Having always been a lover of stories and made-up worlds, she has fed her passion for self-expression with a healthy lifestyle of creativity and writing. Since breaking into the music world in 2017, she has explored the themes of control and isolation and this can be seen in the themes explored in her writing as well. AViVA has said her music is about a 'Outsider's perspective and she is on a quest to help people feel a sense of strength around their identity and feel empowered to be themselves. AViVA once said she was always the "quirky" kid at school which was where she first felt like an Outsider herself. Her passion for performing arts and writing meant she often spent time in the library reading and writing or in the music classrooms.
AViVA grew up in a musical family. She started violin lessons when was 4 years old, and then studied piano before beginning classical vocal training and teaching herself guitar. AViVA attended high school at Mercy College in Chatswood, New South Wales, Australia and studied theatre and secondary education at the University of Notre Dame Australia eventually becoming a full time author and musician in 2018.
AViVA's debut novel SELF/LESS was released in October 2021 and the sequel RELENTLESS is due for release in August 2022. She has toured with artists such as Poppy and YUNGBLUD. She is also playing at MADCOOL festival in Madrid in 2022 and Riot Fest in Chicago in September 2022.
House of Cards
Aviva Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Think you know all about me, you've only seen my scars
Gotcha thinkin' 'bout it, watchin' the walls come down
Try not to cry or shout it, watch it all fall down
You're runnin' in, and you're runnin' out
Better watch your head, 'cause it's coming down
Now you can't go in, and you can't come out
Whatever you're thinking, don't say it
The damage is already done
Sick of the games that you're playing
Watch out or the tables will turn
I might strike a match
Watch flames do a dance
I might whisper too close
It's nothing but a house of cards
Stand back and watch it all burn down
'Cause I might blow a kiss
Watch the paper twist
I might whisper too close
It's nothing but a house of cards
Stand back and watch it all fall down
See, you're still thinkin' 'bout it
Thinkin' really hard
Thought you knew all about me
I smashed that house of cards
Runnin' in, and you're runnin' out
Better watch your step, 'cause you're fallin' down
Now you can't go in, and you can't get out
Gotta make a choice, there's no turn around
Whatever you're thinking, don't say it
The damage is already done
Watch as the exit is fadin'
I warned you the tables would turn
I might strike a match
Watch flames do a dance
I might whisper too close
It's nothing but a house of cards
Stand back and watch it all burn down
'Cause I might blow a kiss
Watch the paper twist
I might whisper too close
It's nothing but a house of cards
Stand back and watch it all fall down
Ring a ring a rosie, guess you think you know me
I whisper, I whisper
It all falls down
Ring a ring a rosie, guess you think you know me
I whisper, I whisper
It all falls down
I might strike a match
Watch flames do a dance
I might whisper too close
It's nothing but a house of cards
Stand back and watch it all burn down
'Cause I might blow a kiss
Watch the paper twist
I might whisper too close
It's nothing but a house of cards
Stand back and watch it all fall down
In Aviva's song "House of Cards," the lyrics convey the idea that the persona is tired of playing games and being misunderstood. She has been hurt in the past, and as a result, she has become cautious about letting others in. The idea of the "house of cards" is that the persona's facade or mask is fragile and could crumble at any moment, leaving her vulnerable. She warns others not to push her because when she strikes back, there will be consequences.
The chorus of the song ("I might strike a match, watch flames do a dance, I might whisper too close, it's nothing but a house of cards...stand back and watch it all burn down") suggests that the persona is prepared to destroy the illusion she has created of herself. She is ready to reveal her true self, no matter the cost. The last lines of the song ("Ring a ring a rosie, guess you think you know me, I whisper, I whisper, it all falls down") suggest that the persona is secretive, and even those who think they know her do not truly understand her.
In summary, "House of Cards" is a warning to those who would try to play games with the persona. She is tired of the facade, and if pushed, she will strike back, destroying the illusion she has created.
Line by Line Meaning
Gotcha thinkin' 'bout it, thinkin' really hard
You have something on your mind and can't stop thinking about it.
Think you know all about me, you've only seen my scars
You may think you know everything about me, but you only know about the experiences that have left marks on me.
Gotcha thinkin' 'bout it, watchin' the walls come down
You are starting to question the situation and notice things starting to change.
Try not to cry or shout it, watch it all fall down
You are trying to hold back your emotions while everything around you is crumbling.
You're runnin' in, and you're runnin' out
You are in a frenzied state of mind, going back and forth on a decision.
Better watch your head, 'cause it's coming down
You need to be careful because everything is about to collapse.
Now you can't go in, and you can't come out
You are stuck in a difficult situation and don't see a way out.
Gotta make a choice, there's no time for doubt
You need to make a decision quickly and without hesitation.
Whatever you're thinking, don't say it
Keep your thoughts to yourself because it may lead to more harm than good.
The damage is already done
The situation is beyond repair and what has happened cannot be changed.
Sick of the games that you're playing
You are tired of being manipulated and mistreated.
Watch out or the tables will turn
Be careful because the situation may reverse and you could find yourself in a vulnerable position.
I might strike a match
I am capable of causing destruction and lighting a fire.
Watch flames do a dance
Observe as everything burns and takes on a life of its own.
I might whisper too close
I am capable of manipulating and influencing with my words.
It's nothing but a house of cards
The situation is unstable and can fall apart at any moment.
Stand back and watch it all burn down
Step away and observe the destruction that I am causing.
'Cause I might blow a kiss
I am capable of being seductive and luring others into my trap.
Watch the paper twist
Observe the situation becoming more complex and difficult to navigate.
See, you're still thinkin' 'bout it
The situation is still on your mind and you can't stop thinking about it.
I smashed that house of cards
I have destroyed the unstable situation that was causing harm.
Better watch your step, 'cause you're fallin' down
Be careful because everything is collapsing and you could get hurt.
Now you can't go in, and you can't get out
The situation has become too dangerous and you are trapped.
Gotta make a choice, there's no turn around
You need to make a decision quickly because there is no going back.
Watch as the exit is fadin'
The opportunity to escape is disappearing.
I warned you the tables would turn
I warned you that the situation could reverse and you could find yourself in a vulnerable position.
Ring a ring a rosie, guess you think you know me
You may think you understand me, but you do not.
I whisper, I whisper
I am using my words to influence and manipulate the situation.
It all falls down
Everything is crumbling and coming to an end.
Writer(s): Teal Douville, Aviva Payne
Contributed by Kayla A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
AViVA
LYRICS
Verse 1
Gotcha thinking bout it
Thinking really hard
Think you know all about me
You’ve only seen my scars
Gotcha thinking bout it
Watching the walls come down
Try not to cry or shout it
Watch it all fall down
You’re running in, and you’re running out
Better watch your head cause it’s coming down
Now you cant go in, and you can’t come out
Gotta make a choice, there’s no time for doubt
Whatever you’re thinking, don’t say it
The damage is already done
Sick of the games that you’re playing,
Watch out or the tables will turn
Chorus
I might strike a match, watch flames do a dance
I might whisper too close …
It’s nothing but a house of cards
Stand back and watch it all burn down
Cause, I might blow a kiss, watch the paper twist
I might whisper too close …
It’s nothing but a house of cards
Stand back and watch it all fall down
Verse 2
See you’re still thinking bout it
Thinking really hard
Thought you knew all about me
I smashed that house’a cards
Running in, and you’re running out
Better watch your step cause you’re falling down
Now you can’t go in, and you can’t get out
Gotta make a choice, there’s no turn around
Whatever your thinking don’t say it
The damage is already done
Watch as the exit is fadin’
I warned you the tables would turn
Chorus
I might strike a match, watch flames do a dance
I might whisper too close …
It’s nothing but a house of cards
Stand back and watch it all burn down
Cause, I might blow a kiss, watch the paper twist
I might whisper too close …
It’s nothing but a house of cards
Stand back and watch it all fall down
Bridge
Ring a ring a rosie
Guess you think you know me
A whisper, a whisper
It all falls down
Ring a ring a rosie
Guess you think you know me
A whisper, a whisper
It all falls down
Outro
I might strike a match, watch flames do a dance
I might whisper too close …
It’s nothing but a house of cards
Stand back and watch it all burn down
Cause, I might blow a kiss, watch the paper twist
I might whisper too close …
It’s nothing but a house of cards
Stand back and watch it all fall down
AViVA
LYRICS
Verse 1
Gotcha thinking bout it
Thinking really hard
Think you know all about me
You’ve only seen my scars
Gotcha thinking bout it
Watching the walls come down
Try not to cry or shout it
Watch it all fall down
You’re running in, and you’re running out
Better watch your head cause it’s coming down
Now you cant go in, and you can’t come out
Gotta make a choice, there’s no time for doubt
Whatever you’re thinking, don’t say it
The damage is already done
Sick of the games that you’re playing,
Watch out or the tables will turn
Chorus
I might strike a match, watch flames do a dance
I might whisper too close …
It’s nothing but a house of cards
Stand back and watch it all burn down
Cause, I might blow a kiss, watch the paper twist
I might whisper too close …
It’s nothing but a house of cards
Stand back and watch it all fall down
Verse 2
See you’re still thinking bout it
Thinking really hard
Thought you knew all about me
I smashed that house’a cards
Running in, and you’re running out
Better watch your step cause you’re falling down
Now you can’t go in, and you can’t get out
Gotta make a choice, there’s no turn around
Whatever your thinking don’t say it
The damage is already done
Watch as the exit is fadin’
I warned you the tables would turn
Chorus
I might strike a match, watch flames do a dance
I might whisper too close …
It’s nothing but a house of cards
Stand back and watch it all burn down
Cause, I might blow a kiss, watch the paper twist
I might whisper too close …
It’s nothing but a house of cards
Stand back and watch it all fall down
Bridge
Ring a ring a rosie
Guess you think you know me
A whisper, a whisper
It all falls down
Ring a ring a rosie
Guess you think you know me
A whisper, a whisper
It all falls down
Outro
I might strike a match, watch flames do a dance
I might whisper too close …
It’s nothing but a house of cards
Stand back and watch it all burn down
Cause, I might blow a kiss, watch the paper twist
I might whisper too close …
It’s nothing but a house of cards
Stand back and watch it all fall down
Harley Nightmare
AMAZING!! 💛🖤
Christopher Capers-Jones
I love this song so much. Thanks, AViVA❤❤
Place of PEACE
❤️🖤❤️🖤
Fares !!
AMAZING words 💛🖤
Savage
Sweet lyrics
Fai
There’s a part of me that wants to keep AViVA to myself cause she’s just incredible and so talented but there’s another part of me that wants her abilities to be recognized even more it’s a slippery slope 😭😭 the amount of high quality content we get is incredible 💛🖤💛🖤💛
AViVA
What a difficult situation!! I’d say TELL EVERYBODY!!!🖤💛🖤💛
𝕋𝕖𝕕𝕕𝕪_𝕃𝕒𝕧𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕣
@AViVA heyyyy
#Outsider
This song is amazing! The melody, the harmonies, the lyrics, the tune, the visuals, just everything. I also need to know how long it took you to get that house of cards perfect and to stay- Forever an OUTSiDER! Love you AViVA 💛🖤💛