Thank You

Happy 40th birthday, Jamelia, born 11th January 1981.

Perhaps easy to forget now, but Jamelia was an R&B superstar back in the day. Whilst I'm not a massive fan of the genre, Thank You is an outstanding song and proof that pop can convey a powerful message. The UK public obviously agreed, as the album of the same name peaked at #4 and the single reached #2, proving to be her biggest hit. Thank You was kept off the top spot by Peter Andre's Mysterious Girl, which is a greater injustice than the Ultravox/Joe Dolce debacle, in my book.

Thank You was written by Jamelia, together with Danish producers Carsten Schack (aka Soulshock) and Peter Biker. The lyrics were inspired by Jamelia's first-hand experience of an abusive relationship, how she left and channeled the negative into a positive, empowering future. In the video, Jamelia performs against a backdrop of the four elements. I'll let the lyrics and visuals say the rest.

The fights, those nights
I tried to pretend it don't hurt
The way I prayed
Someday that you would love me
Really, completely
Just how I wanted it to be
But no, so wrong
Can't believe I stayed with you so long

 

You hit, you spit, you split, every bit of me, yeah
You stole, you broke, you're cold
You're such a joke to me, yeah

 

For every last bruise you gave me
For every time I sat in tears
For the million ways you hurt me
I just want to tell you this
You broke my world, made me strong
Thank you

Messed up my dreams, made me strong
Thank you

 

My head, near dead
Just the way you wanted it
My soul, stone cold
'cause I was under your control
So young, so dumb

Knew just how to make me succumb
But I understand
To make yourself feel like a man

 

You hit, you spit, you split, every bit of me, yeah
You stole, you broke, you're cold
You're such a joke to me, yeah

 

For every last bruise you gave me
For every time I sat in tears
For the million ways you hurt me
I just want to tell you this
You broke my world, made me strong
Thank you
Messed up my dreams, made me strong
Thank you

 

You coulda had it all babe
It coulda been so right
I woulda given you everything
Morning through night
Yeah, you taught me some lessons
Those are my blessings
That won't happen again
Thank you

Thank You (Official Video): Jamelia (2004)

Thank You ('In The Studio' Video): Jamelia (2004)