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.
Sunshine Reigns
Alexz Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sunshine, sunshine reigns
Na na na na
Na na na na
I try to find
Na na na na
Na na na na
I see the world
I see the rain falling down
I try to find, but there's no disguise
I see the pain all around
As we search for revelation
Somehow they just fly
Do we have the wisdom
To know we've crossed the line
And can we shower our love on the pain
Can we shower our love on the pain
If we shower our love on the pain
Sunshine reigns
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Its time for us
To make a change
Living in our final hour
But take the time
To rearrange
Its all within all the power
So we're sending out a message
To each and everyone
If we put our hearts together
We can live as one
And can we shower our love on the pain
Can we shower our love on the pain
If we shower our love on the pain
Sunshine reigns
Na na na na
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Ships are flyin
Boats are flyin
People dyin
Can you hear their voices calling
Country siding
People lying
Thunder starting
Can't you see the skies
We can shower our love on the pain
We can shower our love on the pain
We can shower our love on the pain
Sunshine reigns
Oh yeah Yeah oooh yeah
Sunshine reigns
The lyrics of Alexz Johnson's song "Sunshine Reigns" touch on various themes such as pain, love, unity, and the need for change. The song begins with the repetition of the phrase "Sunshine reigns" and "Na na na na" which gives the impression of a mantra, possibly trying to instill hope and positivity in listeners. The first verse describes a world full of pain and tears, but amidst all that, the singer is trying to find a disguise or a way to cope. However, there seems to be no way to avoid the pain that is all around us, and we need to find a way to deal with it.
In the chorus, Johnson asks if we can shower our love on the pain, suggesting that love and unity can heal the wounds caused by pain. The second verse suggests that we are living in the final hour and that it's time to make a change. The lines "Its time for us, to make a change" suggest that the singer sees the need for change and is calling on listeners to do the same. The bridge of the song highlights the various chaos and struggles going on around us, and the chorus repeats once again, emphasizing the need for love and unity.
Overall, "Sunshine Reigns" is a hopeful song that acknowledges pain and struggles but offers love and unity as the solution. It suggests that we need to come together and work towards a better world where love reigns.
Line by Line Meaning
Sunshine reigns
The bright, positive energy of sunshine is present and dominant
Sunshine, sunshine reigns
The feeling of positivity and warmth created by sunshine is reaffirmed
Na na na na
Syllables used for rhythm and melody purposes; no direct meaning
I try to find
Attempting to locate something
I see the world
Observing one's surroundings
Through tear filled eyes
Through vision hindered by crying
I see the rain falling down
Observing precipitation from above
I try to find, but there's no disguise
Searching for something without any way to disguise or obscure it
I see the pain all around
Noticing and experiencing suffering in the environment
As we search for revelation
Looking for answers or guidance
Somehow they just fly
The answers or guidance seem difficult to grasp or not easily understood
Do we have the wisdom
Questioning the possession of insight or knowledge
To know we've crossed the line
To recognize when actions or words have gone too far
And can we shower our love on the pain
Is it possible to show compassion towards suffering
If we shower our love on the pain
Hypothetically imagining the outcome if we did show compassion towards suffering
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Exclamation of enthusiasm
It's time for us
The current moment requires action
To make a change
The need for transformation
Living in our final hour
Recognizing that time is limited
But take the time
It is still important to consider carefully
To rearrange
To reorganize or reorder something
It's all within all the power
Having the ability and capability to make a difference
So we're sending out a message
Communicating a statement to others
To each and everyone
To all individuals
If we put our hearts together
If we join together with shared emotions and intentions
We can live as one
We can exist, work, and live in harmony with each other
Ships are flyin
Ships are moving at an accelerated pace
Boats are flyin
Boats are moving fast
People dyin
People are losing their lives
Can you hear their voices calling
A plea to pay attention and respond to those in need
Country siding
A nation or society taking a particular stance or direction
People lying
Individuals being dishonest or not truthful
Thunder starting
An indication of impending storm and danger
Can't you see the skies
An impetus to notice the world and its issues
We can shower our love on the pain
A reminder and reinforcement of the ability to show compassion towards suffering
Oh yeah Yeah oooh yeah
Exclamation of enthusiasm
Contributed by Gabriella B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@SoWeirdBoy
She says "I try to smile but there's no disguise." Beautiful video! Thanks for supporting Alexz Johnson!
@DarcoLove
i absolutely LOVE this song and anything else she sings with her AMAZING voice. Thanks for posting it-great job w/video, i liked watching it. :)
@amethystwolf24572
If you listen to her music from today and from Disney, this seems to be right in between. She still had that Disney sound, but she had started to get that fullness that really makes her voice unique. When was this made?
@bethesame
love the song and lyrics
@auntie12
whoa wow that is so awesome...i love her voice....even when she was that young...lol
@alexzrox
sounds like a good song!!
@AlexzLoverRox
nn importa qnt anni ha è sempre stupendaaaaaa!!!! brava alla mia alexz
@auntie12
wow...lol i cant believe she's almost twenty-one
@auntie12
how old was she here?
@SoWeirdBoy
I love this song, beautiful. However at the beginning, I believe the lyrics are "I try to 'smile' but there's no disguise" This song is from about 2000-2001 after So Weird, and three years before Instant Star. It is a demo. Thus, bad quality.