Career
When she was 15, Ama was singing to herself on a platform at Hammersmith tube station, and was overheard by Kwame Kwaten, a producer at the FreakStreet record label.[1] In 1995, an unknown independent label released a single titled "Celebrate", which was a ballad produced by D'Influence. Although the single was not a commercial success, it did draw attention to Shola Ama as an artist. On her 16th birthday, she signed a recording contract with WEA.
The single "You're the One I Love" was Ama's first single release for WEA in 1996; it barely made an impact on the charts, only managing to reach No. 85. Her second WEA single, "You Might Need Somebody", remains her biggest hit. This Turley Richards cover reached No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart[2] in April 1997. It remained in the top 40 for almost two months, becoming one of 1997's biggest hits. A re-release of "You're the One I Love" followed in August 1997 and reached No. 3.[2] Her third single "Who's Loving My Baby" was released in November 1997 and reached No. 13.[2] At the age of 18, Shola Ama released her debut album Much Love (1997).
In May 1997, Ama performed her single "You Might Need Somebody" at Wembley Stadium as part of the build-up to the rugby league Challenge Cup Final.
On the success of the album, Ama won a Brit Award for Best British Female and two MOBO Awards for Best Newcomer and Best R&B Act.[3]
In 1999, Ama released her second album In Return. The project saw her working with the record producers Fred Jerkins III, Stargate, Shaun Labelle, Full Crew, D-Influence Productions and Ali Shaheed Muhammad (formerly of A Tribe Called Quest). Co-writers included Angie Stone and Babyface with David Foster.
Despite having support from her record label, In Return was a commercial flop. Following this, Ama took a break from recording.[4][5]
In 2002, Ama went back into the recording studio to record her third album, Supersonic. Unable to obtain a major label deal, she instead formed a distribution deal with Pony Canyon.
In 2004, Ama featured on the track "You Should Really Know" by the Pirates, a response in song to Mario Winans' "I Don't Wanna Know" which reached No. 8 on the UK chart.
Ama also mentored her sister Sadie Ama, who signed her own recording contract and released "So Sure" (2004) and "Fallin" (2007).
Ama featured as vocalist on the Perempay & Dee single "DJ Play". The song was released in October 2009 and received heavy rotation on the radio.[6] She also featured on one of rapper Giggs' songs, "Cut Above the Rest", and later featured on the bonus disc to his album, Let Em Ave It, on a song called "Blow Em Away".
In February 2010, Ama joined a new collective group formed by Wiley called A-List, alongside her sister Sadie Ama and grime musicians Roll Deep, Mz. Bratt, Wrigley, Margs, Young Kye and Kivanc.[7]
In 2013, Ama narrated on the show My Crazy Jamaican Life.
In October 2015, Ama released a new 8-track EP featuring new reggae influenced tracks titled Surreal on Necessary Mayhem Records, 13 years after her last album Supersonic in 2002.
In April 2016, she featured on the album System Killer by Frisco on the song "Rocket"
Can't Go On
Shola Ama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No one could ever make me feel the way that you do
And when I'm alone at night
I think about the things you used to do to
I can't believe that you're gone
I can't believe that you're gone
You ran away from me
And now I can't go on
[Chorus: x2]
Won't you tell me why
I can't go on without you
Cause you been on my mind think about you all the time
Can't go on without you
You've got me open to the point where I can't take no more
So tell me what you did to me
I think about you all the time it's crazy
So tell me why
Why did you make me cry
You never said goodbye
And that's why I can't go on
[Chorus: x2]
I can't go on without you
No no no
I can't go on without you
No no no
[Chorus: x2]
Rep
Shola Ama's "Can't Go On" is a heart-wrenching expression of love lost. The singer tells her former lover that she cannot go on without his love. No one else can make her feel the way he did, and now that they have parted ways, she can't believe that he's gone. She reminisces about the things he used to do to her and how she can't get him out of her mind, to the point where it's driving her crazy. He has hurt her deeply, which is why she can't go on without him. The chorus repeats, adding emphasis to the pain and longing of the song.
The lyrics convey a deep sense of sadness and heartbreak as the singer struggles to cope with losing the person she loves. She feels deeply hurt by their breakup and cannot move on from the memories and feelings they shared together. She wonders why he left, why he couldn't love her like she loved him, and why he didn't even say goodbye. The song represents a universal feeling of sadness and longing that many people can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me why can't go on without your love
I'm begging for an explanation as to why I can't continue living without your love.
No one could ever make me feel the way that you do
No one else can make me feel the way you did when we were together.
And when I'm alone at night
When I'm by myself during the night, I'm reminded of everything we shared.
I think about the things you used to do to
I can't help but think about the things we used to do together.
I can't believe that you're gone
It's hard for me to comprehend the fact that you're no longer with me.
You ran away from me
You left without any explanation or justification for your actions.
You know you did me wrong me
You're aware that you hurt me deeply when you left me without warning or reason.
And now I can't go on
Your departure has left me feeling lost and unable to move forward with my life.
Won't you tell me why
I'm pleading with you to explain your actions and why you left me.
Cause you been on my mind think about you all the time
I can't stop thinking about you, and you're constantly on my mind.
You've got me open to the point where I can't take no more
You've left me vulnerable and unable to handle the intense emotions that come with missing you.
So tell me what you did to me
I need to know what caused you to leave and hurt me so deeply.
Why did you make me cry
Your departure caused me so much pain and tears.
You never said goodbye
You left without saying goodbye or giving me any explanation, leaving me with unanswered questions.
And that's why I can't go on
Your sudden departure has left me feeling lost and unable to move on.
I can't go on without you
I'm unable to continue living without you and your love.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHANNOAH L. HIGGENS, CHANNETTE M. HIGGENS, CARSTEN SCHACK, KENNETH KARLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind