Told throughout most of her career to not play guitar as much or at all, and to pursue a more “proven” musical direction, Calise instead chose to focus even more so on her instrument, practicing some 5-6 hours a day, and follow the only direction she knew how to—her own.
Countless film and TV placements and millions of Youtube hits later, Calise has proven that her torchy vocals, gritty guitar work and heart-and-soul lyrics are enough to make an incredible international impact, even as a completely independent artist.
Calise's hit song "Cry"--which became a web phenomenon almost overnight (spawning hundreds of covers, tributes and dance routines) after it appeared on the Lifetime show “Dance Moms”—-charted at #64 on the iTunes US Rock Chart, and its official video features "Dance Moms" star, Maddie Ziegler, who danced to the song in several episodes of the show.
Calise's 3rd solo effort, "AC3" (which signifies Calise's 3rd album, and also shows her affinity for her Vox AC-30 guitar amp) goes back to the chanteuse's alt-grunge roots, and showcases her vocal prowess, impressive guitar chops and exponential growth as a songwriter. Produced entirely at home by Calise and producer/engineer, Wes Michener (Puddle of Mudd, Marilyn Manson, Pixie Lott), AC3 is a refreshingly honest and raw record, and shows a side of Calise that fans have yet to see.
Calise’s music has appeared on a multitude of different shows such as “Dance Moms” (Lifetime), "Dance Moms: Miami" (Lifetime), "Last Call With Carson Daly" (NBC), "The Voice" (NBC), Audrina” (Vh1), "Tough Love" (Vh1), “NY Ink” (TLC), “Next” (MTV), "10 on Top" (MTV), “One Tree Hill” (CW), "Texas Women" (CMT) and in the upcoming feature film, “LA, I Hate You” starring Malcolm McDowell and William Forsythe.
Survive
Alexx Calise Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
oh, won't you save my soul
I know it's been awhile
Oh, but I got nowhere to go
Sometimes I feel like there's nowhere to go but down
And I've searched high and low
No hope to be found
I've grown so tired
I haven't laughed or smiled
And God knows how long
Well, I'll survive, survive
Well, I'll give it one more try
Oh
The world can be so cruel
All you wanna do is hide
But that's no way to live your life
Oh, I'm going to hold my head up high
Oh, It may hurt
I won't let 'em see me cry, no, no
Wipe those tears away
And brave a brand new day
One more time
Oh
And I'll survive, survive
And I'll give it one more try
(Give it one more try)
Mmm, oh yeah
Ooh, ooh
Not now, not now
Yeah
Well, I'll survive, survive
And I'll give it one more try
Oh, I'll survive, survive
And I'll give it one more try
The lyrics of Alexx Calise's song "Survive" reflect a person's struggle with hopelessness and the internal battle that one has to constantly fight while dealing with difficult circumstances. The song is an expression of the inner turmoil that one goes through when they feel like they have hit rock bottom and cannot find a way out. The opening lines "Oh, won't you save my soul, I know it's been a while, Oh but I got nowhere to go" set the tone for the rest of the song. The despair in these lines is palpable, and the repeated use of "Oh" conveys a plea for help.
The following lines, "Sometimes I feel like there's nowhere to go but down, And I've searched high and low, no hope to be found" describes how the singer feels like every attempt to get out of their situation has failed. The next verse paints a picture of the singer's emotional state. They are tired and haven't smiled in a long time, and they feel like their situation is hopeless. Despite all this, there is a glimmer of hope in the chorus, where the singer declares their intent to "survive" and "give it one more try". The final lines of the song "I'll survive, survive, And I'll give it one more try" are a powerful declaration of resilience and the will to keep fighting.
Line by Line Meaning
oh
Expressing a deep sigh or a sense of exasperation
oh, won't you save my soul
Asking for help to save her from her internal turmoil
I know it's been awhile
Acknowledging that it has been a long time since she has felt truly okay
Oh, but I got nowhere to go
Stating that she feels lost and has nowhere to turn
Sometimes I feel like there's nowhere to go but down
Admitting that she often feels like things cannot get worse
And I've searched high and low
Looking everywhere for a glimmer of hope
No hope to be found
Finding nothing to hold on to
I've grown so tired
Feeling worn out and defeated
I haven't laughed or smiled
Forgetting what it's like to find joy in anything
And God knows how long
It has been so long it's impossible to remember
Well, I'll survive, survive
Making a pledge to endure despite all of the difficulty
Well, I'll give it one more try
Being determined to keep going despite wanting to give up
Oh
Using this as an exclamation to stay determined
The world can be so cruel
Commenting on the harshness and unfairness of life
All you wanna do is hide
Feeling like retreating and hiding from the world
But that's no way to live your life
Realizing that it's unhealthy to give up and hide
Oh, I'm going to hold my head up high
Vowing to be strong and proud
Oh, It may hurt
Admitting that it may not be easy, but committing to enduring
I won't let 'em see me cry, no, no
Choosing not to show weakness to others
Wipe those tears away
Encouraging herself to stay strong and not give up
And brave a brand new day
Being determined to face each day despite feeling terrible
One more time
Giving it another try despite past failures
Mmm, oh yeah
Sighing and reinforcing her determination to survive
Ooh, ooh
Using these sounds to indicate a transition in tone
Not now, not now
Pausing to gather strength and prepare to face the world
Yeah
Showing determination to make it through no matter what
Well, I'll survive, survive
Resolving to stay strong no matter what life throws her way
And I'll give it one more try
Staying committed to trying no matter how many times she fails
Oh, I'll survive, survive
Reaffirming her pledge to endure and not give up
And I'll give it one more try
Stating her commitment to trying again in the face of adversity
Writer(s): Calise Alex
Contributed by Jason R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@theedexter1996
I LOVE your music video and you're songs 💕❤️👯😘
@Kylieahann
Heard this song on the AUDC episode and came here searching for it. I love your voice and this song is really good.
@cckeach7
Hooky chorus...radio ready!
@user-xg9vh7bq5t
This song is really really great
@MartinNicholas
Awesome, this soooo rocks !!!
@chayim4168
Yes finally i found it. I have been looking for this song for a long time. what a great song alexx
@fatimask8914
Guess I'm one of the only ones here in 2021. I remember listening to this years ago when I watched AUDC and DM, I finally understand this song.
My social anxiety is at its worse and school ain't helping. I hope I'll actually survive
@alexxcalisemusic
Hoping school gets better for you. Hang in there! Thanks so much for listening :)
@fatimask8914
@@alexxcalisemusic thank u thank uu
@StimulatorSusan
We love you Alexx!