Goapele attended the Berkeley Arts Magnet School in Berkeley, California. During these years, she joined several groups that fought racism and sexism. She also sang in the Oakland Youth Choir and joined a group called Vocal Motion. After graduating from high school, Goapele attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, where she studied music theory.
In 2001, she signed with Skyblaze Recordings/Columbia Records, and in 2002, she released her first album Even Closer, featuring the single "Closer". She co-wrote and co-produced the entire album, which is a mixture of neo soul and jazz. She also toured North America with band Spearhead.
Apart from her solo work, she has collaborated with rappers Aceyalone, E-40, Hieroglyphics, and Triple Threat, and written for jazz trio Soulive.
Her second album Change It All, featuring the single "First Love", was released in December 2005.
Don't Be Shy
Goapele Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And he walked my way
Asked me "how u doing?"
- said im doing fine
Infact a little better now
As i walked away, with the faintest heart
I wish I didn't leave, all I did was smile
he said, "don't b shy come to me,
don't b shy, its worth your while,
don't let this moment pass u by"
But I know the games that they like to play
this tender little heart, not willing 2 give in or
get caught up when it escalates
What if next time I see him
My feelings can't conceal them
And will he still remember
That warm day in november?
I'll say its been a long time
I wonder if I crossed your mind
Or was I just a girl, not different from the rest?
U can tell me, I'll be brave
[Chorus]
Don't b shy come 2 me
Donlt b shy its worth your while
Don't let this moment pass u by
Don't be shy baby please
Don't b shy its worth you while
Don't let it pass u by again
Now weeks have passed, and we went our seperate ways
So me and my girls found something 2 get into,
c what the night would have in store.
And who would b, right in back of me
Easing his way in the crowded line to the crowded little dance floor
He asked me could I feel it?
Asurance did he need it?
And was I obligated?
No babe don't hesitate
[Chorus]
I know that he could b
The one to set my soul at ease
So I gave in to see
What I had missed b4
[Chorus]
Goapele's song "Don't Be Shy" tells the story of a girl who meets a guy on a sunny day. He chats her up and asks her to come to him, telling her not to be shy, and it's worth her while. She thinks she could've done a little more as he walks away, leaving her with a warm feeling. Later, she contemplates seeing him again and revealing her feelings; she wonders if she was just another girl to him. She reaches out to him, telling him not to be shy, and begging him not to let the moment pass him by again. Later, they meet again, and she decides to give him a chance, and they end up dancing together.
The song's story is about taking risks in a relationship and not letting life pass you by. The girl is hesitant at first, afraid of being hurt or getting caught up in the games that men play. However, she realizes that life is too short to let opportunities pass you by and decides to take a chance on love.
The song's chorus is the catchy hook that encourages the listener to take a leap of faith in love: "Don't be shy, come to me, it's worth your while, don't let this moment pass you by." The lyrics remind us to seize the moment and to be brave when it comes to love.
Line by Line Meaning
It was a sunny day
The day was filled with warmth and happiness
And he walked my way
He approached me as I was walking
Asked me "how u doing?"
He inquired about how I was feeling
- said im doing fine
I responded that I was doing well
Infact a little better now
Actually, I was feeling great now that he was here
As i walked away, with the faintest heart
I left feeling hesitant and unsure
I wish I didn't leave, all I did was smile
Looking back, I regret not expressing myself more
I could've done a little more
I could have taken a chance and been bolder
he said, "don't b shy come to me,
He encouraged me not to be afraid and approach him
don't b shy, its worth your while,
He promised that it would be worth it for me to take a chance
don't let this moment pass u by"
He urged me to seize the opportunity and not let it slip away
But I know the games that they like to play
I'm aware of the games that some people like to play in relationships
this tender little heart, not willing 2 give in or
My heart is fragile and I'm not willing to give in easily
get caught up when it escalates
I don't want to get entangled in anything too complicated or intense
What if next time I see him
I wonder what will happen if I see him again
My feelings can't conceal them
It's likely I won't be able to hide my feelings
And will he still remember
I wonder if he will recall the warm day in November
That warm day in november?
The day we met and talked
I'll say its been a long time
If we do meet again, I'll mention that it's been a while
I wonder if I crossed your mind
I'm curious to know if he has thought about me
Or was I just a girl, not different from the rest?
Did he forget about me or see me as just another girl?
U can tell me, I'll be brave
I won't be afraid to hear the truth if he decides to share it with me
[Chorus]
Refrain
Now weeks have passed, and we went our seperate ways
Time has passed and we've gone our separate ways
So me and my girls found something 2 get into,
My friends and I decided to do something fun
c what the night would have in store.
We wanted to see what the night had in store for us
And who would b, right in back of me
Coincidentally, he was standing right behind me
Easing his way in the crowded line to the crowded little dance floor
He maneuvered his way through the crowd to join me on the dance floor
He asked me could I feel it?
He asked if I could feel the chemistry between us
Asurance did he need it?
He wanted to be certain that I was into him too
And was I obligated?
He didn't want me to feel obligated to be with him
No babe don't hesitate
He reassured me to let go of any reservations and just enjoy the moment
[Chorus]
Refrain
I know that he could b
I have a feeling that he could be someone special to me
The one to set my soul at ease
He might be able to calm and comfort me in a way no one else can
So I gave in to see
I allowed myself to be vulnerable and take a chance
What I had missed b4
What I had been missing before, I was now experiencing with him
[Chorus]
Refrain
Contributed by Aaron C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.