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.
It Was You
Ivory Layne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
cnd everything inside of me begs "Not tonight"
Cause there's what I want
cnd what I need
My logic says it's for the best
If I just leave
But I needed something
I just wish I coulda saved us both the hurt of Thinking it was you
I needed something
cin't that the truth
I just wish I coulda saved us both the hurt of Wishing it was you
I swore it was you
I swore it was you
Hanging on your lips
Like a last thread
I'm fraying at the edges where
We make no sense
Heartbreak's the only
Way this ends
I shoulda never let you in
Shoulda never let you in
But I did
I needed something
cnd I still do
I just wish I coulda saved us both the hurt of
Thinking it was you
I needed something
cin't that the truth
I just wish I coulda saved us both the hurt of
Wishing it was you
cnd I wish I could forget about your hands
cnd my heart could just release you
From my head
Cause nobody else
For this to blame for this
It's only myself
I wish i wish i wish
That I could kiss you
Wish I coulda saved us both the hurt
I needed something
cnd I still do
I just wish I coulda saved us both the hurt of Thinking it was you
I needed something
cin't that the truth
I just wish I coulda saved us both the hurt of Wishing it was you
I swore it was you
I swore it was you
The lyrics to Ivory Layne's song "It Was You" depict a conflicted emotional state of the singer. The song begins with the singer driving to the house of someone, off Highway 65, but feeling hesitant about meeting them that night. The juxtaposition of what the singer wants versus what they need creates a sense of inner turmoil. Their logical side urges them to leave, indicating that being in this situation is not in their best interest.
However, despite this conflict, the singer admits that they needed something and still do. They express a desire to have saved both themselves and the person they're addressing from the pain of believing that they were the right choice. The repetition of the phrase "I just wish I coulda saved us both the hurt" emphasizes the regret and longing present in the singer's emotions.
The second verse explores the physical and emotional closeness the singer once had with this person. The metaphor of hanging on their lips and fraying at the edges implies a sense of desperation and vulnerability. The line "Heartbreak's the only way this ends" suggests that the singer recognizes the inevitable pain associated with their connection. However, they also acknowledge their own responsibility, admitting they should have never let the person in, but they did.
The final part of the song expresses a sense of longing and the difficulty of moving on. The singer wishes they could forget about the person's hands and release them from their mind and heart. They realize that no one else is to blame for their current state except themselves. The repetition of "I wish" and the longing to kiss this person further highlights the emotional struggle.
Overall, Ivory Layne's "It Was You" delves into the complexity of emotions and the regret that can arise from pursuing something that ultimately causes pain. It captures the internal conflict between desires and needs, and the difficulty of letting go and moving on from a toxic or hurtful relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Driving to your house off 65
As I drive towards your house, located off of Highway 65, I am filled with anticipation and uncertainty.
And everything inside of me begs 'Not tonight'
Every part of me is pleading and begging to reconsider this encounter or meeting tonight.
Cause there's what I want
There exists my desires and wishes,
And what I need
In addition to what I truly need at this moment.
My logic says it's for the best
Rationally, it suggests that it would be advantageous and wise
If I just leave
If I simply choose to depart and not proceed any further.
But I needed something
However, I am yearning for something essential and important in my life,
And I still do
And that longing remains present within me at this very moment.
I just wish I could've saved us both the hurt
I merely desire that I could have prevented both of us from experiencing pain and sorrow
Of thinking it was you
That resulted from the mistaken belief that you were the one who could fulfill my needs.
I swore it was you
I sincerely believed and affirmed that it was indeed you, without a doubt.
Hanging on your lips
Here I am, metaphorically grasping onto every word that escapes your mouth,
Like a last thread
As if it were the final thread keeping me intact
I'm fraying at the edges
I am slowly unraveling and coming apart at the fringes
Where we make no sense
In the space where our relationship lacks coherence and understanding.
Heartbreak's the only way this ends
It is inevitable that our story concludes with heartbreak as the only possible outcome.
I should've never let you in
I now realize that it was a mistake to allow you into my life and heart
But I did
Although I knew it was unwise, I still went ahead and made that choice.
And I wish I could forget about your hands
I yearn to erase all memories of your touch and the way your hands felt.
And my heart could just release you from my head
If only my heart could let go of you and release you from occupying my thoughts and mind.
Cause nobody else for this to blame for this
I have no one to hold responsible or accountable for this situation except for myself.
It's only myself
I am solely to blame for the consequences and pain that resulted from my choices.
I wish I wish I wish
I have an intense and desperate longing
That I could kiss you
To have the opportunity to embrace and kiss you once more.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: IVORY LAYNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind