Ivory Layne started songwriting at age six and by her teenage years had taught herself music production, working from her bedroom and posting demos online until she caught the attention of Grammy award-winning producer, Ed Cash (Dolly Parton, Amy Grant). The two wrote, produced, and released her first EP, Volume One.
The critical acclaim and industry buzz following Ivory’s debut EP led to her move to Music City to begin her professional songwriting career, joining a stellar cast of Nashville’s finest writers and producers in the studio (from Jimmy Robbins and Shane McAnally to Lori McKenna) and working with London based producer Liam Howe (Lana Del Rey, Marina and the Diamonds, FKA Twigs, Tom Vek). Her sharpness in the writer's room in turn landed her two global ad campaigns, including one for prestigious jewellery house Swarovski and another for cable giant, HBO. It also gave her opportunities to collaborate with artists such as Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness and Needtobreathe. While the likes of Matt Nathanson, Andy Grammar, Ben Rector, and The Script enlisted her to support them on tour.
At the start of 2021, Ivory released her much anticipated EP, Confetti with production duo Nick Atkinson and Edd Holloway (Lewis Capaldi, James Bay). Her single Lonely Hearts secured a highly coveted spot on BBC Radio 2’s A playlist. Displaying remarkable brilliance as well as inspiring vulnerability and candor on every new offering, rising powerhouse Ivory Layne is ready to leave her mark.
December
Ivory Layne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No heavy notes inside those summer songs
Yeah we were living like we'd last for life
Till I closed my eyes
The leaves are falling faster than my dreams
Screaming in colors of uncertainty
And nothing lasts forever, this i know
CAN MAKE ME WHOLE
IT'S ONLY HEAVY FOR SO LONG
CAN MAKE ME WHOLE
IT'S ONLY HEAVY FOR SO LONG
Try to surrender to the freezing rain
Accepting everything that I can't change
No winter is eternal this I know
Yeah blooms will follow
We all have seasons
To help our hearts reset
And I'm sinking deeper
To catch my breath
I'M IN MY DECEMBER
I'M IN MY DECEMBER
IT'S HARD TO REMEMBER LOWS
CAN MAKE ME WHOLE
IT'S ONLY HEAVY FOR SO LONG
I'M IN MY DECEMBER
CAN MAKE ME WHOLE
IT'S ONLY HEAVY FOR SO LONG
CAN MAKE ME WHOLE
IT'S ONLY HEAVY FOR SO LONG
CAN MAKE ME WHOLE
IT'S ONLY HEAVY FOR SO LONG
Nothing lasts forever
Forever, Forever
I'm in my December, December
I'M IN MY DECEMBER
I'M IN MY DECEMBER
IT'S HARD TO REMEMBER LOWS
CAN MAKE ME WHOLE
IT'S ONLY HEAVY FOR SO LONG
We all have seasons
To help our hearts reset
And I'm sinking deeper
To catch my breath
I'M IN MY DECEMBER
In the first verse, Ivory Layne describes a summer of carefree living where time seemed endless and their future felt secured. However, these days of blissful ignorance have been replaced with an uncertain present where the leaves of fall reflect the colors of their uncertainty. Despite the emotional weight of the present, Layne acknowledges that nothing lasts forever and winter is not eternal. This idea is reinforced by the seasons' ability to help our hearts reset. In this sense, the singer is in their December, a metaphorical season of change and transformation. They recognize that the lows can make them whole, and while life may be heavy, it's only heavy for so long before new growth and blooms follow.
The chorus highlights the phrase "I'm in my December," which symbolizes a season of introspection, transformation, and hope. December, often associated with darkness and cold, is a reminder that difficult times are necessary for growth and that even in the darkest moments, there is potential for new beginnings. The lyrics suggest that surrendering to the challenges and accepting what cannot be changed is the only way to move forward. The final repetition of "nothing lasts forever" and "I'm in my December" serves as a reminder that difficult times are just a temporary phase in life, and that even the coldest winters will give way to brighter springs.
Line by Line Meaning
The sun was high and all the days were long
The carefree days of summer when the sun shone and time seemed endless.
No heavy notes inside those summer songs
Life was easy and light, without worries or cares.
Yeah we were living like we'd last for life
We were young and invincible, thinking we could live forever.
Till I closed my eyes
Until reality hit and we were forced to face the truth.
The leaves are falling faster than my dreams
Time is passing quicker than I want it to, and my aspirations and plans are slipping away just as fast.
Screaming in colors of uncertainty
I'm feeling lost and unsure, with a lot of conflicting emotions that I can't seem to sort through.
And nothing lasts forever, this i know
I'm gradually realizing that everything is transitory and doesn't endure forever.
I can't always hold on
It's hard to maintain my grasp on things and keep control of my life.
Try to surrender to the freezing rain
Sometimes the best thing to do is let go and accept whatever comes, even if it's painful or uncomfortable.
Accepting everything that I can't change
Learning to come to terms with aspects of life that I can't alter or influence.
No winter is eternal this I know
Even when everything seems cold and bleak, eventually things will change and new life will come.
Yeah blooms will follow
Spring inevitably follows winter and new growth and life will emerge.
We all have seasons
Life goes through cycles of ups and downs, and everyone experiences different phases.
To help our hearts reset
These seasons can be beneficial for healing and starting anew, giving us a chance to renew our spirits.
And I'm sinking deeper
Despite trying to stay afloat, sometimes it feels like I'm only sinking down further.
To catch my breath
But I'm still trying to persevere and find a way to recover and keep going.
I'm in my December
I'm in a tough spot and feeling low, but still trying to hold on and move forward.
It's hard to remember lows can make me whole
Although it's difficult to think positively about hard times, they can ultimately be transformative and help heal us.
It's only heavy for so long
Even the heaviest burdens will eventually lift and become more manageable.
Contributed by Jason W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.