Born to Norw… Read Full Bio ↴Nouela is a multi-instrumentalist/singer from Seattle.
Born to Norwegian and Korean parents, Nouela Johnston spent the first 11 years of her life living in Korea and learning to love music.
In her own words: "My parents were both music professors when I was growing up. My mom has a doctorate from Juilliard, my dad has a PhD in composition from Princeton. They were both such hardcore musicians who spent their entire lives practicing, they essentially decided they didn't want that for their children. They raised me in a musical vacuum. I really didn't have too much to listen to in the house other than my mother's classical playing/practicing and my father's records, which were the Beach Boys, Pet Shop Boys, Beatles, Kraftwerk, Monk, Mingus, and some Weird Al Yankovic."
Emerging from this distinctive musical climate, Nouela performed her first piano recital at the age of 4. At 11 she moved to Seattle and immediately joined her school's jazz band."I wanted to learn how to play everything. I took guitar and flute lessons, then branched to clarinet, saxophone, jazz piano, and bass. In high school I started playing shows in jazz combos for money, and started fucking around on drums. I really just wanted to learn the bembe beat for drum set because a clinic teacher said it was the hardest beat he's ever learned. The main line to the bembe is in 'Doubts.'
Nouela spent her teens and early twenties fronting bands (Mon Frere, People Eating People) and cut her musical teeth recording and touring with both local Seattle groups and national acts (The Fall Of Troy, Say Hi, Schoolyard Heroes, Cursive). After having worked with a diverse stable of musicians and producers including members of The Blood Brothers and Minus the Bear, Nouela decided to streamline her creative processes and play nearly every instrument herself on debut album Chants, even going so far as taking on the role of co-producer.
Regrets
Nouela Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
every breathe you take
is a hurricane
and you'll often make a mess
see how far you can get
before it all comes crashing down
I never minded all the lies
I could always tell
I didn't mind the whispering around
you needed it, to feel something good
and if you ever look back in shame
please remember I'll always know your name
and if you said stop
all the planets and stars would fall
you needed the cast
cause god forbid
youre ever alone
with your thoughts
and if you ever look back in shame
I'll will always remember your name
I'll will always
remember
your name
The lyrics to Nouela's song Regrets, speak about a complicated relationship that seems to be plagued by lies and instability. The singer is describing a person who has a tendency to create chaos in their life, and who often finds themselves in the midst of a mess. Despite all of this, the singer doesn't seem to mind the lies that this person tells, as they can always "tell how sadly [they] were." It seems as if this person might be struggling with some sort of mental health issue or addiction, which causes them to seek out chaos and drama as a way of finding temporary relief.
The singer empathizes with this person, recognizing that they need the drama and the "cast" of people around them to distract them from their own thoughts. They are willing to overlook the lies and the chaos because they understand that this person is hurting and needs support. However, they also recognize that the relationship is not healthy, and that it could all come crashing down at any moment. Despite this, they are willing to stand by this person and remember their name, even if they look back in shame.
Overall, the lyrics to Regrets explore themes of loyalty, empathy, and the complexities of relationships. The singer recognizes that this person is imperfect and flawed, but they also see the good in them and are willing to stand by them through thick and thin.
Line by Line Meaning
I never know what to think of you
I am always confused about what kind of person you truly are
every breathe you take
Every action you take has a huge impact on me
is a hurricane
It brings with it chaos and disaster
and you'll often make a mess
You will frequently create an untidy and perplexing situation
see how far you can get
Go as far as you can without falling apart
before it all comes crashing down
Before the destruction and ruin becomes inevitable
I never minded all the lies
I was always willing to overlook your falsehoods
I could always tell
I always knew that you were struggling internally
how sadly you were
The despair and sorrow that consumed you
I didn't mind the whispering around
I did not pay much attention to the gossip and rumors others were spreading about you
you needed it, to feel something good
You craved the attention and approval that the whispers brought you
and if you ever look back in shame
If you ever regret and feel guilty for the things you have done
please remember I'll always know your name
I will always remember who you truly are
and if you said stop
If you ever decided to end this destructive cycle
all the planets and stars would fall
This relationship is so tumultuous that its end would have tremendous consequences
you needed the cast
You required the role you played and the attention it brought you
cause god forbid
Because it was unacceptable to be left alone with your thoughts
youre ever alone
The very thought of being isolated was unbearable for you
with your thoughts
With the turmoil and confusion that existed within your mind
and if you ever look back in shame
If someday you regret the decisions you have made
I'll will always remember your name
I will always remember who you are and what you have done
I'll will always
I will never forget
remember
Hold on to the memory of who you were and what you did
your name
The identity of who you truly were
Contributed by Carter C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.