South African singer-songwriter Amy Jones returns with ‘Next To Me’, a feel-good pop release celebrating the people who bring meaning to our lives. Blending catchy melodies with heartfelt storytelling, the single explores the importance of human connection and the relationships that make life’s journey worthwhile.
Written by Amy Jones and Caleb Williams, and produced by Sai (Simon Van Der Heever), ‘Next To Me’ marks another step in an evolving musical journey shaped by perseverance, faith and a lifelong passion for music. It also reflects Amy’s desire to create songs that go beyond entertainment, offering listeners something they can connect with on a personal level.
For Amy, music has always been about more than simply being heard. From the little girl who began singing at five years old to the artist now performing on major stages and reaching audiences through radio and streaming platforms, connection has remained at the heart of her ambitions.
“I don’t want to make music simply to be heard. I want to make music that makes people feel something”, Amy says.
As a wife and mother, a woman of faith and an artist who has spent years pursuing her dream, Amy draws inspiration from real-life experiences and the people closest to her. Her sound combines pop and dance influences with infectious energy and relatable lyrics, creating music that balances feel-good appeal with genuine emotion.
‘Next To Me’ follows her recent releases ‘Nobody’ and ‘Again’, both produced by acclaimed South African hitmaker Luke Goliath. Inspired by motherhood, ‘Nobody’ offered a deeply personal tribute, while ‘Again’ explored the courage to move beyond expectations and rediscover what matters. Her latest single continues that thread, reinforcing her commitment to authentic storytelling.
Amy’s journey to this point has been built on determination. She first entered Idols South Africa as a teenager, returning to the competition year after year despite early setbacks. On her fourth attempt, she reached the Top 8 Girls of Season 13, a milestone that reflected her refusal to give up on a lifelong dream.
Since launching her professional career in 2016, she has accumulated an impressive list of achievements. Her debut single, ‘Sunrise’, earned national radio play, while her collaboration with EDM duo Cinimin, ‘You and Me’, won Best EDM Song of the Year and led to an opportunity to share the stage with international act Major Lazer.
Her single ‘Dance on My Own’ spent five consecutive weeks at No. 1 on Heart FM and featured in the Netflix series Jiva!. She has also performed for South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, entertained more than 30,000 people at DHL Stadium during the URC Rugby semi-finals and finals, made her UK debut at the Shrewsbury Flower Show and headlined Cape Town’s Formula E Fan Park alongside DJ Zinhle.
Yet, behind the career milestones is an artist whose priorities remain firmly rooted in family, faith and a genuine love of music. Through Jirah Productions, Amy continues to build her career while holding on to the values that have guided her from her earliest performances.
With ‘Next To Me’, Amy brings those experiences together in a release that celebrates the relationships that sustain us. It is a fitting addition to her growing catalogue and a reminder that success is not measured by applause alone, but by the people who stand beside us along the way.
