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.
Phoenix
Dawn Richard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like the stars hidden by the glowing sun
But how does my heart
Not feel broken from your words that scar
You hoped I'd be blind
Didn't want me to see my star shine
That just ain't right
I'll blaze the night sky
Set flame to the doubt
I'll fly through the clouds
I'll rise I'll rise
Like a phoenix
I'll Rise
I was alone
Like I tree with no leaves in the fall
I tuned when you called
I looked for "Right" nut you left me with me "Wrong"
So now I see
The only way to fly is free
And
I'll blaze the night sky
Set flame to the doubt
I'll fly through the clouds
I'll rise I'll rise
Like a phoenix
I'll Rise
The song "Phoenix" by Dawn Richard describes a situation where the singer has been mistreated by someone, possibly a romantic partner or someone in a position of power. The person wanted the singer to leave, to disappear and be forgotten like the stars hidden by the blazing sun. However, despite their harsh words, the singer's heart is not broken, even though the words left emotional scars. The person who hurt them didn't want the singer to shine and be successful, which is problematic. But the singer is determined to fly high and shine like a phoenix.
The singer starts from a place of loneliness, feeling exposed like a tree with no leaves in the fall. They tried their best to do right by the person who hurt them, but that person dismissed their efforts and left them with nothing but the feeling of being wrong. The singer decides that the only way to move on and rise is to fly free, like a phoenix. They will set fire to their doubt and blaze through the night sky, going above the clouds and to new heights. The phoenix metaphor is very appropriate, given the creature's legend of rising from the ashes and being reborn.
Line by Line Meaning
You wanted me gone
You wished for me to disappear completely
Like the stars hidden by the glowing sun
You wanted me to be concealed and overshadowed like when the sun hides the stars
But how does my heart
Despite your actions and words against me
Not feel broken from your words that scar
I refuse to let your hurtful words and actions break me
You hoped I'd be blind
You wanted me to be unaware of my own potential
Didn't want me to see my star shine
You didn't want me to realize my full potential and rise to greatness
That just ain't right
Your intentions towards me were unjust and unfair
But
Despite your ill intentions
I'll blaze the night sky
I will light up the darkness and prove you wrong
Set flame to the doubt
I will burn away any doubts or insecurities that hold me back
I'll fly through the clouds
I will soar above any obstacle in my path
I'll rise I'll rise
I will ascend to greatness
Like a phoenix
Just like the mythical bird, I will rise from the ashes and soar to new heights
I'll Rise
I will not let anyone bring me down and I will always rise to the challenge
I was alone
Before, I felt isolated and uncared for
Like I tree with no leaves in the fall
I felt barren and hopeless, like a tree in autumn with no foliage
I tuned when you called
I listened to your words and allowed them to affect me
I looked for "Right" nut you left me with me "Wrong"
I searched for rightness and honesty, but instead you left me feeling wrong and confused
So now I see
Now I realize
The only way to fly is free
The only way to truly succeed and soar is to be yourself and break any chains holding you back
Contributed by Parker S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.