Nikki Webster was born in Sydney, New South Wales on 30 April 1987. Her first appearance on stage was at the age of four and she appeared in her first commercial at the age of six. In 1994, she was a member of the cast of Aladdin and made a guest appearance on Home and Away. In 1995, she was in the ensemble cast of an Australian production of Cinderella and made a guest appearance on ABC TV's G. P.
Nikki went to MLC School in Burwood until Year 10, before enrolling in The McDonald College of the Performing Arts in North Strathfield, New South Wales. There, she attended drama, ballet, musical theatre, and singing tuition, as well as obtaining her Higher School Certificate in Business Studies, Music, Dance, Drama, Unit 2 English and General Mathematics, achieving a university admissions index of 56.35. Although she was rather disappointed with her mark (she was aiming for an 80), she knew she gave her Higher School Certificate her best shot and "a run for its money" whilst it lasted.
Webster won her first billed stage appearance as Young Cosette in Les Misérables in 1997-98. There she worked with Dave Willetts and Rachael Beck. She also guest-hosted Midday in 1998 with Kerri-Anne Kennerley. In 1999, Nikki Webster won the role of Brigitta von Trapp in The Sound of Music with Lisa McCune and continued to perform in the role into 2000. In 2000 she became a household name in Australia following her performance as "Hero Girl" at the opening ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Her song "We'll Be One" was released as a single in Australia in 2000 and went gold.
Webster signed a contract with BMG after her success in the Olympics and her first single "Strawberry Kisses" reached #2 on the Australian singles charts in 2001 holding the position for over 9 weeks and went double platinum. Her debut album Follow Your Heart also went platinum with second single "Depend on Me" going top 20 and third single "The Best Days"/"Over the Rainbow" going top 20. She also starred as Dorothy in an Australian stage performance of The Wizard of Oz in 2001/02. Webster was nominated for an ARIA Award for Best Selling album and she won a John O'Keefe Encouragement Award at the 2001 Mo Awards.
Webster's 2002 BLISS album also went gold with first single "Something More Beautiful" going gold and second single "24/7 (Crazy 'bout Your Smile)" also reaching the top 20.
Later, Webster released a cover version of "Dancing in the Street" by Martha and the Vandellas which reached the top twenty while her 2004 single "Let's Dance" also reached the top 20 in Australia. A greatest hits album was released soon afterwards.
Webster also appeared in one episode of Australian TV series Thank God You're Here as a cast member.
In May 2007, Webster played the lead role of Sheila in a Perth production of the rock musical Hair along with Rob Mills and Cosima De Vito.
In September 2007, Webster raised eyebrows by performing as a wind-up doll at the Sydney gay and lesbian dance party Sleaze Ball. This and her October 2006 photoshoot appearance in men's magazine FHM was seen as an attempt to mature her image.
Webster regularly appears on the show 20 to 1.
In January 2008, Webster announced she would be opening a performing arts school in February with brother Scott in a bid to help young people get into the industry.
Webster made a guest appearance on the 15 July 2009 episode of The Chaser's War on Everything, in a music video parody of the Barack Obama viral video "Yes We Can", the parody based on Kevin Rudd's speeches.
In 2006, Nikki stated in interviews that she was living and working in Nashville, Tennessee writing with well known writers working on her new album. It was also revealed she headed to Los Angeles to develop a new style of music heading for a more mature Pop sound.
It was announced in May 2009 that Nikki is set to release her first new single in 5 years, "Devilicious", June 12. She performed "Devilicious" on The Morning Show on 8/5/09 in order to promote the single. The song hit #1 in NSW #12 on the ARIA dance chart, #14 on the Australian Singles chart and #1 on the independent music chart.
She announced she is signed to American independent label Piller Records which will become her new label home. Her fourth studio album is rumoured to be released sometime in the near future. Nikki also revealed that the album will be edgy and uplifting. She has confirmed that it will not include her bubblegum pop kind of music and will have a mature dance-pop feel to the album.
As of May 2010 the album is yet to have an official release date or a confirmed second single.
Don't Give Up
Nikki Webster Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're no good at what you do
Have you ever been singled out
'cause you're trying to be you
What ever they say
Just turn your back away
'cause you know deep inside
You're doing the best that you can do
Hold no fear
Don't ever shed a tear
Believe in yourself
Never ever let their hollow words
Ever get you down
Don't give up
Don't give in
Don't let anybody put you in a spin
Don't let go of your dreams
Say to yourself
It's only going to make you stronger
It's only going to lift me higher
Have you ever
Been made to feel
That you dont belong at all
You try to be different
Some people just want to see you fall
Whatever they do
Just try to keep you're cool
'cause you know you've gotta be strong
To do the things you wanna do
Make a stand
It's worth taking a chance
Hold onto your dreams
Never ever let anyone
Else make you loose your way
Don't give up
Don't give in
Don't let anybody put you in a spin
Don't let go of your dreams
Say to yourself
It's only going to make you stronger
It's only going to lift me higher
Whenever you're made to feel all alone
(tell yourself just be strong, just be cool, just be true)
Just remember you sure can stand on your own
Don't give up
Don't give in
Don't let anybody put you in a spin
Don't let go of your dreams
Say to yourself
It's only going to make you stronger
It's only going to lift me higher
Nikki Webster's song "Don't give Up" is a motivational track that encourages listeners to stand up for themselves, hold onto their dreams, and never let anyone bring them down. The song speaks directly to those who have faced discouragement, judgement, and criticism from others because they are perceived as different, non-conforming or not good enough in their respective fields.
The first verse addresses those who have been told that they are not good at what they do, or have been singled out for being themselves. However, the song urges listeners to turn their backs on the negative comments and know that deep down, they are doing the best they can. The chorus then emphasizes the importance of not giving up, not giving in to others' opinions, and not letting anyone put you in a spin - this line alludes to the idea of being thrown off and getting lost, instead, one should stay focused and determined to reach their goals. The second verse continues to highlight that those who are trying to be different are often subjected to criticism and made to feel like they don't belong. However, the message remains - stay strong, cool, and true to oneself, and hold onto your dreams.
Overall, the song is meant to inspire courage, determination, and self-confidence in anyone who needs it. The uplifting message is amplified by the upbeat tempo and rhythm of the song, making it a great tune to listen to when feeling down.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you ever been told that
Have you ever experienced someone telling you that
You're no good at what you do
You lack the skills to excel at what you do
Have you ever been singled out
Have you ever felt ignored and not included
'cause you're trying to be you
Simply because you are attempting to be yourself
Whatever they say
No matter what they say
Just turn your back away
Just ignore them and move forward
'cause you know deep inside
Because you know within yourself
You're doing the best that you can do
You are putting in your best effort
Hold no fear
Do not be afraid
Don't ever shed a tear
Do not cry
Believe in yourself
Have faith in yourself
Never ever let their hollow words
Do not allow their empty words
Ever get you down
To bring you down
Don't give up
Do not quit
Don't give in
Do not surrender
Don't let anybody put you in a spin
Do not let anyone confuse you
Don't let go of your dreams
Do not give up on your aspirations
Say to yourself
Remind yourself
It's only going to make you stronger
It will only make you more resilient
It's only going to lift me higher
It will only elevate you higher
Have you ever
Have you at any point
Been made to feel
Made to experience a particular feeling
That you don't belong at all
That you are completely out of place
You try to be different
Because you attempt to be unique
Some people just want to see you fall
Certain individuals desire to witness your downfall
Whatever they do
Regardless of what they do
Just try to keep your cool
Remain composed
'cause you know you've gotta be strong
Because you recognize the need to be resilient
To do the things you wanna do
To do what you wish to do
Make a stand
Take a firm position
It's worth taking a chance
It is worthwhile to take a risk
Hold onto your dreams
Keep hold of your aspirations
Never ever let anyone
Do not allow anyone
Else make you lose your way
To cause you to lose track of your path
Whenever you're made to feel all alone
Whenever you feel excluded or isolated
(tell yourself just be strong, just be cool, just be true)
(Remind yourself to be strong, composed, and genuine)
Just remember you sure can stand on your own
Simply recall that you are capable of standing on your own two feet
Contributed by London V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@nineteen76
Wow, Sam can bust out a tune as well!! Legends
@williemammoth11
Yes! Totally caught that, she nailed her part!
@imalwaysright
I wanted more!! 😂😂😂
@williemammoth11
Legends indeed! You've inspired so many, at home and across the globe! Thank you and congratulations on a fantastic World Cup, Matildas!!
@zoe-dq5oo
okay, as a 2006 kid whos never heard this song before… strawberry kisses has been on repeat. i get why it was such a banger and why all the matildas are singing along.
@imalwaysright
😂😂😂😂
@trevorwaninara7570
Grew up listening to Nikki Webster -Strawberry Kisses. This was my track from High School days in Australia in the 2000's. Classic.
@carmie9400
Love it! The girls are so stoked! ❤🤣
@SebastianEisenberg
Well done Aussie for coming 4th at the World Cup Nikki Webster signing very good artist and surprising them brilliant
@TyeK95
I’m surprised that Steph didn’t jump in and start busting out them pipes she was by far the most hyped to see Nikki when she came onto the stage!