The two began working together in December 2008, writing and recording up in Rich's Hollywood Hills home studio. The result is a sparkling collection of exuberant doo-wop pop-soul--a sound that, thanks to Nikki's sassy, high-stepping vocal quality, captures all the fun and vitality of classic '60s girl groups but is made thoroughly modern by Rich's hard-hitting, radio-ready beats and keyboard textures. Imagine The Chiffons' Judy Craig or The Marvelettes' Gladys Horton backed by OutKast and you're not far off.
Dreaming
Nikki & Rich Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When she flew from the ground and adopted dreams.
All the gold melted down and the gates were closed,
When did the angel loose her wings,
When she flew from the ground and adopted dreams.
All the gold melted down and the gates were closed,
Life was revealed and the past exposed.
Sent away from the land of the green,
Betcha never thought I′d get out of the fields,
That's what gave me life and time really heals.
Oh oh oh from a back to forth,
It′s just a go go go from the side to north.
Listen no no no can't sell me short,
It's just a oh oh oh, just a row oh oh.
I′m getting somewhere,
I′m getting somewhere.
I'm gonna be there,
I′m gonna be there.
Been dreaming dreaming dreaming. When did the angel fade from white,
Lost her place in the clouds,
Took her queues from the night.
Set appart by the fall that destroyed her grace,
But the heat from the flames never touched her face.
Arise in the day of the blazing sun,
Saw above all the hate in the need of blood,
I was pressed to succum to the dragging down,
Yeah my hand grabbed the line and I pulled me out.
Oh oh oh from a back to forth,
It's just a go go go from the side to north.
Listen no no no can′t sell me short,
It's just a oh oh oh, just a row oh oh.
I′m getting somewhere,
I'm getting somewhere.
I'm gonna be there,
I′m gonna be there.
Been dreaming dreaming dreaming.
The lyrics to Nikki & Rich's song "Dreaming" can be interpreted in a variety of ways, but at its core, the song is about overcoming obstacles and achieving one's dreams. The repeated references to an angel losing her wings and dreaming suggest a desire for something more, something beyond the limitations of everyday life. The line "all the gold melted down and the gates were closed" could be interpreted as a reference to the end of a golden age, a time when things were easier and opportunities were more plentiful, perhaps suggesting a feeling of disillusionment or frustration with the state of the world. This is contrasted with the subsequent line "life was revealed and the past exposed", which could be seen as a call to action, a reminder that despite setbacks and obstacles, we have the power to shape our own destiny.
As the song progresses, the theme of resilience and determination becomes more pronounced. The line "forced to dig a hole to be a home for the dream" suggests that success often requires hard work and sacrifice, but that ultimately, the rewards are worth it. The repeated refrain of "I'm getting somewhere/I'm gonna be there/Been dreaming dreaming dreaming" reinforces this idea, suggesting a sense of momentum and forward progress.
Overall, "Dreaming" is a song about the importance of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity. Whether interpreted as a personal anthem or a broader commentary on the state of the world, the message is clear: no matter how difficult things may seem, there is always hope.
Line by Line Meaning
When did the angel loose her wings,
At what point did the heavenly creature lose her ability to fly, when she decided to pursue her dreams and left the safety of the ground.
When she flew from the ground and adopted dreams.
When the angel chose to fly above the earth and live out her aspirations.
All the gold melted down and the gates were closed,
The riches that once existed are no longer present, and access to higher possibilities have been cut off.
Life was revealed and the past exposed.
Unveiled the true nature of existence and showed what had been hidden in the past.
Sent away from the land of the green,
Banished from the place of prosperity and abundance.
Forced to dig a hole to be a home for the dream.
Compelled to carve out a space to nurture her aspirations.
Betcha never thought I'd get out of the fields,
You probably never expected that I would ascend beyond my humble circumstances.
That's what gave me life and time really heals.
It was those experiences that provided me with a purpose and the ability to move forward.
Oh oh oh from a back to forth,
Alternating movements from one position to another.
It's just a go go go from the side to north.
Continuously progressing forward from one side to the north pole.
Listen no no no can't sell me short,
Refusing to be underestimated or undervalued.
It's just a oh oh oh, just a row oh oh.
A simple, rhythmic pattern representing the repetitive nature of progress.
I'm getting somewhere,
Progressing towards my desired destination.
I'm gonna be there,
I have faith that I will reach my goal.
Been dreaming dreaming dreaming.
I have been hoping and aspiring for some time now.
When did the angel fade from white,
At what moment did the celestial being lose its purity or innocence.
Lost her place in the clouds,
No longer residing in the lofty, heavenly realm.
Took her queues from the night.
Received inspiration or guidance from the darkness rather than the light.
Set appart by the fall that destroyed her grace,
Separated from the divine by the downfall that eliminated her beauty and elegance.
But the heat from the flames never touched her face.
The inferno did not directly harm the angel, but rather affected her from afar.
Arise in the day of the blazing sun,
Rising up and shining brightly in the midst of harsh circumstances.
Saw above all the hate in the need of blood,
Recognized the importance of unity and self-sacrifice above all the animosity and conflict.
I was pressed to succum to the dragging down,
Felt the pressure to give in to the discouragement and pessimism in the face of adversity.
Yeah my hand grabbed the line and I pulled me out.
But I grasped onto hope and pulled myself out of the despair.
Writer(s): Leonti Nikki Dame, Velonskis Richard Alan
Contributed by Abigail H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.