2) “Love is the only thing to live for - it's one of the main reasons I'm inspired to write songs,” declares singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, TOMI. “I feel it's the medicine for everyone's pain. And you can hear a lot of love and pain in these songs.”
The songs in question are the buttery R&B jams on his debut album, “Love Is What I Found” (Rosehip Records), a collection of deeply felt, sensual tunes reflecting this versatile Chicago-based artist's determination and struggle. TOMI, who played all the instruments and composed and produced the tracks, considers the album the distillation of his odyssey, driven by love and fueled by pain, to find his own sound.
Witness the yearning, grooving lead single “You Can Tell Me,” infused by TOMI's supple falsetto; the salacious, bouncing funk of “BabyGetDown”; the intimate “Magic Happens”; the muscular, wiry syncopations of “You Got To,” with its message of fighting through all obstacles; the jazzy, sun-dappled “Love Is What I Found”; and the bittersweet closer “Waiting,” which punctuates a heartbreaking memory of loss with elegant strings and passionate bursts of fiery guitar. “No matter what kind of music you like,” TOMI insists, “there's something for you on this album.”
TOMI left his hometown on Bratislava, Slovakia at the tender age of 18 to come to Chicago to pursue his dream of being a musician.
TOMI had a few conversations with Goran Rajsic, CEO of Chicago-based label Rosehip Records; despite his initial reservations about hooking up with an indie label, he ultimately realized that it was a remarkably good fit.
“Goran is from Eastern Europe and really gets where I'm coming from, and he offered me the artistic freedom I'd been looking for,” TOMI explains. The decision began paying off even before “Love Is What I Found” hit stores, with airplay for “You Can Tell Me” on local stations Power 92 and WGCI, accolades in the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Image, and a performance and interview segment on the local ABC affiliate. Meanwhile, his fan base, on MySpace and elsewhere, has grown exponentially.
It's been a long, magical, often trying path for TOMI, but he believes that even the most challenging parts of his journey were essential. “It's about following your heart and soul without compromise - that's the pinnacle of success,” the artist proclaims. “I'm already internally successful. I've made a record that reflects the sound I'd been hearing in my head. And I've accomplished things that people from my part of the world have never conquered.”
You Got To
Tomi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The next shift
Everyone doesn't get it
My gift
I can see through the world and
It's damage
Grateful for myself and
Family
Just grab it
All your dreams and ambitions
You have it
I guess this is what I'm called for
It's mapped in
Don't be scared when it happens
Like this
When you believe in yourself
You'll see the dreams that you dealt
It's easy to forget yourself
But you got it
But you got
When you believe in yourself
You'll see the dreams that you dealt
It's easy to forget yourself
But you got it
But you got
Don't claim that you're a victim
That's not it
If this life throws a lemon
Then catch them
You can turn into a butterfly
Be patient
Trust it all through the process
And claim it
Your cancun isn't forever
Just breakthrough
You'll be flying up so high now
So soon
All the things that weighed you down now
Got loose
Don't just see it but believe that
It comes true
When you believe in yourself
You'll see the dreams that you dealt
It's easy to forget yourself
But you got it
But you got
When you believe in yourself
You'll see the dreams that you dealt
It's easy to forget yourself
But you got it
But you got
Everything's not so easy
When the doubt starts to creep in
And the fear whispers in your ear
It's so hard just to listen
Everything's not so easy
When the doubt starts to creep in
And the fear whispers in your ear
It's so hard just to listen
But you got it
But you got it
But you got it
But you got it
But you got it
But you got it
But you got it
But you got it
In the song "You Got To" by Tomi, the lyrics emphasize the importance of perspective and self-belief in overcoming challenges and achieving dreams. The artist acknowledges that not everyone understands their vision or the gift they possess. They possess a unique ability to see through the world and understand its damage, leading them to feel grateful for themselves and their family.
The artist encourages listeners not to let setbacks drag them down, but rather to seize their dreams and ambitions. They suggest that their calling is mapped out for them, and they urge others not to be afraid when opportunities arise. By believing in oneself, one can unlock the potential to achieve the dreams they have worked hard for.
The lyrics also touch upon the idea of not playing the victim and taking control of life's challenges instead. When faced with adversity, the artist advises listeners to catch the lemons life throws at them and turn them into something beautiful, just like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon. They emphasize the importance of patience and trusting the process, claiming that one's current circumstances do not define their future. By breaking through barriers, one can rise to great heights and leave behind the things that once weighed them down.
However, the artist acknowledges that it is not always easy to maintain belief in oneself when doubt and fear start to creep in. They recognize the difficulty in listening to one's inner voice and blocking out the negative influences. Yet, throughout the song, the repeated refrain "But you got it" serves as a reminder that, despite the challenges, the listener possesses the strength, resilience, and the ability to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.
In summary, "You Got To" encourages listeners to embrace a positive perspective, believe in themselves, and find the strength to overcome challenges. By emphasizing the importance of self-belief, trust in the process, and perseverance, the artist inspires listeners to pursue their dreams and not allow circumstances or doubts to hinder their success.
Line by Line Meaning
It's all about perspective
The way you see things determines your understanding
The next shift
The upcoming change or transformation
Everyone doesn't get it
Not everyone understands or comprehends it
My gift
My special talent or ability
I can see through the world and
I have a deep understanding of the world and
It's damage
Its flaws and negative aspects
Grateful for myself and
I appreciate and value myself and
Family
My loved ones and support system
Don't let it take you down, now
Don't allow it to bring you down or discourage you
Just grab it
Seize the opportunity
All your dreams and ambitions
Your goals and aspirations
You have it
You possess them or can achieve them
I guess this is what I'm called for
I suppose this is my purpose or destiny
It's mapped in
It's predetermined or planned
Don't be scared when it happens
Do not be afraid when it occurs
Like this
In this manner or fashion
When you believe in yourself
When you have confidence and faith in yourself
You'll see the dreams that you dealt
You will witness the realization of your dreams
It's easy to forget yourself
It's simple to lose sight of who you are
But you got it
But you possess the strength and ability
Don't claim that you're a victim
Do not assert yourself as a victim
That's not it
That's not the truth or reality
If this life throws a lemon
If life presents a challenge or obstacle
Then catch them
Then take hold of it or make the best of it
You can turn into a butterfly
You can transform and become something beautiful
Be patient
Have patience and wait
Trust it all through the process
Have faith in the entire journey
And claim it
Take ownership or assert your right to it
Your cancun isn't forever
Your current situation or struggle won't last indefinitely
Just breakthrough
Just push through and overcome the obstacles
You'll be flying up so high now
You will experience great success or joy
So soon
In a short amount of time
All the things that weighed you down now
All the burdens or troubles that held you back
Got loose
Have been released or freed
Don't just see it but believe that
Don't just observe it, but have faith that
It comes true
It will become a reality
Everything's not so easy
Not everything is simple or straightforward
When the doubt starts to creep in
When uncertainty or skepticism begins to affect you
And the fear whispers in your ear
And the anxieties or insecurities quietly influence you
It's so hard just to listen
It's difficult to remain attentive
But you got it
But you possess the strength and ability
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Olutomilola Akinwande
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind