Can't Keep Up (2010) | Ayana John

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About the artist

Imagine that you could enter a time capsule and quantum leap to the year 1998. The album, ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’ has just dropped and is causing a stir in the United States and the world over. The infectious vibes have spread all the way to the Caribbean; Barbados, to be exact, becoming a catalyst for the 2005 emergence of one of Barbados’ most prolific singer/ songwriters, ‘Ayana John’.
Now imagine that you have blended the pulsating rhythms and bass lines of reggae and fused them with the hypnotic melodies of soulful vocals paired with a fierce live act. You would have defined the first steps in the evolution of this magnetic entertainer, emerging with a massively successful self-titled debut LP in 2009 which spawned a series of national hits, ‘Guns n’ Roses’, ‘Paper Chase’, ‘Caught Ya!’ and ‘Pose’ featuring Bad Boy Recording Artiste, Elephant Man, out-of-Jamaica! A record haul of Barbados Music Award Nominations followed, making for the most nominations acquired by a solo female for the year, 2009 and subsequently 2010:
- Soul Female Entertainer of the Year
- Best Collaboration (Paper Chase)
- Song of the Year
- Female Entertainer of the Year
After the release of two EPs entitled ‘Royal Blue’ in 2010 and ‘Ignite’ in 2011 which featured successful singles, ‘Can’t Keep Up’ and ‘Baby’ (2010) and ‘Iron Heart’ and ‘It Ends Tonight’ (2011), respectively, a desire to qualify in Performance Arts and Music resulted in a Distinction in Popular Music Practice from Tech Music School in London with certification from the London College of Music in June, 2012. In a career highlight, this energetic live performer was also chosen as the headline act of the Graduation line-up held at the Legendary Shepherd’s Bush Empire (Grace Jones, The Police, U2, other acts featured at the venue, to name a few). Just visualize being the recipient of a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics alongside having a Diploma in Music. Crazy, some say ... but that’s just the paradox that is Ms. John.
Known affectionately as ‘A.J.’, this former Ms. Barbados Bikini and 1st runner-up Ms. Barbados has a slew of surprises in store for loyal and potential fans who can expect a fresh, exhilarating and soul-bearing album for 2014. Armed with her blend of R&B/Reggae, the new effort promises to be a reflection of all that has been lived and learned. The 2014 EP, S-Curve 1.0, the first part of a two part album series will feature brand new music for fans to listen to and download. The album is available for digital download on August 15, 2014 on Bandcamp.com and August, 21, 2014 on iTunes.com

Lyrics

Can’t Keep Up - The Lyrics
Vs.1.
You ain’t doing me no favours
By keeping me outta the loop
Everytime you gotta bad day
Looks like I’mma have to pay
Baby tell me something new
I gave you yuh walking papers
But it’s all like déjà vu
Everytime I put you out then you come crawling in
But baby tell me what’s the use?

Pre-Chorus .1.
What’s the reason?
I think you like to drive me mad
Let’s call it even
Coz I had about all I can take
And my heart always aches
I can feel the earth quake
When you do the things you do
So gimme a break
Coz a playa don’t make
Inna game I always lose


Chorus .1.
Coz I can’t keep up
I tried, tried
Can’t keep up with you
Everytime I think I understand
Then you throw me another clue
And I can’t keep up
I tried, tried
Can’t keep up with you
Coz you make me feel
All like a fool and I don’t know what to do

Vs.2.
Maybe I shouldn’t waste my time complaining
I’m too tired to make right what’s wrong
Lewwe finish up de race or give a little space
‘Stead o’ singing lyrics to the same ol’ love songs
Giving it some thought and consideration
While chilling listening to the radio station
While I check fuh we
Den who gon’ check fuh me
It’s time fuh dis to cease
So I’mma make a ease now


Pre-Chorus .2.
What’s the reason?
I think you like to drive me mad
Let’s call it even
Coz I had about all I can take
And my heart always aches
I can feel the earth quake
When you do the things you do
So gimme a break
Coz a playa don’t make
Inna game I always lose

Chorus .2.
Coz I can’t keep up
I tried, tried
Can’t keep up with you
Everytime I think I understand
Then you throw me another clue
And I can’t keep up
I tried, tried
Can’t keep up with you
Coz you make me feel
All like a fool and I don’t know what to do


Bridge
It’s a waste of time
Adding fuel to the fyah
Coz I’m feeling fine
And I don’t desire
All the quarrelling and arguin’
All the fussing and fighting
Coz instead of uniting
We be wronging and righting
It was a dream come true
Now it’s outta the dark and into the blue

Chorus .3.
Coz I can’t keep up
I tried, tried
Can’t keep up with you
Everytime I think I understand
Then you throw me another clue
And I can’t keep up
I tried, tried
Can’t keep up with you
Coz you make me feel
All like a fool and I don’t know what to do


Chorus .4.
Coz I can’t keep up
I tried, tried
Can’t keep up with you
Everytime I think I understand
Then you throw me another clue
And I can’t keep up
I tried, tried
Can’t keep up with you
Coz you make me feel
All like a fool and I don’t know what to do