She is best known for her feature on the 2007 hit single "Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill)," with Wyclef, Akon, and Lil' Wayne, which was certified Platinum by theRIAA and peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Niia has performed on the Letterman Show, Craig Ferguson, and BET Honors among others and has been lucky enough to perform for some of her biggest influences, including Bjork and Patti Smith.
She is currently working on her debut album.
Sideline
Niia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I know, I know, it takes time to get someone out your mind
You don't give me any signs
And I told you all the passwords to mine
And I'll admit I haven't been completely faithful
It was way back, in April, and we didn't have a label
Yeah I tried to play it cool, 'cause we were never really stable
It's never ever able to figure out
Keep waiting for the right time
While you keep me on the side line
I'm sick of all this trying, trying, trying
While I watch you drift further away
It's like I have you, but I don't really have you
To flatter, to sender
What's the point if you don't know who?
When you play someone a finished song
It's the caught up, and the demo
I love all of my new new songs
But I could still use more tempo
Now I hate when you're with me
Ooh you got one head in
The other head is far away, still decidin'
Oh, and I keep tryin', tryin', ooh
Keep waiting for the right, time
While you keep me, on the side line
I'm sick for this tryin', tryin', tryin'
While I watch drift further away
All I give, all I give, all I give, you
All I give, all I give, all I give, to you
Why, do you need her and me?
Pick a side
Keep waiting for the right time
Still on the side line
I'm so far away
Keep waiting for the right time
While you keep me on the side line
I'm sick of all this tryin', tryin', tryin'
While I watch you drift further away
Yeah, yeah
Keep tryin', tryin', tryin'
You're lyin', lyin', lyin'
Niia's song "Sideline" explores the heartbreak of unrequited love and the frustration of feeling like an afterthought in a relationship. The song speaks directly to the singer's romantic partner, who is still holding onto memories of a past lover. She knows that he takes time to get someone out of his mind and that the past relationship is still a lingering part of his life, as evidenced by the fact that his ex still shows up as the background on his phone. In contrast, the singer has been open and honest with him, giving him access to all her passwords and trying to move their relationship forward. However, she admits that she was unfaithful in the past, before they even had a label on their relationship, and that she's been trying desperately to win his heart ever since. Despite all her efforts, she feels stuck on the sidelines, watching as he drifts further away from her.
The song uses music as a metaphor for their relationship, with the singer feeling like she's composed a beautiful finished song, only to have it be turned into just a demo when he doesn't fully commit to her. She wonders what the point is of continuing to try so hard when she doesn't even know where she stands with him. The chorus repeats the image of being sidelined, waiting for the right time, while the object of her affection continues to keep her at arm's length.
Overall, "Sideline" is a poignant exploration of the difficulties of modern dating and the emotional toll it can take on those caught in its web. It shines a light on the ways in which we often hold onto past loves, even when we know we should let them go, and the challenges of opening ourselves up to new relationships when we're not sure if they'll be reciprocated.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, I know, she's still the background on your phone
I am aware that you still have feelings for your ex-girlfriend and have kept her picture as the background on your phone
And I know, I know, it takes time to get someone out your mind
I understand that it takes time to forget someone and move on
You don't give me any signs
You are not giving me any indication that you want to be with me
And I told you all the passwords to mine
I trust you fully and have shared all my passwords with you
And I'll admit I haven't been completely faithful
I confess that I have not been entirely loyal to you
It was way back, in April, and we didn't have a label
It happened a long time ago, in April, when we were not officially a couple
Yeah I tried to play it cool, 'cause we were never really stable
I pretended to be unfazed by our unstable relationship and tried to remain calm
It's never ever able to figure out
It is impossible to figure out where our relationship stands
Keep waiting for the right time
I am waiting for the right moment to come
While you keep me on the side line
Meanwhile, you are keeping me on the sidelines as a backup plan
I'm sick of all this trying, trying, trying
I am tired of constantly trying to make our relationship work
While I watch you drift further away
As I observe you pulling away from me
It's like I have you, but I don't really have you
I feel as if I have you, but in reality, I don't have your love and attention
To flatter, to sender
To please and to impress you
What's the point if you don't know who?
What is the purpose of trying to impress you if you don't even know what you want?
When you play someone a finished song
When you show someone a completed version of a song
It's the caught up, and the demo
It's the final version of a song versus the earlier version
I love all of my new new songs
I love all my new songs
But I could still use more tempo
But they still could use more energy and rhythm
Now I hate when you're with me
I hate it when you are with me because I know you are not fully present
Ooh you got one head in
You are mentally distracted and not focused on our relationship
The other head is far away, still decidin'
Your mind is somewhere else, and you are trying to decide what and who you really want
All I give, all I give, all I give, you
I have given you everything that I have
Why, do you need her and me?
Why do you need both your ex-girlfriend and me in your life?
Pick a side
You need to make a decision and choose who you want to be with
Still on the side line
I am still on the sidelines, waiting for you to make a decision
I'm so far away
I feel emotionally distant from you
You're lyin', lyin', lyin'
You are lying to me about your true feelings and intentions
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MIKKY EKKO, ROBIN HANNIBAL, NIIA BERTINO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@niia
NEW LIVE VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMv2TlHfrjk
@johnrichardson5858
Great voices, both of you!!! God has blessed you with this talent. May you glorify the Creator of all things with it and be blessed in Jesus's name amen.
@taraneal9853
Loooooove!!!!!!
@KKKtrucky2
When Jasmine Sullivan started singing it reached deep into my soul and pulled out every single emotion I've ever felt for anybody.....Damn
@14PrettyAka1908
Ma'am OK!SHEESH
@sinceremendoza5399
Rrght?!#
@pbellnewlife
yesssss
@leslee6422
The girl is just dope
@jessicaeve2169
She’s a beautiful singer …like Bonnie Raitt, Whitney Houston, Lauryn Hill, good.
@cynthiacertain8784
I do not understand how this song did not reach the top of the billboards and win a Grammy! This is what music was intended to be! Thank you Niia and Jazmine you both killed it. I don't think that anyone could do it better ever! YESSSSSSSSS