He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of the singles "Locked Up" and "Lonely", from his debut album "Trouble". His second album, "Konvicted", earned him a Grammy Award nomination for the single Smack That featuring Eminem. His latest album, "Freedom", was released in 2008. Akon often sings hooks for other artists and is currently accredited with over 200 guest appearances and 32 Billboard Hot 100 songs.
He is the first solo artist to accomplish the feat of holding both the number one and two spots simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100 charts twice. He has also founded two record labels, Konvict Muzik and Kon Live Distribution and has a clothing label, Konvict clothing
Akon is a Muslim and has many charities of his own.
Akon's father is the Senagalese drummer Mor Thiam.
Long Gone
akon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I used to tell my homie
Slow down time after time
But he never would listen
Until he got some time
The life that he was living
I knew it wasn't right
The judge gave him that sentence
You don't miss the water
Til the well runs dry
Don't miss the living til they die
Don't know the reason
Don't know why
We just let life pass us by
[Chorus:]
Cause you never know (never know)
What you got (what you got)
Until it's gone (gone away)
Away away away away
Long long gone
Cause you never know (never know)
What you got (what you got)
Until it's gone away
Away away away away
Long long gone
[Rock City:]
See my best friend used to stay with me
Each and every day he'd chill with me
Always told me to pray for me
But I always thought that he'll be fine
Now I got to watch his mother cry
Cos she loved him child
Don't miss the water
Til the well runs dry
Don't miss the living til they die
Don't know the reason
Don't know why
We just let life pass us by.
[Chorus:]
Cause you never know (never know)
What you got (what you got)
Until it's gone away
Away away away away
Long long gone
Cause you never know (never know)
What you got (what you got)
Until it's gone away
Away away away away
Long long gone
So don't you take for granted
The life you've been handed
Be thankful and grateful
Cause life goes on
With or without you
Plus there's so many people worse off than you
With no chance of changing
It's truly up to you
[Chorus:]
Cause you never know (never know)
What you got (what you got)
Until it's gone away
Away away away away
Long long gone
Cause you never know (never know)
What you got (what you got)
Until it's gone away
Away away away away
Long long gone
The lyrics of the song Long Gone by Akon focus on the importance of cherishing life and appreciating the things we have while we still have them. The verses speak of two different scenarios. Akon talks about a friend who did not listen to his advice and ended up in prison for life, and Rock City talks about a friend who he thought would be fine but ended up dead. Through these examples, the song stresses the idea that we never truly appreciate what we have until it's gone.
The chorus, which repeats throughout the song, emphasizes the same idea. We never know what we have until it's gone. The song sends a message of gratitude and urges listeners to be thankful and grateful for what they have. It also emphasizes the importance of not taking our lives and loved ones for granted.
Overall, Long Gone is a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing it. It urges listeners to be grateful, live in the moment, and appreciate what they have before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to tell my homie Slow down time after time
Akon used to advise his friend to take it easy and slow down from time to time.
But he never would listen Until he got some time
His friend ignored the advice until he received a life sentence.
The life that he was living I knew it wasn't right
Akon was aware that his friend was living recklessly and dangerously.
The judge gave him that sentence And put him up for life
The legal system issued a life sentence, thereby ending his friend's freedom permanently.
You don't miss the water Til the well runs dry
One might take things for granted till they are lost or unavailable.
Don't miss the living til they die
We might not appreciate someone until they pass away and are no longer around.
Don't know the reason Don't know why We just let life pass us by
Life is fleeting, and people tend to mindlessly let it pass without contemplating its purpose.
Don't miss the water Til the well runs dry
One might take things for granted till they are lost or unavailable.
So don't you take for granted The life you've been handed
Appreciate and be grateful for the life you have.
Be thankful and grateful Cause life goes on
Express gratitude, and life continues despite obstacles and hardships.
With or without you Plus there's so many people worse off than you
Life will go on, with or without an individual; and there are others around the world who are more unfortunate.
With no chance of changing It's truly up to you
Some people have no opportunity to transform their lives, and it's up to the listener to take steps toward self-improvement.
Cause you never know What you got Until it's gone away
Individuals rarely appreciate something until they lose it.
Long long gone
Something that is gone is gone forever.
Contributed by Grace I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.