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.
Toxic
Alexandra Burke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm calling
A guy like you
Should wear a warning
It's dangerous
I'm falling
There's no escape
I need a hit
Baby, give me it
You're dangerous
I'm loving it
Too high, can't come down
Losing my head, spinnin' 'round
Do you feel me now?
On the taste of your lips
I'm on a ride
You're toxic I'm slipping under
On the taste of your poison, paradise
I'm addicted to you
Don't you know that you're toxic?
And I love what you do
Don't you know that you're toxic?
Intoxicate me now
With your loving now
I think I'm ready now
(I think I'm ready now)
Intoxicate me now
With your loving now
I think I'm ready now
Taste of your lips
I'm on a ride
You're toxic I'm slipping under
On the taste of your poison paradise
I'm addicted to you
Don't you know that you're toxic?
In the song "Toxic," Alexandra Burke sings about being dangerously in love with someone who is toxic for her. She compares him to a warning sign that should be worn, indicating the potential danger of being with him. Despite knowing the danger, she can't resist his love and is falling for him.
As the song progresses, Burke continues to describe the power that this person has over her. She is addicted to him and can't escape, feeling as though she is slipping under his toxic grip. The taste of his lips is like a drug that she can't resist, and she feels as though she is on a ride that she can't get off. She begs for more, despite knowing that it is poisoning her.
The lyrics of "Toxic" can be interpreted as a warning against being with someone who is hazardous to one's well-being. Burke's descriptions of addiction and losing control emphasize the dangerous nature of being with someone toxic. Additionally, the repetition of "intoxicate me now" suggests a level of desperation on Burke's part, as if she is willing to risk everything for his love.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, can't you see?
Hey, can't you see my interest in you?
I'm calling
I'm expressing my feelings to you and reaching out.
A guy like you
I'm referring to someone who's charming and attractive
Should wear a warning
I'm implying that being with you could be dangerous.
It's dangerous
Being with you is a thrilling experience; however, it could be harmful.
I'm falling
I'm getting emotionally attached to you.
There's no escape
I can't resist my emotions and feelings towards you.
I can't wait
I'm eager to be with you and feel your presence.
I need a hit
I crave your affection and love.
Baby, give me it
I'm requesting your love and attention.
You're dangerous
Your charm and attractiveness could be detrimental to my well-being.
I'm loving it
I'm enjoying this thrilling experience of being with you.
Too high, can't come down
I'm so thrilled and happy that I don't want this feeling to end.
Losing my head, spinnin' 'round
I'm so captivated by you that I can't think straight.
Do you feel me now?
I'm wondering if you can see how much I'm into you.
On the taste of your lips
I'm mesmerized by your kisses.
I'm on a ride
I'm on an emotional adventure with you.
You're toxic I'm slipping under
I know that you could be harmful, but I can't resist my attraction to you.
On the taste of your poison, paradise
Your love is both beautiful and dangerous, like a paradise filled with poison.
I'm addicted to you
I'm so attached to you that I can't imagine my life without you.
Don't you know that you're toxic?
I'm suggesting that you're possibly dangerous to my well-being.
And I love what you do
Despite the potential negative consequences, I can't resist your charm.
Intoxicate me now
I want to feel the rush of your love and attention right now.
With your loving now
I want to feel your affection and care.
I think I'm ready now
I'm prepared to take this thrilling journey with you.
Taste of your lips
I can't get enough of your kisses.
You're toxic I'm slipping under
I'm so enticed by you, even if it could be harmful.
I'm addicted to you
I can't imagine living without your affection and love.
Don't you know that you're toxic?
I can't resist your charm, even if it could be detrimental.
Contributed by Abigail B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-zy2tp9yz1x
That was amazing
@mikaelayeah
This is when I decided I wanted her to win.
@Tasnim16
BRILLIANT! ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!
@PanSteevo
I love how the dancers dance the original choreography.. cause simply Brian is the original choreographer of the song!
@QilinRider21
it's hard to dance and sing that good.
@jorjorpeacock1999
ALEXANDRA BURKE<3333
@flameboi911
i can hardly hear her voice at 50 secs
@highonthislife
is that agyness deyn clapping at 1.50-1.52??
@18AzNGaL18
britneys better
@unjaded2
LOTS OF BACKGROUND VOCALS ON THIS HER NOT SO MUCH