Today, his layered sound utilizes all areas of music including up-tempo drums, pop and trap beats, and his effortlessly flowing falsettos. His debut single, “Dirty AF1s,” made an instant splash hitting Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist and garnered early recognition from Apple Music who premiere the track as their “Bop of the Week.” Following the single, Alexander 23 pushed out a steady stream of music including “When I Die,” which led Lyrical Lemonade to recognize his songwriting, narrative, and overall sound, calling it “one of the best songs [they have] heard in recent memory,” and “Mars,” which was added to Spotify’s “Chill Hits” (4.7m followers ) playlist. Additionally, his sound caught the attention of singer-songwriter, Alec Benjamin, who tapped the newcomer for his sold-out North American “Outrunning Karma Tour.” The tour showcased Alexander’s vibrant talents, knack for DIY and shy-yet-curious character.
High School
Alexander 23 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got a fifth of jack from your big brother
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Didn't know that cop was undercover
'Til he pressed your hands against each other, oh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Because you were my very fist love
And I thought you'd be my last
How did we get here?
How do we get back?
Wish I could do it all again
We were just kids then
Doing our best when
All of the rest got in the way
And I miss my best friend
Drunk at the dead end
All of the stress, we're bound to break
How did we get here?
How do we get back?
We were high school friends and high school lovers
When the bell would ring we'd find each other, oh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Oh, imagine if we went to the same college
Would we still lock lips
Or maybe you would hate my guts
Oh no, we'll never know
And you were my very fist love
And I thought you'd be my last
'Til I found out that days go fast
How did we get here?
How do we get back?
Wish I could do it all again
We were just kids then
Doing our best when
All of the rest got in the way
And I miss my best friend
Drunk at the dead end
All of the stress, we're bound to break
How did we get here?
How do we get back?
Oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh
Take me back to your basement where we're still face-to-face
And your mascara's on my nose
But you look good in all my clothes
Take me back to your basement where we're still face-to-face
And I can taste the coke and rum
That you borrowed from your mum
Take me back to your basement where we're still face-to-face
And your mascara's on my nose
But you look good in all my clothes
Take me back to your basement where we're still face-to-face
And I can taste the coke and rum
That you borrowed from your mum
How did we get here?
How do we get back?
The song "High School" by Alexander 23 is a nostalgic reflection on a past relationship that began in high school. The verses describe the innocence and excitement of first love, marked by the image of getting a fifth of Jack Daniels from a friend's older brother. The second verse contemplates what might have happened if the couple had attended the same college, wondering if they would still be together or if things would have turned out differently. The chorus repeats the refrain of "How did we get here? How do we get back?" as the singer longs to return to those carefree days when they were just kids "doing their best when all of the rest got in the way."
The bridge of the song takes the listener back to a specific moment in the relationship, in the basement where the couple would hang out together. The singer recalls the taste of coke and rum, borrowed from the girl's mom, and the sight of her mascara smudging onto his nose. These sensory details evoke a vivid picture of the intimacy and closeness of young love, and underscore the singer's longing to recapture that feeling.
Line by Line Meaning
We were high school friends and high school lovers
We were both classmates and in love during our high school days
Got a fifth of jack from your big brother
Your older sibling provided us with a bottle of Jack Daniels
Didn't know that cop was undercover
'Til he pressed your hands against each other, oh
We were caught by an undercover cop and didn't realize it until he handcuffed us
Because you were my very first love
And I thought you'd be my last
'Til I found out that days go fast
I considered you my initial love and believed it would be permanent, but time passed too quickly
How did we get here?
How do we get back?
Wish I could do it all again
I'm unsure how our relationship changed and desire to revert to the past
We were just kids then
Doing our best when
All of the rest got in the way
We were very young during our relationship and tried our best, but external issues caused problems
And I miss my best friend
Drunk at the dead end
All of the stress, we're bound to break
I long for our friendship during those hectic times of drinking and feeling overwhelmed
When the bell would ring we'd find each other, oh
We would always locate each other upon the sound of the bell signaling the end of class
Oh, imagine if we went to the same college
Would we still lock lips
Or maybe you would hate my guts
Oh no, we'll never know
I wonder what would have occurred if we attended the same college, but we'll never be certain
Take me back to your basement where we're still face-to-face
And your mascara's on my nose
But you look good in all my clothes
Take me back to your basement where we're still face-to-face
And I can taste the coke and rum
That you borrowed from your mum
I want to return to your basement where we were together, and I have distinct memories of your makeup smearing and wearing my clothing, plus drinking substances taken from your mother
How did we get here?
How do we get back?
I'm still unsure how we arrived in this position and desire to revert to the past
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alexander Glantz, Andrew Spelman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BLACK DOG
We were high school friends and high school lovers
Got a fifth of jack from your big brother
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Didn't know that cop was undercover
'Til he pressed your hands against each other, oh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Because you were my very fist love
And I thought you'd be my last
'Til I found out that days go fast
How did we get here?
How do we get back?
Wish I could do it all again
We were just kids then
Doing our best when
All of the rest got in the way
And I miss my best friend
Drunk at the dead end
All of the stress, we're bound to break
How did we get here?
How do we get back?
We were high school friends and high school lovers
When the bell would ring we'd find each other, oh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Oh, imagine if we went to the same college
Would we still lock lips
Or maybe you would hate my guts
Oh no, we'll never know
And you were my very fist love
And I thought you'd be my last
'Til I found out that days go fast
How did we get here?
How do we get back?
Wish I could do it all again
We were just kids then
Doing our best when
All of the rest got in the way
And I miss my best friend
Drunk at the dead end
All of the stress, we're bound to break
How did we get here?
How do we get back?
Oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh
Take me back to your basement where we're still face-to-face
And your mascara's on my nose
But you look good in all my clothes
Take me back to your basement where we're still face-to-face
And I can taste the coke and rum
That you borrowed from your mum
Take me back to your basement where we're still face-to-face
And your mascara's on my nose
But you look good in all my clothes
Take me back to your basement where we're still face-to-face
And I can taste the coke and rum
That you borrowed from your mum
How did we get here?
How do we get back?
Savannah Arcand
You are an amazing artist! You work so hard to put out all your music, which shows us that you care about us!
lily belle
crazy how i listened to this live and now it’s real. i’m so proud of you alex. keep going please i need it in my life
Mozna Ahmad
It's warm And full of emotions that I can sense how deep and pure they are, the music and The melody is so sweet, your voice .. ah! .. seeing you at different stages of life, I loved the song, I loved everything about you Alex
Mallory Akins
Just found out that my senior year was cut short due to covid 19. Thanks class of 2020 for 13 years of memories. Even though I hated school, I will miss you guys❤️
Faith Medingerr
i’m so proud of you!!!!! so happy this ones out!! definitely my favorite 💛💛
Amanda Goslin
i loved this song when i heard it when Alex was on tour with Alec Benjamin and i cried so much then and im crying right now in Spanish class. This song represents something im going through right now and its really hitting home.
ivy broder
“your mascaras on my nose, but you look good in all my clothes” that was my favorite part from the live version and it’s not in this 😭😭😭
(i still absolutely love this song)
Starr M
take me back to the place!
lg
i was thinking the same thinggg😢
amira
I listen everyday to this masterpiece ❤