Perhaps best known as a second season contestant on television phenomenon American Idol, Caldwell struck a chord with millions of the show’s viewers thanks to her gutsy vocals, passionate performances, and earthy charisma. On Without Regret, she wields her full-throttle belt to maximum effect on a series of emotionally resonant, pop-inflected rock songs, several of which she co-wrote. There are buoyant, propulsive rockers (female empowerment anthem “Going Going Gone” and first single “Mess of You”), the fiery and powerful (“Cost of Love” and “Heart Like Mine”), as well as soaring, graceful love songs (“Say Love” and the soulful “If You’re Gonna Fall”). Caldwell also covers Melissa Etheridge’s “Sleep While I Drive” as a tribute to Etheridge, whose “Come to My Window” Caldwell performed memorably on Idol. “We kind of conceived this album as a modern-day Melissa Etheridge moment,” Caldwell says. “I’m a massive fan of hers, as well as of Bonnie Raitt and Ann Wilson. I just love these fearless female rockers who sing straight from the heart.”
Caldwell strove to achieve the boldness of her favorite artists on Without Regret by recording songs that spoke to her, such as “Cost of Love” (written by Diane Warren) and “Heart Like Mine” (co-written by American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi and Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger), as well as co-writing four highly personal songs: “Taking Back My Life,” “Human After All,” “Frozen,” and “Say Love” — all of which document the different stages and emotions surrounding relationships. For Caldwell, the overall theme of Without Regret is just being human. “Like everyone else, I’ve had hardships: broken family, broken hearts, and thank God I did because I’ve been able to write honestly about the experiences in my life that have affected me in both good ways and bad,” she says. “If my music can give someone that push they need just to keep on going, then I’ve done my job.”
To help her deliver the authentic vocal performances she knew the songs required, Caldwell turned to producer Marshall Altman who has worked with singer-songwriters Matt Nathanson, Marc Broussard, and Kate Voegele, among others. “Marshall was amazing because he really welcomed all the emotion that went into making this record,” Caldwell says. “He taught me to embrace the imperfections — to stop worrying about every note being perfect and just let go.”
The most important thing, Caldwell says, “is that I jumped over to the fearless side. This album is my first step in allowing people to know ‘I’ve been where you are, I hurt like you do, but I’ve turned it around and made something positive moving forward and so can you.’”
Caldwell developed her fierce determination through a childhood that had its share of obstacles. Born in Katy, Texas, she describes herself as an attention-seeking kid who would climb on the coffee table, throw her hands in the air, and scream, “Look at me! I can do this!” “I’ve always wanted to be an entertainer,” she says. “I just wanted to perform for people.” That desire led to four years on the beauty pageant circuit, from ages 5 to age 9. “I loved the hair and makeup. I loved rehearsing,” she says. “My mom would have these extravagant outfits made, like red lamé with silver fringe and she would spray paint a silver cowboy hat and boots for me, the whole nine yards.”
A fan of country music and such artists as Reba McEntire, the Judds, and Randy Travis, Caldwell became obsessed with appearing on the television talent show Star Search, “the way people are with American Idol today,” she says. She wound up winning the competition five times, the most wins for a junior vocalist on the original version. At age 12, she landed a gig as a featured performer on a singing revue called “Country Tonite,” which meant a family move to Branson, MO, where the show was located. Caldwell sang country favorites six days a week, performing two shows a day, “doing full-on numbers where the dancers picked me up and I’m wearing a headset,” she recalls. Her mother told her she could stop anytime, but she loved performing and carried on for three years. Then at age 15, she decided she wanted to move back to Katy and “just be normal.”
Around this time, her parents’ marriage fell apart, her relationship with her father deteriorated, and her mother struggled to support her and her younger sister. Caldwell coped by going through what she describes as a rebellious phase, but the absence of performing took a deep emotional toll on her. So when auditions for the second season of American Idol rolled through Texas, Caldwell decided to take her shot and rode the wave all the way to the Top 10. When the show ended, she set out on a nationwide trek with the other finalists on the “Idols Live!” tour, then parlayed her fan favorite status into a stint as a correspondent for the entertainment/extreme sports program 54321 on FOX Sports Network, followed by a job as an entertainment correspondent and host for the TV Guide Network.
“I enjoyed hosting, but I didn’t want to let go of music or my dream of making an album,” Caldwell says. She spent several years working with her mentor, hit-maker Diane Warren, and several people approached her about numerous music projects, but nothing concrete really panned out until mid-2008. That’s when Caldwell wrote several songs that finally hit the emotional notes she knew she was capable of. The strength of her songs, plus her powerhouse voice, landed Caldwell a deal with Vanguard Records, part of the Welk Music Group. Shortly thereafter, Vanguard partnered with EMI Music Group to release Without Regret through Vanguard/Capitol.
“My two main philosophies are that everything happens for a reason and never apologize for who you are,” Caldwell says. “I try to live by both each day. I wasn’t meant to make an album any sooner because it wasn’t the right time for me. Now I’m on the right path and I really feel, for the first time, like I am truly fearless.”
Desperate Girls & Stupid Boys
Kimberly Caldwell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Meet me at the corner of hope and hopeless
Try
To follow me I know a way out
It's your life
So try not to get stuck
In this crazy circus
Misery loves company
[Chorus]
Kiss kiss
Kiss tomorrow goodbye
This is gonna be a late night
Get get
Up and let it go
We've got the right to
Take this party over
Changing up the sound
Check your ego it's all a blur
Desperate boys and stupid girls
Same old destinations
We're all falling down
Like broken plastic wind-up toys
Desperate girls and stupid boys
Drink
Drawing just because
Are you even thirsty?
Sink
Into another conversation
You won't remember
[Chorus]
Your desperation is not unique
Infatuation of the week
Your dedication to your drink
Spills over
Drive
Meet me at the corner of hope and hopeless
Try
To follow me I know a way out
[Chorus]
The lyrics in Kimberly Caldwell's song Desperate Girls & Stupid Boys depict the chaos and excitement of a night out with friends. The opening lines describe a feeling of hopelessness, but also offer a glimmer of hope by suggesting that there is a way out of the madness. The idea of getting stuck in the "crazy circus" of the party scene is a common theme in many songs about nightlife.
The chorus suggests that the characters in the song are taking control of the situation, declaring that they have the "right to take this party over" and urging others to "check your ego" and join in the fun. The line about "desperate boys and stupid girls" may be a commentary on the gender dynamics of party culture, highlighting the perils of constantly seeking validation and attention from the opposite sex.
The second verse continues to describe the frenzied atmosphere of the party, with references to drinking and conversations that won't be remembered the next day. The final lines of the song suggest that the desperation and infatuation felt by the partygoers is not unique, but rather a common experience.
Overall, the lyrics of Desperate Girls & Stupid Boys offer a chaotic and energetic view of party culture, while also hinting at the underlying sense of loneliness and insecurity that often motivates people to seek out this type of experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Drive
Start the car and let's go
Meet me at the corner of hope and hopeless
Let's meet in the middle of feeling positive and negative
Try
Do your best
To follow me I know a way out
I have a plan to escape this situation
It's your life
You are in control
So try not to get stuck
Don't succumb to the chaos around us
In this crazy circus
The current situation is chaotic
Misery loves company
We bond over our troubles with others
So let's dance until we die
Let's enjoy ourselves while we still can
Chorus: Kiss kiss, Kiss tomorrow goodbye
Let's live in the moment and not worry about tomorrow
This is gonna be a late night
We will be up late having fun
Get get, Up and let it go
It's time to let loose and enjoy ourselves
We've got the right to
We deserve
Take this party over
To fully take control of this fun moment
Changing up the sound
Let's try something new
Check your ego, it's all a blur
Don't be self-absorbed and don't overthink
Desperate boys and stupid girls
People can sometimes act out of desperation and foolishness
Same old destinations
We are not progressing
We're all falling down
We are not succeeding
Like broken plastic wind-up toys
We keep repeating the same mistakes
Desperate girls and stupid boys
People can sometimes act out of desperation and foolishness
Drink
Take a sip
Drawing just because
Creating art without a clear reason why
Are you even thirsty?
Do you really need another drink?
Sink
Get lost
Into another conversation
Get involved in a new discussion
You won't remember
You will forget this conversation in the future
Chorus: Your desperation is not unique
You are not alone in feeling desperate
Infatuation of the week
Your feelings will fade soon and you will move on
Your dedication to your drink
Your excessive drinking is not a healthy coping mechanism
Spills over
Your problems affect others
Drive
Start the car and let's go
Meet me at the corner of hope and hopeless
Let's meet in the middle of feeling positive and negative
Try
Do your best
To follow me I know a way out
I have a plan to escape this situation
Chorus
Let's live in the present and have fun while we still can
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BC JEAN, THOMAS HENRIKSEN, TOMMY HENRIKSEN, ZAC MALOY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul De John
She is such a genuine heart and soul. You hear it in her singing and see as well when she performs. She gives it her all.
Paul De John
Love it...can't say enough about her and her voice and her songs. She really puts her heart into every song she sings.
nayiri garabedian
wow finally this girl is amazing and super talented cant wait for the album!
Daniel Caldwell
ELA É PERFEITA , VOZ MAGNIFICA TUDO DE BOM SOU LOUCAMENTE APAIXONADO POR ELA !!! KIM TEEEEEEEE AMOOOOO
Rares Flavius
i've never seen in my life a women like her........she's perfect!
Paul De John
One of those songs you sing at the top of your lungs and not care who is listening. Just have fun with it. :):) Love Kim..she is the best.
HisBabyP
Love me some Kimberly Caldwell! Her voice rocks and I haven't heard a song from her I didn't like! Can't wait for her CD!
Paul De John
I love her voice so much. I can't say enough about it or her. Just amazing.
chloewingfield
I am loving this song, she should be played on the UK radio stations
Holly Kline
i love this song ^-^ her voice is so deep but thats what makes it unique! :)