Dobson co-wrote Miley Cyrus' single "Start All Over" and in 2010 she released her third studio album "Joy".
Dobson was discovered and signed by Jive Records in 2000. The record label wanted to give her a traditional pop star image. Dobson, however, wanted more guitar and to include some of her own written songs. Jive rejected the idea, so she left the record company. She found herself singing in a Toronto bar at 8:30 in the morning. It turned out a CEO at The Island Def Jam Music Group was in the bar that very morning. He wanted to sign her. They signed her up on the wrong lyrics. She sang her song "Stupid Little Love Song" and what the people thought she sang was "Stupid Little Buzz Saw" which they thought was "genius".
She met producer Jay Levine through Island Records and they began working on her music. “He just really let me be free. He found something in me that he really thought was special, it was just fate”. When in the recording studio, she hung up inspirational pictures of Kurt Cobain, Judy Garland, Coldplay, Jeff Buckley and the Vines, to help motivate her sound and to commemorate the artists who influenced her.
Dobson's self-titled debut album was released December 9, 2003 by Island Records and sold 307,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Four singles were released from the album; "Bye Bye Boyfriend," "Take Me Away", "Everything", and "Don't Let Me Fall". "Take Me Away" and "Everything" were used in the film The Perfect Score.
During much of 2004, Dobson promoted her debut album, appearing for a live performance on TRL and numerous magazine covers and articles. Dobson made an appearance on NBC's TV series American Dreams where she played the role of Tina Turner, covering the song "River Deep, Mountain High". She was also the opening act on Justin Timberlake's European tour. That July, she released a new single, "Don't Go (Girls and Boys)", which was also featured in a Tommy Hilfiger commercial starring the singer. The album was later reissued with that single added. Dobson also had a new song, "If You Walk Away", on the soundtrack of Raising Helen.
Dobson released "Truth Anthem" on the Much Dance 2005 CD compilation, a benefit for the Canadian branch of War Child. In April 2005, Dobson was nominated for two Juno Awards, Pop Album of the Year and New Artist of the Year; both categories were won by Avril Lavigne. In the summer of 2005, Dobson was in a public service ad "Make Poverty History", which brings awareness to child poverty worldwide.
Give It Up
Fefe Dobson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She wants him too
Broken message coming through
Same story for different fools
Give it up, Give it up
That's what they all say, say
Pressure from the boys to give it away
Don't treat me that way, way
My heart is gonna tell me when it's time to play, Okay?
She sees him
He stares right through
Nasty rumors
So un-true
There's nothing that she can do
Give it up, Give it up
That's what they all say, say
Pressure from the boys to give it away
Suck it up, suck it up
Don't treat me that way, way
My heart is gonna tell me when it's time to play, Okay?
And you don't even know how to love
And you think you can from up above
And you better know that I'm watching you
Where you go, whatcha do, every move
On to you
And you want her
And you need her
And you beg her
But you deceive her and
He wants her
She wants him too
Broken message coming through
Same story for different fools
Give it up, Give it up
That's what they all say, say
Pressure from the boys to give it away
Suck it up, suck it up
Don't treat me that way, way
My heart is gonna tell me when it's time to play, Okay?
Give it up
Give it up
Give it up
Time to play
Give it up
Give it up
Give it up
Time to play
Give it up
Give it up
Give it up
Time to play
The lyrics to Fefe Dobson's "Give It Up" seem to be about a girl who is interested in a boy, but is being pressured by her peers to give in sexually. The opening lines describe the mutual attraction between the two, but the lines "broken message coming through, same story for different fools" suggest that this is a common situation where both parties are unable to communicate their true feelings effectively. The repeated phrase "give it up" represents the pressure being put on the girl to engage in sexual activity with the boy, which is coming from "the boys" who are likely her male peers. Dobson rejects this notion, singing "my heart is gonna tell me when it's time to play," indicating that she will not be pushed into a situation she is not ready for.
The second verse of the song delves further into the difficulties the girl is facing, with the boy staring right through her and harsh rumors being spread. The repeated phrase "suck it up" highlights the negative advice the girl is receiving from her peers, telling her to put up with the harassment and pressure. The bridge of the song switches to the perspective of the boy, who is revealed to be a deceitful character. The lines "you don't even know how to love, and you think you can from up above" suggest that he is arrogant and inexperienced when it comes to relationships. The girl is aware of this character flaw and is watching him closely. The song concludes by repeating the chorus, with Dobson encouraging the girl not to give in to the pressure and to wait until she is ready.
Line by Line Meaning
He wants her
He is attracted to her
She wants him too
She is also attracted to him
Broken message coming through
There is a lack of clear communication between them
Same story for different fools
Their situation is a common one, despite its complexity
Give it up, Give it up
That's what they all say, say
Pressure from the boys to give it away
Suck it up, suck it up
Don't treat me that way, way
My heart is gonna tell me when it's time to play, Okay?
There is societal and peer pressure for them to engage in a physical relationship, but she wants to wait until she is ready and willing.
She sees him
He stares right through
Nasty rumors
So un-true
There's nothing that she can do
There are rumors about their situation, but she can't do anything about them.
And you don't even know how to love
And you think you can from up above
And you better know that I'm watching you
Where you go, whatcha do, every move
On to you
The person she is addressing doesn't truly understand love, and she is watching their actions
And you want her
And you need her
And you beg her
But you deceive her and
The person who desires the other is also deceiving them
Give it up, Give it up
That's what they all say, say
Pressure from the boys to give it away
Suck it up, suck it up
Don't treat me that way, way
My heart is gonna tell me when it's time to play, Okay?
There is societal and peer pressure for them to engage in a physical relationship, but she wants to wait until she is ready and willing.
Give it up
Give it up
Give it up
Time to play
It is time for them to make a choice and take action.
Give it up
Give it up
Give it up
Time to play
It is time for them to make a choice and take action.
Give it up
Give it up
Give it up
Time to play
It is time for them to make a choice and take action.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DOBSON, LEVINE, MCCOLLUM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind