DAWN has been one of music’s most distinctive voices and songwriters since … Read Full Bio ↴DAWN has been one of music’s most distinctive voices and songwriters since 2004, as a member of Danity Kane and then Diddy-Dirty Money, releasing the cult R&B classic Last Train to Paris. However, it’s as a solo artist that she’s really soared.
 
Across three solo albums, DAWN has honed a style of music that she describes as “genderless and genreless”.
 
DAWN’s 2019 album New Breed was her most successful to date. Showcasing her home city New Orleans and the Carnival Indian culture makes her latest album a one of a kind masterpiece. Her vocal and dance ability are matched with her production and songwriting skills making her one of most extraordinary talents of our time. New Breed was named as one of the year’s best albums by Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, Vogue, FACT, LA Times, Spin, Rap Up and many more. DAWN continues to push the boundaries of music and visual technology with her videos and live show, becoming the first artist to perform live in 360 on YouTube. She has also released a VR album debuted by WIRED as well as collaborated with her long time partners Adult Swim making her the first black female singer to do so. What makes DAWN a unique pop sensation and a phenomenon is that she does this all DIY. Being completely Independent with no label or team she has broken ceilings for women, POC, LGBTQ, and so many others. DAWN is more than just her music, she is a movement.

Nostalgia
Dawn Richard Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

What does it mean to second line?
To give the good footwork with that god worth
It's a celebration
An opportunity for us
To do us
I wanna get you to move
It's our second line

I'm trying to find purpose but I'm lost in your circus
Trying to go back to when the love was important I just
I can't find the words to say what I wanna
I hold my breath and pray that I don't suffocate

Do you love me anymore?
Anymore, anymore

I want those days back
I want those days back to back
Black back to back

Do you love me anymore?
Anymore, anymore
Baby

Can we
Can we work this out?
Can we get better back to the days where we used to?
Where we used to?

I want those days back
I want those days back to back
Back to black

Do you love me anymore?
Any

Overall Meaning

"Dawn Richard's song 'Nostalgia' explores the theme of longing for the past and the desire to recapture the love and connection that once existed. The opening lines, 'What does it mean to second line? / To give the good footwork with that god worth / It's a celebration / An opportunity for us / To do us / I wanna get you to move / It's our second line,' refer to the tradition of second line parades in New Orleans. Second lining is a joyful celebration where people dance, sing, and play music, often in honor of a special event or occasion. By referencing this tradition, Richard emphasizes the idea of coming together and celebrating, using movement and rhythm to reconnect and find joy in each other's presence.

The following verses delve into the singer's personal struggle to find purpose and navigate the complexities of love. Lines like 'I'm trying to find purpose but I'm lost in your circus' and 'Trying to go back to when the love was important' depict a longing for a simpler time when love was the core focus. The singer expresses their difficulty in finding the right words to express their emotions and fears suffocating in the process, as symbolized by the line 'I hold my breath and pray that I don't suffocate.'

The repeated question of 'Do you love me anymore?' reflects the insecurities and uncertainties that can arise in relationships. The singer longs to go back to the days when love was stronger and asks if it's possible to work things out and recapture that connection. The repetition of 'I want those days back' signifies the intense yearning for the past and the desire to rekindle the love that seems to have faded.

Overall, 'Nostalgia' encapsulates a longing for the past, the challenges of communication and connection, and the hope for reconciliation and the revival of love."

Line by Line Meaning

What does it mean to second line?
What is the significance of participating in the second line tradition?

To give the good footwork with that god worth
To showcase impressive dance moves with confidence and pride

It's a celebration
It is a joyful and festive occasion

An opportunity for us
A chance for us to come together and enjoy ourselves

To do us
To express our individuality and true selves

I wanna get you to move
I desire to make you dance and enjoy yourself

It's our second line
This is our chance to participate in the second line tradition

I'm trying to find purpose but I'm lost in your circus
I am searching for meaning and direction, but your chaotic and unpredictable nature distracts me

Trying to go back to when the love was important I just
Attempting to return to a time when love held great significance, I only

I can't find the words to say what I wanna
Struggling to find the right words to express my desires

I hold my breath and pray that I don't suffocate
I anxiously wait and hope to not be overwhelmed by the situation

Do you love me anymore?
Are your feelings of love for me still present?

Anymore, anymore
Are they still there?

I want those days back
I desire to return to those past days

I want those days back to back
I long for a continuous series of those days

Black back to back
A repetition of days filled with joy and unity

Can we work this out?
Is it possible for us to resolve our issues?

Can we get better back to the days where we used to?
Can we return to the happier times we once shared?

I want those days back
I yearn for the return of those past days

I want those days back to back
I crave a continuous sequence of those days