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.
Skin
Alexz Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Another kind of life
Take away the pain
I create my paradise
Everything I've held
Has hit the wall
What used to be yours
Falling apart, and all that I'm asking
Is it a crime, am I overreacting
Oh, he's under my skin
Just give me something to get rid of him
I've got a reason now to bury this alive
Another little white lie
So what you had didn't fit
Among the pretty things
Never fear, never fear
I know now where you've been
Braids have been un-tied
Ribbons fall away
Leave the consequence
My tears you'll taste
Falling apart and all that I question
Is this a dream or is this my lesson
Oh, he's under my skin
Just give me something to get rid of him
I've got a reason now to bury this alive
Another little white lie
I don't believe I'll be alright
I don't believe I'll be ok
I don't believe how you throw me away
I do believe you didn't try
I do blame you for every lie
When I look in your eyes, I don't see mine
Oh, he's under my skin
Just give me something to get rid of him
I've got a reason now to bury this alive
Another little white lie
Oh my permission to sin
You might have started my reckoning
I've got a reason now to bury him alive
Another little white lie
The song "Skin" by Alexz Johnson is a powerful expression of a woman crushed by heartbreak, disappointment, and deception. The opening lines "I drift away to a place, another kind of life" indicate a desire to escape from reality and create a better world for herself. The singer wants to "take away the pain" and finds solace in building her own paradise. However, soon the reality hits her hard. She realizes that everything she ever had before is lost and she is left to pick up the pieces of her broken heart.
The following lines "Falling apart, and all that I'm asking, is it a crime, am I overreacting" reveal how she is struggling with her emotions, questioning her reaction to the situation she finds herself in. The singer admits to being consumed by the pain caused by the one she loved. She feels that he is still under her skin and wants to get rid of him, hence the lyrics "just give me something to get rid of him, I've got a reason now to bury this alive, another little white lie."
As the song progresses, the singer expresses her anger and disappointment towards the one who betrayed her. She acknowledges that what she had with the person did not fit in with the pretty things, but she believes that she knows where he has been. She is also frustrated with the lies she was told and the actions he took that led to their relationship ending.
In conclusion, "Skin" is a raw and emotional song that speaks about the journey of a woman trying to move on from heartbreak. From the opening lines that describe her desire to escape reality to the closing lyrics that speak to her anger and frustration towards the one who betrayed her, the song showcases the tumultuous emotions that often accompany a failed relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I drift away to a place
I find myself lost in a different reality from the one I'm living in.
Another kind of life
One that is free from the pain and turmoil I'm currently experiencing.
Take away the pain
Help me rid myself of the suffering that's been plaguing me.
I create my paradise
I'm working towards building my own personal heaven, one that brings me peace and happiness.
Everything I've held
All of the things that have brought me comfort and stability.
Has hit the wall
Have been shattered and are no longer there for me to rely on.
What used to be yours
The things that once belonged to you.
Isn't yours at all
You no longer have possession of them and cannot claim them as your own.
Falling apart, and all that I'm asking
I'm going through a difficult time and all I want is for things to get better.
Is it a crime, am I overreacting
I'm questioning whether or not it's wrong for me to feel the way I do, or if I'm exaggerating the situation.
Oh, he's under my skin
Someone or something is really bothering me.
Just give me something to get rid of him
I need help to make this person or thing go away.
I've got a reason now to bury this alive
I have motivation to let go of this issue and move on.
Another little white lie
Perhaps I'm not being totally truthful about how I'm feeling or what's really going on.
So what you had didn't fit
You didn't belong in the life I was trying to build for myself.
Among the pretty things
I was striving to create a beautiful existence for myself, but you didn't fit in with that vision.
Never fear, never fear
I'm not scared anymore and I'm ready to move forward.
I know now where you've been
I understand your true intentions and recognize that you were never really on my side.
Braids have been un-tied
Something that was once neatly bundled and organized is now unraveling.
Ribbons fall away
The decorative aspects of life are slipping away, leaving only the raw and bare elements beneath.
Leave the consequence
I'm willing to face whatever the outcome may be.
My tears you'll taste
You will feel the weight and impact of the pain you've caused me.
Falling apart and all that I question
As I struggle through this difficult time, I'm full of doubts and uncertainties.
Is this a dream or is this my lesson
I'm trying to determine whether this experience is meant to teach me something or if it's just a bad dream I'll wake up from.
I don't believe I'll be alright
I'm not sure that everything will eventually work out in my favor.
I don't believe I'll be ok
I'm struggling to see a future where I'm content and at peace.
I don't believe how you throw me away
I feel discarded and unwanted.
I do believe you didn't try
I know that you didn't put in the effort to save our relationship or make things better.
I do blame you for every lie
You are responsible for every time you deceived or betrayed me.
When I look in your eyes, I don't see mine
I feel disconnected and lost when I try to connect with you and your perspective.
Oh my permission to sin
I gave you the freedom to do something wrong, despite the potential consequences.
You might have started my reckoning
Your actions have pushed me towards a moment of reckoning or realization about our relationship.
I've got a reason now to bury him alive
I've found a way to move on from this situation and leave it behind.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Alexzandra Spencer Johnson, Brendan James Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ebonysmallwood8989
I was 11 when I first heard this song on instant star. I'm 26 now and it still lives in my brain rent free ! A masterpiece!
@jakenyajones7268
SAAAAMMMEEEE
@ThuggyMacho
Literally same age and everything lol
@WhatsBiggin
Saw it when I was 15. I’m 32 now. 😂🤣
@neoscencez
@James Biggins You and me both! <3
@taysanchez1541
I am 27 years old and I still love the music of Alexz Johnson
@brozay27x66
Instant Star had me in a chokehold when I was like 13! So good! 🔥🔥
@saarrkaaa409
Someone is still here? 😄 2019 ???
@thestringsociety7949
Me
@jojo32.27
Me