“Backburner” is, in my opinion, one of the most depressing yet meaning packed songs on NIKI’s most current album Nicole. “Backburner” is about never being someone’s first choice, thus being put on someone’s backburner. She’s aware that she’s not that person’s priority and they only turn to her when it’s convenient for them, but she just can’t let go.

In the first verse of the song, the person NIKI’s talking to is only calling because they’re feeling down and they need someone to vent to. The speaker is okay with it, she just wants to hear their voice. She knows that she should put an end to the dysfunctional relationship but she continues to enable their behavior. Niki just hopes that he doesn’t hurt her again. In the second verse, Niki’s conflict within herself is shown through the lyrics, “How do you feel lucky and appalled at the same time? After everything you put me through I somehow still believe in you.”

In the chorus she talks about how she could work on bettering herself but she hasn’t tried to do so because she doesn’t mind “crisping up on [their] backburner.”  Even though she has endured quite a bit of trauma from this person, she still has faith in them. In the second chorus she hints that it’s her parents’ fault that she thrives from being pushed to the side. In the outro, she comes to an acceptance for being on the backburner because it means that she’s on their mind. 

If you’re in the mood to listen to something more upbeat for a change of pace, you might want to check out “High School in Jakarta” and “Keeping Tabs”. Throughout the album Nicole, you get a feel of what Niki’s life was like growing up. If you want a visual representation of the album, you should watch her short film But I’m Letting Go, which features her three singles on the album.