Pallot was born in London, but spent most of her childhood on the island of Jersey. Her mother is from India, whilst her father is native born from Jersey. Early in life, she spent some time living in India, but spent most of her early school years in Jersey. From there she won a scholarship to Wellington College, a famous military public school in England. Her time at this school provides much of the personal inspiration behind her single Everybody’s Gone to War as several of her school friends were directly involved in the Iraq war.
Nerina Pallot is classically trained in singing and piano, and then engaged in a peripatetic career around the fringes of the music industry. Outside these various industry-related jobs, Nerina Pallot was an active part-time musician with an ambition to follow a career in performing and song writing. At some point her career took her to her favourite job of this time, as PA to the music industry executive Andrew King; a key figure in the management of Pink Floyd from its earliest days. Still following her ambition to pursue a musical career, Pallot signed to Polydor in her mid-20s, despite misgivings from Andrew King. This signing resulted in the release of an album containing self-penned songs; the ironically titled Dear Frustrated Superstar (2001). However, singles released from this album failed to make a sales mark as did the album. Following this, Nerina Pallot was dropped by Polydor among some bitter recriminations which are documented on her web site. This experience was later to lead to the writing of Mr. King, a touching, and very probably unique tribute to a senior music industry executive.
Following this episode, Nerina Pallot returned to University to study English with a partially formed plan to become an English teacher. However, during her studies she rekindled a love of lyrical English and started to write again. The song Idaho came from this period, using the state as a metaphor for the place where she wanted to actively steer her life, rather than just letting it drift. Idaho, Mr. King, and Everybody’s Gone to War became three of the tracks that made up her second album Fires. This was, in part, financed by money from her publishers, Chrysalis, who had remained faithful, and partly through re-mortgaging her home. As important was the extensive good-will and contacts that she could call upon within the industry in both London and Los Angeles. The eventual album was released under her own label Idaho which, despite rave reviews, failed to make significant sales headway. This, and subsequent activities, lead to an early termination of her degree course, but she has expressed a desire to complete it.
Nerina Pallot persisted by extensively touring the country, and sometimes Europe, supporting acts such as Missy Higgins, Sheryl Crow, James Blunt, Suzanne Vega, Joseph Arthur, and Ray LaMontagne. This, and a very active and acerbic presence on MySpace resulted in a considerable word-of-mouth following. Typical of many of her contemporary artists in the Internet world, she is strongly supported by a group of dedicated fans, connected via so-called social networking sites. Nerina Pallot also benefits from support within influential parts of the media including the BBC.
Eventually this activity and support resulted in Nerina Pallot being signed to the Warner label 14th Floor who specialise in promoting acts with a partially established following. Fires received a slight makeover, and was re-released under the 14th Floor label. Everybody’s Gone to War was released as a single with a video filmed in a Los Angeles supermarket in the style of a Hollywood war film, save being staged as a “food-fight”. A second single, a remixed Sophia, was released in early October 2006. Learning to Breathe is to be released in early 2007 as the third single under the 14th Floor label.
During the summer of 2006 Nerina appeared at many music festivals, promotional and charity events. For the autumn months she is touring intensively in the UK and Europe as a headline act.
During her early 2007 tour of the UK and Ireland, Nerina Pallot reprised several songs from her Dear Frustrated Superstar period, possibly marking a coming to terms with a dark period in her career.
In 2007 Nerina Pallot was nominated for a Brit Award in the Best British Female category won by Amy Winehouse. Such was the unexpected nature of this nomination to her, that she had already set the date, St. Valentine’s day 2007 for her marriage to the music video producer Andrew Chatterley, both briefly leaving the reception in London for the award show.
Nerina Pallot released her third studio album "The Graduate" in 2009, on her own label. Nerina worked with many writers for the album but when it came down to the final tracklist only Pallot written material has made the cut. She wrote in her blog that she had approximately 60 viable songs. The album title refers to Pallot's 2009 graduation from university with a first-class honours English Literature degree.
Nerina Pallot and her husband Andy Chatterly wrote the title track and third single, "Better Than Today" from Kylie Minogue's 2010 studio album, "Aphrodite". Pallot signed with Geffon Records and released "Year Of The Wolf" in 2011. The album's title comes from her son, Wolfie, with whom she was pregnant during the recording of the album. Lead single "Put Your Hands Up" was originally written for Kylie Minogue.
Heidi
Nerina Pallot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's a race of angels, a line in the snow
A flame in the dark, a prayer to Saint Jude
He's the patron saint of nothingness
There's nothing he can do
'Cause it's out of his hands
He's not a god, no he is merely a man
But being so superior is just no fuckin' fun, no!
If I had a gun, I think I'm able
If I had a gun, I'd know what to do
If I had a gun, I would be perfectly unstable
Well nothing really changes, then, that's true
Oh Heidi, I am many things, but I thank God I'm not like you
'Cause kids of today
They think they're so damn profound
You give them one slim book of Kerouac
And they're ready to expound
On the way of the world
On what makes things art
They couldn't find their way around Kentucky
Or the map of a human heart
So it's out of my hands
I'm not a god 'cause I will never be a man
And so I'm telling everybody, "I've learnt to fill the hole"
I'm baking cakes on Sunday for the teatime of my soul
If I had a gun, I think I'm able
If I had a gun, I'd know what to do
If I had a gun, I would be perfectly unstable
Well nothing really changes, then, that's true
Oh Heidi, I am many things, but I thank God I'm not like you
'Cause I have a heart
I think it beats
I don't say things I do not mean
To appear clever
Heidi, I'm not you
Maybe that's strange to you
Maybe I'm just strange...
If I had a gun, I think I'm able
If I had a gun, I'd know what to do
If I had a gun, I would be perfectly unstable
Well nothing really changes, then, that's true
Oh Heidi, I am many things, but I thank God I'm not like you
The song "Heidi" by Nerina Pallot is a reflection on the singer's self-awareness and the differences they perceive between themselves and others, specifically the titular character Heidi. The singer starts by addressing Heidi, acknowledging that there are things she couldn't possibly know. The imagery of a race of angels, a line in the snow, a flame in the dark, and a prayer to Saint Jude (the patron saint of lost causes) suggests a sense of striving and hope amidst difficult circumstances. But then the singer notes that even with all this spiritual aid, there's nothing Saint Jude can do. The idea of being out of someone's hands or control becomes a recurring theme throughout the song.
The singer shifts to talking about themselves and their own struggles. They say that despite not being a god, they're telling everybody they won't come undone. But being so superior isn't fun. The line "If I had a gun, I think I'm able / If I had a gun, I'd know what to do / If I had a gun, I would be perfectly unstable" is repeated several times and suggests a desire for control and release from some kind of inner turmoil. The singer then moves into a critique of youth today, who they feel are overly confident and eager to pontificate about things they don't yet understand. In contrast, the singer says they've learned to fill the hole in their own life and find solace in small pleasures like baking cakes.
Overall, the song touches on themes of self-awareness, control, and coping with difficult circumstances. It suggests that while faith and spirituality can be comforting, ultimately we must learn to rely on ourselves and find our own sources of hope and meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
Heidi, there are things you couldn't possibly know
Addressing Heidi, the singer implies that there are certain things beyond her knowledge or understanding.
It's a race of angels, a line in the snow
The singer describes a race of angels, a metaphorical image, perhaps to represent something difficult or impossible to achieve. The line in the snow could represent a boundary, a challenge to overcome.
A flame in the dark, a prayer to Saint Jude
The singer describes a flame in the dark, perhaps hope in a dire situation or a light in a bleak world. The prayer to Saint Jude, patron saint of hopeless causes, emphasizes the feeling of helplessness.
He's the patron saint of nothingness
The artist suggests that Saint Jude's patronage of hopeless causes is akin to nothingness, or the inability to change things.
There's nothing he can do
The artist emphasizes the idea that there is no solution, even with the help of a patron saint or higher power.
'Cause it's out of his hands
The singer repeats the idea that the situation is out of anyone's control or power.
He's not a god, no he is merely a man
The singer reminds the listener that Saint Jude is not a god, but a human being with limitations.
And so I'm telling everybody, "I will not come undone"
The artist declares her strength and determination in the face of difficult circumstances. She will not fall apart.
But being so superior is just no fuckin' fun, no!
The artist acknowledges the cost of putting on a facade of superiority or toughness. It is not enjoyable.
If I had a gun, I think I'm able
The artist suggests that the possession of a gun could give her power or control in a situation.
If I had a gun, I'd know what to do
Continuing the previous idea, the singer claims that she would have a clear course of action with a gun.
If I had a gun, I would be perfectly unstable
The artist suggests that the possession of a gun would make her dangerously unstable, psychologically speaking.
Well nothing really changes, then, that's true
The singer acknowledges the idea that even with a gun, nothing would truly change in the bigger picture.
Oh Heidi, I am many things, but I thank God I'm not like you
The singer expresses her distaste for Heidi's attitude or behavior, and thanks God that she herself is not like that.
Cause kids of today
The singer begins to criticize the younger generation.
They think they're so damn profound
The artist suggests that the younger generation believes themselves to be deeper or more insightful than they actually are.
You give them one slim book of Kerouac
The artist gives an example of something that the younger generation might consider profound - perhaps a reference to the Beat Generation's literary movement.
And they're ready to expound
The singer suggests that the younger generation is eager to share their insights and opinions, even if they may be unearned or misguided.
On the way of the world
The singer suggests that the younger generation is interested in discussing the larger issues of society or the universe.
On what makes things art
Continuing the previous idea, the artist notes that the younger generation may also want to talk about more specific cultural concepts, such as art and its definitions.
They couldn't find their way around Kentucky
The artist implies that the younger generation may lack basic life skills or knowledge, such as a sense of direction or familiarity with different regions of the country.
Or the map of a human heart
The artist extends the metaphor of not knowing where one is going by suggesting that the younger generation may also lack empathy or understanding of others' emotions.
So it's out of my hands
The singer returns to the idea of helplessness and things being beyond one's control.
I'm not a god 'cause I will never be a man
The artist emphasizes that she is not omnipotent and that she has limitations just like anyone else.
And so I'm telling everybody, "I've learnt to fill the hole"
The singer suggests that she has found a way to fill a void or overcome difficult circumstances.
I'm baking cakes on Sunday for the teatime of my soul
The singer uses a metaphor of baking cakes to describe a comforting, soothing activity that helps her mentally and emotionally.
I think it beats
The singer checks that her heart is functioning properly, perhaps another metaphor for her mental state.
I don't say things I do not mean
The artist affirms her commitment to honesty and authenticity.
To appear clever
The artist criticizes those who might feign intelligence or wit for social or personal gain.
Heidi, I'm not you
The singer reiterates the idea that she is different from Heidi, and suggests that Heidi embodies the negative traits that she has been criticizing throughout the song.
Maybe that's strange to you
The singer acknowledges that her perspective or behavior may not align with Heidi's or others'.
Maybe I'm just strange...
The artist embraces the possibility that she may be considered strange or different by some people.
Contributed by Eliana I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bouwe Bear
Yet another masterpiece...but who is Heidi? The original offering with just the piano was already a great song but this version gives it the treatment it deserves. How come this "album" isn't on spotify? Only 772 views here! What a dumb world.
Gabriele Z
I love this one!
HeidiHi77
Heidi, there are things you couldn't possibly know
It's a race of angels, a line in the snow
A flame in the dark, a prayer to Saint Jude
He's the patron saint of nothingness
There's nothing he can do
'Cause it's out of his hands
He's not a God, no he is merely a man
And so I'm telling everybody, "I will not come undone"
But being so superior is just no fuckin' fun, no!
If I had a gun, I think I'm able
If I had a gun, I'd know what to do
If I had a gun, I would be perfectly unstable
Well nothing really changes, then, that's true
Oh Heidi, I am many things, but I thank God I'm not like you
'Cause kids of today
They think they're so damn profound
You give them one slim book of Kerouac
And they're ready to expound
On the way of the world
On what makes things art
They couldn't find their way around Kentucky
Or the map of a human heart
So it's out of my hands
I'm not a God 'cause I will never be a man
And so I'm telling everybody, "I've learnt to fill the hole"
I'm baking cakes on Sunday for the teatime of my soul
If I had a gun, I think I'm able
If I had a gun, I'd know what to do
If I had a gun, I would be perfectly unstable
Well nothing really changes, then, that's true
Oh Heidi, I am many things, but I thank God I'm not like you
'Cause I have a heart
I think it beats
I don't say things I do not mean
To appear clever
Heidi, I'm not you
Maybe that's strange to you
Maybe I'm just strange...
If I had a gun, I think I'm able
If I had a gun, I'd know what to do
If I had a gun, I would be perfectly unstable
Well nothing really changes, then, that's true
Oh Heidi, I am many things, but I thank God I'm not like you
vinnie lawrence
Superb in every way,,just brilliant,,love the Woman
DrDap
Wow, this is quite the corker. Yet another underheard lovely song from the criminally underheard and frequently brilliant Nerina Pallot. Too bad we'll never get a chance to see her in the US. Our loss.
Jonathan Stewart
A man with excellent taste