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.”
Daydream
Tori Kelly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fought off the empty lies that once ruled your past
Right when you think you've won jump three steps back
So now you find yourself stuck in your own trap
They try to dirty up your name
But it's all a game
Baby you don't have to know exactly who you are
Because figuring it all out could be the best part
Don't quit your daydream
Don't forget to breathe
Who you want to be is only up to you
Sometimes you may crawl
Let them think that you're small
'Cause it's so worth the fall when you land where you want to
Tried almost everything still spinning around
But one thing you haven't tried is erase every doubt
Keep both feet on the ground while your head's in the cloud
And when you feel like giving up listen to these sounds
And make sure you
Don't quit your daydream
Don't forget to breathe
Who you want to be is only up to you
Sometimes you may crawl
Let them think that you're small
'Cause it's so worth the fall when you land where you want to
You don't have to know exactly
Who you are just let your lead
It's so worth the trials that you're going through
So just enjoy the fall when you land where you want to
Don't quit your daydream
Don't forget to breathe
Who you want to be is only up to you
Sometimes you may crawl
Let them think that you're small
'Cause it's so worth the fall when you land where you want to
Baby you don't have to know exactly who you are
Because figuring it all out could be the best part
Daydream by Tori Kelly is an empowering song that encourages individuals to hold on when faced with obstacles and pursue their dreams. In the opening lines, Kelly reminds listeners to hold on to their dreams no matter the circumstance. She admonishes listeners to turn away from negative thoughts and people who discourage them from pursuing their aspirations. Instead, individuals should cling to their dream and continue to fight for what they love despite the setbacks. While it may seem like a difficult feat to accomplish, especially when people are trying to ‘dirty up’ one's name, it shouldn't be a big deal if one does not know precisely who they are; figuring it out is part of the process.
The song highlights the importance of perseverance and self-confidence. One of the most intriguing lines in the song is “Sometimes you may crawl, let them think that you're small, 'Cause it's so worth the fall when you land where you want to.” The line implies that it is okay to take a step back and let others underestimate one's abilities—if that means ultimately landing where one wants to be. In other words, sometimes it's okay to let people believe in one's inadequacies because ultimately, the end goal is worth the fall. As the track progresses, Kelly emphasizes the importance of staying focused on one's dreams, tuning out negativity and doubt, and trusting the journey that leads to one's aspirations.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold on to anything just so don't crash
In order to avoid a disastrous outcome, people are willing to do anything to prevent it.
Fought off the empty lies that once ruled your past
Eliminating past beliefs and falsehoods can be challenging but is necessary in order to progress forward.
Right when you think you've won jump three steps back
Success is not guaranteed and some setbacks can be expected, even after significant progress has been made.
So now you find yourself stuck in your own trap
Sometimes, despite one's best intentions, they can become trapped by their own limiting beliefs.
They try to dirty up your name
Negative energy from others can be directed towards you, in an attempt to undermine your personal growth.
But it's all a game
People will attempt to play mind games in order to gain an advantage, but ultimately, it is up to you how you react to it.
Baby you don't have to know exactly who you are
Self-discovery is a process and you do not need to have all the answers from the outset.
Because figuring it all out could be the best part
The journey towards self-discovery can be just as fulfilling, if not more so, than the destination itself.
Don't quit your daydream
It's important to maintain hope and continue pursuing your dreams.
Don't forget to breathe
When facing adversity, it can be helpful to take a deep breath and remind yourself to remain calm and focused.
Who you want to be is only up to you
Your destiny is in your own hands and you have the power to shape your own future.
Sometimes you may crawl
Progress is not always linear and there may be times when you experience setbacks.
Let them think that you're small
Others may underestimate your abilities, but that does not diminish your worth or potential.
'Cause it's so worth the fall when you land where you want to
The struggles you face on the road to success will be worth it when you finally achieve your goals.
Tried almost everything still spinning around
When it seems like you've exhausted all your options, it can be difficult to know which direction to take.
But one thing you haven't tried is erase every doubt
Clearing your mind of self-doubt and negative thoughts can provide a fresh perspective and renewed sense of determination.
Keep both feet on the ground while your head's in the cloud
While it's important to maintain a sense of groundedness, it's equally important to allow yourself to dream and imagine the possibilities ahead.
And when you feel like giving up listen to these sounds
In moments of weakness, it can be helpful to turn to motivational music or similar sources of inspiration and encouragement.
You don't have to know exactly
It's okay to not have all the answers, especially when it comes to self-discovery and personal growth.
Who you are just let your lead
Allowing yourself to grow and discover who you are organically can be a more rewarding experience than trying to force a particular mold.
It's so worth the trials that you're going through
The challenges you face are a necessary part of your personal journey and will ultimately lead to self-discovery and growth.
So just enjoy the fall when you land where you want to
Even though the road to success may be bumpy, there is beauty to be found in the journey and you should savor all of its ups and downs.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind