She is the daughte… Read Full Bio ↴Alice Russell (b. 1975) is a British soul singer.
She is the daughter of an organist, and grew up in Framlingham in Suffolk. At the age of nine, following in her father's and sisters' musical footsteps, Russell began taking lessons on cello, and sang in choirs, before studying art and music in Brighton from 1994.
As well as the classical influences of her father, and formal music lessons, Russell listened to gospel music and soul artists such as Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin from an early age, which played a big part in the shaping of her style. Other artists such as Minnie Ripperton, Eva Cassidy, Chaka Khan, and Jill Scott are listed by Russell as influences.
She began making a name for herself in the early 2000s, contributing to recordings by Bah Samba, Quantic, TM Juke, Kushti and Nostalgia 77. Her work with Bah Samba sees Russell fusing Latin sounds with tinges of house, jazz and funk, whereas her material with the band Kushti involved a more laid back, hip-hop and soul inspired sound. Her debut album, Under the Munka Moon (2004), was an amalgamation of various singles, remixes, and collaborations.
It was followed by My Favourite Letters in 2005, her debut studio album, created in collaboration with co-writer, producer, and guitarist Alex Cowan (a.k.a. TM Juke). Her third release, Under the Munka Moon II (2006), compiled her most recent collaborations, remixes, and cover versions, including her popular interpretation of The White Stripes' Seven Nation Army. The Alice Russell – Live in Paris DVD also came out in 2006.
Russell and TM Juke have been touring together since 2006 in the U.K, Europe, Australia, the U.S., and other countries. In summer 2006, Grant Marshall (a.k.a. Daddy G of Massive Attack) asked Russell to play the main stage at The Big Chill music festival. Russell has also supported Lonnie Liston Smith, Femi Kuti and De La Soul, and has appeared on the bill with Amy Winehouse for the British showcase at the Midem Music Conference in Cannes 2007.
Heartbreaker
Alice Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But there's a thousand forest fires between us and I can't get through
There's a race you got me running and I pray before the sun is down
I can't keep holding on
You know this love is taking over me
I tried so hard, I tried to breathe
I tried to carry on
Heartbreaker, I cannot be
It's so over, so sad indeed
Heartbreaker, so over
Now I know when hearts are broken
That with time they heal, so they say
But this heart of me I'm choking just to breathe
Another kiss, I pray
And there's a race you got me running
And I stumbled, I carry on I'm left my dive behind
You know this love has taken over me
I tried so hard, I tried to breathe
I tried to carry on
Heartbreaker, I cannot be
So over, so sad indeed
Sign on the dotted line if that is what is what it takes to set me free
And then I'll turn around and tear it up
If that is what I need to do, I will, oh yes I will
In the song "Heartbreaker" by Alice Russell, the singer describes the pain and agony of being trapped in a toxic relationship. She uses powerful imagery to convey the intensity of her emotions, comparing her love to a river that won't stop running and forest fires that prevent her from reaching her lover. She feels like she's in a race, always struggling to catch up and win the affection of her partner who seems to be slipping away from her.
Despite her efforts to hold on, she realizes that she can't go on like this anymore. She feels like a heartbreaker herself and she knows it's time to let go. Although she's afraid of what the future holds, she knows that she needs to break free from this pain and move forward.
This song is a poignant reminder of the power of love and its ability to both inspire and destroy. It shows how difficult it can be to let go of a relationship that has gone bad, even when you know it's for the best.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a river in my mind and it won't stop running just for you
My thoughts are consumed by you and there's nothing I can do to shut it off.
But there's a thousand forest fires between us and I can't get through
Despite my desire to be with you, there are so many obstacles in our way.
There's a race you got me running and I pray before the sun is down
You've set me on a journey and I'm trying my best to reach the goal before time runs out.
I can't keep holding on
I'm struggling to keep going amidst all the challenges.
You know this love is taking over me
I'm completely consumed by my feelings for you.
I tried so hard, I tried to breathe
I've put in so much effort to keep going.
Heartbreaker, I cannot be
I won't let you break my heart.
It's so over, so sad indeed
Our relationship has come to an end and it's heartbreaking.
Now I know when hearts are broken
I've learned that when someone breaks your heart.
That with time they heal, so they say
People say that time can heal a broken heart.
But this heart of me I'm choking just to breathe
Despite this, I'm still struggling to move on.
Another kiss, I pray
I'm desperate for one more moment with you.
And there's a race you got me running
You've set me on a difficult path and I have to keep going.
And I stumbled, I carry on I'm left my dive behind
Even though I've made mistakes, I'm still trying to push forward and leave my past behind.
Sign on the dotted line if that is what is what it takes to set me free
If I have to sign a contract to let go of my feelings for you, I will.
And then I'll turn around and tear it up
But as soon as I'm alone, I'll erase it all and move on.
If that is what I need to do, I will, oh yes I will
I'll do whatever I can to move on from this relationship and find happiness again.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Alex Cowan, Alice Russell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ceres5646
There's a river in my mind and it won't stop running just for you
But there's a thousand forest fires between us and I can't get through
There's a race you got me running and I pray before the sun is down
I can't keep holding on
You know this love is taking over me
I tried so hard, I tried to breathe
I tried to carry on
Heartbreaker, I cannot be
It's so over, so sad indeed
Heartbreaker, so over
Now I know when hearts are broken
That with time they heal, so they say
But this heart of me choking just to breathe
Another kiss, I pray
And there's a race you got me running
And I stumbled, I carry on I'm left my dive behind
You know this love has taken over me
I try so hard, I tried to breathe
I tried to carry on
Heartbreaker, I cannot be
It's so over, so sad indeed
@hugoespiritosanto
Congratulations Alice!!! Your voice's beautiful as always! When will I see u back in Portugal????? Unforgettable and lovely concert in LUX Club and then in Cascais!!!! Miss u live in concert!
@moonsafari200
Wow! I can't pick fault with this track. I personally think that even though Alice Russell's may have dialed it down a bit from her usual style, it works brilliantly with the music. A perfect marriage. No one does soul like the Brits and artists like Russel really capture what R&B is - universal and sexy. Well done!
@JonMichaelDeShazer
I will never look at Harry Shearer the same way again......!
@jeannedeshazer-ellsworth9995
I should have him do my makeup.
@theartist124
I love her, can't believe I just missed her in LA. She's really amazing and every song on the new album is incredible!!!
@lorenacipriano8594
2020....powerfull song👏👏👏👏❤
@j_dj
Can't stop listening to it all day! I looove Alice Russell!!
@marksayers16
Wow! I love it. Looking forward to the new album.
@novabossa
Harry Shearer 2:34 = Priceless
@Quschel
This is wonderful! Thanx again to Alice and everyone involved!