As a singer-songwriter, Tikaram scored her greatest hit to date with Twist in My Sobriety, from her debut album Ancient Heart in 1988, when she was 19 years of age. After two years she released her second album The Sweet Keeper, containing songs such as Sunset's Arrived and Harm in Your Hands.
Other albums released by Tanita are: Everybody's Angel, Eleven Kinds of Loneliness, Lovers in the City, Cappuccino Songs and Sentimental.
As of April 2009, Tanita is living in London, England, and is currently recording a new album. Tanita is also releasing free live versions of older songs on her blog. You can subscribe here: http://tanitatikaramblog.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
Stop Listening
Tanita Tikaram Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm happy to be with you
For where in a lifetime
Do we do the things we really want to
Now old friends they watch lovers
They wonder where we're going to
They know each look from the other
And they accuse you, accuse you
It's on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and
Don't do this to me, stop listening, start calling my name
Stop turning from me, start feeling I'm here, stop listening
Keep holding me
I'm happy to lie here
Well, I'm happy to touch your face
I've got nothing to fear here
So these feelings, they cannot be placed
Oh, why do you never listen? What do you ever want?
It's funny how I feel like, some kind of person
Another kind of person I would never like to be
Your on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and
Can't do this to you, stop listening, I keep calling your name
I'm not turning from you, start feeling I'm here, stop teasing me
Keep holding me
You can be fragile I don't care I'll always be there
Can't do this to you, stop listening, I keep calling your name yes I do
I'm not turning from you, start feeling I'm here, stop teasing me
Keep holding me
In Stop Listening, Tanita Tikaram sings about the joy of being with someone who makes her happy and how she feels fulfilled in their company. She expresses her gratitude for the moment, as opportunities to truly do what we want are rare. Old friends are presented as spectators who watch and wonder what will become of the relationship, accusing them of something unknown. The constant repetition of “on and on” portrays the suspicion that lingers around them.
The chorus, “Don't do this to me, stop listening, start calling my name, stop turning from me, start feeling I'm here, stop listening, keep holding me,” seems to indicate that the singer feels unheard and unappreciated despite being in a relationship. She pleads with her partner to pay attention to her and acknowledge her presence, promising to continue to be dependable and supportive. The line “You can be fragile I don't care I'll always be there” communicates the singer's devotion and willingness to be there for her partner regardless of the circumstances.
The song is layered with emotional depth, intimacy, and vulnerability. Tikaram's delicate voice glides over the gentle guitar strums, conveying her feelings of gratitude, love, insecurity, and pain. With lyrics that delve deep into the complexities of relationships and the challenges that arise when partners are not fully present, Stop Listening is a haunting yet soulful ballad that connects with listeners on a deep emotional level.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm happy to be here
I'm glad to be in this moment and be present with you.
I'm happy to be with you
I'm grateful to be spending time with you and experiencing this relationship.
For where in a lifetime
Do we do the things we really want to
We often miss out on opportunities to do what we truly desire in life.
Now old friends they watch lovers
They wonder where we're going to
They know each look from the other
And they accuse you, accuse you
Our friends observe our relationship and may question the direction it's headed in.
It's on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and
Don't do this to me, stop listening, start calling my name
Stop turning from me, start feeling I'm here, stop listening
Keep holding me
Continuing to tune someone out and ignore their needs will only harm the relationship, so please start showing me love and affection.
I'm happy to lie here
Well, I'm happy to touch your face
I've got nothing to fear here
So these feelings, they cannot be placed
I feel safe and content being close to you without any anxieties or worries.
Oh, why do you never listen? What do you ever want?
It's funny how I feel like, some kind of person
Another kind of person I would never like to be
Your lack of attention and communication is causing me to feel like someone I don't want to be and making me question our relationship.
Your on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and
Can't do this to you, stop listening, I keep calling your name
I'm not turning from you, start feeling I'm here, stop teasing me
Keep holding me
Just as I need you to listen to me, I will also be here for you and support you, so please don't push me away and show me that you care.
You can be fragile I don't care I'll always be there
No matter what, I will be here to comfort you and help you through your struggles.
Can't do this to you, stop listening, I keep calling your name yes I do
I'm not turning from you, start feeling I'm here, stop teasing me
Keep holding me
Once again, I implore you to listen to me and meet my emotional needs in order to strengthen our relationship.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SABIU, TIKARAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
lucanick1974
I'm happy to be here
I'm happy to be with you
For where in a lifetime
Do we do the things we really want to
Now old friends they watch lovers
They wonder where we're going to
They know each look from the other
And they accuse you, accuse you
It's on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and
Don't do this to me, stop listening, start calling my name
Stop turning from me, start feeling I'm here, stop listening
Keep holding me
I'm happy to lie here
Well, I'm happy to touch your face
I've got nothing to fear here
So these feelings, they cannot be placed
Oh, why do you never listen? What do you ever want?
It's funny how I feel like, some kind of person
Another kind of person I would never like to be
Your on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and
Can't do this to you, stop listening, I keep calling your name
I'm not turning from you, start feeling I'm here, stop teasing me
Keep holding me
You can be fragile I don't care I'll always be there
Can't do this to you, stop listening, I keep calling your name yes I do
I'm not turning from you, start feeling I'm here, stop teasing me
Keep holding me
Ляля Халитова
♥️ Очень нравится эта песня! Я ВАС люблю! Удачи Вам!!! 👍🙋💐💐💐👏👏👏
Ольга Горностаева
С любовью из России, дорогая ТАНИТА ! Вы были прекрасны и талантливы раньше, вы завораживающе прекрасны сейчас. Пройдут года, а вы не изменитесь никогда. Вы - навсегда! Трудно подобрать слова, которые не звучали бы как банальные комплименты, поэтому я не буду этого делать:). Во всяком случае, для меня вы - Женщина-Мечта. Недостижимая, одаренная, необыкновенная, а главное - верная себе и своему творчеству.
Barry Mieny
Such an underrated song and album.
Денис Романович
It is not a rap
soundseeker63 / Mr Dub
So many tracks of quality and class from this lady but this one is definitely one of her more dynamic and danceable ones, and I think her physical beauty in this video was at its absolute peak, she looks spectacular!
Teresa Castillo
So beautiful... Thank you so much for your music. Your songs are timeless. ❤️
Tsvetan Dudulov
She is singing angel and rare beauty! I've been attracted to her for the first time when I watch this song on MTV or MM TV in 1999!
lucanick1974
I'm happy to be here
I'm happy to be with you
For where in a lifetime
Do we do the things we really want to
Now old friends they watch lovers
They wonder where we're going to
They know each look from the other
And they accuse you, accuse you
It's on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and
Don't do this to me, stop listening, start calling my name
Stop turning from me, start feeling I'm here, stop listening
Keep holding me
I'm happy to lie here
Well, I'm happy to touch your face
I've got nothing to fear here
So these feelings, they cannot be placed
Oh, why do you never listen? What do you ever want?
It's funny how I feel like, some kind of person
Another kind of person I would never like to be
Your on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and
Can't do this to you, stop listening, I keep calling your name
I'm not turning from you, start feeling I'm here, stop teasing me
Keep holding me
You can be fragile I don't care I'll always be there
Can't do this to you, stop listening, I keep calling your name yes I do
I'm not turning from you, start feeling I'm here, stop teasing me
Keep holding me
Wouter Peters
Finally on you tube! Such a GREAT song!
Alexander Kulikov
Мне нравится творчество Таниты! А эта песня из 90-х просто великолепна!