Essex, England-born Anne-Marie Nicholson was no stranger to performing by t… Read Full Bio ↴Essex, England-born Anne-Marie Nicholson was no stranger to performing by the time her debut EP dropped in 2015, having shared the stage as a 12-year-old with none other than Jessie J in a West End production of Whistle Down the Wind. She also auditioned for Les Misérables without telling her parents, and was offered a part. It was a risk that paid off, as it served to open her parents' eyes to her singing ability. Aside from West End commitments, the intervening years between her days as a child star and the advent of her career as a pop singer were spent becoming a world karate champion no fewer than three times, an art form she credited with teaching her discipline and focus, two essential traits of becoming a successful musician.

After a chance meeting with an aspiring singer/songwriter, she managed to secure some studio time in Elton John's Rocket Studios, and, after hearing what she could do, she was subsequently picked up by Elton's management company Rocket Music. Anne-Marie released a demo in 2013 entitled Summer Girl, which drew some attention to the singer, most notably garnering a fan in Ed Sheeran. Despite the encouraging start to her solo career, things were put on hold to give her more time to develop as an artist.

Having guested on tracks by dubstep supergroup Magnetic Man, London-based garage duo Gorgon City, and progressive house trio Raized by Wolves, Anne-Marie caught the attention of Brit and MOBO award winners Rudimental. She was featured alongside Dizzee Rascal and Will Heard on two tracks from their second album, 2015's We the Generation, and spent two years touring with the band, playing some of the world's biggest stages and best-known festivals.

The summer of that year also saw the release of Anne-Marie's debut EP on Rudimental's then-new record label, Major Tom's. The aptly titled Karate EP featured three tracks and a Chloe Martini remix, and producers Josh Record and Two Inch Punch worked with her on the record. Both the lead single "Karate," a slick fusion of electro-grime and R&B, and the follow-up "Gemini," garnered some very positive reviews and led Anne-Marie to gigging as a solo artist. In early 2016, the single "Do It Right" reached the U.K. charts, and several months later "Alarm" hit the Top 40 in several charts around the world.

In 2017, Anne-Marie scored a hit single when she featured on Clean Bandit's multi-platinum "Rockabye" with Sean Paul. The song topped the charts across Europe and in Australia, breaking into the Top Ten in Canada and the U.S. She followed with the solo singles "Ciao Adios" and "Heavy," which both charted in the U.K. and Ireland. Both tracks appeared on her debut full-length, Speak Your Mind, which saw release in April 2018. The record also featured the track "Friends," written and recorded with American dance producer Marshmello.

Don't Kill My Vibe
Anne-Marie Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You shut me down, you like the control
You speak to me like I am a child
You try to hold it down, I know the answer
And I can't shake it off and
You feel threatened by me

I tried to play it nice, but oh oh ooh
Don't kill my vibe oh oh ooh

Don't break my stride

You think you're so important to me
Don't you? But I wanted you to know
That you don't belong here
Think you're so important to me, don't you?
Well, don't kill my vibe

You love to tear me down
You like the control
Then build me up like I depend on you
I've thrown myself from heights that
Used to scare me guess you're surprised
I'm the puzzle you can't figure out

I tried to play it nice but oh oh ooh, ooh
Don't kill my vibe oh oh ooh, ooh
Don't break my stride

You think you're so important to me
Don't you? But I wanted you to know
That you don't belong here
Think you're so important to me, don't you?
Well, don't kill my vibe

Say I'm young, I don't care, I
Won't quit, no, no, no, ho
You say I'm young, I don't care
I won't quit, no, no, no, ho
You're acting like you hurt me
But I'm not even listenin'
You're acting like you hurt me
But I'm not even listenin'
So, don't kill my vibe, ooh

Yo! I tried to play it nice but
Oh oh ooh, ooh don't kill my vibe, ah
Oh oh ooh, ooh don't break my stride

You think you're so important to me
Don't you? But I wanted you to know
That you don't belong here

Think you're so important to me, don't you?
Well, don't kill my vibe

Overall Meaning

In the song "Don't Kill My Vibe" by Anne-Marie, the lyrics express a sense of frustration and defiance towards someone who tries to control and undermine the singer. The opening lines, "You shut me down, you like the control / You speak to me like I am a child," highlight the dynamic between the singer and this individual. The singer feels belittled and confined, unable to freely express themselves. The reference to feeling threatened suggests that the singer's confidence and strength are seen as intimidating by this person.

The chorus emphasizes the singer's desire to maintain their independence and self-assurance. They assert, "Don't kill my vibe, don't break my stride." It reflects their determination not to let this person's actions dampen their enthusiasm and progress. The repetition of these lines reinforces the importance of personal resilience and not allowing others to hinder their growth or success.

The next verse further illustrates the power dynamics at play. The person alternates between tearing the singer down and building them up, as if the singer relies on their validation. However, this is not the case, as the singer states, "I'm the puzzle you can't figure out." This line implies that the singer is complex and independent, not easily understood or controlled by others.

As the song progresses, the bridge highlights the singer's refusal to be affected by the negative comments and actions of this person. They assert that they are not listening, indicating that their confidence remains intact regardless of how they may act or feel. The repetition of "don't kill my vibe" serves as a mantra, emphasizing the singer's determination to protect their positivity and sense of self from being diminished.

Overall, the lyrics of "Don't Kill My Vibe" capture the singer's defiance towards someone who seeks to control and belittle them. The song serves as an anthem of self-empowerment, encouraging listeners to remain true to themselves and not allow others to undermine their confidence and enthusiasm.

Line by Line Meaning

You shut me down, you like the control
You deliberately silence me and enjoy exerting power over me

You speak to me like I am a child
You patronize and belittle me in your communication

You try to hold it down, I know the answer
You attempt to suppress my voice, but I am aware of the truth

And I can't shake it off and
I cannot easily dismiss or ignore your actions

You feel threatened by me
You experience insecurity and fear in my presence

I tried to play it nice, but oh oh ooh
I attempted to be agreeable and cooperative, but

Don't kill my vibe oh oh ooh
Do not suppress or undermine my positive energy and confidence

Don't break my stride
Do not disrupt or hinder my progress and momentum

You think you're so important to me
You believe your significance in my life is considerable

Don't you? But I wanted you to know
Isn't that what you assume? However, I desire to inform you

That you don't belong here
That you do not have a place or rightful presence in my life

Think you're so important to me, don't you?
You mistakenly believe that you hold great importance to me, don't you?

Well, don't kill my vibe
Therefore, do not diminish or dampen my enthusiasm and positivity

You love to tear me down
You derive satisfaction from undermining and degrading me

Then build me up like I depend on you
Then, you manipulate me by offering support as if I rely on you

I've thrown myself from heights that Used to scare me guess you're surprised
I have taken risks that used to frighten me, and it appears to have caught you off guard

I'm the puzzle you can't figure out
I am a complex enigma that you cannot decipher or understand

Say I'm young, I don't care, I
You claim that my youth renders me indifferent, but I

Won't quit, no, no, no, ho
Will not give up or surrender, no matter what

You say I'm young, I don't care
You assert that my age makes me apathetic

I won't quit, no, no, no, ho
I will persevere and continue, disregarding your doubts

You're acting like you hurt me
You are behaving as if you have caused me pain

But I'm not even listenin'
However, I am not paying attention or affected by your actions

So, don't kill my vibe, ooh
Therefore, do not extinguish or ruin my positive energy and enthusiasm

Yo! I tried to play it nice but
Hey! I attempted to be pleasant and cooperative, but

Oh oh ooh, ooh don't kill my vibe, ah
Oh oh ooh, ooh do not suppress or undermine my positive energy, ah

Oh oh ooh, ooh don't break my stride
Oh oh ooh, ooh do not disrupt or hinder my progress and momentum

You think you're so important to me
You believe your significance in my life is considerable