A blossoming star, folks about town in London started to take notice and she was soon performing at local talent shows. Cementing her fate as an infectious musical force Savage went on to sing backup for Mary J. Blige, Chaka Khan, Emma Bunton (Spice Girls), Kelly Clarkson, Blu Cantrell, Andreas Bocelli and has shared the stage with the likes of Sting, 50 Cent, The Black Eyed Peas, Eminem, Robbie Williams, and Destiny’s Child to name a few.
On the business end Tiwa set her own 323 imprint with entrepreneur Tunji "Tee Billz" Balogun and currently signed to Sony ATV as a songwriter. Savage will embark on a solo career and will release her debut album in early 2011. She has also collaborated with Chuck Harmony (Rihanna, Mary J. Blige), Warren "Oak" Felder (Chris Brown and Jennifer Lopez), and producer So Sick (Da Grin) just to name a few, on her debut. Weaving an eclectic collision of influences on her record, the Nigerian native says her album will blend "songs in my native language Yoruba and some straight up R&B soulful pop records."
An avid songwriter since the age of 15, she has recorded with industry heavyweights such as Babyface, The Underdogs (Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears), Brian Kennedy (Jennifer Hudson, Kid Sister) and Red One (Lady Gaga, Kylie Minogue) led to Savage writing hits like Jaicko's "Oh Yeah," which features Snoop Dogg, Kat Deluna's "Push Push" featuring Akon and with production by David Guetta, Fantasia's "Collard Greens & Cornbread," from the album Back to Me, records on Letoya Luckett’s upcoming album and with background vocal credits on Whitney Houston’s album “I look to you.”
Although being a songwriter for such prominent artists was a great opportunity and experience, writing for herself has been more rewarding. "I have political songs like 'Middle Passage,' which is about the struggles of African men in a foreign country," says the scholarship recipient and graduate of Berklee College of Music. A beautiful, naturally gifted songwriter, electrifying performer with a voice that is as sweet as honey, Tiwa Savage is ready to share her music wit the world.
Once Upon a Time
Tiwa Savage Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
put on my make up
People are calling, time to get on it
Smile for the camera and make sure it's perfect
There is never a time to let my hair down
I gat to work it, show them I'm worth
Make them believe what you already see boy
And I don't need no make up to hide underneath
Oh eh oh ah
You make me just wanna to wipe it off
Oh eh oh ah
Super sexy with no make up on
Oh eh oh ah
Wear your kisses like my favourite gloss
Oh eh oh oh ah
Oh eh oh oh ah
You got me dancing in the mirror with no makeup
Boy, you got me dancing in the mirror with no makeup
Even gat me sending sexy pictures with no makeup
I don't need it baby, no way, no way, no now with you
Let me be you cover girl
Later this evening, I got a meeting
But baby show face that I am seeing
Flying through cities, people around me,
There is never a time to let my hair down
Wish it was it easy to really be me
Magically flawless, pics never run this
But when I'm with you, I feel like I'm free
And I don't need no make up to hide underneath
Oh eh oh ah
You make me just wanna to wipe it off
Oh eh oh ah
Super sexy with no makeup on
Oh eh oh ah
Wear your kisses like my favourite gloss
Oh eh oh oh ah
Oh eh oh oh ah
You got me dancing in the mirror with no make up
Boy, you got me dancing in the mirror with no make up
Even gat me sending sexy pictures with no make up
I don't need it baby, no way, no way, no now with you
Let me be you cover girl or maybe just a simple girl It means every to you, oh
Oh eh oh ah
You make me just wanna to wipe it off
Oh eh oh ah
Supper sexy with no makeup on
Oh eh oh ah
Wear your kisses like my favourite gloss
Oh eh oh oh ah
Oh eh oh oh ah
You got me dancing in the mirror with no make up
Boy, you got me dancing in the mirror with no make up
Even gat me sending sexy pictures with no make up
I don't need it baby, no way, no way, no now with you
Oh eh oh ah
You make me just wanna to wipe it off
Oh eh oh ah
Super sexy with no make up on
Oh eh oh ah Wear your kisses like my favourite gloss
Oh eh oh oh ah
Oh eh oh oh ah
You got me dancing in the mirror with no make up
Boy, you got me dancing in the mirror with no make up
Even gat me sending sexy pictures with no make up
I don't need it baby, no way, no way, no now .
Endwith you
In "Once Upon a Time," Tiwa Savage explores the idea of being able to let her guard down and be her true self in the presence of someone she loves. The song opens with her going about her daily routine, which revolves around putting on a perfect, flawless front for the camera – something that is expected of her as a public figure. But when she's with this person, she feels free and comfortable, and doesn't feel like she needs to hide behind makeup or put on a show. She feels confident in her own skin, and that's what makes her feel super sexy.
The chorus is catchy and straightforward, with Tiwa expressing her desire to wipe off her makeup and be seen for who she truly is. The person she's with makes her feel so comfortable that she's even willing to send them sexy pictures without any makeup on – a vulnerable act that shows just how much she trusts and desires them. The bridge brings in a sense of longing, with Tiwa wishing that it was just as easy to be her true self with everyone else as it is with this one person.
Overall, "Once Upon a Time" is a fun, upbeat love song that celebrates the idea of feeling comfortable and confident without pretense.
Line by Line Meaning
I woke up this morning
I started my day with energy and enthusiasm
put on my make up
I carefully applied cosmetics to enhance my appearance
People are calling, time to get on it
Others are depending on me and it's time to take action
Smile for the camera and make sure it's perfect
I need to present the best version of myself for public consumption
There is never a time to let my hair down
I always need to be on my game and can never let my guard down
I gat to work it, show them I'm worth
I need to showcase my value and worth to others
Make them believe what you already see boy
Convince others of what you already know to be true
Cos when I'm with you, I feel like I'm free
In the presence of a certain special someone, I feel liberated
And I don't need no make up to hide underneath
I don't need to hide behind cosmetics to feel confident and beautiful with this person
You make me just wanna to wipe it off
This person makes me want to remove my makeup and be myself
Super sexy with no make up on
I feel attractive without any makeup
Wear your kisses like my favourite gloss
I cherish the kisses from this person more than any makeup product
You got me dancing in the mirror with no makeup
I feel confident and free to dance without any makeup while alone and thinking about this person
Even gat me sending sexy pictures with no makeup
This person's influence makes me feel comfortable sending intimate photos without makeup
Let me be you cover girl
I want to be the main focus of this person's attention
Flying through cities, people around me,
I have a hectic life with a lot of responsibilities and people to interact with
Wish it was it easy to really be me
I struggle with being my true self due to societal pressures and expectations
Magically flawless, pics never run this
I aspire to be flawless in every way, especially in public images
Let me be you cover girl or maybe just a simple girl
I am torn between wanting to be the center of attention and wanting to be my true, uncomplicated self
It means every to you, oh
My relationship with you is very meaningful to me
Contributed by Jake V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.