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.
Taker
Alexz Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
holding on to your tails leaving you astray,
oh, she'll take it, taking it she'll run,
running and running and running and running until you're done...
She'll leave you dry, sore on the floor,
salt in your eyes and a wound in your soul,
she's in the dark, she's stealing angel's wings,
I'm a taker, take me back Steven,
whoever said I wouldn't fight my way through?
I'm a taker, take me back Steven,
what will it take to get me through to you?
I'm a taker, not a heartbreaker,
whoever said I wouldn't fight my way through?
I'm a taker taking from the start,
I'm just a taker who didn't mean to break your heart...
She's with the devil, walking by his side,
she'll stake your heart when she looks you in the eye,
she's says: "Forgive me, I didn't mean to",
full of every burden and she's full of every lie...
She'll leave you dry, sore on the floor,
salt in your eyes and a wound in your soul,
don't forgive her, don't believe,
she's on a mission and this girl is me...
She said:
"I'm a taker, take me back Steven,
whoever said I wouldn't fight my way through?
I'm a taker, take me back Steven,
what will it take to get me through to you?
I'm a taker, not a heartbreaker,
whoever said I wouldn't fight my way through?
I'm a taker taking from the start,
I'm just a taker who didn't mean to break your heart..."
You think you know, think you know, think you know, but you don't...
You think you're right, think you're right, think you're right, but you're wrong...
I'll never let you know,
I'll never let you know,
I'll never let you know,
I'll never let you know,
I'll never let you know,
I'll never let you know,
I'll never let you know...
I'm a taker, take me back Steven,
whoever said I wouldn't fight my way through?
I'm a taker, take me back Steven,
what will it take to get me through to you?
I'm a taker, not a heartbreaker,
whoever said I wouldn't fight my way through?
I'm a taker taking from the start,
I'm just a taker who didn't mean to break your heart...
I'm just a taker who didn't mean to break your heart...
I'm just a taker who didn't mean to break your heart...
I'm just a taker who didn't mean to break your heart...
I'm just a taker who didn't mean to break your heart...
(It didn't mean it, didn't mean anything...)
(It didn't mean it, didn't mean anything...)
The song "Taker" by Alexz Johnson is a haunting and emotional portrayal of a woman who is a self-proclaimed taker. The lyrics indicate that this woman takes everything she can from the men she encounters, causing them to become exhausted and broken-hearted. The song's chorus, sung with urgency and passion, expresses the woman's desire to be taken back by a man named Steven. She insists that she is not a heartbreaker, but rather a taker who didn't mean to break anyone's heart.
The lyrics paint a picture of a woman who is consumed by her desire to take from others. She is described as being in league with the devil, stealing angel's wings, and full of every burden and lie. The imagery is dark and foreboding, hinting at the destructive nature of her behavior. However, she seems to be aware of the damage she causes, expressing remorse and pleading for forgiveness.
Line by Line Meaning
She'll take your time, she'll give it all away,
holding on to your tails leaving you astray,
oh, she'll take it, taking it she'll run,
running and running and running and running until you're done...
She will consume all of your time and energy, leading you astray and running away with it until you are depleted and exhausted.
She'll leave you dry, sore on the floor,
salt in your eyes and a wound in your soul,
she's in the dark, she's stealing angel's wings,
love's transfused, sacrificing everything...
She will abandon you and leave you in pain and suffering. She is doing immoral things and stealing what is good and pure. She will do whatever it takes, even at the cost of love and sacrifice.
I'm a taker, take me back Steven,
whoever said I wouldn't fight my way through?
I'm a taker, take me back Steven,
what will it take to get me through to you?
I'm a taker, not a heartbreaker,
whoever said I wouldn't fight my way through?
I'm a taker taking from the start,
I'm just a taker who didn't mean to break your heart...
The singer acknowledges that they have a habit of taking from others, but they are willing to fight for what they want. They want forgiveness and the chance to make things right. They did not intend to hurt the person they are addressing.
She's with the devil, walking by his side,
she'll stake your heart when she looks you in the eye,
she's says: "Forgive me, I didn't mean to",
full of every burden and she's full of every lie...
She is doing evil things and associated with bad influences. She will hurt you emotionally and seek forgiveness, but it is insincere and dishonest.
She'll leave you dry, sore on the floor,
salt in your eyes and a wound in your soul,
don't forgive her, don't believe,
she's on a mission and this girl is me...
She will abandon you and cause you emotional pain. The artist warns not to forgive her or trust her as she is motivated by a selfish mission, which is the artist herself.
"I'm a taker, take me back Steven,
whoever said I wouldn't fight my way through?
I'm a taker, take me back Steven,
what will it take to get me through to you?
I'm a taker, not a heartbreaker,
whoever said I wouldn't fight my way through?
I'm a taker taking from the start,
I'm just a taker who didn't mean to break your heart..."
The chorus repeats the singer's mindset of wanting to be forgiven and acknowledged for their flaws. They assert that they are not intentionally harmful, but rather have a tendency to take from others without realizing the impact it may have.
You think you know, think you know, think you know, but you don't...
You think you're right, think you're right, think you're right, but you're wrong...
The singer challenges the listener's assumptions about them and asserts that they do not truly understand or see the singer's perspective. The listener assumes they are right but this is not the case.
I'll never let you know,
I'll never let you know,
I'll never let you know,
I'll never let you know,
I'll never let you know,
I'll never let you know,
I'll never let you know...
The repetition of this line reveals the artist's reluctance to reveal their innermost thoughts and feelings. They are closed off and wish to keep their emotions hidden.
I'm just a taker who didn't mean to break your heart...
I'm just a taker who didn't mean to break your heart...
I'm just a taker who didn't mean to break your heart...
I'm just a taker who didn't mean to break your heart...
The artist reiterates that they did not purposefully hurt the person they are addressing, but rather it was a result of their tendency to take from others. They express regret and sorrow for the pain they have caused.
(It didn't mean it, didn't mean anything...)
(It didn't mean it, didn't mean anything...)
This final line is a lamentation, acknowledging that the hurt they caused was not intentional but it still took a toll on the person they care about. They feel remorseful and wish to be understood and forgiven.
Contributed by Katherine D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.