As the winner of The X Factor, Burke released her debut single, "Hallelujah", originally a Leonard Cohen song, that became the current European record holder for single sales over a period of 24 hours: selling 105,000 copies in one day; but also, the top-selling song of the year in the UK as well as becoming the 2008 Christmas number one single in the UK. By January 2009, sales of Burke's version of "Hallelujah" had passed one million copies which made her the first British female soloist to sell that amount of copies in the UK.
Her debut album, Overcome, was released in October 2009 and entered the UK Albums Chart at number one. The album's lead single "Bad Boys" was released a week in advance to the album and debuted at number one in the UK: becoming her second consecutive number-one single and first Brit-nominated single. She has sinced followed "Bad Boys" with singles that have consecutively stole top ten places in the UK Singles Chart. To date, Alexandra has achieved 4 Number one singles across the UK and Ireland: "Hallelujah", "Bad Boys", "All Night Long" and "Start Without You".
Burke has been nominated twice for Brit Awards and has achieved four solo number one singles: her most recent single "Start Without You" became her third solo UK number one hit; as well as two number one singles as a featured artist in charity singles "Hero" and "Everybody Hurts". As of December 2010, Burke has sold over 4 million records in the U.K alone with combined sales of her singles and her debut album Overcome.
Burke auditioned for the second series of The X Factor in 2005 (which was eventually won by Shayne Ward). She made it through to the final seven in Louis Walsh's 16–24 category, effectively the top 21 of the competition; however, Walsh did not choose her for his final four as he felt that she was too young for the competition. Burke however did not give up and went on to seek professional singing lessons over the next three years, proving her dedication and commitment to becoming a pop star. Burke's second bid to win The X Factor came in 2009. Falling into the "Girls" category, she was mentored by Girls Aloud's Cheryl Cole who selected her for the finals—a series of ten weekly live shows in which contestants are progressively eliminated by public vote. On the first live show, Burke performed Whitney Houston's classic "I Wanna Dance with Somebody". For the second live show she covered "I'll Be There" by The Jackson 5. In week three, big band week, Burke performed Christina Aguilera's "Candyman" and received her first standing ovation. For the disco-themed fourth live show, Burke performed Donna Summer's "On the Radio". During Mariah Carey week on 8 November, Burke and the other finalists met Carey for individual masterclasses, with Carey complimenting Burke on her voice. Burke performed "Without You" and received a standing ovation from the judges who all gave her positive comments. Cowell commented that "by any standard, that was just outstanding". Following the show Burke's performance was also praised by Carey who called her rendition of the song "absolutely amazing".
On 13 February 2009 it was reported that Burke signed a £3.5 million, five-album US record deal with Epic Records. Burke's first album was originally scheduled for March 2009, however, Simon Cowell confirmed that her album was scheduled for release later in the year to allow Burke to polish her skills and find the right songs for the album, so that it would not be rushed. The album was released on 19 October 2009 in the UK, titled Overcome.
"Elephant", the lead single off Alexandra Burke's second album finds the Londoner singing of a relationship breaking down and not discussing the "elephant standing in the room." Burke performed the song live for the very first time during her set for Asda's Tickled Pink charity concert on January 12, 2012. It will bereleased on March 11, 2012. (Elephant Songfacts).
Alexandra revealed that her next album will get "down and dirty", promising the record that will take risks. "It’s got to be sexy. So I’m going to get a lot fiercer and sexier. We’re just getting down and dirty with the next album. I’m going to take a lot more risks and it’s going to be insane." She also hinted at any collaborations on the LP, "I can’t say too much because my management will kill me if I let loose. But I have a special duet planned. I have the ideas, the collaborations in my mind - it’s all locked up in my head." The album is confirmed to be "half-way" finished, and revealed that she is planning to go to New York to record some new tracks. Recording is expected to stop from January to March, and then resuming after. Alex confirmed that she has worked with RedOne for a lot of the album, but hopes to work with David Guetta, Bruno Mars, Stargate and Ne-Yo, among others.
Overcome
Alexandra Burke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can count every step you take
I know every place I've been now
I can count every mistake
I've been hurt so many times before
Almost forgotten how to dream
All that I was running from
Is all I need to save me
I couldn't let you in my heart
My defenses all fall apart
Just when I thought I'd given up
I have overcome
And now I can't let you go, oh no
You showed me something that I've never known
And finally I've found the one
I have overcome
You can never see it coming
There's always that one you can't count out
Who keeps on believing nothings gonna stop me now
I've been hurt so many times before
Almost forgotten how to dream
All that I was running from is all I need to save me
I couldn't let you in my heart
My defenses all fall apart
Just when I thought I'd given up
I have overcome
And now I can't let you go, oh no
You showed me something that I've never known
And finally I've found the one
I have overcome
I'm not running anymore
Cause now there's nothing left to hold me down
Some things are worth fighting for
I see it all
It's waiting for me now
I couldn't let you in my heart
My defenses all fall apart
Just when I thought I'd given up
I have overcome
And now I can't let you go, oh no
You showed me something that I've never known
And finally I've found the one
I have overcome
I couldn't let you in my heart
My defenses all fall apart
Just when I thought I'd given up
I have overcome
And now I can't let you go, oh no
You showed me something that I've never known
And finally I've found the one
I have overcome
I have overcome
In Alexandra Burke's song "Overcome," the lyrics portray the message of a person who has had their share of challenges and obstacles in life, but has finally found someone who has shown them that they can overcome anything. The song conveys a sense of renewal and hope, a message of triumph over adversity.
The lines "If you walk with your head down, you can count every step you take, I know every place I've been now, I can count every mistake" reflect the singer's past struggles and disappointments, which have left her feeling defeated, unable to imagine a brighter future. However, the chorus line "I have overcome" shows that she has finally emerged victorious over her fears and doubts, and found the courage to open up to love.
The lyrics are further reinforced when the singer acknowledges that she has found a person who has helped her overcome her defenses and allowed her to love and be loved without fear. She sings, "You showed me something that I've never known, and finally I've found the one. I have overcome." The song ends with the reiteration of the chorus, emphasizing that the singer has indeed overcome the obstacles that have held her back in the past.
Overall, "Overcome" is a song about overcoming one's doubts, fears, and insecurities to find love and happiness. The lyrics remind us that despite the difficulties we may face in life, we can always rise above them and come out stronger on the other side.
Line by Line Meaning
If you walk with your head down
If you are constantly focused on your mistakes and shortcomings
You can count every step you take
You will always be reminded of your past and the distance you have yet to go
I know every place I've been now
I am aware of every failure and setback I've experienced
I can count every mistake
I can easily remember every poor choice I've made
I've been hurt so many times before
I've experienced significant emotional pain in the past
Almost forgotten how to dream
I've lost my ability to hope for or envision a better future
All that I was running from
All of the things I was avoiding or denying in myself
Is all I need to save me
Are actually the things that can give me strength and help me grow
I couldn't let you in my heart
I was unwilling to be vulnerable and share my emotions with you
My defenses all fall apart
My walls and barriers came down, leaving me exposed
Just when I thought I'd given up
At the point when I felt like I couldn't go on anymore
I have overcome
I have persevered and triumphed over my struggles
And now I can't let you go, oh no
I am deeply committed to our relationship and don't want to lose you
You showed me something that I've never known
You have opened my eyes to new experiences and feelings
And finally I've found the one
I have found someone who truly understands and accepts me
I'm not running anymore
I am no longer avoiding my problems or emotions
Cause now there's nothing left to hold me down
Because I have faced my challenges and grown stronger as a result
Some things are worth fighting for
There are certain things in life that are worth the effort and struggle
I see it all
I can envision a bright and positive future for myself
It's waiting for me now
I have the power and agency to pursue my dreams and achieve my goals
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: SAMUEL WATTERS, RICHARD BUTLER, WAYNE WILKINS, LOUIS JOHN BIANCANIELLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rael Lucena
Essa música e totalmente maravilhosa, deveria ganha reconhecimento e a voz da Alexandra e tão PERFEITA e tem vocais incrível
Tryness Tembo
I really love the song ❤️
Marcelo C.S.
❤️🇧🇷❤️👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Leah Chishimikwa
years later but still crispy fresh, so uplifting
Viviane Queiroz
👏👏❤🇧🇷🤗
oliver smith
This song makes me cry
I miss my family …💕💕💕❤️
Alessio Parodi
I wish you the best career Alex. I love u and support u from Italy since your XFactor winning. I hope u come back to the glory as u deserve. #loveyou
Kev F
This is my empowerment hyper startup the day anthem song.... I listen to it everyday day like literally everyday biking omw to everywhere
Chabenson P. Chadavoine
I love when first listening to a song it made me fall in love, and you following the rythms like u knew them before... At The End, it's a 💕 at first heard...
Priscilla Clancy
❤