music, music that cant be ignored. Jacob pauses, “Bob Marley’s fans all feel like when he is singing a song, it’s to them. You could be from anywhere, any situation, rich, poor – it doesn’t matter; the song is directed at them. He speaks to you, the love songs too. That is what we are after. Not one side of the story, the whole thing, both sides of the coin. Just listen to ‘Born in Babylon.’”
disambiguation:
If you're looking for a US act:
http://www.last.fm/music/Soldiers+of+Jah+Army
Over the years, the Washington, D.C. music scene has become best known for its hardcore (Minor Threat) and go-go (Trouble Funk) alumni, but as evidenced by the great Bad Brains, reggae has been represented as well. SOJA has risen to the forefront, picking up right where the Brains left off – creating their own blend of conscious roots music entwined with the traditional rhythms of reggae, it “comes across with passion and depth.” (Washington Post ’06)
That said, SOJA is not that easy to define. Although they are rooted in reggae, they are not limited to it; their fan-base reflects this with a very diverse population. The music includes and embraces all walks of life - it has no prejudice – it is for everyone. The band grew up listening to reggae, hip-hop, and rock. In their sound, reggae became the predominate influence because it is dedicated to a real message and promotes revolution.
The group, which includes a pair of lead singers who also pull double duty - Jacob Hemphill (guitar) and Bob Jefferson (bass) – as well as Patrick O’Shea on keyboard, percussionist Ken Brownell, and drummer Ryan Berty, originally came together in 1997. Since 2000, the quintet has issued three full length albums and one EP – their latest, ‘Get Wiser,’ is their third for the group’s own label, Innerloop.
Hemphill explains the meaning of the album’s title. “The new album is called ‘Get Wiser’ – that’s the idea. We as a society tend to have blinders on. We are trying to uplift peoples’ consciousness by breaking down what makes us blind. To do this, we got to bring back truth. People get wiser.”
“Every song is different of course.” Hemphill continues, “I found music to be a way to express myself - through my life I’ve never been able to express myself well in conversations, but I can do it through music. It’s like my way to talk.”
Ever the road warriors (SOJA averages 150 gigs per year), the group will be supporting their latest release with a healthy amount of live dates this year on the “Get Wiser Tour”. With such a list of accumulated live dates, a specific high point is hard to pin down, but Brownell remembers a particular performance. “One of the shows that remains in the front of my mind was playing in Guam for the first time for nearly 6,000 fans. That was an amazing experience.”
With SOJA calling their own shots, ‘Get Wiser’ proves that the band’s message and music will only continue to grow stronger with each successive release. In support of their latest album, “Get Wiser”, SOJA is embarking on a journey around the world.
The Band
Jacob Hemphill - Lead Vocals, Guitar
Bob Jefferson - Lead Vocals, Bass
Ken Brownell - Percussion
Ryan Berty - Drums
Patrick O’Shea- Keyboards
Decide You're Gone
SOJA Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I would go this all alone
I used to think that
I would do it by myself
But I found another
one like me walking alone
I don't think she stands a
but anyway
I'll be here and you'll be there
and we'll be by the phone (and you know)
I'll be sitting, watching you
waiting for you
you decide you're ...
you decide you're gone
and when I'm calling
If I'm calling someone else
it don't feel the same as
when I'm calling you
I mean it
And in a world I more
and more can't understand
It would be hard
to lose something that I do
but anyway
I'll be here and you'll be there
and we'll be by the phone (and you know)
I'll be sitting, watching you
waiting for you
you decide you're ...
you decide you're gone
So watch the days
'cuz they all turn
into the night, and watch the sun
'cuz it turns into the moon
and in a world that won't
stop turning us around
at least we know
who we can turn to, to, to now
I'll be here and you'll be there
and we'll be by the phone (and you know)
I'll be sitting, watching you
waiting for you
you decide you're ...
i'll be there and you'll be here
and we'll be by the phone
and i'll be sitting while i watch
i'll be watching while i wait
for you to decide that you're gone
for you to decide that you're gone
is it too much
is it too far
is it too long
and now you're gone
and i'll be here
and you'll be there
and you will decide that you're gone
'cause it's too much
and it's too far
and it's too long
and you are gone
and you decide you're ...
you decide you're gone ...
The lyrics to "Decide You're Gone" by Soja describe the feelings of someone who is deeply invested in a relationship and struggling with the possibility of losing their partner. At the beginning of the song, the singer admits that they used to believe they could handle everything on their own, but when they found someone else like them, they couldn't imagine going through life without them. However, the singer fears that their love interest isn't fully committed to them, and they are left waiting anxiously for them to make a decision about their relationship. The singer tries to console themselves by saying that they'll always be there, but they're also painfully aware that their partner may still leave in the end.
The second verse adds to the theme of uncertainty and confusion, with the singer acknowledging that the world can be a difficult and mysterious place. The thought of losing the person they love adds to this confusion, making it even harder to make sense of what's going on. The chorus repeats the theme of waiting for the partner to decide whether they want to stay or leave, with the singer struggling to cope with the possibility of being left behind. The final verse emphasizes the inevitability of change and the fact that life keeps moving forward, even when things get tough. Despite this, the singer believes that they'll always have a source of comfort and support in their loved one, even if they do end up leaving.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to think that
I would go this all alone
I once believed I could handle this by myself
But I found another
one like me walking alone
I don't think she stands a
chance with no one else
I met someone who shares my feelings of loneliness, but I know it won't work out for her without any support
but anyway
I'll be here and you'll be there
and we'll be by the phone (and you know)
I'll be sitting, watching you
waiting for you
you decide you're ...
you decide you're gone
Regardless, I'll stay available by the phone, watching and waiting for you to make a decision, even if it means you choose to leave
and when I'm calling
If I'm calling someone else
it don't feel the same as
when I'm calling you
I mean it
Talking to anyone else just doesn't feel the same as when I talk to you, I truly mean it
And in a world I more
and more can't understand
It would be hard
to lose something that I do
As the world becomes more difficult to comprehend, losing someone I understand would make it even harder
So watch the days
'cuz they all turn
into the night, and watch the sun
'cuz it turns into the moon
and in a world that won't
stop turning us around
at least we know
who we can turn to, to, to now
Time passes and the world keeps turning, but I know at least I have someone I can rely on
i'll be there and you'll be here
and we'll be by the phone
and i'll be sitting while i watch
i'll be watching while i wait
for you to decide that you're gone
for you to decide that you're gone
I'll be waiting for your decision, wherever we may be, even if it means you choose to leave
is it too much
is it too far
is it too long
and now you're gone
and i'll be here
and you'll be there
and you will decide that you're gone
Maybe my expectations were too high, or the distance between us too far, or our relationship too long, but now that you're gone, it's up to you to decide
'cause it's too much
and it's too far
and it's too long
and you are gone
and you decide you're ...
you decide you're gone ...
The pressure was too much, the distance too far, and our relationship was too long for you to handle, so ultimately you chose to leave
Contributed by Eva G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@kylarose3832
I used to think that I would go this all alone
I used to think that I would do it by myself
But I, I found another one like me walking alone
I don't think she stands a chance with no one else
But anyway...
I'll be here and you'll be there
And we'll be by the phone (and you know)
I'll be sitting, watching you waiting for you you decide your
You decide, you're gone
And when I'm calling If I'm calling someone else
It don't feel the same as when I'm calling you, I mean it
And in a world I more and more can't understand
It would be hard to lose something that I do
But anyway...
'Ll be here and you'll be there
And we'll be by the phone (and you know)
I'll be sitting, watching you waiting for you you decide your
You decide, you're gone
So watch the days cause they all turn into the night
And watch the sun cause it turns into the moon
And in a world that won't stop turning us around
At least we know who we can turn to
Now...
I'll be here and you'll be there
And we'll be by the phone (and you know)
I'll be sitting, watching you waiting for you you decide your
You decide you decide
I'll be there and you'll be here
And we'll be by the phone
And I'll be sittin while I watch
I'll be watchin while I wait
For you to decide that you're gone
Is it too much
Is it too far
Is it too long
And now you're gone
And I'll be here and you'll be there
And you can decide that you're gone
Cause it's too much
And it's too far
And it's too long
And you are gone
And you decide your
You decide your gone
@mazinhonuts6624
I used to think that
Eu costumava pensar isto:
I cold go this all alone
Eu, indiferente, irei sozinho.
I used to think
Eu costumava pensar:
I could do it by myself
Eu posso fazer isso por mim mesmo.
But I,found another
Mas eu achei outra
one like me walking alone
pessoa como eu, caminhando sozinha
I don't think she stands a
Eu não pensei que ela teria a
chance with no one else
chance, como ninguém mais teve.
but anyway
Mas, de qualquer forma,
I'll be here,and you'll be
Eu estarei aqui, e você estará
there and well be by the phone (and you know)
lá, no telefone (e você sabe)
I'll be sitting,watching you
Eu estarei sentado, observando você
waiting for you to decide
esperando você decidir
you're gone
se vai embora.
when I'm calling
Quando eu ligar,
If I'm calling someone else
se eu ligar pra outro alguém,
it don't feel the as
eu não sentirei, enquanto
when I'm calling you
quando é pra você que eu ligo,
I meat it
eu me alimento disso.
And in a world I more
E nesse mundo que cada vez mais
and more can't understand
e mais eu não entendo,
It would be hard
é preciso ser forte,
to lose something that I do
pra perder algo que eu tinha.
So watch the days
Portanto observe os dias,
cuz they all turn
pois todos eles voltam
into the night,and watch the sun
na noite, e observe o Sol
cuz it turns into the moon
pois ele volta na Lua.
and in a world that wont
E num mundo que não
stop turning us around
para de dar voltas sobre nós,
at least we know who
pelo menos nós sabemos em quem
we can turn to
nós podemos dar voltas.
is it too much
Isto é demais.
is it too far
Isto é muito distante.
is it too long
Isto é muito extenso.
and now you're gone
E agora você se foi,
and I'll be here
e eu estarei aqui,
@Gregory75020
For me it's one a best song of Soja ! Kiss of France 🇫🇷 😘✌️
@warrenarmance5372
Kiss from mauritius
@instrumentals32
If your privileged enough to be graced with the pleasure of a live show with these guys, don't say no!
@bromine35
250 dollars? gonna have to say no at this point
@vividscale1352
Soja's jams have kept me in a good place during my really bad dark days. Good vibes to you all that visit this vid!
@nawrnawr1057
Same here brother
@trapkoala8901
❤️❤️
@JohnCena-cf4vs
I owe them my life...
@joeymartinez8607
They really pulled me out of a dark place
@steadystacking9241
Getting me through my wife saying she’s leaving