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"
Everything
Shola Ama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
everything all that exists all that counts you are everything to me
you are everything i want and need
and i don't mind wasting time as long as it's with you
you're my everything my joy you bring
and i don't want to loose you no no no
baby don't you let go
baby love you know you got my heart
and ever since i let you in it's taken captive over me
darlin' i can't express myself
enough for you to understand just what you mean to me
you're the air that i breathe the song that i sing
heaven sent when you came to me
and no matter what the weather
you can depend on me
cause the love i have is deep within your everything to me
you are everything i want and need
and i don't mind wasting time as long as it's with you
you're my everything my joy you bring
and i don't want to loose you no no no
you are everything i want and need
and i don't mind wasting time as long as it's with you
you're my everything my joy you bring
and i don't want to loose you no no no
oh oh
oh oh everything to me
missing you whenever you're not here
in the quiet times lonliness and wishing you were here
see i believe that we were meant to be
cause the essence of your presence
makes me have no fear
you're the air that i breath
the song that i sing
heaven sent when you came to me
and no matter what the weather you can depend on me
cause the love i have is deep within you're everything to me
you are everything i want and need
and i don't mind wasting time as long as it's with you
you're my everything my joy you bring
and i don't want to loose you no no no
you are everything i want and need
and i don't mind wasting time as long as it's with you
you're my everything my joy you bring
and i don't want to loose you no no no
you are everything i want and need
and i don't mind wasting time as long as it's with you
you're my everything my joy you bring
and i don't want to loose you no no no
In the song "Everything," Shola Ama expresses her deep love and devotion to her partner. She considers her partner everything in her life and expresses that all that exists and counts is her partner. She doesn't mind wasting time as long as it's with her love, and she doesn't want to lose them. She assures her partner that their love means the world to her and that she can depend on her, no matter what the weather. The song communicates how love makes her feel alive and complete.
The lyrics of the song are relatively straightforward and poetic. Shola Ama's soothing voice accompanied by soulful R&B beats makes it a perfect romantic tune. The song's chorus is catchy, and her voice is full of passion for her special someone. The song highlights that love is all-encompassing, and with love comes a sense of security and completeness.
Line by Line Meaning
everything all that exists all that counts you are everything to me
You are the most important thing to me, more important than everything else that exists.
you are everything i want and need
You fulfill all of my wants and needs.
and i don't mind wasting time as long as it's with you
I value spending time with you so much that I don't consider it a waste of time, even if we're not doing anything particularly productive.
you're my everything my joy you bring
You bring me joy and happiness, and are everything to me.
and i don't want to loose you no no no
I am afraid of losing you and do not want that to happen.
baby don't you let go
Please do not leave me or let go of me.
baby love you know you got my heart
You have my heart and I love you deeply.
and ever since i let you in it's taken captive over me
Since I let you into my life, you have completely taken over my heart and thoughts.
darlin' i can't express myself enough for you to understand just what you mean to me
I cannot find the words to express how much you mean to me and how deeply I feel for you.
you're the air that i breathe the song that i sing heaven sent when you came to me
You are the very essence of my life, the reason for my happiness and contentment, and I feel like you were sent to me from heaven.
and no matter what the weather you can depend on me cause the love i have is deep within your everything to me
No matter what happens, I will always be there for you and support you, because my love for you is so deep and you are everything to me.
missing you whenever you're not here
I feel a strong sense of longing and sadness whenever you are not around.
in the quiet times loneliness and wishing you were here
During quiet times, I feel lonely and want you to be here with me.
see i believe that we were meant to be cause the essence of your presence makes me have no fear
I believe that we are meant to be together, and your presence brings me comfort and makes me feel fearless.
Contributed by Zoe H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.