In 2008, aged 12, Anja Nissen made it to the semi-finals of Season 2 of the talent-search TV show Australia's Got Talent. Throughout high school, she was part of the exclusive Talent Development Program and competed in a number of other singing competitions.
In 2014, Anja Nissen was a contestant on the the third series of The Voice Australia. She was a member of Team will.i.am, and went on to win the competition. Anja Nissen's self-titled debut album consisted of songs she had covered on The Voice. It was not promoted by any radio singles at the time, which impacted sales.
In 2016, Nissen competed in the Danish National Song Contest, performing the song "Never Alone". She came in second place with 36% of the vote. In 2017, Anja Nissen competed in the Danish National Song Contest for a second time with the song "Where I Am". She went on to win and will be representing Denmark in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017.
Rather Be
Anja Nissen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But as long as you are with me, there's no place I'd rather be
I would wait forever, exalted in the scene
As long as I am with you, my heart continues to beat
With every step we take, Kyoto to The Bay
Strolling so casually
We're different and the same, gave you another name
If you gave me a chance, I would take it
It's a shot in the dark but I'll make it
Know with all of your heart you can't shame me
When I am with you, there's no place I'd rather be
N-n-n-no, no, no, no place I'd rather be
N-n-n-no, no, no, no place I'd rather be
N-n-n-no, no, no, no place I'd rather be
We staked out on a mission to find our inner peace
Make it everlasting so nothing's incomplete
It's easy being with you, sacred simplicity
As long as we're together, there's no place I'd rather be
With every step we take, Kyoto to The Bay
Strolling so casually
We're different and the same, gave you another name
Switch up the batteries
If you gave me a chance, I would take it
It's a shot in the dark but I'll make it,
Know with all of your heart you can't shame me
When I am with you, there's no place I'd rather be
N-n-n-no, no, no, no place I'd rather be
N-n-n-no, no, no, no place I'd rather be
N-n-n-no, no, no, no place I'd rather be
When I am with you, there's no place I'd rather be
Hmm, hoo
Be, be, be, be, be, be, be, be, be
Yeah-e-yeah-e-yeah-e-yeah-e-yeah, yeah, yeah
If you gave me a chance, I would take it
It's a shot in the dark but I'll make it
Know with all of your heart you can't shame me
When I am with you, there's no place I'd rather be
N-n-n-no, no, no, no place I'd rather be
N-n-n-no, no, no, no place I'd rather be
N-n-n-no, no, no, no place I'd rather be
When I am with you, there's no place I'd rather be
N-n-n-no, no, no, no place I'd rather be
N-n-n-no, no, no, no place I'd rather be
N-n-n-no, no, no, no place I'd rather be
When I am with you, there's no place I'd rather be
The song “Rather Be” by Anja Nissen is a love song about two people who have traveled great distances together and found happiness in each other’s company. The first verse describes how they have traveled “a thousand miles from comfort” and have “traveled land and sea” yet they are still content because they have each other. The second verse speaks about their journey towards inner peace and completeness. The chorus repeats the message that being with the person they love is the only place they would rather be.
The lyrics also use Kyoto and The Bay as specific locations, which represent the vast distances they have traveled. The line “We’re different and the same, gave you another name. Switch up the batteries” implies that they come from different places and have different backgrounds, but they are able to work together and complement each other. The repetition of “no place I’d rather be” in the chorus reinforces the idea that their love is the most important thing to them.
Overall, “Rather Be” is a simple yet heartfelt song that celebrates the power of love in bringing two people together, no matter where they come from.
Line by Line Meaning
We're a thousand miles from comfort, we have traveled land and sea
Despite being far from our comfort zone and traveling far and wide, being with you makes everything worth it.
But as long as you are with me, there's no place I'd rather be
Being in your company is everything to me, and there's nowhere else I would rather be than with you.
I would wait forever, exalted in the scene
I am willing to wait an eternity if it means I can spend it with you, basking in the beauty of the moment.
As long as I am with you, my heart continues to beat
You are my reason for existence, and my heart keeps on beating as long as I'm with you.
With every step we take, Kyoto to The Bay
From Kyoto to The Bay, we walk together hand in hand, taking each step together in unison.
Strolling so casually
We may be walking, but we do it so comfortably and naturally, as if it's what we have always done.
We're different and the same, gave you another name
Although we are unique, we still share similarities, and I gave you a special nickname that's only mine to call you.
Switch up the batteries
We may need to recharge sometimes, but we can do it together and support each other.
If you gave me a chance, I would take it
I would do anything for you, even take a difficult chance, because you are worth it to me.
It's a shot in the dark but I'll make it
Even if it seems like a long shot, I am confident in myself and in us to make it through together.
Know with all of your heart you can't shame me
You have my complete trust and confidence, and I know that you would never do anything to hurt me or make me feel ashamed.
We staked out on a mission to find our inner peace
We embarked on a journey together to discover more about ourselves and find our inner happiness and contentment.
Make it everlasting so nothing's incomplete
We are committed to making our love and relationship last forever, so that we don't live life feeling like anything is missing or incomplete.
It's easy being with you, sacred simplicity
Being with you feels effortless and natural, and it's a beautiful and pure experience that I deeply treasure.
When I am with you, there's no place I'd rather be
In your company, I am complete and happy, and I wouldn't trade it for anything else in the world.
N-n-n-no, no, no, no place I'd rather be
I am so certain of my happiness in being with you that there's no doubt or hesitation in my mind.
Hmm, hoo
Just a playful vocalization with no real meaning (onomatopoeia).
Be, be, be, be, be, be, be, be, be
Another playful vocalization with no meaning (onomatopoeia).
Yeah-e-yeah-e-yeah-e-yeah-e-yeah, yeah, yeah
An expression of happiness and excitement, nothing more.
Contributed by Brody K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@poodlegirl55
Not many singers can belt those high notes without sounding like they are screeching. She is awesome.
@sueb2898
She's another Carrie Underwood.
@douglasvilledarling2935
Sue B EXACTLY what I was thinking
@markbilliardi4200
A beautiful woman with blessed voice which the true Lord will use in his time JESUS!!!!!
@marciapenney2286
I love music, but often I just can't listen to Woman singer's. My sister is legally deaf (she can hear some tones but mostly reads lips) I am on a whole diff spectrum.... It's kinda funny bc if there is a clock, or my phone charger with in 25 feet of me. I drives me crazy. I move all my Mum's clocks when I visit.. So to hear Anja hit those notes so.... perfect.. I was flabbergasted that I could listen to such Range!!! Exciting! It's sad we haven't seen her!! She's still young at 22 - 23 hopefully we'll see her again!!!
@RavenSoulcatcher
Will.I.AM did amazing as her coach...the difference from her blind audition to her final song...she made the right choice in picking him.
@theducklinghomesteadandgar6639
Raven Soulcatcher
I agree
@lorrainebanathyasharahla1195
Agree
@redd1911
agree. All Will. Great coach
@merlyawright8180
Would like to see William in videos with others who are popular with music