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.
Two a.m
Alexz Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
White on white
It's the color of hope
On an unforgiving night
You kissed me into ruins
Sin on sin
Now I've gotta love your love letters
Written on my skin
[Chorus]
I can't tell the stars from the downtown lights
If I said I was truly over you
My heart would say amen
But I'd give in to the cold caress of 2 am.
If I admit I can't get used to this
Will my heart break again?
As I fall into the waiting arms of 2 AM
Someone's scratchy music through the walls.
Sirens weavin' through the streets
I must have missed your call
Gathering up these nights
Black on black
I know your voice like it's my own
And it makes my heart go slack
[Chorus]
Oh
If I said I was truly over you
My heart would say amen
But I give in to the cold caress of 2 AM
If I admit I can't get used to this
Will my heart break again?
As I fall
Into the waiting arms of 2 AM
Of 2 AM
The song "2 a.m." by Alexz Johnson is a powerful ballad about the aftermath of a passionate but destructive love affair. The opening lines describe a cold and unforgiving winter night, with snow falling on the city in a stark contrast of white on white. The snow is seen as a symbol of hope, a glimmer of something beautiful in the midst of darkness. However, the hope is short-lived as the lyrics describe being "kissed into ruins" by a lover who has left their mark on the singer's skin.
The chorus reveals the singer's struggle to move on from this destructive relationship. The downtown lights and stars blur together, reflecting the confusion and turmoil in the singer's heart. She wants to let go of this toxic love, but her heart won't let her. The temptation to fall back into the arms of her ex-lover is too strong, even at the cold and lonely hour of 2 a.m. The second verse provides more context, with references to scratchy music, sirens, and missed phone calls. The singer is surrounded by the chaos of the city, but all she can think about is the person who has shattered her heart.
The song's theme of loving someone who isn't good for you is a common one in music. However, Johnson's delivery of the lyrics is particularly impactful. Her soft, vulnerable voice conveys the pain and yearning in the lyrics, while the instrumentation adds a haunting quality to the song. Overall, "2 a.m." is an emotional and relatable ode to the struggles of moving on from a toxic relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Snow falls on the city
The snow represents hope in the midst of a cold and unforgiving night in the city.
White on white
The pure white of the snow is a stark contrast to the darkness and chaos of the city.
It's the color of hope
Despite the harsh city environment, there is always a glimmer of hope represented by the snow.
On an unforgiving night
The night is described as being brutal and unyielding, adding to the overall atmosphere of despair.
You kissed me into ruins
Although the kiss was passionate and intense, it ultimately led to destruction and decay.
Sin on sin
The kiss was not just a simple act of affection, but rather a sin that led to a series of other sins.
Now I've gotta love your love letters
The singer is compelled to love the person who wrote her love letters, which are now imprinted on her skin.
Written on my skin
The tattoos represent a permanent mark left by the love letters, making it impossible for the singer to forget the relationship.
I can't tell the stars from the downtown lights
The misery and pain caused by the breakup has left the singer unable to differentiate between natural beauty and the artificial lights of the city.
If I said I was truly over you
The singer's heart is not yet healed, despite her attempt to convince herself otherwise.
My heart would say amen
The singer's heart is in agreement with the statement, even if her mind is not.
But I'd give in to the cold caress of 2 am.
The loneliness and despair of the early morning hours is a constant temptation for the singer to give in to her emotions.
If I admit I can't get used to this
The singer acknowledges that she is struggling to cope with the loss of the relationship.
Will my heart break again?
The singer is afraid of opening herself up to the possibility of more heartbreak.
As I fall into the waiting arms of 2 AM
The singer is drawn to the darkness and despair of the early morning hours, which represent a safe haven for her emotions.
Someone's scratchy music through the walls.
The sound of someone else's music serves as a reminder that the singer is not alone in her pain.
Sirens weavin' through the streets
The constant noise of the city is a reminder of the chaos and disorder that surrounds the singer.
I must have missed your call
The singer is disappointed and hurt that she did not receive a call from the person she loves.
Gathering up these nights
The singer is collecting memories of the nights spent together, even as they slip away.
Black on black
The night is described as being dark and oppressive, adding to the overall sense of despair.
I know your voice like it's my own
The memory of the person's voice is so strong that it feels like a part of the singer's own identity.
And it makes my heart go slack
The sound of the person's voice causes the singer's heart to weaken and become overwhelmed with emotion.
Oh
An expression of the singer's pain and vulnerability.
Of 2 AM
A repetition of the earlier line, emphasizing the importance of the early morning hours as a place of emotional refuge.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Peter Badillo
2020 still listening to All The Great Hits From Instant Star!!! We Need a Reboot!!!!!
Jeanette Coleman
2020 🙋🏾♀️ I need a album with all the music and a reunion 😩
Peter Badillo
Jeanette Coleman Yasss Girl!!!! For Reals!!
Jamie Downey
I agree!
Jenniffer Maynard
Same here.
Hannah Tamzar
Yep!!
Jasmine Jones
2022 and it still gives everything 🖤
Aly S
How many years later and I still get goosebumps from this song!
Alida Bonifaz
this was the most depressing series ending ever. I saw it years later when I bought the DVD because I didn't get to see it on the N. I thought there was another season after this and was so sad to find out there was nothing after this. It just didn't make sense after all they went through. This song breaks my heart.
Molly Marie
There's a webisode that came out after though of them getting married. I like to think that later they do eventually get married.