Previously, Scherzinger was a backing vocalist for the late-1990s rock group Days of the New, then she was part of reality TV girl group Eden's Crush. After the disbandment of the group she joined The Pussycat Dolls and became the lead vocalist during the transition to a popular music group. So far, The Pussycat Dolls have released two albums, PCD and Doll Domination, with two supporting tours. More recently, in early 2010, Scherzinger became the winner of the tenth season of Dancing with the Stars.
Nicole Scherzinger was born on June 29, 1978, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her father, Alfonso Valiente, is of Filipino descent, and her mother, Rosemary, is of Hawaiian, Ukrainian, and Russian descent. In an interview, Scherzinger said: "I’m Filipino-Russian-Hawaiian, but people think I’m from Pakistan". Her mother Rosemary was eighteen at the time of Scherzinger's birth and lived in an inner city neighborhood. Nicole's parents separated when she was still a baby. Her maternal family moved to Louisville, Kentucky, when she was six years old, with her sister Ke'ala and her German-American stepfather Gary Scherzinger. Nicole met Nick Hexum, of 311, backstage at a Days of the New concert in 2000 or 2001. They dated and later became engaged but broke it off sometime in 2004. She then dated actor Talan Torriero from 2005 to 2007. For the last few years she has been dating 2008 Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton who currently races for Mercedes Benz.
In an interview with The Daily Mail, Scherzinger explained that she had been brought up with a strict religious (Roman Catholic) upbringing in Hawaii. She first attended Meyzeek Middle School as an adolescent. Growing up, Scherzinger states that she didn't have a lot of money and the singer thanks her mom for all the support she gave her to become what she is today. Scherzinger began performing in Louisville, attending the Youth Performing Arts School at duPont Manual High School and performing with Actors Theatre of Louisville. As a teenager, Scherzinger was the first runner-up at the 1996 Kentucky State Fair's Coca-Cola Talent Classic contest. Scherzinger majored in acting and musical theatre at Wright State University, where she played Velma Kelly in Chicago and Julie La Verne in Show Boat but put her studies on hold in 1999 to sing backing vocals for the rock band Days of the New.
From 2006 until late 2008 Scherzinger had been working on her debut album which was titled Her Name Is Nicole. She recorded/wrote about 75-100 songs for the album which was supposed to be released in 2007 before being pushed to October 16, 2008 and later into 2009 before being shelved. She told MTV "I've always said that in the Pussycat Dolls, I kind of feel like Superwoman. But that's just one of my alter egos. I've got the vulnerable, lovesick side of me amongst others which all appear on my record."
Scherzinger confirmed that she has done one song with Slash for his solo album Slash released in April 2010. On February 1, 2010 along with other artists Scherzinger had re-recorded "We are the World", a charity single for the victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. The song debuted during NBC's coverage of the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics. It was released as a single on iTunes on February 12, 2010 accompanied by the music video.
Reports of a second attempt at a solo album surfaced in January 2010 when Contactmusic reported that singersongwriter Ne-Yo is working with Scherzinger on new material. Ne-Yo had previously given two songs he wrote, "Save Me From Myself" and "Happily Never After", to Scherzinger for Her Name Is Nicole. Of the new collaborations he said,"she is putting all her energy into her work". He was also quoted as saying Nicole is in a state of liberation right now so the tracks are very free. She is in a place where she is happy to be alive and the tracks are definitely expressing that. The whole album is going to be a pressure release - a great big exhale - and I'm happy about that. She has a lot of emotions after splitting up with Lewis (Hamilton). But it's like taking an eagle and giving it back its wings.
On January 26, 2010, it was revealed that Jay Sean and Scherzinger were both working on something in the studio together. The video was originally posted to twitter but has been uploaded to the general internet too and shows the pair having a good time at Hit Factory (Criteria) record studios in Miami, Florida. In the video Scherzinger reveals she has been recording in the studio which Mariah Carey created some of her best known material as well as 'Studio F' where Sean recorded "Down" with Lil Wayne and where Scherzinger previously laid down vocals for Timbaland's hit single "Scream" with Keri Hilson. The pair also made note to T-Pain and Lil Wayne who were present at the studio. It is unknown whether the pair achieved any musical success e.g. recorded any usable songs and it is unknown if the records are for an upcoming single for Jay Sean, the upcoming third album from the Pussycat Dolls or Scherzinger's own heavily delayed studio album which is also due for release in 2010. Separately it was reported that she was working with Chuck Harmony whose previous credits include Rihanna's top-ten hit "Russian Roulette" (2009) as well as multiple credits on Ne-Yo's Year of the Gentleman (2008) and Mary J. Blige's Growing Pains (2007). "My music that I’m working on now for my album might have a little more rock, funk, soul edge, but it’s basically in the genre of popular music and it’s just honest music, fun music".
Rap Up first reported her intention to release a new song on May 23, 2010 stating that "The single "Nobody Can Change Me" is an empowering song, so it’s very much like Pussycat Dolls, but it’s just [Nicole] singing the same thing". Scherzinger herself described the single as "uplifting and powerful song with a deep meaning" During one radio interview she the song was recorded at night whilst she was competing on season ten of U.S. reality competition ,Dancing with the Stars. It was mastered on May 23, 2010 ready for its premiere on Ryan Seacrest's KIIS FM radio show the following day. Amongst the first to review the song was Beck Bain of Idolator. She was not impressed, "after listening to the treacly pop tune, we think she has a better shot at becoming a full-time sailor than reviving her solo career anytime soon. ... Her voice sounds a little bit higher/squeakier than usual, and the overproduction of the track certainly doesn’t help—we know this girl can saaang, and this generic pop song about empowerment or independence or some other vague 'let me be me' message does nothing to utilize her vocal range. ... And if Nicole wants to win the public back, it’s probably in her best interest to release a thumping dance track with sex appeal than an uninspired, uninteresting message song." However Amos Barshad of New York magazine actually liked the song stating that "there’s none of the Pussycat Doll’s forced sexiness here; instead, it sounds like something that could have just missed the final cut on a Kelly Clarkson album (that is sort of supposed to be a compliment, yeah)."
Then in August 2010 Swedish electropop producer RedOne was interviewed by the BBC. In the interview he revealed he had been working on Scherzinger's album. "I just finished her album. Her last one never came out because it was collecting hamburgers, like fast food. One from McDonalds, one from Burger King, and so on. It tasted good, but it wasn't consistent. Her new record - people are really going to go crazy about it because it's the real her." Scherzinger confirmed these reports in a September 2010 interview with X magazine. In reference to Her Name is Nicole she said "It was actually my decision not to put it out, not the label's". Then she said "I've been working with RedOne, which is an honour. He's an unbelievable producer and musician. He had made some amazing songs with Lady Gaga. Now, there is someone with the 'x factor'. I can't touch GaGa or RedOne in that space, but I know that we've created something unique of our own." Scherzinger's new single, "Poison", premiered on her official website and YouTube account on October 14, 2010. It is due for release on November 29, 2010. A picture from the video shoot was revealed by MTV, showing Scherzinger dressed provocatively. On November 18, 2010, she joined Prince on-stage during his concert in Abu Dhabi. While working with RedOne she has also recorded vocals for songs which will be included on Mohombi's debut album. Mohombi is the first signee to RedOne's record label.
God Of War
Nicole Scherzinger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
God of war
God of war
These old tears, they're just liquid years
Of rivers filled with minimal joy
And this little pain, no gain, just rain
I'm so glad you're going away
I'm sorry and sad to say
Tears of joy
Tears of joy
I'm so glad you're gone
You're so fucking annoying
You just don't know
I'm so excited you're gone
No more fighting back and forth
God of war
I'm not fair, I don't care
I can't wait for you to walk out of my door
Cause this ain't life
Ain't right under your knife
Can't cut my love anymore
I'm so glad you're going away
I'm sorry and sad to say
Tears of joy
Tears of joy
I'm so glad you're gone
You're so fucking annoying
You just don't know
I'm so excited you're gone
No more fighting back and forth
God of war
One day you'll wanna wash it, the ground I walk on
Oh you love the things that I know are gone
One day I'll wanna replay
The days that could have went right
But you made them so wrong
Concealing our face in the melodies of songs
God of war
God of war
The song “God of War” by Nicole Scherzinger is a reflection of an individual who has been hurt in a past relationship and is finally moving on. The song is about finding inner strength and breaking free from the cycle of pain. The lyrics begin with the singer describing their past tears-filled with minimal joy, pain and rain-straining to pull themselves out of their hurt until today. The second verse is about the singer being excited that their partner is moving out, no longer wanting to fight back and forth. The singer reveals that the pain they’ve endured has been caused by their partner's attempted control over them, represented as being “under their knife.”
The chorus is filled with a mix of emotions where the singer claims to be so glad their partner is gone but is also sorry and sad to say it. The phrase “tears of joy” reflects the inner conflict the singer is feeling, being free from their harmful relationship but also coming to terms with the loss of something that was once dear to them. The last verse speaks of the day the singer's ex-partner will come to realize the ground they walked on and their love that is now gone.
Overall, the song is a metaphorical representation of the cycle of pain that one goes through when they're in a toxic relationship. And how one finds the courage and strength to break free from that cycle and move on towards a better tomorrow.
Line by Line Meaning
God of war
Repeating the phrase 'God of war' as the title and opening line to symbolize the end of a turbulent relationship with a partner who is aggressive and combative
These old tears, they're just liquid years
Describing the tears shed in the past as a collection of emotions built up over time that represent memories of pain and sorrow
Of rivers filled with minimal joy
Comparing the tears to rivers that have been dammed up with occasional moments of happiness but ultimately overflowing with sadness
And this little pain, no gain, just rain
Expressing how the pain caused by the partner was not beneficial in any way and paralleling it to rain, which is necessary but can also be dreary
I strain to pull myself out of your hurt until today
Highlighting the effort it took to distance oneself from the partner's harmful behavior which has now led to a sense of release
I'm so glad you're going away
Acknowledging a shared excitement about the breakup and embracing the upcoming change
I'm sorry and sad to say
Expressing that while it is bittersweet, the overall consensus is that it is positive news
Tears of joy
Explaining the overwhelming emotions that accompany the situation with tears of happiness and relief
I'm so glad you're gone
Reiterating the positive attitude toward the partner's departure and capturing the sensation of riddance
You're so fucking annoying
Labeling the partner as 'fucking annoying', revealing an exasperation with the behavior
You just don't know
Emphasizing the idea that the partner had no awareness of their toxicity and how it affected the other person
No more fighting back and forth
Acknowledging the constant conflict that marked the relationship and how it is now resolving
One day you'll wanna wash it, the ground I walk on
Anticipating the partner's eventual regret and wish to reconcile by drawing a metaphorical connection between regret and the act of cleaning
Oh you love the things that I know are gone
Recognizing the partner's attachment to what has already been lost and the futility of that desire
One day I'll wanna replay
Acknowledging personal wishes to relive lost moments and 'do them right', so to speak
The days that could have went right
Reflecting on missed opportunities for the relationship to have taken a positive turn
But you made them so wrong
Blaming the partner for the relationship's direction and eventual collapse
Concealing our face in the melodies of songs
Using music as a form of escapism and a means to mask personal turmoil
Contributed by Elena A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Paty Wayne
Lyrics
Let's do this
God of War
God of War
These old tears, they're just liquid years of rivers filled with minimal joy
And this little pain, no gain, just rain
I strain to pull myself out of your hurt until today
I'm so glad, you're going away
I'm sorry and sad to say
Tears of joy
Tears of joy
I'm so glad you're gone
You're so fucking annoying
You just don't know
I'm so excited to go
No more fighting back and forth
God of War
I'm not fair, I don't care
I can't wait for you to walk out of my door
Cause this ain't life
Ain't right under your knife, can't cut my love anymore
I'm so glad, you're going away
I'm sorry and sad to say
Tears of joy
Tears of joy
I'm so glad you're gone
You're so fucking annoying
You just don't know
I'm so excited to go
No more fighting back and forth
God of War
One day you'll wanna worship
The ground I walk on
Oh you love the things that I know are gone
One day I'll wanna replay
The days that could have went right but you made them so wrong
Concealing our face in the melodies of songs
God of War
God of War
Steven Yanchak
Nicole is simply the best live vocalist of the 21st century & her music brings such joy to people all over the world! Thank you Nicole!!!
Coretta Simo Love Monk
God of War?
Joseph Lewis
I think Nicole Scherzinger's singles and albums are truly wonderful masterpieces and more than deserve to win an award of some kind. Her songs leave me in a trance and absolutely win my heart. They're so good and whenever Nicole Scherzinger sings, smiles and dances my heart just melts. I love her such alot.
Juuh
"I'm so excited to go. No more fighting back and forth" eu amo essa parte
Glori M
I’m so happy we finally get to hear this album!! Nearly 4 years later but better late than never I guess. I love her so much I hope she releases new music soon :)
Hudson de Carvalho Rezende
Que hino! ♥
Awake but not woke
One of her best songs for sure
Nilanjan Sinha
Nicole, your voice is so powerful, and you are very versatile singer.
Ahmed Abdelaziz Shaiboub
Should have been a single. Come back Nicole❤️
Deon D
My favourite song from the album!!!!❤❤❤❤❤