ASTU is an Eritrean R&B/soul singer-songwriter from Oakland, CA, U.S. Part … Read Full Bio ↴ASTU is an Eritrean R&B/soul singer-songwriter from Oakland, CA, U.S. Part retro soul, part nineties R&B pastiche, part New Wave-inspired synth-pop, ASTU’s music refuses to pledge allegiance to a single vibe. ASTU is a recent recipient of the Zoo Labs Music Residency Program.

The Oakland-based singer/songwriter has the ability to find an easy, irresistible groove and turn it into a unhurried banger. The depth and complexity of her buttery alto on Patterns, her debut project, has garnered critical acclaim from Afropunk, Earmilk, KQED and more. From silky, slow jams to trip-hop-esque grooves, ASTU keeps us wanting more.

Variance Magazine describes her sound as "...kin to some of Solange’s recent material with the whispering confidence of Kelela..." while KQED raves, "...a particularly insightful and self-assured debut, sure to count as one of the Bay Area's most notable releases this year."

Motion
astu Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ooh (ooh)
Ooh, I know
Ooh (ooh)
Ooh, I know

All night, all night
You rise, I right
You right, we right

All right, this has
We can get it on and on

All night, all night
You rise, I ride
You ride, we ride
All right, this has
We can get it on and on

Well, you want me back in the ocean
Carry the sea, show you devotion
Baby, fell on me
I can feel you in my hand
Let me lead you down to, down the legs

Ooh (ooh)
Ooh, I know
Ooh (ooh)
Ooh, I know

All night, all night
You rise, I ride
You ride, we ride
All right, this has
We can get it on and on

All night, all night
You rise, I ride
You ride, we ride
All right, this has
We can get it on and on

Lead by emotion, moving slow motion
Baby, I′m going
Nobody knows but you
Nobody knows but you

You're part of your mind
Baby, I want it all, yeah
Ooh, fast surrender
Baby, I want it all, yeah
Like washing waters
Baby, I want it all, oh

All night, all night
You rise, I ride
You ride, we ride
All right, this has
We can get it on and on

All night, all night
You rise, I ride
You ride, we ride
All right, this has
We can get it on and on

Love like a fantasy
Heart′s been not breaking where we can't see

You tell me you believe
Tried beautiful, explore our sanity

Overall Meaning

The song "Motion" by Astu is a sensuous love song that describes the intensity of a couple's physical connection. The chorus is full of longing as the singer repeats "Ooh, I know" to express how well she understands the desires and needs of her partner. The verses describe the couple's physical motions together, as they ride waves of passion and intensity all night long. The lyrics suggest that the couple is deeply connected and able to communicate without words, as they "lead by emotion" and "nobody knows but you".

The first verse sets the tone for the rest of the song, as the singer describes how well the couple's motions synchronize: "You rise, I ride / You ride, we ride / All right, this has / We can get it on and on". The second verse is more poetic and symbolic, as the singer compares herself to the ocean and her partner to a sailor who is devoted only to her: "Well, you want me back in the ocean / Carry the sea, show you devotion". The bridge repeats the chorus and adds some more imagery, with the singer comparing their passion to "washing waters" that leave her wanting "it all".

Overall, "Motion" is a beautifully written song that captures the intensity and complexity of physical love. The lyrics are sensuous and poetic, and the metaphors are powerful and evocative. The song is a great example of Astu's talent as a songwriter and her ability to express deep emotions through music.

Line by Line Meaning

Ooh (ooh)
Expressing excitement and anticipation

Ooh, I know
Confident in the upcoming experience

All night, all night
The experience will last all night

You rise, I ride
One partner takes the lead, the other follows

You ride, we ride
Both partners are active and involved

All right, this has
The experience is positive and exciting

We can get it on and on
The experience can continue for an extended period

Well, you want me back in the ocean
The partner desires to reconnect in nature

Carry the sea, show you devotion
Demonstrating love and commitment through nature

Baby, fell on me
Partner trusts and relies on each other

I can feel you in my hand
Partner's presence is palpable and mutually felt

Let me lead you down to, down the legs
Partner wants to guide and share an intimate moment

Lead by emotion, moving slow motion
Desire to let emotions dictate the pace and movements

Baby, I'm going
Partner is willing and enthusiastic

Nobody knows but you
This experience is private and personal

You're part of your mind
Partner is intimately connected to each other's thoughts

Baby, I want it all, yeah
Desire for complete and fulfilling experience

Ooh, fast surrender
Eager to let go and indulge in the moment

Like washing waters
Sensual experience that cleanses and renews

Love like a fantasy
The experience feels like an idealized love

Heart's been not breaking where we can't see
The relationship has not experienced conflict or stress

You tell me you believe
Partner's trust in the relationship and experience

Tried beautiful, explore our sanity
Striving for a beautiful, fulfilling experience that deepens the relationship

Writer(s): Astu, Daoud Ayodele Miles Anthony, Esther Kibreab, Jason Oliver Valerio

Contributed by Kennedy J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS