Tori Kelly first rose to attention when her cover of Frank Ocean’s “Thinkin Bout You,” went viral, racking up over 22 million views. To date, her YouTube channel boasts over ONE MILLION YouTube Subscribers with over 89 million views. Now, two EP’s later Handmade Songs, which Kelly self-penned, produced, mixed and released, and Foreword, she plans to release her first full length debut this spring.
Kelly co-wrote “Nobody Love” off her 2015 Spring debut alongside Rickard Goransson and Max Martin. Martin says, "After hearing Tori sing, we felt so inspired that we had no choice but to get involved. It’s been such a pleasure to be a part of her journey.” She also co-wrote with such vets as Savan Kotecha, Toby Gad, Claude Kelly, Chuck Harmony, Wolf Cousins, and Ed Sheeran. The album, she says, does not depart from her soulful roots. “It’s like a marriage between that soulful urban thing and a mainstream pop vibe. It was hard to get to that place, but once we had ‘Nobody Love,’ I knew we’d cracked the code. It felt seamless.”
Working with one of the most successful hit makers in the industry is a long way from Kelly’s early years making songs in her bedroom and posting them online. Born and raised in Temecula, California, Kelly is the daughter of musicians, her dad is a singer and bassist and her mom plays piano and saxophone. She sites early influences like gospel singer Crystal Lewis, Jill Scott, Jeff Buckley, and Maxwell.
Over the past year and a half, Kelly has sold out shows in several major cities (including The Troubadour and The Roxy in Los Angeles, the Bowery Ballroom and Gramercy Theatre in New York City, and Bush Hall in London), headlined a nine-city sold-out U.S. tour, and supported Ed Sheeran, and Sam Smith on tour.
“I'm excited to get out and play for people. That's always the dream.”
City Dove
Tori Kelly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But every time I look around
All I see is how we're holdin' on
Don't ask me what's wrong or right
I don't even know the time
All I know is I'm holdin' on
I haven't figured anything out
City dove, fly between the buildings and fences
Soft inside but rough on the edges
Waitin' here for something to come just holdin' on, oh-oh
City dove, fly between the stars and the headlights
Passin' by the clouds and the street signs
Knowin' that there's something to come, just holdin' on
I don't really know my fate
I just know I'm on my way
There will be mistakes movin' on
I try to get to the heart of it
Fly low but lookin' for Heaven
I know, I know I'm holdin' on
I won't figure everything out
I'll never figure everything everything everything out
City dove, fly between the buildings and fences
Soft inside but rough on the edges
Waitin' here for something to come just holdin' on, oh-oh
City dove, fly between the stars and the headlights
Passin' by the clouds and the street signs
Knowin' that there's something to come, just holdin' on
(City dove, you fly high)
(City dove, you fly high)
(City dove, the headlights)
(City dove, the headlights)
(City dove, the street signs)
Waitin' here for something to come, just holdin' on, oh
Fly between the stars and the headlights (city dove, you fly high)
Passing by the clouds and the street signs (city dove, the headlights)
Knowin' that there's something to come, just holdin' on, oh, yeah (city dove, the headlights)
Tori Kelly's song "City Dove" appears to be about uncertainty and holding on in the face of it. The song begins with Kelly stating that she doesn't know what's going on around her but what she does see is how she and others are holding on. She admits to not knowing what's right or wrong and not even knowing the time, but still holding on. She reiterates this feeling of not having things figured out and continues to hold on throughout the song.
The City Dove is used as a metaphor for Kelly's journey, the verses describe the Dove flying around the city, between buildings and stars, waiting for "something to come." The Dove is soft inside but rough around the edges, reflecting Kelly's mixed emotions. In the bridge, Kelly states that she doesn't know her fate, but she knows she's on her way, and mistakes will be made but she'll move on. She also mentions flying low but looking for heaven, which could be interpreted as finding hope and peace despite the uncertainties in her life.
In summary, "City Dove" is a song about holding on to hope and faith amid uncertainty and waiting for something to happen. Kelly's use of the Dove metaphor emphasizes the idea of searching for something beyond the present and being resilient in the face of uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't know what it's all about
I am not sure of what everything means
But every time I look around
Whenever I glance at my surroundings
All I see is how we're holdin' on
I notice how everyone is trying to persevere
Don't ask me what's wrong or right
Please don't inquire about what's correct or incorrect
I don't even know the time
I'm unaware of what time it is
All I know is I'm holdin' on
I am aware that I'm trying my best to endure
I haven't figured anything out
I haven't comprehended anything in particular
City dove, fly between the buildings and fences
Oh, urban pigeon, glide through the structures and boundaries
Soft inside but rough on the edges
Though you seem gentle-hearted, you possess some toughness
Waitin' here for something to come just holdin' on, oh-oh
Staying here anticipating something to happen, still persevering
I don't really know my fate
I am not entirely sure of what destiny holds for me
I just know I'm on my way
I'm aware that I'm on a path to somewhere
There will be mistakes movin' on
As I keep progressing, there will be errors
I try to get to the heart of it
I attempt to reach the truth of it
Fly low but lookin' for Heaven
I may seem humbled, but I strive for paradise
I won't figure everything out
I will not comprehend all things
City dove, fly between the stars and the headlights
Oh, urban pigeon, soar between the celestial bodies and the car lights
Passin' by the clouds and the street signs
Going past the atmospheric masses and the traffic symbols
Knowin' that there's something to come, just holdin' on
Being certain that something will occur, simply persevering
(City dove, you fly high)
(Oh, urban pigeon, ascend high)
(City dove, you fly high)
(Oh, urban pigeon, ascend high)
(City dove, the headlights)
(Oh, urban pigeon, the car lights)
(City dove, the headlights)
(Oh, urban pigeon, the car lights)
(City dove, the street signs)
(Oh, urban pigeon, the traffic symbols)
Waitin' here for something to come, just holdin' on, oh
Remaining here expecting something to happen, still persevering
Fly between the stars and the headlights (city dove, you fly high)
Glide between the celestial bodies and the car lights (oh, urban pigeon, ascend high)
Passing by the clouds and the street signs (city dove, the headlights)
Going past the atmospheric masses and the traffic symbols (oh, urban pigeon, the car lights)
Knowin' that there's something to come, just holdin' on, oh, yeah (city dove, the headlights)
Being certain that something will occur, simply persevering (oh, urban pigeon, the car lights)
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: - ILYA, VICTORIA LOREN KELLY, LALEH POURKARIM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Astana
Don't know what it's all about
But every time I look around
All I see is how we're holdin' on
Don't ask me what's wrong or right
I don't even know the time
All I know is I'm holdin' on
I haven't figured anything out
I haven't figured anything anything anything out
City dove, fly between the buildings and fences
Soft inside but rough on the edges
Waiting here for something to come just holdin' on
City dove, fly between the stars and the headlights
Passin' by the clouds and the street signs
Knowing that there's something to come, just holdin' on
I don't really know my fate
I just know I'm on my way
There will be mistakes movin' on
Try to get to the heart of it
Fly low but lookin' for Heaven
I know, I know I'm holding on
I won't figure everything out
I'll never figure everything everything everything out
City dove, fly between the buildings and fences
Soft inside but rough on the edges
Waiting here for something to come just holdin' on
City dove, fly between the stars and the headlights
Passin' by the clouds and the street signs
Knowing that there's something to come, just holdin' on
Ruby Edwards
LYRICS FOR THOSE WHO WANT THEM <3
Dunno what it's all about
but every time I look around
all I see is how, we're holding on
don't ask me what's wrong or right
I don't even know the time
all I know is I'm, holding on
I haven't figured anything out
I haven't figured anything, anything, anything out
City dove
fly between the buildings and fences
soft inside but rough on the edges
waiting here for something to come
just holding on, oh
City dove
fly between the stars and the headlights
passing by the clouds and the street signs
knowing that there's something to come
just holding on
I don't really know my fate
I just know I'm on my way
there will be mistakes
moving on
I try to get to the heart of it
fly low but looking for heaven
I know, I know I'm holding on
I won't figure everything out
I'll never figure everything, everything, everything out
City dove
fly between the buildings and fences
soft inside but rough on the edges
waiting here for something to come
just holding on, oh
City dove
fly between the stars and the headlights
passing by the clouds and the street signs
knowing that there's something to come
just holding on, oh
... amazing tori high notes as usual
City dove
fly between the stars and the headlights
passing by the clouds and the street signs
knowing that there's something to come
just holding on, oh yea
<3
Ginalyn Salvania
"City Dove"
Don't know what it's all about
But every time I look around
All I see is how we're holdin' on
Don't ask me what's wrong or right
I don't even know the time
All I know is I'm holdin' on
I haven't figured anything out
I haven't figured anything anything anything out
City dove, fly between the buildings and fences
Soft inside but rough on the edges
Waiting here for something to come just holdin' on
Ohhh,
City dove, fly between the stars and the headlights
Passin' by the clouds and the street signs
Knowing that there's something to come, just holdin' on
I don't really know my fate
I just know I'm on my way
There will be mistakes movin' on
Try to get to the heart of it
Fly low but lookin' for Heaven
I know, I know I'm holding on
I won't figure everything out
I'll never figure everything everything everything out
City dove, fly between the buildings and fences
Soft inside but rough on the edges
Waiting here for something to come just holdin' on
Ohhh,
City dove, fly between the stars and the headlights
Passin' by the clouds and the street signs
Knowing that there's something to come, just holdin' on
Ohhh, ohhhh yeah, ohhh, waiting here for something to come, just holdin' on ooon...
Fly between the stars and the headlights
Passin' by the clouds and the street signs
Knowing that there's something to come, just holdin' on, ooonnnn...
genesiating
Everyone needs to experience tori singing city dove live. at LEAST once. truly a spiritual experience..
Shania Nicole
Heyy ...and that's why you never get any.
AlwaysLit Texting
Shania Kirkwood any of you? no thanks
Taylor I
+genesiating I'm going sept 23!!!!! so excited
Sharrknado
+Shania Kirkwood ha! good one
Tusekah
This would work great as a movie soundtrack
Miracle Martin
Right! At the end of a movie that was so emotionally impacting.
Luke Kirby
Sethu njoko agreed
Ari’s Vocals
I agree
Sandy Bluu
Sethu njoko :)