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.
That Was Us
Alexz Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tried everything
Like headlights in the rain
Drifting back again
Somewhere out there gathered in the dust
Sometimes I can't remember that was us
Our worlds collide
Surrounded like the air
You were with my everywhere
Somewhere out there lying in the dust
Sometimes I can't remember that was us
There was a time for reason
A place for every season
Times I couldn't run away from you
I can't believe it's mourning
I can't believe it's pouring
Should I leave you here and walk away?
I want to change
Try everything
I wanted you so bad
It nearly drove me mad
Somewhere out there gathered in the dust
Sometimes I can't remember that was us
Better now than never
Better late than forever
I never meant to waste your time
It doesn't seem to matter
Maybe nothing every really matters
Long enough to break it all away
Somewhere out there gathered in the dust
Sometimes I can't remember
Sometimes I can't remember
I can't remember that was us
The song "That Was Us" by Alexz Johnson seems to be about a failed relationship and trying to let go of the memories of what used to be. The opening lyrics speak about trying to change and do everything for the relationship, but in the end, it still ends up drifting back again. The chorus line, "Somewhere out there lying in the dust, sometimes I can't remember that was us" suggests that the memories are becoming distant and fading away, but the pain of the failed relationship still lingers.
The second verse mentions that the two worlds of the relationship collided, and the person was always surrounded by the other person. The themes of trying to move on from the relationship and not being able to forget the memories still continue in this verse. The following lines, "There was a time for reason, a place for every season, times I couldn't run away from you" suggests that the relationship had its ups and downs but the person couldn't escape from it. The chorus line repeats the same theme of trying to forget everything that transpired and not being able to remember the relationship.
The third verse speaks about wanting to change and try everything to make the relationship work, but it nearly drove the person mad. The lines "I can't believe it's mourning, I can't believe it's pouring, should I leave you here and walk away?" suggest that the person is reflecting on what could have been done differently to avoid the breakup. The last chorus repeats the same themes of trying to forget but being unable to and realizing that maybe nothing really matters.
Line by Line Meaning
I tried to change
I made an attempt to change
Tried everything
I tried every possible method
Like headlights in the rain
I was lost and uncertain
Drifting back again
Returning to a previous state or habit
Somewhere out there gathered in the dust
The memories of our past are fading away
Sometimes I can't remember that was us
I find it hard to believe that we were once together
The stars divide
We are living separate lives
Our worlds collide
Our paths cross occasionally
Surrounded like the air
You were always present in my life
You were with my everywhere
You were always by my side
There was a time for reason
There was a logical explanation for everything
A place for every season
Every moment had its suitable purpose
Times I couldn't run away from you
There were instances when I couldn't escape from your presence
I can't believe it's morning
I cannot believe how fast time flies
I can't believe it's pouring
I cannot believe how life keeps changing
Should I leave you here and walk away?
Should I abandon everything and start anew?
I want to change
I have the desire to transform myself
Try everything
I am willing to attempt any method
I wanted you so bad
I longed for your presence and affection deeply
It nearly drove me mad
It almost made me go insane
Better now than never
It's better late than never to make a change
Better late than forever
It's better to make a change at some point than never
I never meant to waste your time
I didn't intend to waste or misuse your time
It doesn't seem to matter
It appears as if our past doesn't hold importance anymore
Maybe nothing every really matters
Perhaps nothing holds significance in the long run
Long enough to break it all away
In the end, our relationship was long enough to end it all
Sometimes I can't remember
There are moments when I can't recall our past
I can't remember that was us
I find it hard to believe that we used to be together
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GREG JOHNSTON, JEEN O'BRIEN, MARC JORDAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kween's Court
Alexz has a real talent for capturing the emotion in such simple things as gestures, facial expressions. It always moves me deeply.
Aida Lopez
same in Mexico... I teach english and use alexz's songs for my students to learn a little more and they all love her! But none has heard of her before :(
Armand Zappa
i do HEHE.
JayKaye
I love this HQ video. Thanks much for uploading! Love this song, miss this show and Jommy. <3
Roy Harper
She is so amazing ! *-*
claire g
i can't believe she's not famous in the US yet. i go to a school of about 3200 and i haven't met a single person, besides my friend eric, who has heard of her. :(
djparaense
I loved the melody! Beautiful song!!
J K
I remember bawling my eyes out the last episode and every time I heard this song. Memories.
NIKONGUY1960
Man she was so young. Now she's married with children and still putting out stellar work. Such a pro.
ATimelessLove
Damn girl! It's like she just drop kicked me in the heart!