Turner enthusiastically embraces an all-things-to-all-people ethic (even though it's hard to imagine her uniquely personalized style going over particularly well at, say, an accordion-saturated polka festival). And Turner began her musical journey by focusing on an extremely critical audience of one - herself.
"When I started writing, I only wrote because I was in a lot of pain," she confesses. "I never even had these big dreams of being on a stage or pursuing a career. I really just wrote because I couldn't get out what I was feeling in any other way." Amazingly, Turner evolved into a skillful songwriter at a tender age. When asked to recall the first song that convinced her that she had true talent, she mentions "Remembering," which appears on her self-titled CD, "I wrote that when I think I was 12. I think I was in the 7th grade."
No doubt about it, this young lady has already experienced more than her share of deep loss. "The worst thing was losing my father, because I was a real daddy's girl," she says. "He was a pastor for 25 years. Also, my mother was real sick when I was a child, and we didn't know if she was going to make it at one point. I went through a lot, and I think that's why God gave me this outlet, because He knew that I was going to need it." Turner's two independent releases, not surprisingly, are loaded with songs that speak openly about her tough times. "My manager's always trying to get me to write happy songs," Turner kids. "So I say, 'Well, take me to Disneyworld.'"
A reality check will tell you that life's no amusement park. And you need not look far to find artists similar to Tuner: soulful women who are turning personal pain into big artistic gain. Audiences tell Turner she reminds them of Sarah McLachlan, Regina Spektor, Fiona Apple, and other girls who - for lack of another common thread - all site down and sing at a piano. But Turner goes old school when asked to name her personal influences. "My favorite, favorite, favorite is Karen Carpenter (of the Carpenters)," she says. "She's my all-time favorite. I just love her music." But Turner is by no means stuck in the past, influence-wise. "I must say that one of my favorite albums now is My Chemical Romance's The Black Parade," she says. "I love the writing on it, and every part on it has its place and purpose. I was blown away by that record!"
Madison Avenue loves selling formulaic products too broad audiences. The bigger the crowd, the more familiar the product, the larger the profit. But Turner takes a much more personal approach. "One of my songs is called "Breathing," and I've had a real long struggle with anxiety and depression. And I talk about that in my shows. And with the intro to it, I stop and start it three of four different times. And the people who have never experienced depression/anxiety, they understand exactly why I do it. And the people who have never experienced that stuff come up to me after the show and ask me, 'Why did you do that?' They thought that I'd forgotten how to play the song, or something like that. People get certain songs, and if they've been through what I'm singing about, they know."
Music is medicine for the soul, not mere marketing fodder. It's something ad execs will never understand. But for those with ears to hear and senses to feel with, Alisa Turner is marking intimate heart-to-heart connections wherever she goes. And it's all as natural as breathing.
Breathing
Alisa Turner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It is killing me within
Someone check if I'm still
Breathing
Just keep me breathing
Oh now what should I say
I wanna to keep it from the heart
Breathing
Just keep me breathing
See this is why I sing it
It's gonna keep me breathing
I should've told you from the start of things
That tonight I'm really suffering
And me I hope you're still
Believing
Don't stop believing
Cause if you stop believing
Than it will keep me singing
I do have thought of suicide
I know it's brave of me to say (I know)
But am I brave enough
To Stay
Enough to stay
So this is why I'm singing
To keep me breathing
Lyrics found here
The song Breathing by Alisa Turner is a powerful and emotional ballad about a person struggling with inner turmoil that is threatening their very existence. The opening lines suggest that the person has been harboring something within themselves that is dying to be released, but it is destroying them from the inside. The plea for someone to check if they're still breathing indicates a desperate need for help and connection.
The chorus emphasizes this need for survival, as the singer begs for someone to keep them breathing. The line "I wanna keep it from the heart" suggests that there is something the person is trying to protect, possibly a secret or a deep emotional wound that they fear will be exposed if they give in to their pain. The repetition of the phrase "just keep me breathing" underscores the urgency of their situation and the importance of human connection in times of crisis.
The second verse reveals that the singer is suffering and contemplating suicide. They express admiration for their own bravery in admitting this, but they are unsure if they are brave enough to stay alive. The chorus takes on new meaning as the singer implores their loved ones to keep believing and to keep them singing, hoping that the power of music and the support of others will give them the strength to endure.
Overall, Breathing is a moving and poignant song that explores the struggles of mental health and the need for human connection in times of crisis.
Line by Line Meaning
It is dying to come out
The thing inside me is trying to come out, and it feels like it's dying.
It is killing me within
This thing inside me is hurting me from the inside out and causing me pain.
Someone check if I'm still
Breathing
Just keep me breathing
I need someone to check if I'm still alive and breathing. Please just help me keep breathing.
Oh now what should I say
I wanna to keep it from the heart
I don't know what to say, but I know I need to keep whatever's going on inside me from hurting my heart further.
See this is why I sing it
It's gonna keep me breathing
This is why I sing this song; it helps me keep breathing and feel like I'm still alive.
I should've told you from the start of things
That tonight I'm really suffering
I wish I had told you from the beginning that I'm really struggling tonight.
And me I hope you're still
Believing
Don't stop believing
I hope that you still believe in me and don't give up on me, because that will help me keep going.
Cause if you stop believing
Than it will keep me singing
If you stop believing in me, it will make me feel worse and make me want to keep singing this song to keep going.
I do have thought of suicide
I know it's brave of me to say (I know)
But am I brave enough
To Stay
Enough to stay
I do think about hurting myself, and it takes bravery to admit that. But am I brave enough to stay alive and keep fighting?
So this is why I'm singing
To keep me breathing
This is why I'm singing this song - to try and keep breathing and stay alive.
Contributed by Zoe P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Viva los pepes
You certainly deserve to be on the airwaves. You are special God has made you so special. I listen to your music everyday. You have helped me again and again. Heavenly Father thank you for her voice.
Wayne Holdaway
I received an email today suggesting that I listen to your songs. At 68, I don’t listen to a lot of contemporary Christian music, but I love ❤️ how you sing with your whole heart and soul! Truly WONDERFUL
Ema q
Wow, what a beautiful voice. I am sorry about the loss of your son, I can't imagine how hard it must of been. This is a big fear I have, not being able to have kids because of this horrible disease. hang in there.
Lymeguy
You are a beautiful soul Alisa :) God has given such an amazing beautiful voice. Thank you :)
Jennifer Adams
What a beautiful soul you have Alisa! Listening to you sing is so wonderful, I can just feel your pain. If only we had more women like you in everyday music, it would be a much more deep and meaningful society :)
Jivanna
2017 and I still come to this song to uplift my spirits. Thank you for writing this song Alisa.
Connie Walker
Beautiful song Alisa. Love your voice, keep singing & breathing.
Mendy Kay Hodge
My beautiful friend, Alisa! Still my "go to" song when I'm in my dark places in my mind! Love you dearly!
SellyNue
The way your soul shines through the song, your honesty, its so inspiring!! I could listen to this over and over many times!! Love you much! xoxo
Kate Goddu
So beautiful and gives me goosebumps every time! Your soul shines right through! I love you soooo much! <3 xo