On โBad Intentionsโโa raw but smoldering R&B ballad whose lyric video shot to more than a million views soon after its January 2014 release, largely on the strength of her staggering social-media presenceโNiykeeโs near-lifelong devotion to sharpening her songwriting is more than evident. โI realized early on that the only way to make my voice heard and say what I wanted to was through music,โ says Niykee, whose older sister Rachel battled cancer for most of her life and died when Niykee was 12. โIt was less like a hobby for me and more like a lifesaver,โ she adds. Since her family couldnโt financially support her musical education, Niykee gave herself vocal training by singing along to a Diana Ross greatest-hits CD, and learned to play guitar by holing up in her room with an acoustic handed down to her by a family friend. And when it came to her songwriting, Niykee relied on a natural sense of rhythm she attributes both to her South African roots and passion for hip-hop, yet also drew a great deal of inspiration from the bare-bones authenticity of singer/songwriters like Bob Dylan and Tom Waits (two artists beloved by her sister and older brother).
In her early teens, Niykee began posting pop covers on YouTube while continuing to cultivate her songwriting. โOn Friday and Saturday nights when all the other kids were going out, I was staying home and writing songs or, when I got a little older, driving hours to some broke-down bar and begging them to let me get up and play,โ says Niykee, who struggled with bullying throughout her school years. โI was doing everything I could to move my music along, but nothing was working out at all.โ Having promised her sister that sheโd make an impact with her songs, Niykee told her parents that sheโd put songwriting aside and go to college if her music career hadnโt made any major strides by the time she turned 18. Then, the day before her 18th birthdayโand shortly after sheโd ditched the pop covers and started posting her acoustic takes on tracks by hip-hop artists like Chief Keef, A$AP Rocky, Lil Wayne, and Pusha TโNiykee wound up on WorldstarHipHop and found herself fielding interest from a flood of record labels. Instead of aligning herself with a label right away, she graduated high school six months early and self-financed the recording of a host of her own songs, eventually signing with Steve Rifkind and Russell Simmonsโ All Def Music and setting to work on her debut EP.
With her personal highlights so far including getting hand-picked by Snoop Dogg to accompany him onstage at the YouTube Brandcast in May 2013, Niykee has kept up a steady songwriting routine despite the whirlwind of recent years. Now a magnet for up-and-coming producers, she constantly combs through beats sent her way and finds that many end up sparking song ideas. โIโll know if a beatโs good after the first five seconds, and then Iโll get a song in my head and start writing immediately,โ she says. โI go out to my back porch with my guitar and the words just come, and usually itโs all done in under 30 minutes.โ As she continues develop as a lyricist, Niykee notes that the pain of her past serves as an endless source of unlikely inspiration. โEven when Iโm not writing literally about things that have happened to me, all the pain of my childhood and losing my sister ends up getting pushed into my music,โ she says. โIt shapes my songs and builds this deeper meaning under everything, which is one the most important things to meโI need to know that I could listen to any of my songs 20 years from now, and still be proud of what I had to say.โ
Say Yeah
Niykee Heaton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the simplest terms
the most convenient definitions
But what we found out is that each of us
is a brain, and an athlete
and a basket case, a princess, and a criminal
Does that answer your question?
Sincerely yours
Dark skies and its dang cold
Pretty eyes and a rain coat
So high can't even remember my name
But we got that fire and I know why
We ain't gonna die tonight
Cause we see that gold
We got that summer daze, yeah
Ready, set, go
You gotta fuck it, say yeah
Tonight, we'll do all the thing we wanna do
like, just go
You gotta fuck it, say yeah
Packed whip on a full tank
All sip from the same drink
Nowhere to go
Nowhere to stay
Under this sky, after tonight
We'll wonder why we're not the same
Cause we see that gold
We got that summer daze, yeah
Ready, set, go
You gotta fuck it, say yeah
Tonight, we'll do all the thing we wanna do
like, just go
You gotta fuck it, say yeah
Fuck it, if it feels right
Hold me till it's over
All we got is one time
We ain't going home
Cause we see that gold
We got that summer daze, yeah
Ready, set, go
You gotta fuck it, say yeah
Tonight, we'll do all the thing we wanna do
like, just go
You gotta fuck it, say yeah
In the first stanza, Niykee Heaton emphasizes that people judge others based on their external appearance or status. She explains how people simplify individuals down into basic labels or stereotypes that can fit into their world, making their lives easier. However, Heaton opposes this idea and suggests that every person is complex and multi-dimensional. The metaphor of โbrain, athlete, basket case, princess, and a criminalโ implies that people are not one-sided; they possess various attributes that cannot be narrowed down. Therefore, she proposes the question โDoes that answer your question?โ as an answer to those who want to categorize others based on a single factor.
In the second stanza, Niykee Heaton talks about the freedom and excitement that comes with letting go of all inhibitions and doing what one desires. The lyrics describe the feeling of being high and free, embracing the moment without any thoughts of tomorrow, as if they will not die. However, the word โgoldโ represents more than just material wealth. Instead, it can be interpreted as an attitude or a mindset that embodies confidence, strength, and a seize-the-moment mentality. This new perspective implies that by living in the moment and embracing one's authenticity, one can attain the โgoldโ that is true happiness.
Overall, the song reflects a theme of living in the moment, taking risks, and following one's desires. It empowers listeners to discard any doubts or fears and live life to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
You see us as you want to see us
People often view others based on their own biases and preconceptions
In the simplest terms
People tend to oversimplify and generalize others
the most convenient definitions
People impose their own definitions on others for their own convenience
But what we found out is that each of us
However, the truth is that every person is complex and multifaceted
is a brain, and an athlete
People possess intellect and physical abilities
and a basket case, a princess, and a criminal
People also have emotions, vulnerabilities, and past experiences that shape them
Does that answer your question?
So, instead of categorizing individuals, try getting to know and appreciate them as individuals
Dark skies and its dang cold
The weather is unpleasantly cloudy and chilly
Pretty eyes and a rain coat
Despite the weather, someone still looks attractive and fashionable
So high can't even remember my name
The person is significantly intoxicated
But we got that fire and I know why
Despite the circumstances, the person feels confident and energized
We ain't gonna die tonight
The person is optimistic about their chances of surviving the night's events
Cause we see that gold
The person sees the value and potential in their situation
We got that summer daze, yeah
The person feels carefree and euphoric, as if it were summertime
Ready, set, go
The person is prepared to embrace their experience
You gotta fuck it, say yeah
The person is encouraging themselves (and possibly others) to seize the moment and live life to the fullest
Tonight, we'll do all the thing we wanna do
The person plans to indulge in whatever activities they desire for the night
like, just go
The person expresses their carefree and spontaneous attitude
Packed whip on a full tank
The person has a car full and ready to go somewhere
All sip from the same drink
The people are sharing a drink together
Nowhere to go
The person feels free and unbounded
Nowhere to stay
The person does not have a designated place to lodge
Under this sky, after tonight
The person reflects on their experience under the night sky and imagines how they might feel after it's over
We'll wonder why we're not the same
The person will realize how different they are from others, despite being part of the same experience
Fuck it, if it feels right
The person decides to ignore their doubts and embrace their feelings
Hold me till it's over
The person seeks comfort and affection during this time
All we got is one time
The person acknowledges that life is short and they must make the most of their experiences
We ain't going home
The person is determined to keep on living in the moment and enjoying their night
Contributed by Josiah F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ioanamamaliga4677
You see us as you want to see us
In the simplest terms, the most convenient definitions
But what we found out is that each of us is a brain, and an athlete, and a basket case, a princess, and a criminal
Does that answer your question?
Sincerely yours
Dark skies and its dang cold
Pretty eyes and a rain coat
So high can't even remember my name
But we got that fire and I know why
We ain't gonna die tonight
Cause we see that gold
We got that summer daze, yeah
Ready, set, go... You gotta fuck it, say yeah
Tonight, we'll do all the thing we wanna do, like, just go
You gotta fuck it, say yeah
Packed whip on a full tank
All sip from the same drink
Nowhere to go
Nowhere to stay
Under this sky, after tonight
We'll wonder why we're not the same
Cause we see that gold
We got that summer daze, yeah
Ready, set, go... You gotta fuck it, say yeah
Tonight, we'll do all the thing we wanna do, like, just go
You gotta fuck it, say yeah
Fuck it, if it feels right
Hold me till it's over
All we got is one time
We ain't going home
Cause we see that gold
We got that summer daze, yeah
Ready, set, go... You gotta fuck it, say yeah
Tonight, we'll do all the thing we wanna do, like, just go
You gotta fuck it, say yeah
@albertcooper6420
Hooked on them vocals on ponit
@scarlettscott2966
I love the beat, this song is so good ๐๐
@OliaBorzhek
MY QUEEN โฅ
@thebrownivory9670
i love her music man!
@ioanamamaliga4677
You see us as you want to see us
In the simplest terms, the most convenient definitions
But what we found out is that each of us is a brain, and an athlete, and a basket case, a princess, and a criminal
Does that answer your question?
Sincerely yours
Dark skies and its dang cold
Pretty eyes and a rain coat
So high can't even remember my name
But we got that fire and I know why
We ain't gonna die tonight
Cause we see that gold
We got that summer daze, yeah
Ready, set, go... You gotta fuck it, say yeah
Tonight, we'll do all the thing we wanna do, like, just go
You gotta fuck it, say yeah
Packed whip on a full tank
All sip from the same drink
Nowhere to go
Nowhere to stay
Under this sky, after tonight
We'll wonder why we're not the same
Cause we see that gold
We got that summer daze, yeah
Ready, set, go... You gotta fuck it, say yeah
Tonight, we'll do all the thing we wanna do, like, just go
You gotta fuck it, say yeah
Fuck it, if it feels right
Hold me till it's over
All we got is one time
We ain't going home
Cause we see that gold
We got that summer daze, yeah
Ready, set, go... You gotta fuck it, say yeah
Tonight, we'll do all the thing we wanna do, like, just go
You gotta fuck it, say yeah
@rainmakerjohnson4333
I Love her music! Where she at?!
@livelovelife5791
Love sosa beat in the back ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ
@user-cb9kx1yi7d
Another love song!!!I like !!
@mathilde5153
I love!
@christinacantu5906
YEAH