After relocating with his family from Scotland to South Africa in 1994, Nic often ventured out on his own to indulge in his favourite past time: music. He spent his younger days with his notebook and pen, scribbling lyrics while laying down melodies on his tape recorder.
By the age of 13, he had already written an array of songs. During his schooling career, Nic was involved in the school choir and later became one half of the duo, The Verdict. The Verdict enjoyed popular success with their combination style of dance and house music.
In 2006, Nic was in the employ of an independent record company, where he spent time learning the trivia of the music industry. He soon began networking with producers, using his business perceptive to slowly build the foundations of his career as a music artist.
Nic commenced with vocal lessons at Williams-Ros Studios and performed his first solo act in a show at Ushaka Marine World. He began performing at various corporate events whilst travelling and performing with numerous industry peers. He performed at the annual Dolphin Dash in Durban for two consecutive years as well as for the Mr South Africa event which contributed to raising funds for The North Coast Courier Orphan Fund.
Determined to forge ahead in the cutthroat industry, Nic decided to take a different approach when it came to reaching fame. His ingenious plan of creating covers of popular music videos and broadcasting them on YouTube earned him a large following worldwide, reaching over a quarter of a million views with his videos. At the end of 2008, American pop singer, Britney Spears and her team featured one of his covers on her official website, www.britneyspears.com.
In 2009, Nic was selected as one of Cleo magazine’s top 50 eligible bachelors. He has also received vast media coverage in newspapers and magazines throughout South Africa, which include, People Magazine, Cleo Magazine, Teenzone Magazine, The Sunday Times and Get It Magazine.
Nic grasped the opportunity to have his songs feature on compilations albums, namely “Trevor Williams Vol 2”, “Hot Summer Mix 2010” and “Hot Summer Mix Vol. 12”. DJ Roxxi, a popular Durban DJ, invited Nic to feature alongside Flash Republic’s, Craig Massiv, on her electro funk debut song, “Away”. The single charted on numerous radio stations and took the number 1 position on East Coast Radio in 2009.
Nic was soon approached by an A&R scout and referred to Clango Media, an independent record label. Together, Nic and his producer began working on one of the most highly anticipated debut albums from a South African artist. During this time Nic was deemed one of People Magazines “Hotties of 2011”.
Kiss
In April 2011, Nic released a buzz track entitled “Kiss”. It was accompanied by a sleek futuristic-looking music video. Both the song and video received praises from critics for its “high standard”. After a preview of the music video, Colin Roopnarain from the Sunday Tribune wrote: “If he’s not world-famous by the time he’s 30, I’ll eat my hat”. “Kiss” received huge airplay on radio stations like East Coast Radio, Good Hope FM, Red Cap Radio and East Rand Stereo. The music video was a favourite on SABC 3’s “Sound Check”.
Overload – The album
Nic’s highly anticipated debut album entitled “Overload”, which has taken approximately two years to complete, is scheduled for a national release in February 2013. The album will be available in music stores across South Africa as well as over 200 online stores around the world, including iTunes.
3 music videos have already been shot in support of the album and can be viewed on Nic’s official website. Nic’s music can be described as pop, electro and dance music. It’s modern music that has been infused with retro undertones. The album contains a hint of dub step as well.
“I would describe my sound as a fusion of pop, electro and dance music. You can expect some retro elements with a modern twist on my album. It’s commercial, it’s catchy and it’s extremely fun – with a lot of attitude” – Nic
The album has been titled after the lead single “Overload”, which is described as a modern day up-tempo ballad. The single is already heating up the airways, having already entered the top 10 on some radio stations. The single was produced by the local dub step act, Bash n Crash. “Overload” contains 15 super catchy tracks including “Kiss” and an exciting collaboration with Jen Su called “Shanghai”.
Nic’s representation of the title (Overload) is an abundance of thoughts and ideas surfacing to the brain at one given time. He experienced this when his record label gave him the go ahead to start recording the album. “ I've been planning my first CD since I was in primary school so when I finally got the opportunity to do it, I was bombarded by all these ideas that had built up over the years. Initially, recording the album was quite a stressful process because I'm a perfectionist and I really wanted my first album to be amazing. After a few months we adapted the Overload concept to the album and everything just fell into place after that. I couldn't be any happier with the outcome”. - Nic
For more information on Nic Billington, visit www.nicbillington.com
Homesick
Nic Billington Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You made an impact
On the wrong side
Of the right track
It’s a slow burn
And a heartache
Beautiful things
Always break
Chasing dreams
That turn to nightmares
I wanna go back
To when we were
Just kids
So happy
All our places
Familiar faces
I really thought there’d be
No changes
I think I’m crazy
Cause I can’t let it go
Homesick
Looking for your face in the crowd
Tell me are you still
Dancing the way we used to
Dancing the way we used to
Let go
I know
You thinking of me
Tell me are you still
Dancing the way we used to
Dancing the way we used to
We’re not broken
We’ve just grown
The right of passage
Are these scars
I have slain
Many monsters
And came out stronger
The other side
Sometimes I feel lost
Chasing dreams
That turn to nightmares
Homesick
Looking for your face in the crowd
Tell me are you still
Dancing the way we used to
Dancing the way we used to
Let go
I know
You thinking of me
Tell me are you still
Dancing the way we used to
Dancing the way we used to
Homesick
Looking for your face in the crowd
Tell me are you still
Dancing the way we used to
Dancing the way we used to
Let go
I know
You thinking of me
Tell me are you still
Dancing the way we used to
Dancing the way we used to
I know we can't go back
It's not the same
Time went by so fast
It breaks my heart
That we won't dance again
I'm just so homesick
I'm just so homesick
I'm just so homesick
The lyrics to Nic Billington's song "Homesick" convey a sense of longing and nostalgia. The singer reflects on their past, specifically their youth and the innocence they felt. The opening lines suggest that the singer was rebellious or troubled in their younger days, but someone had a significant impact on them. This person guided them away from the wrong path and onto the right track, although not without some heartache and struggle.
The chorus expresses a deep yearning to return to a time when they were just kids, filled with happiness and a sense of familiarity. The singer longs for the past, hoping that things haven't changed and that they can still recapture the joy they once had. The repetition of the phrase "Dancing the way we used to" emphasizes a desire to relive those carefree moments and reestablish a connection with the person they long for.
The second verse acknowledges that growth and change are natural parts of life. The scars mentioned represent the challenges and trials the singer has overcome, making them stronger in the process. There is an acknowledgment that chasing dreams sometimes leads to disappointment, but despite feeling lost at times, the longing for the past remains.
In the final repetition of the chorus, the singer recognizes that they can't turn back time, but the sense of homesickness persists. The song ends with an admission of being homesick, indicating a deep emotional longing for the past that cannot be fulfilled.
Overall, "Homesick" is a poignant reflection on the nostalgia and yearning for a simpler time, suggesting that the memories and connections we form in our youth often hold a special place in our hearts.
Line by Line Meaning
I was a bad kid
I had a rebellious nature and made poor choices
You made an impact
You had a significant influence on me
On the wrong side
Engaging in activities that were considered negative or harmful
Of the right track
Stepping away from the path of success or righteousness
It’s a slow burn
The pain and longing gradually intensify
And a heartache
Causing emotional pain and longing
Beautiful things
Things that brought joy and happiness
Always break
Often end up shattered or damaged
Sometimes I feel lost
Occasionally, I lack direction or purpose
Chasing dreams
Pursuing aspirations and seeking fulfillment
That turn to nightmares
Only to have those dreams become terrifying or distressing
I wanna go back
I desire to return
To when we were
To a time in the past
Just kids
When we were young and innocent
So happy
Filled with joy and contentment
All our places
The familiar locations we shared
Familiar faces
The people we knew and recognized
I really thought there’d be
I genuinely believed there wouldn't be
No changes
Everything would remain the same
I think I’m crazy
I question my sanity
Cause I can’t let it go
Because I cannot release or forget about it
Homesick
Feeling nostalgic and longing for home
Looking for your face in the crowd
Searching for your presence among many people
Tell me are you still
Inform me if you're still
Dancing the way we used to
Moving and enjoying ourselves as we did in the past
Let go
Release your hold on the past
I know
I understand
You thinking of me
You are contemplating or remembering me
We’re not broken
We are not damaged or shattered
We’ve just grown
We have simply matured and developed
The right of passage
The necessary journey or experience
Are these scars
Represented by the marks or wounds on our bodies
I have slain
I have defeated or overcome
Many monsters
Various formidable challenges or obstacles
And came out stronger
Emerging with greater resilience and strength
The other side
After going through difficulties or hardships
I know we can't go back
I understand that returning is impossible
It's not the same
The present is different and changed
Time went by so fast
The passing of time occurred swiftly
It breaks my heart
It causes immense sadness and pain
That we won't dance again
We will no longer experience the joy of dancing together
I'm just so homesick
I deeply long for the comfort and familiarity of home
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Joline Grove
This song needs more recognition!!! Awesome song!
Kimmal Singh
This song has an 80s vibe. Sounds amazing 🥳
Nic Billington
Thanks for listening! 😉
Jarryd Chelliah
This song gives me goosebumps.... Absolutely amazing song !!!
Jarryd Chelliah
@Nic Billington... I Play this song everyday. It has such an amazing beat ... one of those songs that I'll never get tired of listening to ... Love your songs.
From Durban South Africa
Nic Billington
Thanks for the love - glad you like it!
Curtis Cameron
You always come out with Bops when I need a new soundtrack for my life! Also whoever shot the videography needs a raise, this looks sick!
Nic Billington
Much appreciated. 🙏 You legend.
ToniZvjezdusina
Amazing! 🤩 Another bop...love the London scenes 😍
Nic Billington
Thank you ALWAYS 🙏