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"
Run to Me
Shola Ama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mmm
Sure as the sun will shine
I need you in my life
You are the only one
Run to me (mm)
You are the light in my life
You are the only one
Run to me (mm)
You are the one for me
I need you to know you're my everything
For me there is nobody else
I love you so, baby
Run to me
When summer warms I hear your call (mm)
You hold the key to what I'm living for
Baby, run to me
Baby run to me
When autumn falls I need you more (I need you more yeah)
I still ain't found what I'm looking for
You are the only one
Run to me (mm)
When it is cold outside
You are the sun inside
You are the month of May
Run to me
Umm yeah
So many tears i've cried
You gave me back my pride
You are my joy each day
Run to me (uh)
You are the one for me
I need you to know you're my everything
For me there is nobody else
I love you so, baby
Run to me
When summer warms I hear your call (I hear your call yeah)
You hold the key to what I'm living for (what I'm living for)
Baby, run to me
You better run, run, run to me...
When autumn falls I need you more (I need you more whoa)
I still ain't found what I'm looking for
You are the only one
Run to me
Run
When summer warms I hear you call
You hold the key (yeah) to what I'm living for (na na na na, na na na na)
Run to me
Mmm...
Baby
When autumn falls I need you more
I still ain't found what I'm looking for
For you are the only one
Run to me
Uh
Baby won't you run...
The lyrics of Shola Ama's "Run To Me" convey the central message of a person's desire to be with their loved one. The song is laden with symbolism and imagery, which serve to reinforce the message of love, trust, and commitment. The artist begins by stating that the person she's addressing is the only one she needs in her life, and that she can always depend on them. The chorus "Run to me" is a plea for her loved one to come to her, no matter the season or circumstance. The artist talks about the spring, summer, and autumn, as she highlights the importance of each season to her, perhaps mirroring different stages in her relationship.
The verses of the song further communicate the artist's feelings of love, devotion, and gratitude towards her loved one. She talks about how much she loves this person and how much he or she means to her. Other verses of the song talk about how the loved one makes her feel, including how much joy he or she brings to her life. The lyrics carry an overall message of true and everlasting love, which transcends seasons, situations, and experiences. The artist wants her loved one to be there with her always, and she uses the song as a way of expressing her feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
Sure as the sun will shine
I am completely confident that you are essential to my life
I need you in my life
You are absolutely vital to me
You are the only one
No one else can replace you
Run to me (mm)
Come to me quickly
Bright as the deep blue sky
You bring so much light into my life
You are the light in my life
You brighten up my existence
You are the one for me
You are my perfect match
I need you to know you're my everything
You mean the world to me and I can't imagine living without you
For me there is nobody else
No one else can take your place in my life
I love you so, baby
I have an intense and profound love for you
When summer warms I hear your call (mm)
I yearn for you when the summer season comes
You hold the key to what I'm living for
You possess the thing(s) that make my life complete
Baby, run to me
Come to me quickly, my love
When autumn falls I need you more (I need you more yeah)
As the fall season approaches, I rely on you even more
I still ain't found what I'm looking for
I have yet to find someone/something that can compare to you
When it is cold outside
During the chilly weather
You are the sun inside
You give me warmth and happiness
You are the month of May
You bring new life and beauty into my world
So many tears I've cried
I have shed many tears of sadness and despair
You gave me back my pride
You restored my self-confidence and self-respect
You are my joy each day
You bring me happiness and delight every day
You better run, run, run to me...
I'm urging you to hurry to me
Baby won't you run...
Please come to me, my love
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SHOLA MATHURIN, KWAME KWATEN, STEVE MARSTON, ED BADEN-POWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sistockbridge8764
Summer vibes everytime I hear Shola Ama. Brings back a ton of memories
@DavidHedge
Shola Ama = queen of Garage, love it
@0UTCRI
glad to have lived in the times of garage, nothing will beat it. nuff memories, garage will be passed on from generation to generation. it already sounds better than what producers are making these days, i'll never stop mixing it :)
@alfalou84
Agree
@SumthinMstBAvailable
This song came on in the club. TUNE!! EVERYONE was dancing. Ah man im missing those garage days so much!!
@tanyacadd8288
love all the old school garage tunes
@keelybennett1418
Loved this song growing up! I would play it nonstop on repeat 😬
@oliva12345
Still 🎉❤ a tune a tune 2023
@lukemaher7191
Good old days them x
@mustafazorlu
this is one of the best garage tunes FULL STOP!