Nadia Ali (Urdu: نادیہ علی; born August 3, 1980) is a Paki… Read Full Bio ↴AKA Hylls
Nadia Ali (Urdu: نادیہ علی; born August 3, 1980) is a Pakistani American singer-songwriter who gained attention as the frontwoman and songwriter of the band iiO, after their 2001 hit "Rapture" reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart. The song also charted across several countries in Europe. Their 2006 single, "Is It Love?", reached the top of the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Chart.
After embarking on a solo career in 2005, Ali became successful as an oft-requested vocalist in electronic dance music. She released her debut album Embers in 2009. Critics praised her unique songwriting, which combined electronica with ballads, Eastern and acoustic music. Three singles from the album reached the top-ten of the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Chart, including the No. 1 hit, "Love Story". The song was also nominated at the 25th International Dance Music Awards at the Winter Music Conference, while "Fantasy" was nominated for a Grammy award.
In 2010, she released a remix compilation titled Queen of Clubs Trilogy to mark her decade-long career as a singer-songwriter. "Rapture" was re-released as the only single from the compilation and the song was once again a chart success in Europe. Ali released the single "Pressure" with Starkillers and Alex Kenji in 2011, which became a club and festival anthem and received an International Dance Music Award.
She has also collaborated with several notable producers and DJs, such as Armin van Buuren, Schiller, BT and John Creamer & Stephane K. Ali is currently working on her second studio album titled Phoenix, which is due to be released in 2012.
Rebel
Nadia Ali Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Clear water
Leave speed behind
Fill it with adrenaline
Medals made of gold not
Silver
Challenge the races that
Others can't win
Want
I own a slang that you'll
Never pronounce
Wild-child like you
Wouldn't know
Young reckless offspring
That's out of control
Blasting me up
Up... Up... I go
Rebel, Am I?
Who... Me? Oh no...
That's how a rebel
Speaks
While all the others
Tweak
That's how a rebel walks
While all the others talk
To be among the bonafide
Trail blazers
Gotta jump in, no wetting
Your feet
Lead in ferocious
Spaces
Cowards can sleep, while
You swallow
Your feast
In Nadia Ali's song Rebel, the lyrics speak to the idea of living life with reckless abandon and breaking away from societal norms. The first verse talks about riding a bike as if it's on clear water, leaving speed behind, and filling it with adrenaline. The reference to medals made of gold rather than silver suggests a desire for greatness and the willingness to challenge oneself in ways that others cannot. The phrase "audit me, however you may want" speaks to the idea of being unapologetically oneself, regardless of how others perceive it. The following lines, "I own a slang that you'll never pronounce" and "wild-child like you wouldn't know" are a nod to being a rebel and doing things outside of the norm.
The chorus of the song further emphasizes the idea of rebellion and not conforming to societal expectations. The lyrics state, "That's how a rebel speaks, while all the others tweak. That's how a rebel walks while all the others talk." This suggests that rebels do not simply follow, but they lead and chart their own paths.
The final verse of the song speaks to the idea that in order to be a true trailblazer, one must be willing to take risks and jump in without hesitation. The line "cowards can sleep, while you swallow your feast" speaks to the idea that those who are complacent and do not take risks may lead a comfortable life, but they will not experience the thrill of putting themselves out there in search of something greater.
Overall, Nadia Ali's song Rebel speaks to the idea of living life with passion and not conforming to societal norms. It encourages listeners to take risks, be true to themselves, and be willing to break away from the status quo.
Line by Line Meaning
Ride the bike like it's on clear water
Ride the bicycle with ease and fluidity.
Leave speed behind, fill it with adrenaline
Don't focus on speed, but instead feel the rush of adrenaline.
Medals made of gold not silver
Strive for the highest achievement and success.
Challenge the races that others can't win
Compete in the most difficult challenges and come out victorious.
Audit me, however you may want
Examine me in any way you choose.
I own a slang that you'll never pronounce
I have my own unique style and way of speaking.
Wild-child like you wouldn't know
You wouldn't understand my adventurous and rebellious spirit.
Young reckless offspring that's out of control
I may be young and impulsive, but I am in charge of my own life.
Blasting me up, up... up... I go
I am rising to the top with great force and energy.
Rebel, Am I? Who... Me? Oh no...
I am perceived by some to be a rebel, but I don't see myself that way.
That's how a rebel speaks, while all the others tweak
A true rebel is authentic and doesn't conform to others' expectations.
That's how a rebel walks, while all the others talk
A true rebel takes action and doesn't just talk about doing something.
To be among the bonafide trail blazers, gotta jump in, no wetting your feet
To be a true trailblazer, you must dive in and take risks without hesitation.
Lead in ferocious spaces, cowards can sleep while you swallow your feast
In challenging environments, the brave and daring will succeed while the fearful remain stagnant.
Contributed by Blake B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.