Born Domenica Costa on 4th June 1972 in Tokyo, Japan, she is relatively unknown in the United States, although she has achieved impressive commercial success overseas, most notably in Australia and Germany. She is the daughter of Don Costa, an arranger and producer of pop music, with whom she recorded several albums as a child, many of which have gone platinum. Frank Sinatra, a close friend of her father's, was her godfather. She is married to her songwriting partner and producer Justin Stanley.
Nikka has released 7 full length albums, 4 as an adult (Butterfly Rocket (1996), Everybody Got Their Something (2001), can'tneverdidnothin' (2005) and Pebble to a Pearl (2008)) as well as one EP PRO★WHOA! (2011).
She also had a career as a young singer starting in the 1980s, releasing 3 albums (Nikka Costa (1981), Fairy Tales (1983) and Here I Am... (1989)).
http://www.nikkacosta.com
Can'tneverdidnothin'
Nikka Costa Lyrics
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And neither did couldn't
Never did nobody no good
You better plant in your garden
And make sure you water it like you should
Time has spoiled you rotten
And you done forgotten
Can'tneverdidnothin'
And neither did couldn't
But make your dreams disappear
Blaming everybody who dealt your hand
But you're keepin' your head in the sand
You should be sweatin' while you sit at home
Looking under your bed for your backbone
Instead you ridin' bitch till the tables turn
Till you get your check
Till your luck returns
How are you expecting to find your way
With shoulda woulda coulda coming out your face
Can'tneverdidnothin'
And neither did couldn't
Never did nobody no good
You better plant in your garden
And make sure you water it like you should
Time has spoiled you rotten
And you done forgotten
Why you been put here
Can'tneverdidnothin'
And neither did couldn't
But make your dreams disappear
You keep ridin' your bike in a cul-de-sac
Think you're getting somewhere ridin' piggyback
But you're only gettin' out what you're puttin' in
So stick your neck out take it on the chin
'Cause there's a whole lotta nothin' goin' on for too long
'Cause the time isn't right
'Cause it feels all wrong
Wishin' like a baby you could just get on
But ain't nothin' doin' while nothin's done
In Nikka Costa's song, "Can'tneverdidnothin'," the lyrics speak to the idea that when you don't take action in life, it is as though you have done nothing. The song encourages listeners to take responsibility for their lives and to actively work to achieve their goals. The lyrics emphasise the importance of hard work, determination, and perseverance in achieving one's dreams. The repeated refrain, "Can'tneverdidnothin'" and "neither did couldn't," suggests that excuses and a defeatist attitude will not lead to success. The song warns listeners against becoming complacent and forgetting why they were put on this earth.
The second verse of the song calls out those who blame others for their lack of success and refuse to take agency in their lives. The lyrics are a wake-up call for those who sit at home waiting for something to happen to them. The song emphasises the importance of taking risks, persevering in the face of adversity, and being accountable for one's actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Can'tneverdidnothin'
Negativity and inactivity never achieve anything
And neither did couldn't
The inability to do something is just as useless as not trying at all
Never did nobody no good
Being inactive or negative does not benefit anyone
You better plant in your garden
You should focus on growing and developing yourself
And make sure you water it like you should
Give yourself the necessary care and attention to achieve your goals
Time has spoiled you rotten
Being too comfortable and complacent can hinder personal growth
And you done forgotten
You have forgotten why you are here and what you want to achieve
Why you been put here
The purpose of your life and your goals
But make your dreams disappear
Negativity and inactivity can make your dreams impossible to achieve
Blaming everybody who dealt your hand
Blaming others for your circumstances instead of taking responsibility for your own decisions
But you're keepin' your head in the sand
Ignoring the reality of your situation and not taking action to change it
You should be sweatin' while you sit at home
Working hard towards your goals even when you are not in an ideal situation
Looking under your bed for your backbone
Finding the strength and resolve to take action and make a change
Instead you ridin' bitch 'til the tables turn
Letting others take charge and not being in control of your own life
Till you get your check
Waiting for external validation and rewards instead of working hard for personal growth
Till your luck returns
Relying on luck instead of taking responsibility for your own success
How are you expecting to find your way
Continuously being negative and inactive will not lead to success or a fulfilling life
With shoulda woulda coulda coming out your face
Talking about what you should have or could have done instead of taking action now
You keep ridin' your bike in a cul-de-sac
Repeating the same mistakes and not making progress towards your goals
Think you're getting somewhere ridin' piggyback
Reliant on others for success
But you're only gettin' out what you're puttin' in
You will only get out what you put in towards your goals and personal growth
So stick your neck out take it on the chin
Be courageous and face challenges head on to achieve personal growth
'Cause there's a whole lotta nothin' goin' on for too long
Being inactive and negative for a prolonged period of time can lead to a lack of progress
'Cause the time isn't right
Excuses for not taking action towards your goals
'Cause it feels all wrong
Fear and discomfort with change and growth
Wishin' like a baby you could just get on
Wishing for success without working towards it is not productive
But ain't nothin' doin' while nothin's done
Inactivity and negativity will not lead to success or personal growth
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind