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.
I Do Not Want What I Do Not Have
Nerina Pallot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just give me a laugh 'cause I'm easy to please
One good book and a faithful friend
Things money cannot buy
Life is short but the day is long
So give me a minute, I'll give you a song
I do not want what I do not have
'Cause baby I got you
Who could ask for anything more?
It's so good to be alive
I shall not ask for anything more
'Cause I got you by my side
I know a boy who'd give anything
For five minutes more in this cruel world
Just to see the evening sun
Burn red in the sky once more
Even if you come back again,
Life is short so you best be happy
I do not want what I do not need
Who could ask for anything more?
It's so good to be alive
I shall not ask for anything more
'Cause I got you by my side
While the light is in our eyes
While the sun is still so high
While the band is playing dance
We're here, now, aren't we?
While the light is in our eyes
You still stay by my side
It's a miracle we're here now, aren't we?
Who could ask for anything more?
It's so good to be alive, to be alive
Just keep on breathing by my side
Keep on, keep on, keep on
We are here now, we are here now
Here now, here now, here now
Who could ask for anything more?
It's so good to be alive
I shall want for anything more
'Cause I've got you by my side
By my side
It's so good to be alive
So good to be alive
The lyrics of Nerina Pallot's song "I Do Not Want What I Do Not Have" express gratitude for the simple pleasures in life and the importance of cherishing what we already have. The repeated line "I do not want what I do not have" serves as a reminder to be content with what we possess and to not constantly strive for more material possessions. Instead, the singer suggests that the things that truly matter in life are a good book, a faithful friend, and the intangible joys that money cannot buy.
The verse "I know a boy who'd give anything for five minutes more in this cruel world, just to see the evening sun burn red in the sky once more" is a poignant reminder that life is short and we should cherish every moment while we have it. The song suggests that finding happiness in the small things can help us appreciate life even more. The line "life is short but the day is long" encourages listeners to make the most of every day and find joy in the present moment.
Line by Line Meaning
I do not want what I do not have
I am content with what I have and do not desire what I lack
Just give me a laugh 'cause I'm easy to please
I find joy in simple pleasures and appreciate humor
One good book and a faithful friend
Having a loyal companion and a meaningful book is priceless
Things money cannot buy
There are intangible and valuable things that cannot be purchased
Life is short but the day is long
We have limited time, but there are many opportunities to make the most of our days
So give me a minute, I'll give you a song
I have a desire to bring joy to others through my music
'Cause baby I got you
Your presence is all I need to be happy
Who could ask for anything more?
There is nothing more I could ask for
It's so good to be alive
I am grateful for the opportunity to live another day
I shall not ask for anything more
I am content and do not desire anything else
I know a boy who'd give anything
I am aware of someone who would do anything to extend the little time they have left
For five minutes more in this cruel world
They would do anything to have an additional five minutes to enjoy life
Just to see the evening sun
The beauty of nature is a precious thing to them
Burn red in the sky once more
They want to witness the sunset one final time
Even if you come back again,
Even if I am given an opportunity to relive life
Life is short so you best be happy
Life is brief, so we should cherish what we have and strive to be content
I do not want what I do not need
I do not desire anything except what is essential
While the light is in our eyes
As long as we have sight and vitality
While the sun is still so high
As long as the sun is shining bright
While the band is playing dance
While there is music and festivities
We're here, now, aren't we?
We should enjoy the present moment since we are here
You still stay by my side
You are still there with me through all times
It's a miracle we're here now, aren't we?
It's a wonder and blessing that we are alive and present in this moment
Just keep on breathing by my side
Stay with me and keep breathing, as life is a gift
Keep on, keep on, keep on
Stay strong, persevere, and cherish life
Here now, here now, here now
This moment is the most important, let's appreciate it
I shall want for anything more
I will not desire anything more than what I have, especially the comfort of your presence by my side
'Cause I've got you by my side
Your company is enough to bring me joy and contentment
By my side
You are with me, and it's a blessing to have you close
It's so good to be alive
Being alive is something to be celebrated and appreciated
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LINDA PERRY, NERINA PALLOT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kelvi Diniz
adoro essa música! os gritos dela são demais
Tom O'Rourke
I remember hearing the demo of this song and it was great. This is excellent. I think the album version is the worst version of he song that I have heard. It lacks the energy of the other takes. Somehow the fun got produced out of it. I like this much more.
Wayne Clarke
such a cool song. one of my favourites on the album. love it
Matheus Werneck
LINDOOONA