Cardin began her career as a model at the age of 15, where she appeared in numerous advertising campaigns such as Barilà.
A top four finalist in the first season of the TVA singing competition La Voix in 2013, later the same year she was featured on Garou's album Au milieu de ma vie as a duet vocalist on the single Du vent, des mots. On March 1, 2014, she appeared on the sister series The Voice: la plus belle voix in France to perform the song with Garou, a judge on that edition.
She released her solo debut EP, Big Boy - EP, in 2016 on Cult Nation Records. The EP featured songs in both English and French. She was a shortlisted SOCAN Songwriting Prize finalist in the French division for her song "Les échardes", and the title track "Big Boy" was playlisted on CBC Radio 2 and charted on the Radio 2 Top 20. She made an appearance on the talk show Tout le monde en parle to discuss her mini-album in November 2016.
At the 2017 SOCAN Songwriting Awards, she was a nominee in the English category for "Big Boy" and in the French category for "Faufile", becoming the first artist in the history of the award to be nominated in both categories in the same year.
In 2017 she released her second EP, Main Girl EP. The title track reached #1 on the Radio 2 Top 20.
She received two Juno Award nominations at the Juno Awards of 2018, for Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year for "Main Girl", "Paradise Motion" and "The Kids".[15]
In 2018, she received another SOCAN Songwriting Prize nomination for "Main Girl".
In 2019, Cardin and producer CRi collaborated on a cover of Daniel Bélanger's "Fous n'importe où", and Cardin appeared on Loud's album Tout ça pour ça as a duet vocalist on the track "Sometimes, All the Time". In 2020 she released the singles "Passive Aggressive" and "Daddy"; both tracks were recorded for her full-length debut album Phoenix, which was released on April 23, 2021. Phoenix was co-written with Cardin's longtime manager Jason Brando of Cult Nation.
In September 2021 she released two non-album songs through the Spotify Singles series, a cover of Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black" and a French-language version of her own "XOXO".
Phoenix won the Felix Award for Anglophone Album of the Year at the 43rd Félix Awards. Cardin also won the awards for Anglophone Concert of the Year and Most Successful Artist Outside Quebec.
Cardin was the most-nominated artist at the Juno Awards of 2022, receiving nominations for Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for Phoenix, Pop Album of the Year for Phoenix, Single of the Year and Video of the Year for "Meaningless", and the Fan Choice Award.
Next To You
Charlotte Cardin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Maybe it's the river's not much calmer now
I can hear the storm knocking at my door
And I just wanna answer
I think I know it's name
'Cause I'm the one to blame
Always chasing a disaster
Now I have to leave, just so I can breathe
It's your way to change
I just need a little rain
I'm just looking for a better me
Oh-oh-oh-oh-ooh
I can't be those things next to you
Oh-oh-oh-oh-ooh
I can't be those things next to you
I thought we'd be forever, but I'm changing like the weather
Up, down, got scared, so I went and cut my hair
As our words they lose their meaning
I just need to feel my feeling
And it's too late to change
I'm already on a plane
I want it faster, chasing a disaster
Just so I can pick up all the pieces
Put them back without a reason when I'm there
Even if I'm scared, please don't tell me that you miss me
I wanna be better, I wanna be new
But I can't be those things next to you
Oh-oh-oh-oh-ooh
I can't be those things next to you
(I can't be those things next to you)
Oh-oh-oh-oh-ooh
I can't be those things next to you
(I can't be those things next to you)
Oh-oh-oh-oh-ooh
(I can't be those things next to you)
I can't be those things next to you
Wanna be better, I wanna be new
But I can't be those things next to you
The lyrics of Charlotte Cardin's song "Next to You" delve into the internal struggle of a person who is grappling with the idea of change and self-discovery in the context of a relationship. The opening lines suggest a sense of longing for the past, a realization that there is no turning back. The metaphor of the river not being much calmer now alludes to the turbulent emotions the singer is experiencing. The storm knocking at the door symbolizes the impending chaos and challenges that the singer is facing, expressing a desire to confront them head-on despite being aware of their own role in causing them.
The repeated refrain of "I can't be those things next to you" highlights the internal conflict within the singer. The lines convey a sense of self-awareness and a recognition that the singer's personal growth and journey towards self-improvement might not align with the expectations or needs of their partner. The decision to prioritize their own well-being and growth over the relationship is reflected in the lines "I just need to feel my feeling" and "I'm already on a plane," indicating a physical and emotional departure from the situation.
The themes of change and impermanence continue throughout the song, with the singer acknowledging their own evolution and the inevitability of transformation. The imagery of cutting hair as a symbolic act of change and the desire to be a "better me" emphasize the singer's quest for self-improvement and a fresh start. Despite the fear and uncertainty that come with personal growth, the singer is determined to move forward and embrace the unknown, even if it means leaving behind a familiar connection.
In the final verse, the repeated longing to be "better" and "new" underscores the singer's aspirations for self-discovery and growth. The bittersweet realization that they cannot be the same person they once were next to their partner encapsulates the complexity of navigating personal development within the context of a relationship. The song ultimately serves as a reflection on the challenges of reconciling individual growth with the dynamics of a romantic connection, highlighting the sacrifices and self-discovery that come with pursuing a path towards becoming one's authentic self.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, maybe it's the fact that I can't go back, no
Perhaps the reason is that I am unable to return to the past
Maybe it's the river's not much calmer now
The situation has not become any more peaceful
I can hear the storm knocking at my door
I can sense trouble approaching
And I just wanna answer
I want to confront it
I think I know it's name
I believe I understand its nature
'Cause I'm the one to blame
Because I am responsible
Always chasing a disaster
Consistently seeking out difficulties
Now I have to leave, just so I can breathe
I must depart in order to find peace
Please don't tell me that you miss me
Kindly refrain from expressing your longing for me
It's your way to change
It is your tendency to transform
I just need a little rain
I simply require some emotional release
I'm just looking for a better me
I am seeking self-improvement
I thought we'd be forever, but I'm changing like the weather
I believed our connection would last, but I am evolving rapidly
Up, down, got scared, so I went and cut my hair
Experiencing fluctuations in emotions, I responded by altering my appearance
As our words they lose their meaning
Our communication is becoming less significant
I just need to feel my feeling
I simply want to experience my emotions
And it's too late to change
It is now impossible to reverse course
I'm already on a plane
I am already in motion towards a new destination
I want it faster, chasing a disaster
I desire a quicker pace, pursuing challenges
Just so I can pick up all the pieces
In order to gather all the broken parts
Put them back without a reason when I'm there
Reassemble them without a clear purpose
Even if I'm scared, please don't tell me that you miss me
Despite my fears, do not express your longing for me
I wanna be better, I wanna be new
I aspire to improve and reinvent myself
But I can't be those things next to you
However, I cannot achieve these goals while by your side
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Charlotte Cardin, Patrick Watson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@paulineciolko
Lyrics:
Ready
Maybe it's the fact that I can't go back, no
Maybe it's the river's not much calmer now
I can hear the storm knocking at my door
And I just wanna answer
I think I know it's name
'Cause I'm the one to blame
Always chasing a disaster
Now I have to leave, just so I can breathe
Please don't tell me that you miss me
It's your way to change
I just need a little rain
I'm just looking for a better me
Oh-oh-oh-oh-ooh
I can't be those things next to you
Oh-oh-oh-oh-ooh
I can't be those things next to you
I thought we'd be forever, but I'm changing like the weather
Up, down, got scared, so I went and cut my hair
As our words they lose their meaning
I just need to feel my feeling
And it's too late to change
I'm already on a plane
I want it faster, chasing a disaster
Just so I can pick up all the pieces
Put them back without a reason when I'm there
Even if I'm scared, please don't tell me that you miss me
I wanna be better, I wanna be new
But I can't be those things next to you
Oh-oh-oh-oh-ooh
I can't be those things next to you
Oh-oh-oh-oh-ooh
I can't be those things next to you
Oh-oh-oh-oh-ooh
I can't be those things next to you
Wanna be better, I wanna be new
But I can't be those things next to you
@Classic_Re-creation
Just heard this on love is blind. ❤
@GoCrazy_Royal
Ong i had ta look it up😂 .
@curtisrossjr8911
For real I was like, yeah I need this
@loicvibe
Me too. How this is so underated. I never heard it on radio.
@kayawoodley6672
Yes I was looking for this song for 10 straight minutes
@yashakitten7538
Me too lol watching it rn 😂❤
@andressabrandao3964
Now I have a new song to suffer with a broken heart, thanks Charlotte and Patrick
@johnhoude1340
Another astounding voice and performer from Quebec!
@chicaamantedelaliteratura
This song left an empty feeling on my chest. It's a lot, hits hard. Like she said, this album is such a journey and I can say that it's a masterpiece as always. She's growing up, healing and sharing all the process with us. Thanks Charlotte ♥️
@Exyachtie165
This must be one of the most beautiful songs I’ve heard in a while. Congratulations. It’s stunning.