Collier's style fuses elements of jazz, a cappella, groove, folk, funk, pop, electronic music, classical music, gospel, soul and improvisation, and often features extreme use of reharmonisation. In 2014, Collier signed to Quincy Jones' management company and began working on his one-man, audio-visual live performance vehicle, designed and built at MIT in Boston.
On 1 July 2016, Collier released his debut album, In My Room, which was entirely self-recorded, arranged, performed and produced in his home in London. In February 2017, Collier was awarded two Grammys for his arrangements of "Flintstones" and "You And I", both from the album.
Sky Above
Jacob Collier Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What are you dreaming of?
Seems like you're all alone
Do you feel free?
I can see
More than is clear to me
So come one and open me
So open up your care and leave it everywhere
And every now and then (every now and then)
You think of home again (home again)
Home was always waiting for you
I'ma gonna sing the song I long to sing
And sing it all the way
Gonna say yabadiyo
Gonna say yabadiyo
I'ma gonna blow the winds of change and sing
I'll never go astray
Gonna say yabadiyo
Gonna say yabadiyo (say yabadiyo)
I'm gonna sing the song I long to sing
And sing it all the way
Gonna say yabadiyo
Gonna say yabadiyo (say yabadiyo)
I'ma gonna blow the winds of change and sing
I'll never go astray
Gonna say yabadiyo
Gonna say yabadiyo (one, two, three, four)
And the world goes 'round
And the world goes 'round (Badiya's gonna take you home)
And the world goes 'round, and the sky falls down
And the world goes 'round
And the world goes 'round, and the sky falls down
And the world goes 'round, and the sky falls down
See the world go 'round, see the sky fall down
And the world goes 'round
Let the rain fall down, let the rain fall down
Let the rain fall down, it's gonna be okay
Let it all fall down, when it all falls down
Let it all fall down, it's gonna be okay
Gonna be okay
Don't know nothin' 'bout me
Box of stars in my world
The song "Sky Above" by Jacob Collier begins with the question, "Sky above, what are you dreaming of?" suggesting that the sky itself has emotional life and experiences longing just like humans do. The song seems to be about the desire for freedom and connection. In the first verse, Collier asks whether the sky feels free, while in the second verse, he expresses his own longing to feel free. The bridge of the song talks about releasing one's "care" and thinking of home, suggesting that finding a sense of home and belonging can help one feel free. The chorus repeats the phrase "yabadiyo," which seems to be a nonsensical phrase that Collier uses to express his joy and enthusiasm for singing and making music.
In the second half of the song, Collier sings about the cyclical nature of life ("And the world goes 'round") and the importance of accepting change ("I'm gonna blow the winds of change and sing"), encouraging listeners to let go of control and trust that everything will be okay, even when things fall apart ("let it all fall down, it's gonna be okay"). The final line, "Don't know nothin' 'bout me / Box of stars in my world," suggests that Collier is a complex and mysterious person (a "box of stars") who may be hard to understand or categorize.
Line by Line Meaning
Sky above
Addressing the vast expanse of the sky
What are you dreaming of?
Curiosity towards the sky’s thoughts and emotions
Seems like you're all alone
Observation that the sky is solitary
Do you feel free?
Wondering if the sky experiences a sense of freedom
I can see
Claiming the ability to perceive beyond what is immediately evident
More than is clear to me
Acknowledging the limit to one’s own understanding
So come one and open me
Inviting the sky to reveal its secrets and expand one's own knowledge
Let me feel free
Asking to be liberated from personal limitations
So open up your care and leave it everywhere
Asking the sky to share its nurturing qualities with the world
And every now and then (every now and then)
Occasional retrospection
You think of home again (home again)
Reminiscing where one belongs
Home was always waiting for you
Reassurance that one’s true identity will always be present
I'ma gonna sing the song I long to sing
Expressing the passion to follow one’s dreams
And sing it all the way
Committed to pursuing this dream with every fiber of one’s being
Gonna say yabadiyo
Reveling and celebrating this pursuit
I'ma gonna blow the winds of change and sing
Willingness to be a change agent and sing about it
I'll never go astray
Confidence in one’s direction
And the world goes 'round
Observation that the world continually evolves
And the world goes 'round (Badiya's gonna take you home)
Affirmation that there is always a place of belonging
And the world goes 'round, and the sky falls down
Acceptance of the inevitability of change
See the world go 'round, see the sky fall down
Reiteration of the cyclical nature of life
Let the rain fall down, let the rain fall down
Encouragement to let life's challenges wash over oneself
It's gonna be okay
Faith in the idea that life will continue
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jacob Collier, Rebecca Thomas Stevens
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mustafagrt
Verse 1]
Sky above
What are you dreaming of?
Seems like you're all alone
Do you feel free?
[Verse 2]
I can see
More than is clear to me
So come one and open me
Let me feel free
[Interlude]
So open up your care
And leave it everywhere
And every now and then (Every now and then)
You think of home again (Home again)
Home was always waiting for you
[Bridge]
I don't wanna start this all alone to sing
And sing it all away
Gonna stay [?]
I'm a gonna blow the winds of change
I'll never go astray
Gonna stay [?]
Gonna stay [?]
I don't wanna start this all alone to sing
And sing it all away
Gonna stay [?]
I'm a gonna blow the winds of change
I'll never go astray
Gonna stay [?]
Gonna stay [?]
(One, two, three, four)
@nicolashamm6879
There's nothing quite like listening to a JC song for the first time.
@tane4652
Simply Surreal
@jonnhygringo2
yes, Jesus Christ is an exquisite composer
@SRAAB211
Nicolas...indeed.
@harrymillermusic4036
or the 2nd or 3rd or in some cases the 100th time!
@agynessraymond5510
Found his work on YT like literally 5 mins ago and now i think i like him already.
@caroxoxo
i really, really, REALLY don't know how i landed on this corner of youtube, but god am i so glad to be here.
@edwardkenaway6778
I'm a metal head for life but sometimes you realize that it's time to chill out for a bit
@Proghead88
Same. Hearing Steve Vai on this album validates this attitude as well. Quality music definitely does not depend on intensity. I love some death, thrash and black metal bands but this is just pure undeniable beauty.
@Humannbeing
Mate just listen to some black midi, trust me. Try ‘Speedway’ & ‘crows nest’