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
Thunderstorms
Soja Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just to do your right and not your wrong
When wrong is easy and right is hard
And we've all got our weaknesses and only you know what yours is
But your tomorrows are all that seems to escape from your lips
But I don't wanna wait today
I promise that I've heard too much
I'm ready, tell me
It seems ridiculous to trust
And none of your games you'll play
There's one life, one world, one chance
And I don't wanna wait
I don't wanna wait
Moving forward to right now a government that let you down
A racist leader no one trusts
That a army that's been good to us
And a poverty on a global scale
A fragile world with fragile layer and a fragile water
I'm sure they'll put off to tomorrow
But I don't wanna wait today
For something that might never ever show it's face again
I promise that I've heard too much
I'm ready, tell me
It seems ridiculous to trust
And none of your games you play
There's one life, one world, once chance
And I don't wanna wait
I don't wanna wait
I don't wanna wait for you and your games now
I just can't wait, I just can't
I'm skipping forward to the ending to that one or two impending to that moment
Then all that stops and one day when that bottom drops
And we remember how our voices had a chance
Yea we had our choice but time is a luxury we as the people, we might not no longer afford
So I don't wanna wait today
For something that might never ever show it's face again
I promise that I've heard too much
I'm ready, tell me
It seems ridiculous to trust
And none of your games you play
There's one life, one world once chance
And I don't wanna wait
There's not enough time, so I don't wanna wait
You know I've got a lot on my mind, so I can't wait
I could reach the end of the line, so I don't wanna wait
Oh I'm not fine
Don't wanna wait
It's not for me
I don't wanna wait
The lyrics to Soja's "Thunderstorms" address the concept of time- how we spend it, how it passes, and how it shapes our lives. The first verse talks about how different values and morals were followed in the past, but now people are lost and have lost their sense of direction. Wrong has become too easy and doing the right thing has become difficult. The second verse talks about how the government has let people down, how racism still exists and is perpetuated by leaders, and how the world is facing issues like poverty and environmental degradation. The song's message is that life is fragile and unpredictable, and we need to take action now instead of waiting for a future that might never come.
The chorus repeats the line, "I don't want to wait", emphasizing the urgency and the need for action. The artist asserts that they have heard too much and cannot wait anymore. The line "It seems ridiculous to trust" shows the artist's lack of faith in the systems that have been put in place to govern and manage our lives. The final verse talks about how time is a luxury that we may not be able to afford. We need to act now and take charge of our lives before it's too late. The artist is asking us to consider what we are doing with our time and to use it wisely.
Line by Line Meaning
They say way back when knew how but there's nothing telling you now
People used to know how to do things the right way, but now there's no guidance.
Just to do your right and not your wrong
You should always do what's right and avoid doing what's wrong.
When wrong is easy and right is hard
It can be difficult to make the right choice when the wrong choice is so much easier.
And we've all got our weaknesses and only you know what yours is
Everyone has their own weaknesses, and you are the only one who truly knows what yours are.
But your tomorrows are all that seems to escape from your lips
You often talk about your future plans, but struggle to follow through on them.
But I don't wanna wait today
I don't want to delay taking action.
For something that might never ever show it's face again
I don't want to miss an opportunity that may not come around again.
I promise that I've heard too much
I have heard enough talk and need to see action.
It seems ridiculous to trust
It can be difficult to trust people, especially in difficult times.
And none of your games you'll play
I won't fall for any tricks or manipulation.
There's one life, one world, one chance
We only have one life and one chance to make a difference in the world.
Moving forward to right now a government that let you down
Currently, the government has let us down and is failing to take necessary action.
A racist leader no one trusts
The leader of the country is racist and has lost the trust of the people.
That an army that's been good to us
The military has been a positive force in our lives.
And a poverty on a global scale
Poverty is a major issue on a global level.
A fragile world with fragile layer and a fragile water
The world is fragile and vulnerable to damage, especially in terms of the environment.
I'm sure they'll put off to tomorrow
Many people and governments are delaying action on important issues.
I'm skipping forward to the ending to that one or two impending to that moment
I am thinking ahead to the future and the potential consequences of our actions (or lack thereof).
Then all that stops and one day when that bottom drops
Eventually, something catastrophic may happen and we will have to face the consequences of our inaction.
And we remember how our voices had a chance
We will look back and regret not speaking up or taking action when we had the opportunity.
Yea we had our choice but time is a luxury we as the people, we might not no longer afford
We have the ability to make choices, but time is running out and we may not have the luxury of waiting any longer.
There's not enough time, so I don't wanna wait
There is a sense of urgency to take action now and not delay.
You know I've got a lot on my mind, so I can't wait
There are many important issues that require attention and action.
I could reach the end of the line, so I don't wanna wait
Life is short and unpredictable, so I don't want to waste time waiting.
Oh I'm not fine
Things are not okay and there is a lot of work to be done.
Don't wanna wait
I refuse to waste any more time waiting for change to happen.
It's not for me
It is not enough to simply wait for others to make change - I must take action too.
I don't wanna wait
I am tired of waiting and am ready to take action now.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: WALTER JACOBS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@maagnojapa
Soja - thunderstorm
I don't know one thing about you not
Knowing a thing about me
'Cause we drop down into all your
Thunderstorms and claim it's not
Your lightning
And now the fire is gone in my eyes
They grow cold for a while
And I'don't feel your heat
These words have been said
Over and around it, but
I don't hear no talking, you're talking
I'll be stopping, I'll be starting
I'll be wondering why we don't
Know what we do
I'm a be the same, even if I'm
Walking by myself
I'm just wondering why
I never ever saw us clearly
And clearly we're both to blame
But silence and progress
Were my thing
And your thing was calling
My name
Now you can see your whole
Life without me
I'm quietly in mine without You
The distance and the loneliness
And the phone calls offsetting
Them, there's some things what
I guess I can't do, too
I'll be stopping, I'll be starting
I'll be wondering why we don't
Know what we do
I'm a be the same, even if I'm
Walking by myself
I'm just wondering why
Yeah!!
My name remains the prisoner
Trapped in my world that's gone
And I'm the only one
Who still lives here
And I've got all the lights off
Now you can stop and
Visit me in my cell
And we can talk if we've
Got the time
Then you can start to
Go on your way
'Cause I believe I've found
I've found mine
So I'll be stopping, I'll be starting
I'll be wondering why we don't
Know what we do
I'm a be the same, even if I'm
Walking by myself
I'm just wondering why we don't know
I'll be stopping, I'll be starting
I'll be wondering why we don't
Know what we do
I'm a be the same, even if I'm
Walking all alone
I'm just wondering why.
@MarceloSantos-fi4ls
Tradução:
Eu não sei nada sobre você...não
Não sei nada sobre mim
Porque enfrento todas as suas
Trovoadas e você afirma que não é
O seu raio
E agora o fogo se foi dos meus olhos
Eles ficaram frios durante algum tempo
E eu não sinto seu calor
Essas palavras foram ditas
Repetidas vezes, mas
Eu não ouvi nenhuma conversa, do que você está falando
Eu vou parar, eu vou começar,
Eu vou me perguntar por que nós não
Sabemos o que fazer...
Eu vou ser o mesmo, mesmo se eu estiver
Caminhando sozinho
Eu só estou querendo saber por quê
Eu nunca vi nós claramente
E claramente ambos tem culpa
Mas o silêncio e o progresso
Foram minha parte
E seu negócio era chamar
Meu nome
Agora você pode ver aquela sua
Vida sem mim
Estou tranquilamente na minha sem Você
A distância e a solidão
E alguns telefonemas compensantes
Deles, há algumas coisas que
Eu acho que não posso fazer, também
Então, meu nome permanece prisioneiro.
Aprisionado no meu mundo que se foi
E eu sou o único
Que ainda vive aqui
E eu tenho todas as luzes apagadas
Agora você pode parar e
Me visitar na minha cela
E nós podemos falar se
Teremos o tempo
Então você pode começar a
Ir pelo seu caminho
Porque eu acredito que eu encontrei
Eu encontrei o meu
@alynemodica4743
13 anos depois e essa musica ainda me emociona muito!
@ZEUSTRADER777
MUITO BOA
@maagnojapa
Soja - thunderstorm
I don't know one thing about you not
Knowing a thing about me
'Cause we drop down into all your
Thunderstorms and claim it's not
Your lightning
And now the fire is gone in my eyes
They grow cold for a while
And I'don't feel your heat
These words have been said
Over and around it, but
I don't hear no talking, you're talking
I'll be stopping, I'll be starting
I'll be wondering why we don't
Know what we do
I'm a be the same, even if I'm
Walking by myself
I'm just wondering why
I never ever saw us clearly
And clearly we're both to blame
But silence and progress
Were my thing
And your thing was calling
My name
Now you can see your whole
Life without me
I'm quietly in mine without You
The distance and the loneliness
And the phone calls offsetting
Them, there's some things what
I guess I can't do, too
I'll be stopping, I'll be starting
I'll be wondering why we don't
Know what we do
I'm a be the same, even if I'm
Walking by myself
I'm just wondering why
Yeah!!
My name remains the prisoner
Trapped in my world that's gone
And I'm the only one
Who still lives here
And I've got all the lights off
Now you can stop and
Visit me in my cell
And we can talk if we've
Got the time
Then you can start to
Go on your way
'Cause I believe I've found
I've found mine
So I'll be stopping, I'll be starting
I'll be wondering why we don't
Know what we do
I'm a be the same, even if I'm
Walking by myself
I'm just wondering why we don't know
I'll be stopping, I'll be starting
I'll be wondering why we don't
Know what we do
I'm a be the same, even if I'm
Walking all alone
I'm just wondering why.
@elisakelly8509
esse som 😍😍 caminhava sozinha na praia ouvindo ele... ah q vontade de sentir isso novamente 😢😢😢
@viniciustoledo8195
nada te impede!!!
@viniciustoledo8195
faça oq gosta!!!
@MANOG
Foda, são umas sensações inexplicáveis que não tem como sentir novamente
@mau7496
Vou fazer e vou pensar em vc kkk
@caioalmeida8220
Fiz e ainda faço muito do mesmo! 🌴🚶🎶🌅🌊
@gustavonass6767
Eu caminhando na chuva com essa música no fone. Que sensação única!!!