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"
This Time Next Year
Shola Ama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tryin' to just get on with my life
And this time next year hope I'm through with the hurting
Tryin' to get you out of my mind
So, don't try to play like you're not that concerned
And don't try to say that your heart doesn't burn
Oh, tell me
How can you say that our love isn't special?
How can you say that our love wasn't true?
And how can you say you can take it or leave it
(Leave it)
When I'm missing you
And you know, you'll be missing me, too?
This time next year, I'll be out buying presents
And something will remind me of you, yeah, yeah
And this time next year, I'll be out having dinner
And run into some friends we both knew, yeah, yeah
Oh, don't try to play like you won't be concerned
And don't try to say that your heart doesn't yearn
Oh, tell me
How can you say that our love isn't special?
How can you say that our love wasn't true?
And how can you say you can take it or leave it
(Leave it)
When I'm missing you
And you know, you'll be missing me, too?
Come early Christmas morning
I'll be having my coffee and I'll think of you
And the things we used to do, ooh
And you know, it will be breaking my heart
'Cause the holidays are special
It will always play a part in my heart
Tell me
(How can you say?)
How can you do it, baby?
(How can you say?)
How can you say our love ain't true?
(How can you say?)
You can take it or leave it
(Leave it)
When I'm missing you
And you know, you'll be missing
Tell me
(How can you say?)
How can you say baby our love ain't special?
(How can you say?)
Tell me, how you say our love ain't true?
(How can you say?)
You can take it or leave it
(Leave it)
When I'm missing you
And you know, you'll be missing
When I'm missing you
And you know, you'll be missing, baby yeah
I'm missing you
And you know
(You'll be missing)
That you be missing me, too?
In Shola Ama's song "This Time Next Year," the singer speaks about the pain of a breakup and the hope of moving on in a year's time. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the singer's future, where she tries to move past the hurt caused by her ex-lover. She sings of lighting candles, buying presents, and having coffee on Christmas morning, all while missing the person who left her. The chorus questions the ex's assertion that their love wasn't special or true and points out that they will both be missing each other in the future.
The lyrics of the song are relatable to anyone who has gone through a breakup and is trying to come to terms with it. The song speaks to the pain of letting go of someone you loved and the difficulty of moving on, even when time has passed. The repetition of the chorus reinforces the singer's disbelief that their love wasn't special or true, and the line "when I'm missing you, and you know, you'll be missing me, too" speaks to the idea that the love was mutual.
Overall, "This Time Next Year" is a melancholic but relatable song about the pain of a breakup, the hope of moving on, and the enduring nature of love.
Line by Line Meaning
This time next year, I'll be home lighting candles
By this time in the coming year, I will be in the confinement of my home, lighting candles, trying to stay hopeful and positive despite the difficulties of life.
Tryin' to just get on with my life
I will try my best to live my life, move on, and forget the past.
And this time next year hope I'm through with the hurting
I pray that by next year, I will have completely healed from the pain and suffering caused by our separation.
Tryin' to get you out of my mind
I will try to remove all thoughts and memories of you from my mind in hopes of moving on.
So, don't try to play like you're not that concerned
Do not pretend that you do not care about me or our love.
And don't try to say that your heart doesn't burn
Do not lie and say that you are not hurting or feeling the pain of our separation.
Oh, tell me
Please be honest with me.
How can you say that our love isn't special?
How can you claim that our love was not unique or extraordinary?
How can you say that our love wasn't true?
How can you deny that the love we shared was genuine?
And how can you say you can take it or leave it (Leave it)
How can you act like our relationship was not that important or significant to you?
When I'm missing you
I am feeling the absence of your presence and longing for your company.
And you know, you'll be missing me, too?
You also know that you will miss me and our love.
This time next year, I'll be out buying presents
Next year around this time, I will be shopping for presents and gifts.
And something will remind me of you, yeah, yeah
I will come across something that reminds me of you and the memories we shared.
And this time next year, I'll be out having dinner
Around this time next year, I will be out having dinner with friends.
And run into some friends we both knew, yeah, yeah
I might run into some mutual friends of ours and reminisce about old times.
Oh, don't try to play like you won't be concerned
Do not act as if you will not care or feel anything when you hear about our memories and our separation.
And don't try to say that your heart doesn't yearn
Do not lie about not feeling the longing and pain of our separation.
Come early Christmas morning
On the morning of Christmas, right after dawn.
I'll be having my coffee and I'll think of you
I will sit and drink coffee, and reminisce about the moments shared with you.
And the things we used to do, ooh
I will remember the things we used to do together, and how happy it made me feel when we were together.
And you know, it will be breaking my heart
I know that it will break my heart to remember those things without you.
'Cause the holidays are special
The holidays are special occasions that are hard to forget.
It will always play a part in my heart
The memories of our time together on holidays will always hold a special place in my heart.
How can you do it, baby?
How can you pretend that our love did not matter?
Tell me, how you say our love ain't true?
Explain to me how you can say that our love was not genuine and true.
And you know, you'll be missing
You also know that you will feel the loss of me and our love.
When I'm missing you
When I am missing you, and feeling the void of your absence.
And you know, you'll be missing, baby yeah
You will also miss me and the love that we shared.
I'm missing you
I am feeling the pain and loss of our separation, and missing you terribly.
And you know
You also know and understand what I am going through.
(You'll be missing)
You will also feel the loss and miss me and our love.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVID FOSTER, KENNETH EDMONDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dovane
Shola Ama, the best female singer of modern music with Mariah Carey, i love her sweet voice so much!💞
Kathrin
I remember listening to this song when I was 16 for the first time. And this beautiful song pretty much describes my life. There were so many people in my life that were really special to me and I obviously loved them in a nonsexual, honest and friendship kind of way or however you wanna explain it, because you just never forget them and I only had 2 ex boyfriends and 4 guys that I kissed on the lips. It's like with this song.... It's always gonna pop in my head and I start singing it. I love the gospelchoir in the backround.... Maybe also because I always think about people in the past.... If I love you, I will never forget you, but I also will never forget when you've hurt me and that makes me not trust you again.... Like an elefant that got hurt a lot by human beings. So I'll just always remember the good times, just to smile about it and know it will probably never happen again... And the funny thing is people probably forget me very quickly, but I will probably forever remember their face and the sound of their voice.... And then people say I am cold or cool when there are so many people that have stayed in my heart forever and time will never erase all the memories.... Good or bad... Is that crazy?? I don't really care... To me, that is loyalty and love! But I know how to protect myself from toxic people that I once loved... And another thing: I will never have a coffee in the morning, cause that would make me puke! LOL!
Sandra Junge
It's such a pity that she doesn't sing anymore ... 😕
Teerrence Colvin
Toni Braxton version is a Christmas song. I always wondered if it wasn't... Now I know.