McPhee's self-titled debut album was released through RCA Records on January 30, 2007 and debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200. It also sold 116,000 copies in its first week. The album's first single, "Over It," was a Pop Top 30 hit and certified gold in 2008. Its second single, "Love Story," was released May 22, 2007, but failed to chart. On January 11, 2008, it was reported by Billboard.com that McPhee had been released from her RCA Records contract; a spokesperson for the label stated, "She is going to record her next album on her own." She ended up signing a new record deal with Verve Forecast Records (part of the Verve Music Group under Universal Music Group), which was announced on January 27, 2009.
McPhee's second album, Unbroken was released through Verve Forecast on January 5, 2010 and debuted at #27 on the Billboard 200. The album's first single was "Had It All" which peaked at #22 on the Billboard AC chart. She also released a holiday album titled Christmas Is the Time to Say I Love You on October 12, 2010. It debuted at #11 on the Billboard Top Holiday Albums chart while the single "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" peaked at #16 on the Billboard AC chart.
McPhee has also established an acting career; she co-starred in The House Bunny in 2008 as the hippie sorority sister Harmony. She will also be co-starring in the upcoming NBC series Smash. On June 9, 2011, it was announced that she had signed a new record deal with Columbia Records, in conjunction with Columbia teaming with NBC to distribute the music for Smash.
I Have Nothing
Katharine McPhee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take me for what I am
'cause I'll never change
all my colors for you.
I don't really need to look
very much further
I don't wanna have to go
I will hold it back again.
This passion inside.
I can't run from myself - there's nowhere to hide.
Don't make me close one more door.
I don't wanna hurt anymore.
Stay in my arms if you dare.
Or must I imagine you there.
Don't walk away from me, oh.
I have nothing, nothing.
Don't make me close one more door.
I don't wanna hurt anymore.
Stay in my arms if you dare.
Or must I imagine you there.
Don't walk away from me, oh.
Don't walk away from me.
Don't you dare,
don't you dare walk away from me.
I have nothing, nothing, nothing.
If I don't have you
These lyrics reflect on a strong desire for acceptance and love without having to change oneself to fit someone else’s standards. The words “Take me for what I am ‘cause I’ll never change all my colors for you” show the refusal to compromise one’s identity and values for someone else’s sake. The singer acknowledges the depth of their love but also acknowledges the reluctance to express it completely because of their fear of rejection. The phrase “This passion inside. I can't run from myself - there's nowhere to hide” further emphasizes the intensity of emotions that cannot be ignored or brushed off.
The chorus of the song repeatedly begs someone not to walk away, and how the singer has “nothing” without this person. The desperation and pain in these words portray a fear of being alone and unloved, which is especially poignant as the song is often associated with Whitney Houston, who tragically died alone. As the lyrics go on, the singer’s vulnerability is emphasized: “Stay in my arms if you dare. Or must I imagine you there.” The singer is not sure if the other person will reciprocate the love, but they’re still trying to hold on to hope.
In summary, the lyrics of "I Have Nothing" expresses a need for love and acceptance while remaining true to oneself. The song conveys a feeling of vulnerability and desperation, reflecting the impact of love on one’s emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Share my life.
Let's share our lives together.
Take me for what I am
Love me for who I am.
'cause I'll never change
I won't change myself for anyone.
all my colors for you.
I won't lose my own identity because of you.
I don't really need to look very much further
I've found what I'm looking for in you.
I don't wanna have to go where you don't follow.
I want you to be by my side always.
I will hold it back again. This passion inside.
I can't express my feelings fully as I fear rejection.
I can't run from myself - there's nowhere to hide.
I can't escape my feelings for you.
Don't make me close one more door.
Please don't push me away anymore.
I don't wanna hurt anymore.
The pain of being without you is too much to bear.
Stay in my arms if you dare.
Stay close to me if you're brave enough to take a chance on us.
Or must I imagine you there.
If you won't stay, I'll have to imagine you with me.
Don't walk away from me, oh.
Please don't leave me alone in the darkness.
I have nothing, nothing.
Without you, I have nothing at all.
Don't you dare, don't you dare walk away from me.
Don't even think about leaving me.
I have nothing, nothing, nothing.
I have nothing without your love.
If I don't have you
My life would be meaningless without you.
Contributed by Jayce C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jacobmccain8794
This is a full circle moment for Kat! Her future husband is in the room and later in life she sings sings one of the most iconic songs with Andrea. Wow!
@vincentnapolitano8188
And what ever happened to taylor hicks lol
@katherinegarcia5582
14 years ago my dad watched this episode and my mom was pregnant with me and my parents were still deciding a name for me and my dad heard her voice and told my mom he wanted to name me Katherine because of her 😂
@patrickmgaddis
Lol something similar happened when my mom was pregnant with my older sister. My mom said she was watching a Katharine Hepburn movie and she said “If I have a daughter, I’m naming her Katharine.” Also, something funny, my sister’s best friend’s name is Katherine, like your spelling. So there’s my sister KathARine and her best friend KathERine.
@ImSoCheesy100
As soon as I saw her acting on Scorpion I started looking up her Idol days. She's so phenomenal!! Actress, singer - the double threat!
@carter4871
A natural
@sportsygirl8
ImSoCheesy100 I had no idea she was a singer until I told my mom that she was on Scorpion and she's like no she's a singer from American Idol and I said next week when Scorpion comes on, sit your butt down and pay attention to it and you'll know
@nibavares
+ImSoCheesy100 It was the same for me, I saw her on Scorpion and then I found that she is a fantastic singer!
@bodhichae8172
+ImSoCheesy100 She also you used to be on a show called smash that ended a few years ago. It was about her being a star on broadway and playing Marilyn Monroe. You should look it up if you like musicals and stuff like that :) its a great show.
@bodhichae8172
+ImSoCheesy100 and she can dance, so she;s really a triple threat xD