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
When We Were Younger
SOJA Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just look at all we build in our lives and we all disappear
A few of us are born with so much
While most of us just chasing down a dream that we just can't touch
So why we try so hard in this place?
When pain and suffering is a guarantee and happiness is a phase
I wonder if one day we're at peace
Or will this whole world just become like the middle east?
But when I was younger, when I was younger
I had the answers, I've got to say
But all of my answers, now that I'm older
Turned into questions, in front of me
I wonder where we go when we die
If there is anything past our lost sun and our sky?
'Cause airports only take us so high
Is it hidden in the stars?
What's the answer to your soul lying?
I wonder do we get to come back
I wonder if I will remember these questions I've asked
Or will I just star over again?
I hope it's not too hard to find all of my old friends.
But when we were younger, when we were younger
I had the answers, I've got to say
But all of my answers, now that we're older
Turned into questions, in front of me
But when we were younger, when we were younger
I had the answers, I've got to say
But all of my answers, now that we're older
Turned into questions, in front of me
I wonder if we get one true love
Or maybe there's a few out there
Or maybe not even one
I wonder if it's made up by man
I wonder if love is what we make with our own two hands
I wonder why I write all these songs
I wonder if you know what you're saying when you sing along
And will you know my name when I'm gone?
Or are you just too sick of these love songs?
But when we were younger, when we were younger
I had the answers, I've got to say
But all of my answers, now that I'm older
Turned into questions, in front of me
But when we were younger, when we were younger
I had the answers, I've got to say
But all of my answers, now that I'm older
Just turned into questions, right in front of me
Right in front of me, in front of me
Everything changes in front of me
Soja's song When We Were Younger delves into existential questions about life, death, and the meaning of it all. The first verse provides a commentary on the transitory nature of life and how all of our efforts to build something for ourselves may ultimately lead to nothingness. The singer expresses confusion about why people try so hard in the face of guaranteed pain and suffering, and wonders if the world will ever find peace or if it will be in a perpetual state of conflict like the Middle East.
The chorus, "But when I was younger, when I was younger, I had the answers, I've got to say, but all of my answers, now that I'm older, turned into questions in front of me," shows a clear contrast between the confidence of youth and the uncertainty of adulthood. The questions posed in the song, such as where we go when we die, the nature of love, and the meaning of life itself, are all universal and timeless, yet the singer admits to being confounded by them even as an adult. The song ends with the poignant line, "Everything changes in front of me," which serves as a reminder that life is in a constant state of flux and we are all continuously seeking answers to the big questions.
Line by Line Meaning
I never really got why we're here
I have always been confused about the meaning of life
Just look at all we build in our lives and we all disappear
Despite building so much in our lives, we eventually disappear and lose everything
A few of us are born with so much
Some people are born with advantages and privileges others don't have
While most of us just chasing down a dream that we just can't touch
The majority of people are working hard to achieve a dream that seems impossible to reach
So why we try so hard in this place?
Why do we struggle and work hard in this world when happiness is fleeting and pain is inevitable?
When pain and suffering is a guarantee and happiness is a phase
Pain and suffering are unavoidable while happiness is temporary
I wonder if one day we're at peace
I question whether we will ever achieve a state of peace and harmony
Or will this whole world just become like the middle east?
I fear that the world will become a war-torn, chaotic place just like the Middle East
But when I was younger, when I was younger
In my youth, I had a clearer understanding of life
I had the answers, I've got to say
I had answers to many of life's questions back then
But all of my answers, now that I'm older
As I've grown older, my answers have turned into questions and uncertainties
Turned into questions, in front of me
I am facing these questions and uncertainties on a daily basis
I wonder where we go when we die
I am curious about what happens to our souls after death
If there is anything past our lost sun and our sky?
I question whether there is anything beyond our physical world
'Cause airports only take us so high
Even our technology can only take us so far in understanding the complexities of the world
Is it hidden in the stars?
Perhaps the answers we seek are found in the vastness of the universe
What's the answer to your soul lying?
I am searching for the answer to the purpose of my existence
I wonder do we get to come back
I am curious about whether reincarnation is real
I wonder if I will remember these questions I've asked
I question whether my questions and uncertainties will be carried over into another life
Or will I just start over again?
Perhaps I will have to start the search for answers all over again in a future life
I hope it's not too hard to find all of my old friends.
I hope to reconnect with loved ones in the afterlife
I wonder if we get one true love
I question whether there is such thing as one perfect soulmate for everyone
Or maybe there's a few out there
Perhaps there are multiple people out there who are a good match for each of us
Or maybe not even one
Maybe the idea of true love is just a societal construct
I wonder if it's made up by man
I question whether societal norms and expectations have created the concept of true love
I wonder if love is what we make with our own two hands
Perhaps we have to create our own version of love instead of relying on societal expectations
I wonder why I write all these songs
I am unsure about the purpose of writing and sharing my thoughts through music
I wonder if you know what you're saying when you sing along
I question whether others understand the depth of the lyrics I have written
And will you know my name when I'm gone?
I am curious about whether my legacy will be remembered after my passing
Or are you just too sick of these love songs?
Perhaps my songs about love will eventually become tiresome and forgettable
Everything changes in front of me
I am constantly faced with changes and uncertainties in my life
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jacob Charles Hemphill
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Marcella
Pode se passar 10 anos, 20 anos... essa música sempre vai ser a minha preferida da banda 🤍
Filmes Corporation
Uma nostalgia muito louca, lembrar dos rolê, andando de skate com os parça. Era bom demais.
Viviane Gomes
Meu marido quem me mostrou essa música, ela da um aperto no peito , um nó na garganta, faz me lembrar da infância , juventude e fico imaginando meus filhos crescendo e eu envelhecendo e conseguindo ver eles conquistarem tudo que desejam ❤️ Luz SOJA❤️ Brazil Ama Vocês
Montenegro
Que musica perfeita, como todas as do #SOJA . Amo, vem tanta lembranças boas em minha mente ao ouvir SOJA. Obrigado por fazerem a trilha sonora da minha infância e continuar fazendo a trilha sonora da minha vida e das loucas viagens.
S.E
Minha mãe escutava esta música comigo lembrando do meu avô, com aquele sentimento de saudades…
Hoje sou eu quem escuto esta música lembrando da minha mãe que faleceu!
Obrigado Soja por proporcionar esta emoção em forma de música, Deus abençoe vocês sempre.
My mom listens this music with me, remembering my grandfather, with that feeling of health ...
Today I listen to this song of my mother who passed away!
Thank you Soja for this song, this emotion in the form of music, God bless you always.
Bruno Henrique 4i20
e isso te conforta mais neh irmão.... sucesso ai nas batalhas e sempre busque novas metas de vidas. Use ela como inspiração
S.E
Bruno Henrique 4i20 👊🏻🙏🏻
Átila S.A.
Me arrepio toda vez que escuto essa música.. Que musica do caralho! Que vibe..
Jaylord Pitogo
Same
Joice Lopes
Ultimamente minha música preferida. Está sendo impossível deixar de ouvir. Me trás tantas lembranças. S.O.J.A. me inspira!!