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.
There’s Us
Alexz Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The one smiling like the sun, that's you
What were you thinking
What was the song inside your head
There's us, going on about a band
Working out how we play our hands
I lay there dreaming, later on alone in my bed
Not everything is supposed to come true
Some words are best unsaid
Some love is not really love at all
I'll keep everything I shared with you
And that's enough, there's us
Freeze frame, I'm not about to cry
It's too late for us to change, why try
I've got a camera tucked away inside my heart
If I'm a loser, or just unlucky, so are you
Not everything is supposed to come true
Some words are best unsaid
Some love is not really love at all
I'll keep everything I shared with you
And that's enough, there's us
Somewhere between then and now
I looked away when you said we'll never change
And if you think what might've been
You'll lose today and we've got songs to play
Not everything is supposed to come true
Some words are best unsaid
Some love is not really love at all
I'll keep everything I shared with you
And that's enough, there's us
Not everything is supposed to come true
Some words are best unsaid
Some love is not really love at all
I'll keep everything I shared with you
And that's enough,
There's us
There's us
There's us
In these lyrics, Alexz Johnson recounts the story of a past relationship. She sings about how there were times when they were close and happy ("There's us, going on about a band/ Working out how we play our hands") and times when they were distant and unsure of each other ("There's me, looking down at my shoes/ The one smiling like the sun, that's you"). She reflects on the fact that, even though things didn't work out between them, they still shared meaningful experiences and moments together ("I'll keep everything I shared with you/ And that's enough, there's us").
The refrain of "Not everything is supposed to come true/ Some words are best unsaid/ Some love is not really love at all" is a meditation on the ambiguity and complexity of relationships. It acknowledges that sometimes things don't work out, and that's okay. Johnson seems to be suggesting that, even if things didn't go as planned, the memories and experiences they shared together are still valuable ("I've got a camera tucked away inside my heart").
Overall, the message of the song is one of acceptance and gratitude. Johnson acknowledges the imperfections of her relationship and the people involved, and finds solace in the fact that they were able to share something together, even if it ultimately didn't work out.
Line by Line Meaning
There's me, looking down at my shoes
I am feeling down and not confident.
The one smiling like the sun, that's you
YOU are the cheerful one, who always keeps it together.
What were you thinking
What were you thinking when you saw me, down and upset?
What was the song inside your head
What was your perception of the situation?
There's us, going on about a band
We are hanging out and having fun, talking about shared interests.
Working out how we play our hands
We are strategizing how to approach our situation together.
I lay there dreaming, later on alone in my bed
I am thinking and reflecting on our time together.
If I was stupid, maybe careless, so are you
We both make mistakes and act carelessly sometimes.
Not everything is supposed to come true
Not every hope and dream will be fulfilled.
Some words are best unsaid
Often, things are better left unsaid.
Some love is not really love at all
Some things we mistake for love are not really what we think they are.
I'll keep everything I shared with you
I value the memories we made together.
And that's enough, there's us
Those memories and our relationship are valuable to me.
Freeze frame, I'm not about to cry
I am holding back tears, trying to be strong.
It's too late for us to change, why try
We cannot change the past, so what is the point in trying?
I've got a camera tucked away inside my heart
I treasure memories of our relationship.
If I'm a loser, or just unlucky, so are you
We both have our own shortcomings and misfortunes.
Somewhere between then and now
At some point in time, things changed between us.
I looked away when you said we'll never change
I did not want to accept that things will never be the same.
And if you think what might've been
If you focus on the past, you miss out on the present.
You'll lose today and we've got songs to play
Let's focus on the present and enjoy our time together.
And that's enough, there's us
The memories and moments we share are enough to cherish.
There's us
In the end, what matters is our relationship, our bond.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Moon_Fire_Water
Also this song... with White Lines and Liar Liar impacted me so greatly... amazing show and unjustly cancelled without proper ending!
@nobloodforfoil
..rite?? ..& really tho, this song is fn beautiful..
..actually got a video on my channel walking thro the degrassi set years ago, while they were filming Instant Star.. will try to look thro what older footage I still got, and see if luck caught some shots of that side of the building for ya.. :)
@Moon_Fire_Water
"I've got a camera tucked away inside my heart" - GOLD
@ryangothy1
this song is so sad i played it a whole day straight once.
@RedChrysanthemums
There's me, looking down at my shoes
The one smiling like the sun, that's you
What were you thinking
What was the song inside your head
There's us, going on about a band
Working out how we play our hands
I lay there dreaming, later on alone in my bed
If I was stupid, maybe careless, so are you
Not everything is supposed to come true
Some words are best unsaid
Some love is not really love at all
I'll keep everything I shared with you
And that's enough, there's us
Freeze frame, I'm not about to cry
It's too late for us to change, why try
I've got a camera tucked away inside my heart
If I'm a loser, or just unlucky, so are you
Not everything is supposed to come true
Some words are best unsaid
Some love is not really love at all
I'll keep everything I shared with you
And that's enough, there's us
Somewhere between then and now
I looked away when you said we'll never change
And if you think what might've been
You'll lose today and we've got songs to play
Not everything is supposed to come true
Some words are best unsaid
Some love is not really love at all
I'll keep everything I shared with you
And that's enough, there's us
Not everything is supposed to come true
Some words are best unsaid
Some love is not really love at all
I'll keep everything I shared with you
And that's enough,
There's us
There's us
There's us
@sourcandilicious
I love this song!
@huggs66
love this!!