Fresh off the radio success of “Nobody” and “Again”, Amy Jones returns with “Next To Me”, a new single about missing someone and wishing they were right there beside you.
Amy Jones is on a hit-making streak, and she shows no sign of slowing down. Following the strong radio performance of “Nobody” and “Again”, the South African singer-songwriter is back with another highly anticipated release in “Next To Me”.
Written by Amy Jones and Caleb Williams and produced by Sai (Simon Van Der Heever), the single captures the ache of missing someone you love and the longing to have them close. With momentum building behind every release, it’s a song that promises to strike a chord with listeners and keep her name firmly on the airwaves.
An Unexpected Studio Moment
For Amy, the way the song came together was as special as the song itself. A studio session that wasn’t finding its creative direction turned into a moment of inspiration when producer Simon introduced an idea he felt would suit Amy’s sound perfectly.
“The whole process behind ‘Next To Me’ was quite unexpected and special,” says Amy. “I had originally booked studio time with another producer, but creatively we were struggling to find the right direction, and nothing was really coming together.
“That same night, Simon was sitting in the studio and said, ‘I’ve been studying some of Amy’s tracks and her sound, and I think she’ll love this track.’ He played me the idea, and something immediately clicked.
“That moment completely changed the direction of the session, and that’s how the whole process of creating ‘Next To Me’ began. It was one of those moments where the right song seemed to find me at exactly the right time, and I’m really excited for people to hear it.”
A Song About Missing Someone
The result is a song rooted in honesty and vulnerability, capturing the feeling of missing someone so deeply that their presence becomes the only thing that matters.
“‘Next To Me’ is about that deep feeling of wanting someone you love close to you, especially when distance or circumstances make that impossible. It’s about missing someone, craving that connection and realising that sometimes all you really want is their presence,” Amy explains.
“For me, the song feels very honest and vulnerable. It captures that feeling of when everything else fades away and the only thing you want is to have that person right there, next to you. I think we’ve all experienced that kind of longing at some point, and I hope people can hear the song and connect their own story to it.”
Amy Jones: From Idols SA to Major Stages
Amy launched her professional music career in 2016 and has steadily built a reputation for uplifting, relatable music. Her journey began young, driven by a love of music that led her to teach herself guitar at just 14. After entering Idols SA in 2013, the encouragement she received inspired her to pursue music professionally.
Her breakthrough continued with “Sunrise”, which earned national radio support, followed by “You and Me”, a 2018 collaboration with EDM duo Cinimin. The track won Best EDM Song of the Year and saw Amy share the stage with international act Major Lazer.
Her distinctive sound, engaging performances and uplifting songwriting have continued to grow her audience. Her single “Dance on My Own” spent five consecutive weeks at Number One on Heart FM and was featured in the Netflix original series Jiva.
She has also performed at major events in South Africa and abroad, including the URC Rugby semi-finals and finals at DHL Stadium, the Shrewsbury Flower Show in the UK, and Cape Town’s Formula E Fan Park alongside DJ Zinhle.
The Road to “Next To Me”
More recently, Amy entered an exciting new chapter with “Nobody”, co-written with Caleb Williams and produced by fifteen-times platinum producer and SAMA nominee Luke Goliath of Darkchild Publishing. The single made a significant impact on South African radio, reaching the Radiomonitor Top 20 airplay chart in February 2026.
She followed it with “Again”, her second collaboration with Luke Goliath, written by Andre Graham. Released earlier in 2026, the track explored authenticity and finding meaning beyond the noise, chaos and expectations of everyday life, further showing Amy’s growth as both a songwriter and performer.
Now, with “Next To Me”, Amy builds on that momentum with a song that invites listeners to connect with their own experiences of love, distance and longing.
With each release, Amy Jones continues to prove why she is an artist to watch, pairing meaningful songwriting with a sound that resonates with audiences. As the hits keep coming, “Next To Me” looks set to be another memorable addition to her growing catalogue.
You can stream/download “Next To Me” HERE.
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