When Instant Star wrapped after four seasons (2005-2008), Alexz endured her share of off-camera drama in her music career, when both Capitol and Epic, respectively, ended up shelving her records due to internal conflicts . "It’s been tough,” she says, “but something always keeps me going. Even with no money in my pocket, things land where they land and you keep moving.” Johnson had completed a full length record entitled Weight in 2008, and was set to release it in September the next year.
Alexz independently released her debut album, Voodoo in 2010 and remixed it in 2011 as Reloaded. She released a compilation of unheard demos in the form of The Basement Recordings (2011), while prepping to release her first EP, Skipping Stone in January 2012. She has also released one live album, Live from the Skipping Stone Tour in December 2012. Johnson later continued to release two more demo compilations, The Basement Recordings 2 and The Basement Recordings 3 in 2012 and 2013, respectively.
Finding success and a loyal fanbase through her independent releases, Johnson's 2014 EP, Heart and sophomore album Let 'Em Eat Cake were both funded through the crowdfunding service Pledgemusic. Heart and Let 'Em Eat Cake both showcase a different side of Johnson, tackling subjects such as heartbreak and loss. The two releases include tracks produced by David Kahne, who has worked with Lana Del Rey, Kelly Clarkson, Regina Spektor, and other artists.
Criminal
Alexz Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't wanna lie, I'm jaded
I wanna scream when inside I'm breaking down
I've left the stone I was under
I'm running home, you won't find her
She walks alone all through this broken town
Goin' the wrong way down a one way street
Nobody helps me out when I believe
Just a look, look, looking for someone like me
Where the feeling is mutual
Can anybody see what I see
'Cause I don't see me
I blow away the ashes
I clear space to look at him
He stole my name while I waited lost and found
I found a place where I'll keep you
'Cause I won't live through you or beneath you
I walk this way where these winds won't bring me down
Goin' the wrong way down a one way street
Where the feeling is criminal
Nobody helps me out when I believe
Just a look, look, looking for someone like me
Where the feeling is mutual
Can anybody see what I see
'Cause I don't see me don't
Let me be
Stayin' at all
Don't waste it on me
'Cause if I take a chance
And if I hurt again
And if I let you leave
Be my reckoning
Ooh, hey
Goin' the wrong way down a one way street
Where the feeling is criminal
Nobody helps me out when I believe
Just a look, look, looking for someone like me
Where the feeling is mutual
Can anybody see what I see
'Cause I don't see me
The lyrics of Alexz Johnson's song "Criminal" depict a person who is struggling with feeling lost and jaded. They admit to faking it and not wanting to lie anymore. The singer is on the verge of a breakdown and feels alone in their struggle. The line "I've left the stone I was under" indicates that the singer is no longer hiding from their problems and has decided to face them head-on.
The chorus of the song provides insight into the singer's feelings of being misunderstood and unable to find someone who can relate to them. They are going the wrong way down a one-way street where the feeling is criminal and nobody helps them out. They are searching for someone like them, where the feeling is mutual. However, they don't see themselves and feel disconnected from who they are.
The song expresses a relatable feeling of being lost and isolated in one's struggles. It also touches on the importance of finding meaningful connections and understanding in others.
Line by Line Meaning
I won't deny, I faked it
I can't hide it, I pretended
Don't wanna lie, I'm jaded
I don't want to be dishonest, I am tired of trying
I wanna scream when inside I'm breaking down
I long to shout out when I am falling apart inside
I've left the stone I was under
I have come out of hiding
I'm running home, you won't find her
I am heading back, you won't see her
She walks alone all through this broken town
I am walking by myself in this shattered city
Goin' the wrong way down a one way street
I am traveling in the opposite direction on this path
Where the feeling is criminal
Where this emotion is forbidden
Nobody helps me out when I believe
No one lends me a hand when I have faith
Just a look, look, looking for someone like me
Scanning, searching for my kind of person
Where the feeling is mutual
Where this sentiment is shared
Can anybody see what I see
Is there anyone who perceives what I do
'Cause I don't see me
Because I don't see myself
I blow away the ashes
I dispose of the remains
I clear space to look at him
I make room to gaze at him
He stole my name while I waited lost and found
He took my identity while I was trying to rediscover myself
I found a place where I'll keep you
I discovered a spot where I will hold on to you
'Cause I won't live through you or beneath you
Because I won't survive as an extension of you or underneath you
I walk this way where these winds won't bring me down
I go in this direction where these difficulties won't defeat me
Let me be
Leave me alone
Stayin' at all
Remain at any cost
Don't waste it on me
Don't use your energy on me
'Cause if I take a chance
Because if I take a risk
And if I hurt again
And if I experience pain once more
And if I let you leave
And if I permit you to depart
Be my reckoning
Be my punishment
Ooh, hey
Expression of excitement or pleasure
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: Alexzandra Spencer Johnson, Brendan James Johnson, Damhnait Laidhan Doyle
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anto theja
I was looking for this for a long time. Couldnt remember its name or the singers name. I used to love that song as a young teenager 😍
John Soliz
So underrated
Marla Strange
♡ this song
Diana n.n
esta genial