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 Beyoncé'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.
Treasure
Sampha Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was hot and I couldn't face things
I used to live my life in this
I fell out of sync, audio phasing
Felt like I couldn't find my placing
Sky shivers, they
They turn to rain
I wish we could heal
I'll take you home
I'll make you whole
You made me wish
That this wasn't real
Because you're
You're my treasure
Because you're
You're my treasure
I used to live my life in the wind
And I would fly wherever you would swim
I couldn't stand by you or anything
Sky shivers, they
They turn to rain
I turn again
I wish we could heal
I'll take you home
I'll make you whole
You made me wish
That this wasn't real
Because you're
You're my treasure
Because you're
You're my treasure
Bad habits and good times
Let's take a risk, no nine lives
Don't smile, you might just cry
Been round the round-a-bout like five times
Two scratches, hard drive
Local appetites decline
Watch the heavens just recline
Watch the heavens, lest the sun die
And breathing even is a challenge
'Cause I don't want to lose, brother
I need it, gotta have it
Too stuck in the loop
So stuck in the loop
Too stuck in the loop
So stuck in the loop
Too stuck in the loop
So stuck in the loop
Too stuck in the loop
So stuck in the loop
Too stuck in the loop
So stuck in the loop
Too stuck in the loop
So stuck in the loop
Too stuck in the loop
So stuck in the loop
Too stuck in the loop
So stuck in the loop
Too stuck in the loop
So stuck in the loop
Too stuck in the loop
So stuck in the loop
Too stuck in the loop
So stuck in the loop
Treasure
The song "Treasure" by Sampha seems to be a reflection on an internal struggle the artist is going through, with lyrics describing feeling out of sync and like he cannot find his place. He speaks of falling into bad habits and needing something - possibly someone - to make him feel whole again. The imagery of the sky shivering and turning to rain suggests a sense of instability and change, which adds to the overall theme of feeling lost and searching for a sense of purpose or direction. The repeated refrain of "You're my treasure" could be interpreted as the artist recognizing the value of having someone or something to hold onto in times of uncertainty or emotional turmoil.
The second verse adds another layer to the song, with lyrics that suggest a distance or disconnect between the artist and someone he cares about. The line "I used to live my life in the wind / And I would fly wherever you would swim" paints a picture of a relationship in which the two parties are very different, perhaps in terms of personality or lifestyle. The repeated wish for healing and making things whole could be seen as an attempt to bridge this gap and come back together.
Overall, the lyrics of "Treasure" give the impression of someone who is struggling to find their place in the world and searching for something or someone to anchor them. The use of nature imagery and repeated phrases add a poetic quality to the song, highlighting the emotional depth and complexity of the artist's feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
I was somewhere two thousand and daydream
I was lost in thought somewhere in my mind, disconnected from reality.
I was hot and I couldn't face things
I was overwhelmed and unable to confront my problems.
I used to live my life in this
I used to live a certain way and now that has changed.
I fell out of sync, audio phasing
I lost my rhythm and became disoriented with reality.
Felt like I couldn't find my placing
It seemed like I didn't belong and couldn't find my purpose.
Sky shivers, they
The sky trembles
They turn to rain
It starts to rain
I turn again
I repeat my mistakes
I wish we could heal
I want to fix things between us
I'll take you home
I'll bring you back to safety
I'll make you whole
I'll fix the hurt I caused
You made me wish
You made me regret
That this wasn't real
That this was just a dream and not my reality
Because you're
You are the reason
You're my treasure
You are someone I cherish and value
I used to live my life in the wind
I used to be free and go wherever I pleased
And I would fly wherever you would swim
I would follow you no matter where life took us
I couldn't stand by you or anything
I failed to support you or be there for you in any capacity
Bad habits and good times
I engaged in unhealthy behavior during good times
Let's take a risk, no nine lives
Let's do something bold and daring, even if it's risky
Don't smile, you might just cry
Don't be too happy because it might not last and you will just be disappointed.
Been round the round-a-bout like five times
I keep going in circles and not progressing.
Two scratches, hard drive
There are a few flaws and issues that are difficult to fix.
Local appetites decline
People's interests in the area are decreasing.
Watch the heavens just recline
Watch the skies as they begin to darken and turn into night
Watch the heavens, lest the sun die
Pay attention to the sky so that you do not miss the beauty of the sun's setting.
And breathing even is a challenge
Even something as simple as breathing is difficult due to the pressure and stress of life.
'Cause I don't want to lose, brother
I am afraid of losing, my friend
I need it, gotta have it
I want it so bad, I can't let go of it.
Too stuck in the loop
I am caught in a cycle
So stuck in the loop
I am so trapped in this cycle
Treasure
Something to be highly valued or cherished
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Sampha Sisay
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kindness
TREASURE LYRICS
[Verse 1]
I was somewhere two thousand and daydream
I was hiding, I couldn't face it
I used to live my life in this
I fell out of sync, audio phasing
Felt like I couldn't find my placing
[Pre-Chorus]
Sky shivers there
They turn to rain
I turn again
I wish we could heal
I'll take you home
I'll make you whole
You made me wish
That this wasn't real
[Chorus]
Because you're
You're my treasure
Because you're
You're my treasure
[Verse 2]
I used to live my life in the wind
And I would fly wherever you would swim
I couldn't stand by you or anything
[Pre-Chorus]
Sky shivers there
They turn to rain
I turn again
I wish we could heal
I'll take you home
I'll make you whole
You made me wish
That this wasn't real
[Chorus]
Because you're
You're my treasure
Because you're
You're my treasure
[Bridge]
Bad habits and good times
Lets take a risk, no nine lives
Don't smile, you might just cry
Been round the round-a-bout like five times
Two scratches, hard drive
Local appetites decline
Watch the heavens just recline
Watch the heavens, lest the sun die
Breathing even is a challenge
Cause I don't want to lose, brother
I need it, gotta have it
[Outro]
Too stuck in the loop
Still stuck in the loop
J Connor
this song feels way more powerful after seeing the movie... very beautiful but also haunting in a way... its very compelling
Brenna Ryan
Yes yes
Tanya Savkoor
I love that you have Years and Years' album cover as your icon.
Jehan Dejours
I 1000% agree
Denise Patnod Lic. Ac.
This song goes out to my friend who passed today, Jimmy S. He struggled with some demons, may he rest in peace, he had a big heart! Fly into the light Jimmy!
Ema Sadecka
Even I didn’t know your friend, it’s always painful to hear when big hearted people lose the battle with thier demons. RIP Jimmy
Joan Odom
I lost my own Beautiful Boy August 21, 2020. I'm so sorry you lost your lovely friend.
AllDopedUp13
Beautiful song! Loved the movie so much. Watched it a few times. Made me think of everything I’ve done (all the same shit he did & a lot more). I’ve been on Methadone now for the past 21 yrs. I have 3 yrs clean this past March. It was hard watching him shoot up, VERY very hard, my entire body got chills real bad & almost made me wanna pick up the phone & call the plug... but I didn’t. Just thought about where it’d lead me again & everything I’d lose that I worked so hard for. The ONLY reason I’m alive today is b/c my parents never gave up on me. Anyways, awesome movie loved everything about it. Really great music to it as well. Huge congrats to Nic on all his years clean & all his achievements. God bless 🙏🏼
AllDopedUp13
@Stewart McCleary Thank u! 🙏🏼
Stewart McCleary
thanks for sharing , all the very best