Born in Brampton, Ontario, she wrote poetry and did theater at a young age. At 10, she began playing guitar and taught herself how to play various songs. At 13, she began her own YouTube channel where she posted covers of songs that she performed. She signed with EP Entertainment and Def Jam Recordings at the age of 18. Cara released her debut single in April 2015. Here was called a "song for everyone who secretly hates parties" by MTV. The song debuted on The Fader and accumulated over 500,000 streams in its first week. On May 5, 2015, the song was chosen as a can't-miss track by SPIN Magazine, listed as a must hear song by Cosmopolitan, and included on Billboard's "20 Pop Songs You Need For Your Summer Playlist" in June 2015.
Her debut album, "Know-It-All" was released on November 13, 2015 containing the singles "Seventeen", "Here", "Wild Things", and "Scars to Your Beautiful".
Her sophomore album, "The Pains of Growing" was released on November 30, 2018 containing the singles "Growing Pains", "Not Today", "Trust My Lonely", "A Little More", and "Out of Love".
Alessia released an EP in between her second and third albums called "This Summer" on September 6, 2019 which has six songs including "Rooting for You" and "Ready".
Her third album, "In the Meantime" was released on September 24, 2021 and contains the singles "Sweet Dream", "Shapeshifter", "Best Days", and "You Let Me Down".
Box In The Ocean
Alessia Cara Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Ba, ba-da, ba-da)
(Da-da-da-da-da-da)
I don't wanna grow old, I don't wanna be square
What if I'm a bad role model, what if I'm scared?
I don't think I could live up to the mother that my mother was, yeah
I just always feel so unprepared
I might be too weak to fall in love
And I might be too much for everyone
All these explosive emotions I'm holdin'
But you'll never know 'em, 'cause I put 'em in a box in the ocean
All these explosive emotions I'm holdin'
But you'll never know 'em, 'cause I put 'em in a box in the ocean
Yeah, I put 'em in a box in the ocean
(Ba, ba-da, ba-da)
(Da-da-da-da-da-da)
What if they forget about all I've done?
If I built it up just to be no one
I make my own expectations for every single situation
Then break my own heart when it all falls
and I might be too weak to fall in love
And I might be too much for everyone
All these explosive emotions I'm holdin'
But you'll never know 'em, 'cause I put 'em in a box in the ocean
All these explosive emotions I'm holdin'
But you'll never know 'em, 'cause I put 'em in a box in the ocean
Yeah, I put 'em in a box in the ocean (ah)
(Ba, ba-da, ba-da)
(Da-da-da-da-da-da)
(Ba, ba-da, ba-da)
(Da-da-da-da-da-da)
Things you'll never hear me say
Lock 'em up to keep them safe
Forget 'em, let 'em float away
Things you'll never hear me say
Lock 'em up to keep them safe
Forget 'em, let 'em float away
Let 'em float away
All these explosive emotions I'm holdin'
But you'll never know 'em, 'cause I put 'em in a box in the ocean
All these explosive emotions I'm holdin'
But you'll never know 'em, 'cause I put 'em in a box in the ocean
Yeah, I put 'em in a box in the ocean
(Da-da-da-da-da)
Yeah, I put 'em in a box in the ocean
The song "Box In The Ocean" by Alessia Cara tackles themes of insecurity, fear, and vulnerability. The first verse expresses her fears of growing old and not being able to live up to her mother as a role model. She feels unprepared and inadequate. She questions if she is too weak to fall in love and if she is too much for everyone. In the chorus, she talks about "explosive emotions" that she has to hold in and hide from others by putting them in a box in the ocean. The second verse continues with more self-doubt as she questions what will happen if people forget all she has done and tries to make her own expectations for every situation. The song ends with her repeating how she has locked her emotions away in a box in the ocean, and they will never be known.
The overall message of the song is that it's okay to have emotions and feel vulnerable, but sometimes, it can be scary to share that with others. Alessia Cara talks about how she bottles up her emotions and hides them away in a box in the ocean. Her fear of being judged, misunderstood or rejected by others makes it easier for her to "lock them up" and "forget them." Overall, the song is relatable to anyone who has ever felt insecure and unsure about how to express their feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't wanna grow old, I don't wanna be square
I don't want to conform to societal expectations of aging and maturity
What if I'm a bad role model, what if I'm scared?
What if my actions reflect poorly on or negatively impact those who look up to me, what if I'm too afraid to face my fears?
I don't think I could live up to the mother that my mother was, yeah
I feel incapable of meeting the high standards set by my own mother and her accomplishments
I just always feel so unprepared
I lack the necessary confidence and readiness in many situations
I might be too weak to fall in love
I fear that I am not emotionally strong enough to handle the vulnerability and potential heartbreak that accompanies falling in love
And I might be too much for everyone
I worry that my personality, thoughts, or behavior may be too overwhelming or burdensome for those around me
All these explosive emotions I'm holdin'
I have intense feelings and emotions that I am struggling to express or cope with
But you'll never know 'em, 'cause I put 'em in a box in the ocean
I choose not to reveal or share my emotions with others and instead keep them hidden away
What if they forget about all I've done?
I fear being forgotten or overlooked for my achievements or accomplishments
If I built it up just to be no one
I worry that all my efforts and hard work will ultimately lead to nothing or make no significant impact
I make my own expectations for every single situation
I set high standards and goals for myself in every aspect of my life
Then break my own heart when it all falls
When I inevitably fail to meet my own expectations, I become disappointed and upset with myself
Things you'll never hear me say
These are thoughts and emotions that I actively choose to keep hidden and not express openly
Lock 'em up to keep them safe
I feel the need to contain my emotions and thoughts to protect myself from potential judgment or harm
Forget 'em, let 'em float away
I am hesitant to simply let go of my emotions and instead prefer to repress or ignore them
Let 'em float away
An urge to release and free myself from the emotional burden I carry
Yeah, I put 'em in a box in the ocean
I bury my emotions and thoughts deep within me, never to be revealed or addressed
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Alessia Caracciolo, Jon Levine
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Thank You So Very Much
I don't want to grow old, I don't want to be square
What if I'm a bad role model?
What if I'm scared?
And I don't think I could live up to
The mother that my mother was
If I always just feel so unprepared
I might be too weak to fall in love
And I might be too much for everyone
All these explosive emotions I'm holding
But you'll never know 'em
'Cause I put 'em in a box in the ocean
All these explosive emotions I'm holding
But you'll never know
'Cause I put 'em in a box in the ocean
Yeah I put 'em in a box in the ocean
What if they forget about all I've done?
If I built it up just to be no one
I make my own expectations
For every single situation
Then break my own heart when it all falls
I might be too weak to fall in love
And, I might be too much for everyone
All these explosive emotions I'm holding
But you'll never know 'em
'Cause I put 'em in a box in the ocean
All these explosive emotions I'm holding
But you'll never know
'Cause I put 'em in a box in the ocean
Yeah I put 'em in a box in the ocean
Things you'll never hear me say
Lock 'em up to keep them safe
Forget 'em let 'em float away
Things you'll never hear me say
Lock them up to keep them safe
Forget 'em let 'em float away
Let 'em float away
All these explosive emotions I'm holding
But you'll never know 'em
'Cause I put 'em in a box in the ocean
All these explosive emotions I'm holding
But you'll never know
'Cause I put 'em in a box in the ocean
Yeah I put 'em in a box in the ocean
Yeah I put 'em in a box in the ocean
Scheby Janvier
Emotions are NOT here to stay. We are meant to feel them and let them pass through! I love this song so much!
Destiny hicks
Thank you for this I needed to hear something like this ❤️.
Soneritha Geises
Yes, this is so true. We need to experience them and then let it go...Harbouring them only works against our growth and healing!
Sneha Pradhan
This literally sounds like all the things that's constantly going on in my head just in a better, poetic way. I love this!!
Cece
I'm gonna blast this album on repeat i swear
Vanya Gupta
ABSOLUTELY I am already playing this so much my friends and family are kind of sick of me.
Cece
@Vanya Gupta same especially drama queen and the apartment song. My family thinks I'm addicted and I agree💀
Painting Dreams
@Cece same as well as this one
Destiny Bridges
Right!!!!
Dude it's Lulu
This is that inner dialouge that happens when you filter your thoughts and emotions for people . This is spectacular Alessia .