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
Tell Me
SOJA Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I felt my whole life and it was all new
I felt my knees get weak, my heart went crazy
I felt some yes and no's I even felt some maybes
I'd climb a mountain top, I'd swim an ocean too
Get down on my knees only if it was for you
I think that I would about anything
You're in the dreams and in the song I sing
Come on tell me, tell me tell me, anything
And I will believe you
Tell me, tell me, tell me not to go
And I will never leave you
Tell me, tell me, tell me I'm yours
Tell me that you're the same
Oh tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me, anything
I've seen so many girls, I've heard so many lines
And once or twice I thought that one of them was mine
Well how it always goes and how it's always been
I start to think that we'd be better off we were friends
But there's a new turn yeah there's a new twist
I know I said before that I just couldn't handle this
I'm not the type to write you love songs
Oh it would help if somebody sang along
And said tell me, tell me tell me, anything
I will believe you
Tell me, tell me, tell me not to go
I will never leave you
Tell me, tell me, tell me I'm yours
Tell me that you're the same
Tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me, anything
From the very first time I saw you
It was something different and it was all new
It's in the way you move and how you look at me
Like being stuck on you is something I'm supposed to be
That's okay too and if you feel the same
Then we can trade looks and maybe we can trade names
?
It goes tell me, tell me tell me, anything
I will believe you
Tell me, tell me, tell me not to go
I will never leave you
Tell me, tell me, tell me I'm yours
Tell me that you're the same
Tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me, anything
The song "Tell Me" by SOJA is about falling in love with someone at first sight and being willing to do anything for them. The singer describes feeling weak in the knees and having their heart go crazy upon seeing the object of their affection. Despite experiencing hesitation and uncertainty, the singer is willing to climb mountains and swim oceans for this person. The chorus repeatedly asks the person to tell them anything - whether it is to stay, to claim ownership, or to profess their love - and the singer will believe them.
The song acknowledges that the singer has had previous experiences with girls and relationships, but they have never felt this way before. The person is different and new, and the singer wants to express their feelings for them through song. The lyrics suggest that the singer is longing for a mutual connection and hoping that the person feels the same way about them. The song ends with the singer offering to trade names and looks, emphasizing their desire for a deeper connection with the person they have fallen in love with.
Overall, "Tell Me" is a heartfelt expression of love and longing, capturing the thrill and uncertainty of falling in love for the first time.
Line by Line Meaning
From the very first time I saw you
I felt an overwhelming sense of excitement and newness upon seeing you.
I felt my whole life and it was all new
My entire perspective on life shifted upon meeting you.
I felt my knees get weak, my heart went crazy
You had a profound physical effect on me, making me weak in the knees and my heart race.
I felt some yes and no's I even felt some maybes
I had conflicting emotions about our potential relationship, unsure of what the future might hold.
I'd climb a mountain top, I'd swim an ocean too
I would do anything, no matter how difficult or far, for you.
Get down on my knees only if it was for you
I am willing to humble myself before you if it means being with you.
I think that I would about anything
There is almost nothing I wouldn't do for you.
You're in the dreams and in the song I sing
You are constantly on my mind and in my thoughts, even when I am asleep or singing.
Come on tell me, tell me tell me, anything
I am ready and willing to hear anything you have to say.
And I will believe you
I trust and have faith in you.
Tell me, tell me, tell me not to go
I don't want to leave you and am open to hearing any reasons why I should stay.
And I will never leave you
I am committed to staying with you.
Tell me, tell me, tell me I'm yours
I want to know that you see me as yours and that we are in a committed relationship.
Tell me that you're the same
I hope that you feel the same way about me as I do about you.
Oh tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me, anything
I am willing to listen to anything you have to say.
I've seen so many girls, I've heard so many lines
I've been with many people before and have heard many promises and false statements.
And once or twice I thought that one of them was mine
There were a few times where I thought that someone might be the one for me.
Well how it always goes and how it's always been
However, relationships haven't always worked out for me in the past.
I start to think that we'd be better off we were friends
At times, it seems like it might be better for us to just be friends instead of trying to pursue a romantic relationship.
But there's a new turn yeah there's a new twist
Despite my reservations, there is something about you that gives me hope and makes me want to take a chance.
I know I said before that I just couldn't handle this
I may have expressed doubts or fears to you in the past, but I am willing to move past them now.
I'm not the type to write you love songs
I am not usually one to express my feelings through music or poetry.
Oh it would help if somebody sang along
But having someone to share my emotions with and sing to would make it easier.
From the very first time I saw you
I am reminded once again of the powerful impact you had on me the first time we met.
It was something different and it was all new
You brought something refreshing and unique into my life that I had never experienced before.
It's in the way you move and how you look at me
The way you carry yourself and look at me tells me that you feel the same way about me.
Like being stuck on you is something I'm supposed to be
I feel an unexplainable pull towards you, like I am meant to be with you.
That's okay too and if you feel the same
If you feel the same way, then we can move forward together.
Then we can trade looks and maybe we can trade names
If we are both on the same page, we can continue to get to know each other and possibly take our relationship to the next level.
Oh tell me, tell me tell me, anything
I am open and receptive to hearing anything you want to say.
I will believe you
I trust that you are being honest with me.
Tell me, tell me, tell me not to go
I need reassurance that you want me to stay with you.
I will never leave you
I am committed to staying with you.
Tell me, tell me, tell me I'm yours
I want to know that we are in a committed relationship and that you see me as yours.
Tell me that you're the same
I hope that you feel the same way about me as I do about you.
Tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me, anything
I am willing to listen to anything you have to say.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: SCOTT GORHAM, LEIF JOHANSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Natanael Brito
Amo demais, toda minha adolescência foi ouvindo soja
Larissa Araújo
2021, ainda continua um dos melhores sons
Cássio Almeida Diniz
Curto demais natureza e curtir um reggaezinho viu
Caique Silva barbosa
S.O.J.A a melhor de todas as Bandas ❤
Miguel Suarez
C O L O M B I A ♥
Adauani Possebon
SOJA é foda! E deu pá bola.
juliana souza
Essa vai ser sempre de lavada minha banda preferida, indescritível o sentimento que essas músicas causam!
Camila Baldez
música perfeita
sound blasta
This is one my favorite soja song...bless up SOJA 🌊
Camilita pop
Esta canción, me abrió las puestas a el amor. ♥ Gracias SOJA!!!