Waddell began singing at the age of three in her home church, Truth Temple of (Kannapolis, North Carolina). She, along with her brother and cousin, eventually became involved with the church's daily program on Charlotte TV station WAXN.
Waddell turned down a scholarship from Belmont University in Nashville Tennessee to pursue a full-time music career, she felt that God called her to not go to college but to concentrate on music instead In 2004 she signed a management deal with Vertical Entertainment and then signed a development - dealing with Word Records Sparrow Records signed her in 2006 and her first album Say It was released May 22, 2007 Britt Nicole was committed to the Winter Jam Tour with Sanctus Real, Hawk Nelson Jeremy Camp and Steven Curtis Chapman Newsong [1]
A native of Salisbury, NC, Britt has always had a heart for reaching people and has long used music as the vehicle to change lives. She began singing in church at age three and by the time she was in high school, was appearing on her church’s daily television program and logged a performance at New York’s famed Carnegie Hall with her school’s advanced chorus.
Those early pursuits paved the way for her to sign with Sparrow Records in 2006. She burst on the charts a year later with her label debut, “Say It,” a finely crafted pop collection that introduced us to her engaging voice and thought-provoking lyrics. It earned her a slot on the Winter Jam tour that year with Steven Curtis Chapman, Jeremy Camp, NewSong and Hawk Nelson where she developed a reputation as a compelling live performer.
It was a whirlwind existence that found her looking to meet the needs of those around her—whether it was a girl in a youth group who needed someone to pray with or a parent seeking advice on their troubled teen. Her servant’s heart and earnest desire to fill others up soon left Britt herself feeling empty. It all caught up with her at an Alabama youth conference called The Ramp. “I went with my youth group as a youth leader to support and pray for them, but near the end of the event, I was kind of worn out and I began saying ‘Okay God, I just really need You to come and do something in my life,’” Britt recalls. She got her answer as she was driving back to Nashville.
“I just felt different. I felt like the old me was gone and God had started to show me who I really was and what I was called to do,” Britt says. “As I was driving home from the conference, everywhere I would stop, whether at a gas station or a restaurant, God was challenging me to step out and tell people about Him and His love for them. There are so many hurting and broken people around us each day and God was showing me the importance of reaching out to them just as He would. In the past, I have often let the fear of people and their opinions stop me from being who I am. At the core though, I know who I am and who God has called me to be. In letting go of my past, I was able to move forward, and instead of focusing on all my mistakes and failures, I started focusing on those around me. That’s ultimately why I’m here, to worship God and to reach those who need to know Him.”
After that experience, she wrote songs for the new album that included “The Lost Get Found,” “Walk on the Water,” and “Safe.” Britt continues to explain that, “They all have a similar message of having the courage to step out in faith and walk in what God has called you to do even when it’s scary. I don’t want to be selfish anymore. I don’t want to be safe anymore. When God tells me to step out and talk to somebody or believe for what seems impossible, I want to do it.”
The new album combines compelling lyrics with catchy pop songs that linger in your head such as the funky “How We Roll” and the infectious groove of “Headphones.” “When I write songs, I often write to specific people,” she reveals. “The first verse of ‘Headphones’ was written to a girl that I know. She’s in middle school dealing with the pressure of fitting in. I wanted to remind her that she does not have to look or be like anyone else because God loves her and made her just the way she is. Sometimes it is hard to stand out and sometimes you feel alone when you do, but I know she is being a light to so many and that’s what matters.”
“Feel the Light” is another song that was written for a specific friend of hers who had faced several difficult things as a child. “She was hiding all of her pain and had never told anyone what she was going through,” shares Britt. “Sometimes it’s easier to hide our fears, our struggles, and things that have happened to us in our past rather than talk about them. A lot of kids I meet feel they have no one to talk to who will understand, but God promises us that when we bring everything into His light, He will heal us and we will be free.” One of her favorite lines in the song is “you’re a queen, but you’ve never known it.” She explains that, “The important thing to remember is that your past does not define who you are. We all go through hard things, but it is our choice to decide how we deal with them. The song simply says, ‘Let go and feel the light.’”
One of the most personal songs on the new record is “Have Your Way”. “I was thinking about my brother when I wrote the song, but when I sang it in the studio, it somehow hit even closer to home,” says Britt. “I was also reminded of Job in the Bible when I wrote the lyrics. He went through so many things and everything was taken from him, but at the end of it all, he still fell to his knees and worshiped God and never turned his back on Him. He just said, ‘God have Your way, whatever You want.’ I want to be like that.” Through Britt’s achingly vulnerable vocals, you can sense the more personal nature of the song as she sings, “you never said the road would be easy, but you said you would never leave.” “The night I sang it in the studio, I sang it laying down,” says Britt. “I’ve never sung a vocal like that. I always sing standing up in a vocal booth, which makes it feel more like a performance. When I’m praying or just spending time with God, I’m usually on the floor so it just naturally felt more like I was singing to God.”
In listening to Britt Nicole’s music, it’s obvious she possesses wisdom beyond her years and a spiritual maturity not often seen in one so young. Yet she’s very much the playful girl next door and those equally intriguing sides of her personality merge seamlessly on “The Lost Get Found.”
“My fans want a pop record,” she says wistfully. “I’m a pop artist and they love fun music. When they come to my concerts, they want to have fun and I love that. That’s in my personality to have fun, but the heart of who I am is to worship and to see people’s lives changed and to reach those who are hurting. It’s what I believe God has called me to do.”
Salisbury, North Carolina, United States2007
Still That Girl
Britt Nicole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Plans, they change
Yea, we're gonna break
Yea, we're gonna break
Things we face make us who we are
Baby you're a star shining in the dark
Let's go back to the summer, summer when
We dreamed in love, let's go back again
Yea, back again, my friend
To the summer when
I'm holding a picture from seven years back
I smile at the memory, it's smiling right back at me, and I see
Brown hair and bright eyes, such a beautiful blue
A heart full of laughter with nothing to lose
That's how I remember you
You were young, you were free
And you dared to believe
You could be the girl
Who could change the world
Then your life took a turn
And you fell, and it hurt
But you're still that girl
And you're gonna change this world
Woh oh oh oh oh
You're still that girl
You're still that girl
Woh oh oh oh oh
You're still that girl
You're still that girl
Sometimes life don't go the way you planned
And we all have days when we just don't understand
Searching for meaning, it's not always easy
But your story's not over, it's still being told
Your sunrise is coming without letting go
Let's go back again
To the summer when
You were young, you were free
And you dared to believe
You could be the girl
Who could change the world
Then your life took a turn
And you fell, and it hurt
But you're still that girl
And you're gonna change this world
Woh oh oh oh oh
You're still that girl
You're still that girl
Woh oh oh oh oh
You're still that girl
You're still that girl
What if the picture is bigger than you see?
And God has you right where he wants you to be
Just listen to your heart
He's telling you with every beat
You're still that girl
You were young you were free
And you dared to believe
You could be the girl
Who could change the world
Then your life took a turn
Don't you know?
Don't you see?
But you're still that girl
And you're gonna change this world
Woh oh oh oh oh
You're still that girl
You're still that girl
Woh oh oh oh oh
You're still that girl
You're still that girl
I see it in your eyes
I see it in your smile
You're still that girl
You're still that girl
The song 'Still That Girl' by Britt Nicole is an empowering and inspirational track dedicated to anyone who has ever faced difficulties or obstacles in their lives. The lyrics address the feeling of uncertainty and fear that often accompanies changes and how it can affect one's dreams and plans. However, the message of the song is to remind us that we are all capable of persevering and that our experiences help shape who we are as individuals. The chorus with the lines, "You're still that girl, And you're gonna change this world," implies that no matter what life throws at us, we shouldn't give up on our dreams or forget who we are at our core. Our true selves are always there, and we have the strength to overcome any challenge we face.
The backdrop to the lyrics is the memory of a happier time in the past, a time of young love and carefree summers. The singer reminisces about holding a picture from seven years back and the emotions it evokes. She recalls the image of someone full of joy and laughter and how that young girl's dreams and aspirations shouldn't be forgotten, even though life may have thrown her off course. The song reassures us that it's never too late to reclaim that joy and self-belief and become that girl again.
Overall, 'Still That Girl' is a celebration of resilience and our ability to overcome the challenges we encounter. It reminds us that we all have the potential to make a positive impact on the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Dreams, they come
Dreams have a tendency to manifest in our lives.
Plans, they change
Our plans often transform or go off-script.
Yea, we're gonna break
We will go through rough patches or tough times.
Things we face make us who we are
Our struggles shape our character and identity over time.
Baby you're a star shining in the dark
You are a beacon of light and hope even in the midst of darkness.
Let's go back to the summer, summer when
Let's revisit a time when we felt carefree and unburdened.
We dreamed in love, let's go back again
Let's revisit a time when we held onto optimistic love-based dreams.
Yea, back again, my friend
Yes, let's take this trip down memory lane again, friend.
To the summer when
To that specific season of life when everything seemed easier and more hopeful.
I'm holding a picture from seven years back
I have a tangible snapshot memory of our past to reference.
I smile at the memory, it's smiling right back at me, and I see
The memory brings me happiness in the present, and it feels like the past is also smiling back at me.
Brown hair and bright eyes, such a beautiful blue
You had distinctive and endearing features at that time.
A heart full of laughter with nothing to lose
Your spirit was unencumbered and carefree, with an infectious sense of joy.
That's how I remember you
That's the positive and fond memory of you that has stuck with me.
You were young, you were free
At a point in time, you had an unencumbered sense of freedom and youthfulness.
And you dared to believe
You had the courage to believe in big dreams and hopes.
You could be the girl
You believed in your ability and potential to make a positive impact as a young woman.
Who could change the world
You saw the potential to make a significant impact on the world at large.
Then your life took a turn
At some point, life introduced unexpected twists and turns.
And you fell, and it hurt
You experienced pain, difficulties, and setbacks.
But you're still that girl
You still have that spirit, determination, and sense of self-worth.
And you're gonna change this world
You still have the potential and inner drive to make a positive impact in the world.
Sometimes life don't go the way you planned
Life has a tendency to not work out as planned or anticipated.
And we all have days when we just don't understand
We all face confusing or challenging days that don't make sense at the time.
Searching for meaning, it's not always easy
It can be difficult to find or make sense of our life's purpose or meaning.
But your story's not over, it's still being told
You still have chapters left to write in your life story.
Your sunrise is coming without letting go
Your dawn or next chapter in life is approaching; hang in there and don't give up hope.
What if the picture is bigger than you see?
What if your life's purpose and journey are more significant than you realize?
And God has you right where he wants you to be
Perhaps you are exactly where God intends you to be at this moment in life.
Just listen to your heart
Pay attention to, and trust, your intuition and internal guidance.
He's telling you with every beat
Your heart's rhythm or vitality is communicating something to your soul; listen closely.
I see it in your eyes
Your eyes or gaze reveal something deeper about your character, purpose, or motivations.
I see it in your smile
Your smile or expression speaks volumes about your inner state of being, joy or resilience.
You're still that girl
Your essence, inner strength, and indomitable spirit remain intact.
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, MUSIC SERVICES, INC.
Written by: BEN GLOVER, BRITT NICOLE, CHRIS STEVENS, DAVID ARTHUR GARCIA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind