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"
That Thing
Shola Ama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Talking 'bout that thing
I just can't explain
Boy it's killing me
you got that thing
Talking 'bout that thing
I just can't refrain
You got that thing
do you think about me
When it's cold outside
Cause I be thinking 'bout you
Baby all the time
tell me it's not too late to be mine
All I do is think about you dream about you can't be without you
Baby be mine
I can't live without you in my sleep I talk about you all of the time
And I want you to know
you got that thing
Talking 'bout that thing
I just can't explain
Boy it's killing me
you got that thing
Talking 'bout that thing
I just can't refrain
From talking 'bout that thing
you got that thing
Boy I got to let you know now
The way I feel about you
Baby are you down
your love's the sweetest thing I have found
All I do is think about you dream about you can't be without you
Baby be mine
I can't live without you in my sleep I talk about you all of the time
And I think that you should know
you got that thing
Talking 'bout that thing
I just can't explain
Boy it's killing me
you got that thing
Talking 'bout that thing
I just can't refrain
From talking 'bout that thing
You got that thing
Talking 'bout that thing
I just can't explain
Boy it's killing me
you got that thing
Talking 'bout that thing
I just can't refrain
Boy it's killing me
boy you got that thing
Baby I like it yeah
I just can't explain
Baby you know you know
you got that thing
Talking 'bout that thing
I just can't explain
Boy it's killing me
you got that thing
Talking 'bout that thing
I just can't refrain
From talking 'bout that thing
you got that thing
Talking 'bout that thing
I just can't explain
Boy it's killing me
you got that thing
Talking 'bout that thing
I just can't refrain
From talking 'bout that thing
The lyrics of Shola Ama's song, That Thing, talks about a man who has an irresistible quality, referred to as "that thing," for which the singer cannot find words to describe. It is killing her that she cannot express what it is about the man that is so captivating. She keeps thinking about him all the time, especially when it's cold outside, and wonders if he thinks of her too. She desperately wants to be with him and tells him that her love for him is the sweetest thing she has ever found. The lyrics also reveal that the singer talks about him even in her sleep, and the song ends with her expressing her love for him and confirming that he definitely has that thing.
Overall, the song is an ode to someone's irresistible qualities and how love makes it so difficult to express how we feel about another person. It reflects the struggle to put into words the intense emotions that love can evoke.
Line by Line Meaning
Boy you got that thing
The singer is acknowledging that the person being spoken to has a certain quality or attribute that draws her interest.
Talking 'bout that thing
The singer is referring to the specific quality or attribute that the person possesses that she finds appealing.
I just can't explain
The singer is finding it difficult to describe or articulate the exact nature of what she finds so attractive about the person she is talking to.
Boy it's killing me
The artist is expressing the intensity of the attraction she feels towards the person, as if it is causing her distress or even pain.
I just can't refrain
The artist is indicating that she can't help but talk about the quality or attribute that she finds so captivating.
From talking bout that thing
The singer is reiterating her desire to continue talking about the person's attractive quality, and suggesting that it is difficult for her to stop herself from doing so.
Do you think about me
The singer is curious about whether the person she is interested in is also thinking about her, particularly in situations where they are separated (such as during cold weather).
When it's cold outside
The artist is using cold weather as an example of a situation where the person she is interested in might be prompted to think about her.
Cause I be thinking bout you
The artist is admitting that she thinks about the person she is interested in frequently and on a regular basis, even when they are not together.
Baby all the time
The artist is emphasizing the frequency and intensity of her thoughts about the person she is interested in, suggesting that thoughts of him are never far from her mind.
Tell me it's not too late to be mine
The singer is expressing a desire to be in a romantic relationship with the person she is speaking to, and is asking for reassurance that it is not too late for this to happen.
And I want you to know
The artist is indicating that what she is about to say is important, and that she wants the person she is speaking to pay attention.
The way I feel about you
The singer is about to express her feelings for the person she is communicating with.
Baby are you down
The singer is asking the person she is interested in if they are open to the possibility of being in a romantic relationship with her.
Your love's the sweetest thing I have found
The singer is expressing that the love she feels for the person she is speaking to is the most wonderful feeling she has experienced so far in life.
Boy I got to let you know now
The artist is indicating a sense of urgency in expressing her feelings to the person she is interested in.
Baby I like it yeah
The artist is indicating that she is enjoying the interaction she is having with the person she is communicating with.
Baby you know you know
The singer is addressing the person she is interested in, suggesting that they are aware of the connection that exists between the two of them.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: HALDANE N BROWN, CARDIFF N BUTT, PAUL HENTON, JUDITH N REID
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind