Nikki recorded the Ella Fitzgerald classic "Airmail Special" for Verve Records and it was released in June 2007 on the album We All Love Ella: Celebrating the First Lady of Song. Produced by Tommy LiPuma, this track made Yanofsky the youngest singer ever to record for Verve.
In September 2008, Yanofsky released her first full-length album, a live CD/DVD concert package entitled "Ella... Of Thee I Swing". Supported by her production company, A440 Entertainment and distributed in Canada and Japan by Universal Music, it garnered critical acclaim and earned her two Juno Award nominations in 2009: 'New Artist of the Year' and 'Vocal Jazz Album of the Year'. She also won 'Favourite Jazz Artist' at the 2009 Canadian Independent Music Awards.
Songwriters Stephan Moccio and Alan Frew chose Yanofsky to sing CTV’s broadcast theme for the 2010 Winter Olympics, "I Believe.” The Song reached number one on the Canadian Hot 100 on the week of February 27, 2010. This made her the first Canadian artist to have a number one song on that chart since "Girlfriend" by Avril Lavigne topped the chart in 2007. The song was certified “Quadruple Platinum” for digital downloads in April 2010.
Nikki recorded her first studio album, Nikki, with 14-time Grammy Award-winning producer Phil Ramone. Along with the album-release of "I Believe", it includes some of Yanofsky’s first original works—writing in collaboration with Jesse Harris (of Norah Jones fame) as well as fellow Canadian songwriters Ron Sexsmith and Feist. It was released in April 2010 by Decca Records and was supported by an international tour. Nikki earned a Juno nomination for "Vocal Jazz Album of the Year", and won the WAVE Smooth Jazz Award for "Female Vocalist of the Year."
Nikki has performed internationally at jazz festivals and major concert venues both solo and alongside such well-known artists as Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Wyclef Jean, Celine Dion, The late Marvin Hamlisch and The Count Basie Orchestra.
In 2008, Yanofsky received the Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy award from the Quebec Chapter of The Association of Fundraising Professionals. Over her career, she has helped raise over $10 Million for local, national and international charities. She is currently associated with The Montreal Children’s Hospital, The Children’s Wish Foundation and MusiCounts.
http://www.nikkiyanofsky.com
Necessary Evil
Nikki Yanofsky Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(My necessary evil)
Come baby time to play, you know I want it bad, you too
Yeah baby its okay if it drives me mad, cuckoo
Maybe I love it, maybe I need it
Maybe there ain't no other way to try and please me
So don't you, don't you tell me no,
(My necessary evil)
Yeah I'm in control,
(My necessary evil)
Guilty pleasure is a way to go,
(My necessary evil)
So don't you get emotional,
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
I should lose these wicked ways, I know this can't be good for you
So tell me that you love these games, you don't mind being used do you?
Maybe I love it, maybe I need it
Maybe there aint no other way to try and please me
Yeah there might be hell to pay, but right now I got it made
So don't you, don't you tell me no,
(My necessary evil)
Yeah I'm in control,
(My necessary evil )
Guilty pleasure is a way to go,
(My necessary evil)
So don't you get emotional
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
Take it to the heart or take it to the head
I took it too far, going back on what I said
Feels good till its done, then I'm on the run
I'm dangerous like a loaded gun
So don't you, don't you tell me no,
(My necessary evil)
Yeah I'm in control,
(My necessary evil)
Guilty pleasure is a way to go,
(My necessary evil)
So don't you get emotional,
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
(My necessary evil)
The song "Necessary Evil" by Nikki Yanofsky is about a person who is in a relationship that they know is not good for them, but they cannot resist. They describe their partner as a necessary evil, acknowledging that their actions and behavior are not positive, but they need this person in their life. The singer confesses that they might be addicted to the relationship, needing the attention and control that comes with it. However, they also acknowledge the potential consequences of their actions and the potential harm that could come from continuing in this relationship.
Throughout the song, the singer switches between wanting to change their ways and wanting to continue with their current behavior. They describe their relationship as a guilty pleasure and an addiction in equal measure. They are torn between their need for this person and their desire to better themselves. Ultimately, though, the song ends on a somewhat ambiguous note, with the singer continuing to refer to their partner as a necessary evil.
Overall, "Necessary Evil" is a complex and emotionally charged exploration of an unhealthy relationship, with the singer admitting that their need for their partner is complicated and fraught with danger.
Line by Line Meaning
Come baby time to play, you know I want it bad, you too
The singer is inviting someone to engage in a potentially reckless or immoral act, indicating that they are attracted to them and want to indulge in their desire despite potential consequences.
Maybe I love it, maybe I need it/Maybe there ain't no other way to try and please me
The singer acknowledges that their desires may be unconventional or even harmful, but suggests that this is the only way for them to find pleasure or satisfaction in a relationship.
So don't you, don't you tell me no, (My necessary evil)
The singer demands that their desires be fulfilled and attempts to justify this by referring to their impulses as a 'necessary' evil, suggesting that their partner is obligated to comply.
Yeah I'm in control, (My necessary evil)/Guilty pleasure is a way to go, (My necessary evil)
The artist revels in their feeling of dominance and control over their partner, while also likening their indulgence in this behavior to a 'guilty pleasure' – something that is enjoyable but carries negative connotations or risks associated with it.
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil (My necessary evil)/I should lose these wicked ways, I know this can't be good for you
The artist acknowledges that their behavior is harmful or problematic for their partner, but suggests that they cannot help acting this way due to their own desires or impulses. They also refer to their partner as an 'evil' – something that is necessary but not positive or beneficial.
Feels good till its done, then I'm on the run/I'm dangerous like a loaded gun
The singer suggests that their behavior is reckless or even violent, likening themselves to a dangerous weapon. They also suggest that they experience a rush of gratification from their actions but then retreat or try to escape responsibility for the consequences.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: HARMONY SAMUELS, CHARLES AZNAVOUR, COURTNEY HARRELL, NIKKI YANOVSKY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Teodora Ionel
(My necessary)
(My necessary evil)
Come baby time to play, you know I want it bad, you too
Yeah baby its okay if it drives me mad, cuckoo
Maybe I love it, maybe I need it
Maybe there ain't no other way to try and please me
No matter how it all goes down, I just know I want you now
So don't you, don't you tell me no,
(My necessary evil)
Yeah I'm in control,
(My necessary evil)
Guilty pleasure is a way to go,
(My necessary evil)
So don't you get emotional,
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
I should lose these wicked ways, I know this can't be good for you
So tell me that you love these games, you don't mind being used do you?
Maybe I love it, maybe I need it
Maybe there aint no other way to try and please me
Yeah there might be hell to pay, but right now I got it made
So don't you, don't you tell me no,
(My necessary evil)
Yeah I'm in control,
(My necessary evil )
Guilty pleasure is a way to go,
(My necessary evil)
So don't you get emotional
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
Take it to the heart or take it to the head
I took it too far, going back on what I said
Feels good till its done, then I'm on the run
I'm dangerous like a loaded gun
So don't you, don't you tell me no,
(My necessary evil)
Yeah I'm in control,
(My necessary evil)
Guilty pleasure is a way to go,
(My necessary evil)
So don't you get emotional,
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
(My necessary evil)
Ade_MDFK
Come baby time to play, you know I want it bad, you too
Yeah baby its okay if it drives me mad, cuckoo
Maybe I love it, maybe I need it
Maybe there ain't no other way to try and please me
No matter how it all goes down, I just know I want you now
So don't you, don't you tell me no,
(My necessary evil)
Yeah I'm in control,
(My necessary evil)
Guilty pleasure is a way to go,
(My necessary evil)
So don't you get emotional,
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
I should lose these wicked ways, I know this can't be good for you
So…
Dumitrache Andreea
Lyrics
Come baby time to play, you know I want it bad, you too
Yeah baby its okay if it drives me mad, cuckoo
Maybe I love it, maybe I need it
Maybe there ain't no other way to try and please me
No matter how it all goes down, I just know I want you now
So don't you, don't you tell me no,
(My necessary evil)
Yeah I'm in control,
(My necessary evil)
Guilty pleasure is a way to go,
(My necessary evil)
So don't you get emotional,
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
I should lose these wicked ways, I know this can't be good for you
So tell me that you love these games, you don't mind being used do you?
Maybe I love it, maybe I need it
Maybe there aint no other way to try and please me
Yeah there might be hell to pay, but right now I got it made
So don't you, don't you tell me no,
(My necessary evil)
Yeah I'm in control,
(My necessary evil )
Guilty pleasure is a way to go,
(My necessary evil)
So don't you get emotional
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
Take it to the heart or take it to the head
I took it too far, going back on what I said
Feels good till its done, then I'm on the run
I'm dangerous like a loaded gun
So don't you, don't you tell me no,
(My necessary evil)
Yeah I'm in control,
(My necessary evil)
Guilty pleasure is a way to go,
(My necessary evil)
So don't you get emotional,
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a necessary evil
(My necessary evil)
Baby you ain't nothing but a neces sary evil
(My necessary evil)
Ramen Analysis
This song is criminally underrated.
SE Davideo
Remember when this song was insanely popular for like a month and now the entire world doesn't remember it?
S O F I A
Hi 2014
Jordian Captain
Omfg honestly. I remembered the video but for the life of me couldn't remember her name or the name of song for months.. big relief off my shoulders I found it again. Lol
Abby Petit
Just found it today in 2019. She sounds amazing. I think I might listen to more of her. I like her sound.
Iolanda Kovacs
Omg I remember that I loved this song so much as a kid! Lol
Jamie Eisenbach
Sadly but she is on of my Favorite artists. Amazing range and control.
MyBaday
She deserve to be more famous, she got a real talent
Jackie Psarianos
Love this arrangement, crystal clear vocals....keep evolving Nikki! Great job!!
Robsie
I'm so happy i found you as an artist. Your music is amazing. Not even sure how i stumbled upon you, but i love it!