Her debut album Hush Hush with guitarist Mads Berven was released in 2003, which included a duet ("Good Times") with Sondre Lerche, whom she had dated. A video was produced for "Only Because." The album spent 19 weeks on the Norwegian charts, rising to number 8, and achieved gold status.
Hush Hush was followed by Join Me In The Park in 2005, which included the single "Cars and Boys". It spent two weeks on the Norwegian charts, reaching number 16.
These first two albums were produced by Hans Petter Gundersen and Kato Ådland. Gunderson first started working with Nordnes when she was 14, and introduced her to Eirik Johansen at EMI, the parent owner of Virgin Records, which led to her record contract.
Nordnes subsequently parted ways with her record label and released Letters in 2009 on her own label, Oliver Records. The album was recorded in Italy and produced by Rob Ellis.
Nordnes' fourth album N.N. was released in November 2011. Prior to the album release, the single America was released, with a video filmed in Bergen and New York City that debuted in early October 2011.
Sailing
Nathalie Nordnes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Only one man in my world
I wanted to marry my father
I was daddy's little girl
Later I found myself a classmate
Kissing in the trees
schoolbell rang, we came too late
I felt I had grown
I had to move on on my own
I said: "Hey baby,
It's better if we let it be
I want you to know
it isn't you
yes, it is me!"
Now I'm sailing without you
I am sailing to be free
And there is nothing that's gonna take that away from me
I was charmed by Italian eyes
Love so bitter and so sweet
Your chosen and earlier well performed words
Impossible for a dumb girl to defeat
We both were only looking for a fling
Why does it hurt when I know for you
It didn't mean a thing
So now I'm sailing without you
I am sailing to be free
And there is nothing that's going to take that away from me
No, there is nothing that's going to take that away from me
I thought I could see clearly
Until the day you came around
Now I know that it is you I want
"Come on girls, help me with this sound!"
It won't be easy
You are one of those who can't forget
Oh, baby don't tease me
by saying you are not ready yet
So now I'm sailing without you
I am sailing to be free
And there is nothing that's going to take that away from me
No, there is nothing that's going to take that away from me
The lyrics to Nathalie Nordnes's song "Sailing" tell a story of personal growth and moving on from past relationships. In the beginning, the singer describes a time when she was solely focused on her father and wanting to marry him, reflecting a childlike naivete and innocence. However, as she grows up and enters into a relationship with a classmate, she realizes the need to move on and be independent. She breaks things off with her partner, recognizing that she needs to pursue her own path and sail towards the freedom she desires.
The song then shifts to a new love interest, an Italian man who she finds alluring but ultimately shares a fleeting relationship with. Despite the temporary nature of their connection, the singer still finds herself hurt by its end. She continues to sail towards her own independence, recognizing that she needs to let go of past romantic entanglements.
The final verse returns to a previous love interest, suggesting that the singer has come full circle and realizes that this individual is the one she truly wants. However, the person in question is not yet ready to commit, and so the singer continues sailing towards her own freedom, refusing to let anything stand in her way.
Overall, the lyrics of "Sailing" center around the theme of personal growth and the need to take control of one's own life. The song acknowledges the difficulties of moving on from past relationships, but ultimately encourages the listener to keep sailing towards their own freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Far back in time there were no other
At some point in the past, there was only one person in my world
Only one man in my world
I had a strong attachment to my father
I wanted to marry my father
I had a strong desire for a paternal figure in my life
I was daddy's little girl
I was very close with my father
Later I found myself a classmate
I eventually met someone else
Kissing in the trees
We were romantically involved
schoolbell rang, we came too late
We were caught up in our romance and lost track of time
One morning I woke up
I had an awakening or realization
I felt I had grown
I had matured or changed in some way
I had to move on on my own
I needed to leave my past behind and become independent
I said: "Hey baby,
I had a conversation with my romantic partner
It's better if we let it be
We should end our relationship
I want you to know
I need to communicate something to you
it isn't you
The reason for our breakup is not your fault
yes, it is me!"
The reason for our breakup is due to my own personal issues
Now I'm sailing without you
I am moving forward without my past romantic partner
I am sailing to be free
I am seeking freedom and independence through this journey
And there is nothing that's gonna take that away from me
Nothing will hinder or stop me from achieving this freedom
I was charmed by Italian eyes
I was attracted to someone with Italian heritage
Love so bitter and so sweet
Our romance was filled with both happiness and sadness
Your chosen and earlier well performed words
You had a way with words that made it hard for me to resist you
Impossible for a dumb girl to defeat
I felt powerless and unable to resist your charm
We both were only looking for a fling
Our relationship was only meant to be temporary
Why does it hurt when I know for you
Why do I feel emotional pain when I know that our fling didn't mean much to you
It didn't mean a thing
Our fling didn't have any emotional significance to you
I thought I could see clearly
I believed I understood what I wanted and what was best for me
Until the day you came around
Until I met you and my feelings changed
Now I know that it is you I want
I am now sure that I want to be with you
"Come on girls, help me with this sound!"
I am seeking support and encouragement from my female friends
It won't be easy
Our relationship will have struggles and difficulties
You are one of those who can't forget
You have a hard time letting go of the past and moving on
Oh, baby don't tease me
Please don't mislead me or play games with my emotions
by saying you are not ready yet
By claiming you are not ready for a serious relationship
No, there is nothing that's going to take that away from me
Nothing will stop me from pursuing the freedom and independence I seek
Contributed by Thomas T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.