SOJA’s first album was recorded independently with renowned sound engineer Jim Fox. Jacob notes, “Jim told us that he would work with us and so we could afford to make our first record, and when we ran out of money he started making up ‘discounts.’ It was awesome. I asked him why a while back, and he said ‘I didn’t want to see a good thing stop.’ What was even crazier was at the time he wasn’t working with bands that were from the US, just Jamaican artists. Big ones like Black Uhuru, Israel Vibration, Burning Spear, Don Carlos, and Inner Circle. Jim worked with us independently and recorded, mixed, and mastered the whole thing. That is how it all started.” SOJA’s first album, “Soldiers of Jah Army EP” was released at the beginning of 2000.
In 2002, SOJA released their first full-length album, “Peace in a Time of War.” Though the band was young, the album had hits. “True Love,” “Rasta Courage,” and “Peace in a Time of War” were the first songs to bring the band strong attention nationally and internationally and cement them in the reggae world. Tours became larger, their fan base expanded rapidly and they grew up smart in the independent music industry. In 2006, the band released “Get Wiser,” their second full-length album. The album was a break through for the band, as they explored the duality in their music, combining beautiful, longing melodies with hard drum and bass, and layered with intricate lyrics. SOJA created their musical style with a new complexity and depth that they would carry with them to their future albums. Jacob shares, “When you listen to an artist you can either have a series of one liners, or you can tell a story with your music. We set out to tell a story, it’s like poetry – dancing around an entire theme, but never putting a period on anything. It is like the two sides of a coin, but you can see them at the same time.” “Get Wiser” debuted in the Top 10 Reggae Albums on iTunes and has remained in the top 100 since its release. Singles off the album including “Open My Eyes, “You Don’t Know Me,” and “Can’t Tell Me” remain in heavy rotation on college radio across the United States, and have also received major radio play internationally in places such as France, Brazil, Argentina, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, Costa Rica, Mexico, Venezuela, Guam, and Tahiti. The success of “Get Wiser” took the band on three years of intense touring nationally, and internationally. In 2008 SOJA released their EP “Stars and Stripes.” They blended new sounds and new rhythms with their existing reggae sound, growing into what SOJA was becoming. The EP contained three new songs plus remixes and new versions of popular songs. In early 2009 the band released the documentary DVD “SOJA Live in Hawaii: A Marc Carlini Film,” showcasing the power and energy of their 2008 Hawaiian tour which included four islands, five cameras, four shows, and everything in between.
Now, SOJA is ready to unleash their third full-length album “Born in Babylon” - the culmination of all past efforts on their label DMV Records. Set to be released August 25, 2009 exclusively on iTunes, “Born in Babylon” focuses on telling the same roots story that reggae artists have been singing about for decades, but their way, from the flip perspective of kids who grew up not in poverty, but in a government saturated community in Arlington, Virginia, across Mason-Dixon Line from the White House. SOJA shares about their new album, “This is the album we’ve been wanting to make for ten years. At first we were hard-core old school, then we got new school and inventive. This is what we’ve learned from all that. ‘Born in Babylon’ is hard roots drum and bass, big wide guitar and vocal melodies, and two and three sided lyrics, with two and three sided messages.”
For the rest of 2009 and moving into 2010 – SOJA plans on touring the United States extensively while promoting “Born in Babylon” with mainstay horn players Hellman Escorcia (saxophone) and Rafael Rodriguez (trumpet). Currently, SOJA averages 150 shows a year and the group has toured every major city in the US and internationally throughout Canada, Puerto Rico (avg 2500), Brazil (avg 4000), Argentina, Uruguay, New Caledonia (16,000 in attendance) Palau, Saipan, Guam (avg 3500), Hawaii (avg 2,000 on each island), Sweden, Switzerland, France, Portugal (avg 2000) and Holland. The band has also shared the stage with notable artists such as Citizen Cope, Matisyahu, Ben Harper, Slightly Stoopid, Damian Marley, Govt Mule, Umphrees McGee, and Steel Pulse to name a few.
In addition to their new music and touring, the band remains committed to creating real music, music that cant be ignored. Jacob pauses, “Bob Marley’s fans all feel like when he is singing a song, it’s to them. You could be from anywhere, any situation, rich, poor – it doesn’t matter; the song is directed at them. He speaks to you, the love songs too. That is what we are after. Not one side of the story, the whole thing, both sides of the coin. Just listen to ‘Born in Babylon.’”
disambiguation:
If you're looking for a US act:
http://www.last.fm/music/Soldiers+of+Jah+Army
Over the years, the Washington, D.C. music scene has become best known for its hardcore (Minor Threat) and go-go (Trouble Funk) alumni, but as evidenced by the great Bad Brains, reggae has been represented as well. SOJA has risen to the forefront, picking up right where the Brains left off – creating their own blend of conscious roots music entwined with the traditional rhythms of reggae, it “comes across with passion and depth.” (Washington Post ’06)
That said, SOJA is not that easy to define. Although they are rooted in reggae, they are not limited to it; their fan-base reflects this with a very diverse population. The music includes and embraces all walks of life - it has no prejudice – it is for everyone. The band grew up listening to reggae, hip-hop, and rock. In their sound, reggae became the predominate influence because it is dedicated to a real message and promotes revolution.
The group, which includes a pair of lead singers who also pull double duty - Jacob Hemphill (guitar) and Bob Jefferson (bass) – as well as Patrick O’Shea on keyboard, percussionist Ken Brownell, and drummer Ryan Berty, originally came together in 1997. Since 2000, the quintet has issued three full length albums and one EP – their latest, ‘Get Wiser,’ is their third for the group’s own label, Innerloop.
Hemphill explains the meaning of the album’s title. “The new album is called ‘Get Wiser’ – that’s the idea. We as a society tend to have blinders on. We are trying to uplift peoples’ consciousness by breaking down what makes us blind. To do this, we got to bring back truth. People get wiser.”
“Every song is different of course.” Hemphill continues, “I found music to be a way to express myself - through my life I’ve never been able to express myself well in conversations, but I can do it through music. It’s like my way to talk.”
Ever the road warriors (SOJA averages 150 gigs per year), the group will be supporting their latest release with a healthy amount of live dates this year on the “Get Wiser Tour”. With such a list of accumulated live dates, a specific high point is hard to pin down, but Brownell remembers a particular performance. “One of the shows that remains in the front of my mind was playing in Guam for the first time for nearly 6,000 fans. That was an amazing experience.”
With SOJA calling their own shots, ‘Get Wiser’ proves that the band’s message and music will only continue to grow stronger with each successive release. In support of their latest album, “Get Wiser”, SOJA is embarking on a journey around the world.
The Band
Jacob Hemphill - Lead Vocals, Guitar
Bob Jefferson - Lead Vocals, Bass
Ken Brownell - Percussion
Ryan Berty - Drums
Patrick O’Shea- Keyboards
Let You Go
Soja Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They keep coming back again like they’ve got something to prove
I love my memories
But they have a way of controlling me at times
And I’m so lost without you, yea, yea, yea
And I can’t get far from it
And from what went wrong
And I know it’s stupid
The farther I get away
The more I hold on
It’s just this feeling I get
It’s like I’m not done yet
It’s like I’m not done yet
It’s like I’m not done yet
It’s like I’m not done yet
I think about those times
When we were young
And everything was so
Brand new and our words so true
Looked into my eyes the one last time
If I had Known back then
Would I be living with today
We might have stayed, but
And I can’t get far from it
And from what went wrong
And I know it’s stupid
Cause it’s been so long
The farther I get away
The more I hold on
It’s like I try to forget
Somehow I’m not done yet
I’m not done yet
I am not done yet
I’m not done yet
I am not done yet
It’s hard for me when
Think about the things that never been
They keep coming back again
Like they got something to prove
It’s like I’m not done yet
I’m not done yet
I am not done yet
I’m not done yet
I’m not done yet no
I’m not done yet no
I’m not done yet no
I’m not done yet
I am not done yet no
I’m not done yet no
I’m not done yet no
I’m not done yet no
I am not done yet
The song Let You Go by SOJA is a powerful track that explores the idea of memories and how they can control and haunt us. The lyrics express the singer's struggle to let go of the past and move on from a relationship that ended long ago. The singer reminisces about the good times they shared and wonders if things would be different if they had made different choices in the past. The lyrics convey a deep sense of longing and regret as the singer struggles to come to terms with the fact that the past is gone and can never be relived.
The chorus repeats the phrase "it's like I'm not done yet" multiple times, emphasizing the singer's struggle to move on and let go of the past. The song suggests that memories can have a hold on us and can prevent us from living in the present and moving forward in life. The lyrics are emotional and raw, and the melody is simple and powerful, conveying a sense of vulnerability and honesty.
Overall, Let You Go is a moving and relatable song that speaks to the struggle of letting go of the past and moving on from a relationship that has ended.
Line by Line Meaning
It’s hard for me when I think about things that never been
Reflecting on missed opportunities and unrealized dreams is difficult for me.
They keep coming back again like they’ve got something to prove
These thoughts persist and return frequently, as if they want to reinforce their significance.
I love my memories
I am fond of reminiscing about the past.
But they have a way of controlling me at times
However, these memories can have a dominant influence on my thoughts and emotions at times.
And I’m so lost without you, yea, yea, yea
I feel a deep sense of confusion and emptiness without your presence in my life.
And I can’t get far from it
It is challenging for me to distance myself from these feelings and memories.
And from what went wrong
I am still fixated on what caused our relationship to end.
And I know it’s stupid
I realize that this fixation is unreasonable and unproductive.
Cause it’s been so long
It has been a considerable amount of time since our relationship ended.
The farther I get away
As time passes and I distance myself,
The more I hold on
I find myself clinging onto these unresolved feelings and memories even more strongly.
It’s just this feeling I get
This is just an inexplicable sensation that I experience.
It’s like I’m not done yet
It seems as though there is still something yet to be resolved or accomplished.
It’s like I’m not done yet
This sensation persists and remains unresolved.
It’s like I’m not done yet
It feels as though there is an unfinished business that I must attend to.
It’s like I’m not done yet
This sensation continues to persist despite my efforts to move past it.
I think about those times
I often reminisce about the past when we were together.
When we were young
Those were the days when we were both young and carefree.
And everything was so
Those were the times when everything seemed perfect.
Brand new and our words so true
At that time, we were fresh and passionate -- our words were highly genuine.
Looked into my eyes the one last time
I remember looking into your eyes for one last time as our relationship came to an end.
If I had Known back then
If only I had known then what I know now.
Would I be living with today
Perhaps, things would be different now.
We might have stayed, but
Maybe, just maybe, our relationship could have continued if things were different.
It’s like I try to forget
I try to put these memories and feelings behind me.
Somehow I’m not done yet
Despite my attempt to forget and move on, I still have a lingering feeling that is unresolved.
I’m not done yet
I have not yet resolved these feelings and memories.
I am not done yet
I still have more to do in order to move past these unresolved feelings.
I’m not done yet
I am still grappling with these unresolved feelings.
I am not done yet
It will take more time and effort on my part in order to fully move past these feelings and memories
It’s hard for me when
I find it challenging to come to terms with the past.
Think about the things that never been
Reflecting on what could have been and missed opportunities is difficult for me.
They keep coming back again
These thoughts persist and are hard to ignore.
Like they got something to prove
These thoughts continue to hold significance and relevance in my life.
I’m not done yet
I have not yet fully resolved these feelings and memories.
I’m not done yet no
These unresolved feelings continue to persist.
I am not done yet no
It is not yet time to forget or move past these memories and feelings.
I’m not done yet no
I am still grappling with unresolved emotions and feelings.
I’m not done yet no
These lingering emotions have yet to be fully recognized and resolved.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jacob Charles Hemphill
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ryuji9577
Original Tradução
It occured to me
As things are slowing down
That it's always
Much better when you're around,
And it's slowly turning me
Upside down,
Upside down,
Upside down - wait
You can be who you want to
You can see who you want to
And there's nothing i can tell you now,
Except:
I'm always thinking of you
Even if i don't want to
In more ways than i can count
Cuz i didn't mean to let you go,
Should've been the first one to let you know
Oh change your mind,
And let me slide just one more time
It doesn't have to be this way
We could stop fighting and wake up in your place
Or, i could go, leave it to chance
And just let this go go on...
And when we're in the future,
And "now" is a million miles away,
Will we start to reconsider
What now belongs to yesterday?
This whole life is moving fast for me,
Is it for you the same?
And do you dream?
And when you do, do you wake up saying my name?
You can be who you want to
And you can see who you want to
And there's nothing i can tell you now,
Except:
That i'm always thinking of you
And even when i don't want to
In more ways than i can count
Cuz i didn't mean to let you go,
Should've been the first one to let you know
Oh change your mind,
And let me slide just one more time
And, it doesn't have to be this way
We could stop fighting and wake up in your place
Or, i could go,
Leave it to chance
And just let it go, let it go
Yeah yeah
Cuz, we were only children, still deciding who to be,
I remember following you
Hoping you'd look back at me
But then a band became my life,
And you heard california's nice,
And then we got older like people do
But i didn't mean to let you g
@kaleocobb-adams2895
Makes me think about life and what god gives you in life that u should appreciate what you have cuz ur going to miss it when it’s gone :)
@aryannereis5405
Amo tanto essa música, que nostalgia 😍
@eg2331
Si mami
@joiceslx
Me sinto em outro patamar quando escuto essa música maravilhosa, as vezes lembro de como foi minha vida e que rumo eu poderia ter tomado. E, se tivesse tomado esse rumo o que seria de mim ? Será se estava bem ? Mas talvez fosse tudo melhor? E se fosse pior? É Deus sabe de tudo 🥺. Passamos por cada uma que meu Jesus . Lembrar que tudo poderia ter mudado me faz me sentir incapaz de viver o verdadeiro sentido da vida !!!! :/
@Udamasta
i love how every soja song has so many likes and almost no dislikes, no haters, and no flames. so many devoted fans and no trolls. its the mark of an iconic band
@loonyhaole
SOJA IS the best thing thats happened since BOB MARLEY!!! respect!
@gabrielapinheiro4146
nostalgia💞
@thalesdesousa2422
Verdade rss
@MarcosVinicius-cs1ru
Sempre kkkkk
@triballl9
malta de 80