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.
You Say
Ivory Layne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Beauty inside of the moulding
Every fabric that is holding us
But my judgements clouded by cheap tricks
I'm filled with these empty promises
My soul yearns for all the dark above, above
I see different views
And every single one down here
Is beautiful to You
You listen to the beat of my heart
You're sensitive to every scar
You lift me up so I can reach stars
When I should be faced down in the sand
And You say we were worth everything You gave
From the Savior's birth to that empty grave
And there are times when I feel small like
Nothing I can do counts at all times
Of what You did for all of us that day
And sometimes i feel it creeping in the
Bitter shroud of all my sin and doubt
Cannot help but think that I'm a waste, a waste
But looking into Your eyes
I see different views
And every single one down here
Is beautiful to You
You listen to the beat of my heart
You're sensitive to every scar
You lift me up so I can reach stars
When I should be faced down in the sand
And You say we were worth
Everything You gave
From the Savior's birth
To that empty grave
My eyes are searching for the glory
Beauty inside of the moulding
Every fabric that is holding us
My eyes are searching for the glory
Beauty inside of the moulding
Every fabric that is holding us
You listen to the beat of my heart
You're sensitive to every scar
You listen to the beat of my heart
You're sensitive to every scar
You lift me up so i can reach stars
When i should be faced down in the sand
And You say we were worth everything you gave
From the saviors birth to that empty grave
And You say we were worth everything you gave
From the saviors birth to that empty grave
In Ivory Layne's song "You Say," the singer reflects on her struggles and insecurities, expressing her desire to find beauty and meaning in the world. She speaks of her judgment being clouded by cheap tricks and empty promises, and her soul yearning for something more. However, she finds solace in looking into the eyes of someone who sees the beauty in everything, even when she herself feels small and undeserving. The song emphasizes the idea that we are all valuable and worthy of love and grace, as seen through the eyes of someone who truly cares.
The lyrics of this song portray a message of hope and self-worth, encouraging listeners to see the beauty in themselves and others. While it can be easy to get swept up in negativity and doubt, the song reminds us that there is always hope for redemption and renewal. By recognizing our own self-worth and being sensitive to the scars of others, we can lift each other up and reach for the stars together.
Overall, "You Say" is a powerful testament to the transformative power of love and grace. It encourages listeners to look beyond their own struggles and insecurities and recognize the inherent value and beauty in every person.
Line by Line Meaning
My eyes are searching for the glory
I am looking for something special and great to be a part of
Beauty inside of the molding
The inner beauty that may be found in the ordinary or average
Every fabric that is holding us
All the things that keep us together and make us function as a whole
But my judgments clouded by cheap tricks
But my opinions are biased and influenced by deceitful actions
I'm filled with these empty promises
I am deceived by fake or hollow commitments
My soul yearns for all the dark above, above
I crave the deep and meaningful things that are beyond the superficial
But looking into Your eyes
However, when I look at You (God),
I see different views
I see a different perspective
And every single one down here
And everything and everyone on earth
Is beautiful to You
Is worthy and valuable in Your (God's) eyes
You listen to the beat of my heart
You pay attention to my emotions and feelings
You're sensitive to every scar
You take into account all of my emotional wounds and pain
You lift me up so I can reach stars
You inspire and encourage me to aim high and achieve great things
When I should be faced down in the sand
When I should be feeling defeated and hopeless
And You say we were worth everything You gave
And You (God) affirm that we are valuable and deserving of all the blessings and sacrifices
From the Savior's birth to that empty grave
From Jesus' birth to His resurrection despite the grave being empty
And there are times when I feel small like
There are moments when I feel insignificant or unimportant
Nothing I can do counts at all times
My efforts feel futile and meaningless
Of what You did for all of us that day
Of what You(God) did for all humanity on the day that Jesus died and rose again
And sometimes I feel it creeping in the
And at times I feel a sense of something negative or unpleasant coming over me
Bitter shroud of all my sin and doubt
The overwhelming feeling of guilt and uncertainty in my actions and faith
Cannot help but think that I'm a waste, a waste
I can't help but believe that I'm useless or pointless
And You say we were worth everything You gave
And You(God) reinforce the idea that we are worthy of all the blessings and sacrifices
From the Savior's birth to that empty grave
From Jesus' birth to His resurrection despite the grave being empty
My eyes are searching for the glory
I am looking for something special and great to be a part of
Beauty inside of the molding
The inner beauty that may be found in the ordinary or average
Every fabric that is holding us
All the things that keep us together and make us function as a whole
You listen to the beat of my heart
You pay attention to my emotions and feelings
You're sensitive to every scar
You take into account all of my emotional wounds and pain
You listen to the beat of my heart
You pay attention to my emotions and feelings
You're sensitive to every scar
You take into account all of my emotional wounds and pain
You lift me up so I can reach stars
You inspire and encourage me to aim high and achieve great things
When I should be faced down in the sand
When I should be feeling defeated and hopeless
And You say we were worth everything you gave
And you(God) affirm that we are valuable and deserving of all the blessings and sacrifices
From the Savior's birth to that empty grave
From Jesus' birth to His resurrection despite the grave being empty
Contributed by Alex F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.