Raised in a musical home – her father was a music teacher – Doane mastered many instruments, including the piano, bass, mandolin and violin, at a young age. In 1993, she recorded an EP titled HARVEST TRAIN and released it independently. The songs made their way to executives at Sony Music Canada, and soon after Doane signed to Sony and began working on her debut album, SHAKESPEAREAN FISH. While the album received critical praise and garnered a loyal following, it wasn't until the release of Melanie's sophomore album that her music made a mainstream impact.
ADAM'S RIB (her second album with Sony), was released in Canada in 1998. The title track and first single, a rocking anthem about a rib wanting to have its own independence from a man, displayed Doane's vocal, violin, and songwriting talents. The song was a success at radio stations nationwide, and Doane earned a spot on the Lilith Fair concert tour. The following year, she walked away with the 1999 Juno Award for Best New Solo Artist. Subsequent singles "Waiting For The Tide", "Goliath" and "Happy Homemaker" each charted Top 40. In August of 1999, the album was released in the United States under the Columbia Records label.
Following promotion and touring for ADAM'S RIB, Doane took a break from recording to have a baby and work on other projects, including writing for other artists and acting in the independent film Black Swan. She also released a live album, MELVIN LIVE, featuring Ed Robertson of Barenaked Ladies in 2001.
In 2003, Doane announced that she had parted ways with Sony and signed with Actorboy Records, an independent label created by her husband, theatre director and actor, Ted Dykstra, and actor, Gary Sinise. Her latest album, YOU ARE WHAT YOU LOVE, was released that year by Warner Music Canada. The music video for lead single "Still Desire You" featured clips from her role in Black Swan. The video reached #1 on the MuchMoreMusic Top 10 countdown, and the song reached #5 on the national radio charts. During touring and promotion for YOU ARE WHAT YOU LOVE, Melanie became pregnant with her second child.
In 2008, Melanie returned with the critically acclaimed album A THOUSAND NIGHTS, inspired by Melanie’s experiences with motherhood. The album features a lush assortment of original songs and cover tunes, including beloved tracks by Fleetwood Mac, The Everly Brothers, Tom Waits, and Leonard Cohen. Tracks "Every Little Thing" and "Chopin Ballad" were later featured in hit TV shows "Being Erica" and "Flashpoint".
On June 16, 2009, Melanie released her new single "Back To L.A." on her independent label Prairie Ocean, distributed by Conveyor/Universal.
Goliath
Melanie Doane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
under the beanstalk
and I've been dreaming
of something big
I don't know how
but I could swear
I'm on my way somewhere
awake, awake
Hey Goliath
oh you're no bigger
You're no bigger than me
I know I've got something
inside of me
Just like I know you've got
something inside of you
It might be hard
but if we dare
we're on our way somewhere
Awake the giant
awake, awake
Hey Goliath
oh you're no bigger
You're no bigger than me
Say the words you have swallowed
See the visions
in you're mind's eye
Do what you feel in your heart
Awake the giant in you
I've been waiting
for a signal
for something to tell me
everything's all right
But now I see
it's up to me
No one else can fight this fight
The song "Goliath" by Melanie Doane is an inspirational and motivational piece about overcoming obstacles and achieving our dreams. The opening lines "I've been sleeping under the beanstalk and I've been dreaming of something big" set the tone for the rest of the song, suggesting that the singer has been hiding away from the world, perhaps feeling overwhelmed and daunted by the task ahead. However, their dreams of achieving something great have given them the courage to take action and pursue their goals.
The chorus encourages the listener to awaken the giant inside of them and to believe in themselves, regardless of the obstacles they may face. The lines "Hey Goliath, oh you're no bigger, you're no bigger than me" suggest that even the biggest challenges can be overcome if we have the determination and belief in ourselves to succeed. The final verse expresses the idea that we are each responsible for our own success and that we must take control of our lives in order to achieve our goals.
Overall, "Goliath" is an inspiring and uplifting song that encourages us to pursue our dreams with conviction and resilience. It acknowledges that the journey may be difficult, but that we are capable of overcoming any obstacles that stand in our way.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been sleeping
I have been unaware of my true potential, just like someone sleeping.
under the beanstalk
I have been living in a small world or confined space, having no real view of the larger world outside.
and I've been dreaming
I have been imagining, perhaps unconsciously, a greater possibility for myself.
of something big
I have been having a dream of achieving something great, something that is beyond what I have seen or experienced thus far.
I don't know how
I'm not sure how to achieve my dream.
but I could swear
Despite not knowing how, something inside of me gives me a strong sense that I am on the right path.
I'm on my way somewhere
I am gradually progressing towards my dream, even if I don't know where it will take me.
Awake the giant
I need to wake up the potential within me and take action towards my goals.
awake, awake
This is a call to action, to wake up and take control of my life.
Hey Goliath
This line is addressing the imaginary giant, a symbol of any obstacle that could be faced in the path of achieving one's dream.
oh you're no bigger
The obstacle in my way is not larger or more powerful than I am, as I have my own unique skills and abilities to succeed.
You're no bigger than me
This line is a reminder to myself that no matter how powerful the obstacle may seem, I have the ability to overcome it and succeed.
I know I've got something
I have a unique talent or skill that can be utilized to achieve my dream.
inside of me
This talent or skill is not external, but within me.
Just like I know you've got
The same is true for others, that everyone has potential within them to achieve their own dreams.
something inside of you
Others may also have unique talents or skills that they can utilize to achieve their aspirations.
It might be hard
The path towards achieving our dreams may be tough.
but if we dare
Yet, if we have the courage to take the necessary steps along the way, despite the obstacles, we can succeed.
we're on our way somewhere
Success can be reached if we are willing to take the necessary risks and fight for what we believe in.
Say the words you have swallowed
This line is an encouragement to speak up and share one's opinions, even if it might seem difficult or uncomfortable.
See the visions
Visualizing a goal can help motivate one to take action towards achieving it.
in you're mind's eye
This is an encouragement to imagine, within one's mind or creativity, the potential outcomes of taking action towards a goal.
Do what you feel in your heart
This line is emphasizing that we need to listen to our intuition, and trust our hearts to guide us towards our passions and aspirations.
Awake the giant in you
A repetition of the earlier line, this is a reminder that we all have the potential to succeed if we awaken our internal strengths and act upon them.
I've been waiting
This line could refer to waiting for a sign, the perfect moment or the right opportunity to arise.
for a signal
This is an allusion to an external cue or indication that it is time to take action towards achieving one's goals.
for something to tell me
This signifies a desire to have external forces control or dictate one's path towards success.
everything's all right
This could mean that one is seeking external validation to confirm that one's dreams and aspirations are valid and worthwhile.
But now I see
However, the song is leading towards the realization that waiting for external validation or timing is futile.
it's up to me
The power to achieve one's goals lies within oneself, through taking action and following one's passion.
No one else can fight this fight
The responsibility to achieve one's aspirations lies solely upon one's self, and no external forces can do it for them.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DOANE, NEIGHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind