The singer, songwriter, keyboardist, and producer, born Sampha Sisay, started making music in his early teenage years. In 2009, the South London native broke through with a remix of the xx's "Basic Space," which led to a busy schedule across 2010 and 2011. This period entailed collaborations with SBTRKT, Jessie Ware, and Lil Silva, as well as a solo debut with Sundanza, an EP issued on the Young Turks label. After a less eventful 2012, the following year Sampha was featured on Drake's "Too Much" and BeyoncΓ©'s "Mine," and issued Dual, his second Young Turks EP, an abstract and skeletal showcase for his fragile-sounding yet expressive voice. As he continued to work with fellow U.K. natives SBTRKT, Bullion, and FKA twigs, Sampha was also sought by more high-profile North American artists, and in 2016 alone appeared on Kanye West's The Life of Pablo, Frank Ocean's Endless, and Solange's A Seat at the Table. His own "Timmy's Prayer" (co-written by West) and "Blood on Me" were out by the end of the year as previews of his first full-length. Process, recorded while Sampha was grieving the death of his mother, and released in February 2017, hit number seven in the U.K. and narrowly missed the Top 50 in the U.S. Later in the year, Sampha made appearances on Drake's More Life and releases from Richard Russell's Everything Is Recorded project. Process went on to win the 2017 Mercury Prize, as well as Gilles Peterson's Worldwide Awards Album of the Year. Over the next few years, Sampha contributed in various capacities to recordings by Loyle Carner, Alicia Keys, Headie One and Fred again.., Actress, and many other artists across genres. An expanded "bonus edition" of Process, released in 2022, added two tracks previously available only in Japan.
Evidence
Sampha Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Evidence, enough evidence for me)
Without the evidence, you're evidence (yeah, oh)
(Enough evidence for me)
Without the evidence
(Enough evidence for me)
Without the evidence, you're evidence
Prayerful being, had those beautiful lessons
Lovely way of seeing things
Making me believe in things
Without the evidence, you're evidence
You're enough evidence for me
You're enough evidence for me, you're
You're enough evidence for me
Immanence, that there's the feeling
Wake in the morning and I stare at you dreaming
Little one, so new to things
Making me believe in things
Without the evidence, you're evidence
You're enough evidence for me
Without the evidence, you're evidence
You're enough evidence for me (your)
Without the evidence, you're evidence
Enough for me
Without the evidence, you're evidence (enough)
Enough for me
Searching and reading
The writings for evidence of meaning
When the cruelties screaming won't subside
An angel is teething, giving me more reasons
To watch what I'm eating and how I spend my time
Can't shake the feeling, the motion, the fiending
For something to to lean in when I keep wondering why
A telescope, a legion, stars in a region
I wonder if they're seeking
The same thing as I
I-I-I can get stuck on perfection
I can get lost in directions
I can be gone in a sec, yeah
In a second
Sorry I lost the connection
I can get lost in reflection
I can be gone in a sec, yeah
In a second
The lyrics of Sampha's song "Evidence" touch on the theme of belief and the need for proof or evidence in order to validate one's faith or convictions. The repetition of the line "Without the evidence, you're evidence" suggests that sometimes the absence of proof can be a form of evidence in itself. It speaks to the power of intuition and personal experiences that shape one's beliefs. The lyrics convey a sense of longing for something to believe in and the struggle to find meaning in the world.
The first verse describes someone with elegant intentions and a prayerful nature, who has had beautiful lessons and a lovely perspective on things. This person becomes the evidence that the singer needs to believe in something. The second verse introduces the idea of immanence, the feeling of being present and connected to something greater. The singer wakes up in the morning and watches someone they care about dreaming, finding further evidence of the mysterious and enchanting aspects of life.
The bridge of the song shifts the focus from personal relationships to the search for meaning in the world. The singer mentions searching and reading writings in an attempt to find evidence of meaning. They witness the cruelty and pain in the world, but also find solace in the presence of an angel, a source of comfort and inspiration. The lyrics suggest that this higher presence gives the singer more reasons to be mindful of their choices and how they spend their time.
The song concludes with the acknowledgement that the search for meaning and belief can be daunting. The singer admits to getting stuck on perfection and lost in different directions. They apologize for losing connection and getting consumed by self-reflection. These lines reflect the vulnerability and uncertainty that often accompany the quest for faith and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Without the evidence
In the absence of proof or confirmation
(Evidence, enough evidence for me)
Sufficient proof for me
Without the evidence, you're evidence (yeah, oh)
In the absence of proof, your presence is enough evidence
(Enough evidence for me)
Sufficient proof for me
Without the evidence
In the absence of proof or confirmation
(Enough evidence for me)
Sufficient proof for me
Without the evidence, you're evidence
In the absence of proof, your presence is enough evidence
Elegant, best of intentions
Graceful and well-meaning
Prayerful being, had those beautiful lessons
A person who engages in prayer and has learned valuable teachings
Lovely way of seeing things
A delightful perspective
Making me believe in things
Instilling belief or faith in me
You're enough evidence for me
Your existence is sufficient proof for me
Immanence, that there's the feeling
The sense of divine presence
Wake in the morning and I stare at you dreaming
Awakening in the morning and observing you while lost in my thoughts
Little one, so new to things
A young and inexperienced individual
Making me believe in things
Instilling belief or faith in me
Searching and reading
Engaging in a quest for knowledge and understanding
The writings for evidence of meaning
Examining written works to find proof of significance
When the cruelties screaming won't subside
When the harshness and brutality persistently torment
An angel is teething, giving me more reasons
A baby angel is growing its teeth, providing additional motives
To watch what I'm eating and how I spend my time
To be mindful of my diet and how I utilize my time
Can't shake the feeling, the motion, the fiending
Unable to rid myself of the emotions, the movement, the craving
For something to lean in when I keep wondering why
For something to depend on when I continuously question the purpose
A telescope, a legion, stars in a region
A device to observe distant objects, a multitude, celestial objects in a particular area
I wonder if they're seeking
I ponder if they are also searching
The same thing as I
The identical objective as mine
I-I-I can get stuck on perfection
I can become fixated on achieving flawlessness
I can get lost in directions
I can become confused or disoriented in my pursuits
I can be gone in a sec, yeah
I can disappear or lose focus quickly
In a second
Within a very short period
Sorry I lost the connection
Apologies for losing contact or failing to maintain communication
I can get lost in reflection
I can become absorbed in introspection
I can be gone in a sec, yeah
I can disappear or lose focus quickly
In a second
Within a very short period
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Pablo Diaz Reixa, Sampha Lahai Sisay
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sebastian Sanchez
Also reminded me of Stevie Wonder, incredible songwriting and production, sounds like it could have been written 50 years ago or written and produced 50 years from today, so great!
Reean Trang
literally like the modern equivalent of isn't she lovely
HandSanitizerβ
God, this is gotta be my favorite song on the album so far. The sound is so infectious!!
Jinqi Mao
The vocals! Blessing to have this album in 2023.
Mere
This song is too damn good I like it the moment I pressed play !!!! I waited years for this album and he delivered!!!
D Mack
Gives me Stevie Wonder vibes π₯°
shelz Black
I love Stevie too
Indescribably Stasii
Such a good albumβ€
William Clinton Ogbebor
CHILLS! and that flow at the end π
Calum Madell
This has been in my head for weeks now!