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.”
Shelter
Tori Kelly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
I know you're alive, but you could be livin'
If they try to bite, then I bite back
I got everything that your life be missin'
Come and share with mama bear, I got you, boy
Ain't nobody ever gonna touch my baby
If I have to mess somebody up, I don't play
When you got one life left inside of you
And you got too much on your plate
What you need is someone to carry you
I'ma hold it down for you
Jump into me, jump, jump into me
Already know what you need
Already know I could be
I could be your shelter
I, I could be your shelter
I'll be your blanket when it's cold
And I'll be your coffee when it snows
And if you get offbeat, I got flows (flows)
I'll be on it, keep it honest, ooh, I promise
When you got one life left inside of you
And you got too much on your plate
What you need is someone to carry you
I'ma hold it down for you
Jump into me, jump, jump into me
Already know what you need
Already know I could be
I could be your shelter
I, I could be your shelter
I, I, I could be your shelter
I could be your shelter
Jump into me, jump, jump into me
Already know what you need
Already know I could be
When you got one life left inside of you (inside of you)
And you got too much on your plate
What you need is someone to carry you
I'ma hold it down for you
Jump into me, jump, jump into me
Already know what you need
Already know I could be
I could be your
"Shelter" by Tori Kelly is a song about offering comfort and support to someone who is going through a difficult time. The lyrics convey the singer's willingness to be a source of strength and protection for the person she cares about. The opening line, "Lemme provide you a life raft, I know you're alive, but you could be livin'" suggests that she wants to rescue this person from their current struggles and help them truly experience life to the fullest.
The lyrics also indicate a fierce sense of protectiveness. When the singer says, "If they try to bite, then I bite back, I got everything that your life be missin'," it conveys her determination to defend and provide for the person she cares about. The line "Ain't nobody ever gonna touch my baby, if I have to mess somebody up, I don't play" further emphasizes her unwavering loyalty and willingness to fight for them.
Throughout the song, there is a recurring theme of offering solace and support in different forms. The singer promises to be a blanket when it's cold, coffee when it snows, and even offers her lyrical talents to help them find their rhythm when they feel offbeat. The chorus repeats the phrase "I could be your shelter," emphasizing her commitment to being there for this person in any way they need.
Overall, "Shelter" is a heartfelt song about offering comfort, protection, and support to someone going through a challenging time. It demonstrates the singer's deep care and commitment to being a reliable source of strength for the person she loves.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Chloe George, Jason Cornet, Jonathan Bellion, Jordan Cohen, Tori Kelly, Clyde Lawrence
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jacob McCain
She ATE this omg! The vocals were insane and the production here is chef’s kiss. The octave up on the chorus with the ad libs and that run up on “shelter” at 2:28🤯! Bow down to the queen of vocal agility lol! One of the best vocalist ever!
Jeff Lawrence
One of
main coasters
@Jeff Lawrencethat’s what they meant so it’s chill
XLXBX
Facts.
Inoke Tonga
The smile after her run on the last “shelter..” she knows she killed it
Merichel Swan
then had the audacity to just leave. knowing we’re in shambles. i can’t stand her.
yaymusica
@Merichel Swan😂 lol yes exactly! The whole nerve of it all !
Mike Vlogz
Nah at the very beginning her face was like you’re not ready for this one.
She knew this was about to pop off!!!
Samuel Bonilla
SHE STAYS ON PITCH!! I’m so used to hearing even good singers go a little flat/sharp on live performances… the fact that she’s hitting every note correctly is a breathe of FRESH air. Tori you’re indeed one of the most talented artist out there! 🤍
Montgomery John
This right here!!! 👏🏼