Nichole’s musical style has developed over time from headbanging rock with her first band INSANE to folky acoustics with her first album Under the Skin (2001), while her most recent albums Lost Into Experience (2009) and You Are Not Alone (2010) glimpse an evolution into a darker electronic lounge vibe. Along the way, she’s collaborated with dance and pop producers on a number of projects ranging from house anthem “Live So Free” with Swiss American Federation to ridiculous pop songs like “Teaser” with Mark Okoh. Whatever the genre, Nichole has consistently captivated audiences with her intoxicating voice, presence and lyrics.
The lucky product of a quick union: Nichole's straight-A-student mother dropped out her last semester of private college to run off with the long-haired drummer of a rock band she met in Deland, Florida. Hoping to make a positive impression on his new family, Nichole’s father quit his band, shaved his head, and joined the army. The couple married and was stationed in Augsburg, Germany where Nichole was born just a year later. The marriage ended soon after, and as an infant, Nichole was brought back to Florida where her mother worked to support the family and finish her studies. It was in her early years as a latch key kid that Nichole's passion for songwriting emerged.
Nichole began writing songs in grade school, where she tried out a number of instruments including violin, stand up bass, and keyboard. In middle school, she got her first electric guitar and began performing in Central Florida nightclubs with heavy rock band INSANE at age 14. During the summers, she studied music, songwriting, and performance at National Guitar Workshop in Connecticut, where she learned from guitar heros such as Andy Timmons and Nuno Bettencourt. By high school graduation, Nichole had written, recorded, and produced more than twenty original songs and played dozens of live shows.
Determined to transcend the common trajectory for many kids growing up in non-ideal households, Nichole sought balance between her artistic aspirations and academic endeavors, pursuing formal studies in Economics and Education while steadily building her song catalog. She moved to Los Angeles in 1999 with little more than her guitar and a suitcase; something like the scene out of Poison's Fallen Angel video. Like many musicians trying to break into the industry, she started out working a number of day jobs, from managing the marketing department at West L.A. Music to offering tech support for Disney's Consumer Products division. Along the way, she also brought her passion into the classroom, teaching at elementary schools in the challenging areas of South Central and East Los Angeles and elite Pacific Palisades.
Currently, ALDEN creates custom music for film and television, while working on her fourth studio album in the Silicon Beach community of Santa Monica, California.
Say What You May
Nichole Alden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Say what you may
I could see it your way
Say what you may
I'm not givin' up any ground
Not letting up
Not letting you down
To do it my way
You mean well and want the best
Play safe and stray from change
There's no harm in making waves
I don't mind
Say what you may
I could see it your way
Say what you may
Been some time since we aligned
I've thought in every situation
Isn't every mistake just preparation
If we can't agree
You're not losing you and I'm not losing me
I don't mind
Say what you may
I could see it your way
Say what you may
Da da da...
I don't mind
I don't mind
Say what you may
I could see it your way
Say what you may
The lyrics to Nichole Alden's song "Say What You May" express a sense of self-awareness and independence, while also acknowledging the perspectives of others. The singer is determined to hold her ground and do things her own way, but is open to hearing differing opinions or criticisms from those around her. She recognizes that making waves and taking risks can sometimes lead to mistakes or disagreements, but views them as necessary steps in personal growth and progress.
The repeated refrain of "say what you may, I could see it your way" highlights the singer's willingness to listen and consider other viewpoints, without compromising her own sense of self. The song seems to convey a sense of confidence and self-assurance, as the singer is not afraid to stand up for herself and pursue her own path, while also being able to maintain healthy relationships with those around her.
Overall, "Say What You May" is a reflective and empowering song that encourages listeners to be true to themselves, while also being open to the perspectives of others.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't mind
I am not bothered by what you have to say
Say what you may
Feel free to express your opinion
I could see it your way
I am open to considering your perspective
Say what you may
Reiterating the invitation to express opinions
I'm not givin' up any ground
I am not going to concede my position
Not letting up
I will continue to advocate for my beliefs
Not letting you down
I will not disappoint you
But there's a price I've gotta pay
There may be consequences for standing up for myself
To do it my way
To stick to my own beliefs
You mean well and want the best
I know your intentions are good
Play safe and stray from change
You tend to avoid taking risks and trying new things
There's no harm in making waves
It is okay to disrupt the status quo and bring about change
Been some time since we aligned
It has been a while since we agreed on something
I've thought in every situation
I have considered every possible scenario
Isn't every mistake just preparation
Perhaps every mistake is a learning opportunity
If we can't agree
If we cannot find common ground
You're not losing you and I'm not losing me
Our disagreement does not define us as individuals
Da da da...
Non-lyrical section
I don't mind
Repeating the lack of bother with what others say
I don't mind
Repeating the lack of bother with what others say
Say what you may
Reiterating the invitation to express opinions
I could see it your way
Reiterating openness to considering other perspectives
Say what you may
Reiterating the invitation to express opinions
Contributed by Eliana W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.