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.
In-between and Overseas
Sampha Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Then famously you've done to me, ah
In between us is an ocean, an ocean full of minds
Enough to change the tides
And in between and overseas
and will awake us of empathy, ah
Seen me walking through the meadows
Somewhere to reside
And we see the sun, the sun
It helps more than a little bit
I, I realize, I
I think I love you, I do
If this is genuine stupidity
Then famously you've loved me, ah
You see I wish I had a potion
To make this into time
And an amazing life, ohh
When I scream, you arrive
To tell me bout your jaded skies, ah
You see we're deep beneath the ocean
Beneath the rocks and ice
'Cause you roll up the blinds
And we see the sun, the sun
It helps more than a little bit
I, I realize, I
I think I love you, I do
The lyrics of Sampha's song "In-between and Overseas" convey a complex emotional journey between two individuals. The opening lines suggest a sense of confusion and uncertainty, describing the situation as "genuine lunacy" and implying that the other person has caused turmoil or chaos in the singer's life. The mention of an ocean between them metaphorically represents the vast distance and disconnect in their minds. The reference to changing tides implies that their relationship fluctuates and is constantly shifting.
Despite the challenges they face, there is a hope for connection and understanding. The lyrics allude to the power of empathy, suggesting that it has the potential to bridge the gap between them. The singer yearns for the other person to see them and acknowledge their presence, as they are seen "walking through the meadows" and heading "towards the light." This desire for recognition and validation seems to be the key to finding a place to belong, "somewhere to reside."
As the song progresses, the lyrics delve deeper into the intense emotions experienced in this relationship. The repetition of "I think I love you, I do" indicates a strong feeling of affection and attachment, even in the face of potential stupidity or foolishness. It suggests that despite any doubts or shortcomings, the love shared between them is still genuine and powerful.
The second verse continues to explore the complexities of their connection. The singer expresses a longing for some sort of solution or remedy to their situation. They desire a potion to transform their circumstances into something more positive and to halt the passage of time. The reference to an "amazing life" implies a desire for a fulfilling and joyful existence together.
The last few lines of the song highlight a sense of comfort and solace found in the presence of the other person. Even amidst the singer's screams and turmoil, the other person arrives, providing a sense of stability and understanding, sharing their own experiences of hardship ("jaded skies"). The reference to being "deep beneath the ocean, beneath the rocks and ice" suggests a sense of shared vulnerability and being in this together. The act of rolling up the blinds signifies an opening of oneself, exposing their true selves to each other and letting in the light.
Overall, the lyrics of "In-between and Overseas" capture the emotional rollercoaster of a complicated and intense relationship. It explores themes of distance, longing, and the search for connection, ultimately expressing the power of love and the hope for understanding and unity.
Line by Line Meaning
If this is genuine lunacy
If this state of madness and irrationality is real
Then famously you've done to me, ah
Then you have famously caused me to feel this way
In between us is an ocean, an ocean full of minds
There is a vast distance between us, filled with different perspectives and thoughts
Enough to change the tides
Enough diversity to influence our emotions and circumstances
And in between and overseas
And even when we are physically apart and distant
and will awake us of empathy, ah
And the separation will awaken our ability to understand and share each other's feelings
Seen me walking through the meadows
You have witnessed me strolling through peaceful and natural settings
Straight towards the light
Directly heading towards positivity and enlightenment
Somewhere to reside
A place to dwell and find solace
And we see the sun, the sun
And together we witness the brightness and warmth of the sun
It helps more than a little bit
It provides substantial assistance and comfort
I, I realize, I
I, myself, come to the understanding
I think I love you, I do
I genuinely believe that I am in love with you
If this is genuine stupidity
If this state of foolishness and lack of intelligence is true
Then famously you've loved me, ah
Then you have famously reciprocated my love
You see I wish I had a potion
You see, I desire to have a magical concoction
To make this into time
To transform this moment into something eternal
And an amazing life, ohh
And an extraordinary existence together
When I scream, you arrive
Whenever I express my distress loudly, you come to me
To tell me bout your jaded skies, ah
To inform me about your wearied and disillusioned experiences
You see we're deep beneath the ocean
You understand that we are in a profound and hidden place
Beneath the rocks and ice
Submerged beneath solid obstacles and cold conditions
'Cause you roll up the blinds
Because you open up the blinds and let the light in
And we see the sun, the sun
And again, we witness the radiance of the sun
It helps more than a little bit
It brings immense comfort and relief
I, I realize, I
I, myself, come to the realization
I think I love you, I do
I truly believe that I am deeply in love with you
Lyrics Β© WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Sampha Sisay
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Pitia Marino
[Chorus 1]
If this is genuine lunacy
Then famously you've done to me
In between us is an ocean, an ocean full of minds
Enough to change the tides
And in between and overseas
[Verse 1]
And grow acres of empathy, I
Seen me walking through the meadows
Straight towards the light
Somewhere to reside
[Pre-Chorus]
And we see the sun, the sun
It helps more than a little bit
I, I realize, I
I think I love you, I do
[Chorus 2]
If this is genuine stupidity
Then famously you've loved me, I
You see I wish I had a potion
To make this into time
And an amazing life
[Verse 2]
Oh I, when I scream then you arrive
To tell me bout your jaded skies, I
You see we're deep beneath the ocean
Beneath the rocks and ice
'Cause you roll up the blinds
[Outro]
And we see the sun, the sun
It helps more than a little bit
I, I realize, I
I think I love you, I do
Wanderer 474747
[Ver1]
If this is genuine lunacy
Then famously you've done to me, I
In between us is an ocean
An ocean full of minds
Enough to change the tides
And in between and overseas
And grow arces of empathy, I
Seen me walking through the meadows
Straight towards the light
Somewhere to reside
[Chorus]
And we see the sun, the sun
It helps more than a little bit
I, I realize, I
I think I love you, I do
[Ver2]
If this is genuine stupidity
Then famously you've loved me, I
You see I wish I had a potion
To make this into time
And an amazing life, oh
And I scream, you arrive
To tell me 'bout your jaded skies, ah
You see we're deep beneath the ocean
Beneath the rocks and ice
'Cause you roll up the blinds
[Chorus]
And we see the sun, the sun
It helps more than a little bit
I, I realize, I
I think I love you, I do
Cupid
I have been waiting years, I don't care about any other artist I need a new SAMPHA ALBUM!
Ah shit here we go again
@Dana I've been waiting for years
Dana
omg, so you are such big fan like me?
Rhythmic Reason
Really glad this was finally officially released on streaming services! Could have easily been on the standard tracklist itβs such a beautiful song. I bought the Japanese CD just to get the track and it was like a hidden gem for me but Iβm really glad more people can enjoy it now π
vevant
some artists add extras to japanese cds since its significantly cheaper to import them from other countries over there. the entire tracklist for dual was also on the japanese version.
FUZZ
for everyone asking THIS IS NOT A NEW SONG, IT WAS RELEASED IN THE JAPANESE VERSION OF THE ALBUM IN 2017
VLU did sum
that's cool but who's askin
KHAN
But why japanese though?
Φ΄
Damn I was scrolling through and was like wtf is that song glad I get to hear it now tho
Cupid
they aint no sampha fans