Her self-titled debut album was released on Friday, November 30, 2018, shortly following lead single "Romance," released the previous Tuesday.
Speaking about the new record, Elena said: “Although the record is written for someone, a lot of the time it’s about the space without that person in it. In every scenario, there’s either the person in memory or the noticeable absence of that person in the present moment. I suppose it is a break-up record, however I do not talk about the relationship at all, and he hardly features in the scenes. He is only felt as a ghostly presence.”
Where the Time Went
Ex:Re Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Make them understand, show the love notes
Make them picture with their eyes closed
Make them wonder where the time goes
Keep your distance south of river
Draw a line, they are not together
Make it screech, stop, wait, turn red
You will not save me a standoff
Be another stranger, land here
I will leave this empty handed
Feeling selfish, common as shit
Leave me question where your heart lands
How you open-wounded withstand
Lead me into some false pretense
I will ruin you in a second
Leave it up to interpretation
Open-ended invitation
In your wedding, I could crash it
Whisper in your ear "God, I missed you"
It's been too much, I can't stand it
Then I'll cry there in the staff room
Selling my seats to your concerts
I won't stomach it if I see you
Walking so tall I can't reach you
Happier pretty picture
With some new pretty little blue
You will not save me a standoff
You will not save me a standoff
"Where the Time Went" by Ex:Re is a melancholic indie-rock ballad that explores themes of regret, heartbreak, and missed opportunities. The song opens with the suggestion that the singer is reflecting on their own limitations and failings and is trying to communicate to someone else, perhaps someone they've lost touch with, that they understand their own shortcomings. They ask this person to close their eyes and visualize the emotions that they both share, acknowledging that time is fleeting and they want to make the most of what they have left.
The second verse introduces a sense of distance and separation between the two people, as the singer suggests they draw a line between them and stay on opposite sides of the river. This image suggests a physical separation but also a metaphorical one, as they are not together emotionally either. The reference to stopping in traffic lights creates a sense of frustration and helplessness, as if the singer knows they are wasting valuable time waiting for something that may never come.
The chorus reinforces the idea that this person cannot save the singer from their own pain or set things right between them. They will not be able to intervene in the situation and change the outcome. The lyrics suggest a fatalistic view of the situation, with the singer feeling like they are both powerless to change the past.
Overall, "Where the Time Went" is a powerful and emotive song that conveys a sense of loss and longing. The lyrics are simple but effective, and the melody is haunting and beautiful. The song feels very personal and intimate, as if the singer is sharing a secret with the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
You could open with your failings
You can express your shortcomings and mistakes to others.
Make them understand, show the love notes
Make the people comprehend the reasons for your actions and feel your love.
Make them picture with their eyes closed
Let them imagine the situation as if they were in it with their closed eyes.
Make them wonder where the time goes
Make them think about how quickly time passes and how precious it is.
Keep your distance south of river
Stay away from things that may cause trouble and stay safe.
Draw a line, they are not together
Separate yourself from other people and do not associate with them.
Make it screech, stop, wait, turn red
Stop everything, wait and think about the consequences of your actions.
Make me wonder where the time went
Make me contemplate how quickly time has passed.
You will not save me a standoff
You cannot protect me if we are in a conflict.
Be another stranger, land here
Be someone new to me, come to where I am.
I will leave this empty handed
I will not take anything valuable away from this situation.
Feeling selfish, common as shit
Feeling self-centered, which is very common and ordinary.
Leave me question where your heart lands
Make me doubt where your feelings and emotions lie.
How you open-wounded withstand
How you can endure the emotional pain and suffering.
Lead me into some false pretense
Take me into a deceiving belief or notion.
I will ruin you in a second
I have the power to destroy you very quickly and easily.
Leave it up to interpretation
Leave the meaning or explanation of something open to personal interpretation.
Open-ended invitation
An invitation that is not limited to any particular time frame or plan.
In your wedding, I could crash it
I could show up uninvited at your wedding.
Whisper in your ear 'God, I missed you'
Speak quietly into your ear and tell you how much I longed for you.
It's been too much, I can't stand it
It's been too long and I cannot tolerate or endure it anymore.
Then I'll cry there in the staffroom
Then I'll break down and cry in a private place.
Selling my seats to your concerts
Sell my tickets to see you perform.
I won't stomach it if I see you
I cannot tolerate seeing you and the emotions it brings up.
Walking so tall I can't reach you
You seem very confident and aloof, and I cannot connect with you.
Happier pretty picture
A more joyful and beautiful image.
With some new pretty little blue
With something new and attractive.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Elena Tonra
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@heathpiper9604
New music sweet spot.
Sometimes, you get an internal sense.
A deep longing that seems to be inately in some, but not all, to hear/discover new music.
It’s not always there. Often we go to our familiar. We know what mood we are in.
We know what music will be matched perfectly to that mood. Those around us won’t understand the choice or the transcendence of the song because their moods aren’t aligned with yours.
But then, sometimes you are on the search for the new.
Something to floor you.
A new favourite album. Your album of the year. It’s hard to find. Sometimes you can fool yourself into thinking you have found the gem, but you know something isn’t quite right about what you’re hearing. Maybe a song extrapolates a feeling that you weren’t capable of articulating but doesn’t quite hit the heart mark.
I was tired. I was out of my comfort Zone. I was drunk during the day, with people I didn’t really know going to places I don’t usually visit.
I was in two minds about what to
Do with the rest of my day. I Sobered up. I slept. I washed my car. I decided to take the awakened path and search for a feeling through art. I got
In my car and started to drive. To see my fav artist. Tickets I’d bought months ago. You might put on the artist you are on the way to see. But not tonight. Driving roads I never drive.
And then it happened. The first song of the album just hit me. Ex re.
@ericwilliams3174
You could open with your feelings
Make them understand show them the love notes
Make them picture with their eyes closed
Make them wonder where the time goes
Keep your distance of the river
Draw a line, you're not together
Make it screech stop wait and turn red
Make me wonder where the time went
You will not save me a stand off
Be another stranger and here
I will leave this empty handed
Feeling selfish coming us, shit
Leave me questioning where your heart leans
How you open wounded wing start
Leave me into some fools pretends
I will ruin you in a second
Leave it up to interpretation
Open ended invitation
In your wedding I can crush it
Whisper in your ear
God I miss you
It's been too much I can't stand it
Then I'll cry there in the staff room
Selling my seats to your concerts
I won't stomachache if I see you
Walking so tall I can reach you
Happier pretty picture
With some new pretty little blue
You will not save me a stand off
You will not save me a stand off
Ur welcome ✨
@_Seasons
This girl is a gift, a blessing.
@jaovic1993
True ❤️
@tylerdunross6385
Well spoken.
@osamasaichi4355
Preach.
@YohanSBach
Thank you honey
@asmitamajumder6260
yep she definitely is.
@lauraelisa9169
I'm 20 and I've been listening Elena's songs for years now. I feel like I've grown up with a sister. Her music helped me many times (in many different contexts). Now it feels like I received a letter from a sister I had no news for a long time. I'm so happy!
@osamasaichi4355
Elena bewitches all her fans. that's what this phenomenally talented human being is capable of.
@ShaneSteadycam
I badly regret not going to this show. I checked and there were a few tickets left, then I checked flights and checked a few days later and it was sold out. Regrets, I've had a few aha Hopefully she releases a live DVD of the show. 'Romance' will never leave my top 10, ever!
@emilybeach238
same here. from listening to daughter at 13, and ex:re at 16, to now being 18. she's been a consistent part of my teenage life, which i can only say about a select few artists.