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.”
If You're Gonna Fall
Kimberly Caldwell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It was all a matter of fact
Life isn't always like a movie
You can't walk out and get your money back
I'm not sure I believe the Jew and me
We're brought together by a twist of faith
I'm gonna love you like nobody loves you anyway
But every day with you is something that I choose
Baby that's why it's right
I'm not gonna try an original line
'Cause the song has been used up
'Cause nobody liked us
'Cause nobody liked to two of us
[Chorus]
SO If you're gonna fall for anything
If you're gonna fall for anything
I'm here in flesh and blood
Something you can see
Something you can feel
You're gonna fall
Fall for something real
You cannot upon all the moments
Come into conclusions as you want
While you're lookin' for perfection
You forget about all the good things you got
Oh, I can't prove there's no one better for you
I can promise you all the same
I'm gonna love you like nobody loves you anyway
[Chorus]
You will find, you may never know
What really works and what's for sure
Not everything it's in its place
Make room for your beautiful mistakes
[Chorus]
The song "If You're Gonna Fall" by Kimberly Caldwell deals with themes of love, relationships, and the importance of accepting people for who they are, rather than trying to fit them into an idealized version. The opening lyrics explore the idea that life doesn't always turn out like a perfect movie, but that doesn't mean that it's not worth living. The line "I'm not sure I believe the Jew and me" may refer to the singer's own personal struggles with identity and belonging, and how these relate to her experiences of love.
The chorus of the song urges the listener to embrace reality, stating that if you're going to fall in love, it should be for something real. The verses contrast this idea with the conventional Hollywood notion of love, rejecting the notion of a perfect fairytale romance in favor of a more realistic and complex understanding of relationships. The final verse encourages us to embrace life's imperfections and allow room for our own mistakes.
Overall, the song's message is one of acceptance, urging listeners to appreciate the imperfect and difficult aspects of life and relationships as part of the process of living and growing.
Line by Line Meaning
Nobody wrote these words that I'm sayin'
These words were inspired by my own experiences and are therefore unique and personal.
It was all a matter of fact
These words are truthful and based on reality.
Life isn't always like a movie
Real life doesn't always have a happy ending like a movie does.
You can't walk out and get your money back
You can't always undo the mistakes you make in life.
I'm not sure I believe the Jew in me
I'm not sure if my heritage and cultural identity really define who I am.
We're brought together by a twist of fate
Our meeting and relationship may have been determined by chance or destiny.
I'm gonna love you like nobody loves you anyway
I will love you with an intense and unique love that no one else can match.
I can't picture a fairytale in 'cause you weren't what I had in mind
My idea of a perfect romantic partner doesn't match your reality.
But every day with you is something that I choose
I choose to be with you and love you every day despite the differences.
Baby that's why it's right
Our imperfect relationship is right for us because we choose it and make it work.
I'm not gonna try an original line
I don't need to come up with something new or original to express my love for you.
'Cause the song has been used up
All the words that could be used to express love have already been written before.
'Cause nobody liked us
Our love may not be as widely accepted or appreciated as others, but it's still valid.
'Cause nobody liked to two of us
Our differences and imperfections may not be liked by others, but we still love each other.
SO If you're gonna fall for anything
If you're going to fall in love with someone,
I'm here in flesh and blood
I'm a real person with imperfections, but I'm here for you.
Something you can see
I'm not just a fantasy or ideal, but someone you can actually see and touch.
Something you can feel
My love is real and tangible, not just a fleeting emotion.
You're gonna fall
You will inevitably fall in love with someone at some point.
Fall for something real
Choose to fall in love with someone who is genuine, authentic, and who loves you for who you are.
You cannot upon all the moments
You can't judge your entire life based on a few isolated incidents.
Come into conclusions as you want
You can't always jump to conclusions without considering all the facts and perspectives.
While you're lookin' for perfection
While you're searching for an ideal romantic partner,
You forget about all the good things you got
You might overlook all the positive qualities and experiences in your life, including the love that you already have.
Oh, I can't prove there's no one better for you
I can't guarantee that there isn't someone more perfect for you out there.
I can promise you all the same
But I can promise you that I will love you with all my heart and be the best partner I can be.
You will find, you may never know
You might discover or never fully understand
What really works and what's for sure
What truly makes a relationship successful and enduring.
Not everything it's in its place
Not everything in life happens in an orderly, predictable manner.
Make room for your beautiful mistakes
Embrace and celebrate all the imperfections, mistakes, and failures that make you and your love unique and beautiful.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RICKY ROSS, LUCIE SILVAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ladykeisha2011
i love this song so much. heard it on Single Ladies and been addicted ever since.
@willianrodrigues1271
Música linda de arrepiar meus corações 😘😘😘😘😍😍😍😍😍