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.
Júlia
Fefe Dobson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Julia
You, my love, my oldest friend
Julia
I see you with flowers in your hair
Julia
Running around without a care
Your days were numbered
And I want you to know
You're doing this to yourself
Time to show me the will to change
And I swear I will help you
I will
I will shine my light on you
Let the sunlight show your face
Julia
No one knows you in this place
Julia
I see there's a distance in your eyes
Julia
Can I even reach you if I try
Or is this goodbye
And I want you to know
You're doing this to yourself
Time to show me the will to change
And I swear I will help you
I will
I will shine my light on you
I will shine my light of hope
And change and everything that
Might have been
If you'd only hear my warning
If you'd only hear me calling
I would shine my light on you
Tell me that this is not the end
Julia
You, my love, my oldest friend
Julia
You put your faith in dreams that kill
Julia
Lying with beauty, breath so still
She couldn't be trusted
Yeah
And I want you to know
You're doing this to yourself
Time to show me the will to change
And I swear I will help you
I will
I will shine my light on you
The song "Julia" by Fefe Dobson is a heartfelt ballad that revolves around the singer's friend, Julia, who is going through some difficult times. The lyrics express the singer's concern for Julia, and his/her desire to help her in any way possible. The song begins with the singer expressing hopes that Julia's troubles are not the end and reminiscing about their long-standing friendship. The lyrics then paint a picture of Julia running with flowers in her hair, carefree and happy. However, this idyllic vision is quickly shattered with the declaration that Julia's days were numbered, and that she is doing this to herself.
The chorus is a call to action, imploring Julia to take control of her life and showing her the way. The singer promises to shine a light on Julia to help guide her out of the darkness. Throughout the song, the lyrics suggest that Julia is struggling with addiction or mental health issues, as the singer pleads with her to show the will to change.
Overall, "Julia" is a poignant and emotional song that deals with themes of friendship, loss, and the struggle to help someone going through a difficult time.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me that this is not the end
Asking Julia to assure her that her current struggles are not unfixable and that her life isn't over yet
You, my love, my oldest friend
Acknowledging the depth of their friendship and love for each other, despite Julia's struggles
I see you with flowers in your hair
Remembering a time when Julia was happy, carefree, and full of life
Running around without a care
Recalling a time when Julia was uninhibited and not burdened by her problems
Your days were numbered
Realizing that Julia's destructive behavior will soon catch up to her and may lead to her downfall
And I want you to know
You're doing this to yourself
Time to show me the will to change
And I swear I will help you
I will
I will shine my light on you
Expressing a desire to help Julia and see her overcome her problems, but emphasizing that she needs to take responsibility for her own actions and must show a willingness to change
Let the sunlight show your face
Encouraging Julia to step out of the shadows and find happiness again
No one knows you in this place
Recognizing that Julia may feel isolated and alone in her struggles, and that she needs support
I see there's a distance in your eyes
Noticing that Julia has become distant and may be struggling with internal conflicts
Can I even reach you if I try
Or is this goodbye
Wondering if she can still reach Julia and help her, or if it's too late for their friendship
I will shine my light of hope
And change and everything that
Might have been
If you'd only hear my warning
If you'd only hear me calling
Believing that change is still possible for Julia and hoping to inspire her, while also acknowledging the missed opportunities that could have led to a better life for her
You put your faith in dreams that kill
Realizing that Julia has been putting her hopes in unrealistic or harmful dreams, which are hurting her in the end
Lying with beauty, breath so still
She couldn't be trusted
Yeah
Alluding to Julia's destructive behavior and hinting that she may be putting herself in dangerous situations
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DOBSON, LEVINE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind