Lewis has become a multi-platinum selling artist and three time Grammy Award nominee. She was proclaimed 'Top New Artist' by Billboard magazine in 2008. Her two albums Spirit and Echo, released in 2007 and 2009 respectively, have collectively sold in excess of 10 million copies worldwide and topped the charts in numerous countries. Lewis's debut tour, The Labyrinth, took place in 2010. As of December 2012, Lewis has sold 28 million records worldwide. Her third album Glassheart was released 12 October 2012. It was preceded by the single "Collide", which became her seventh top-five hit in the UK. With the release of Hurt: The EP and "Trouble", Lewis has had nine top-ten hits in the UK.
Lewis' debut single A Moment Like This became the fastest selling UK single after being downloaded over 50,000 times within thirty minutes of its release. Her second single, Bleeding Love, reached number one positions in over thirty singles charts around the world. In November 2008 she set a record in the UK for the fastest selling download-only release with her cover version of the Snow Patrol song Run which sold 69,244 copies in two days. Lewis's debut tour, The Labyrinth, started in 2010.
Lewis was born in the London Borough of Islington, to Aural Josiah "Joe" Lewis of Afro-Guyanese descent, and Maria Lewis of Welsh, Italian and Irish descent. Her parents enrolled her at the Sylvia Young Theatre School, and from there she attended the Italia Conti Academy and the BRIT School, where she learned to play instruments such as the guitar and piano, in the hope of becoming a singer-songwriter. Lewis wrote her first full-length song at the age of 12. She initially trained in opera, but went on to singing jazz and blues, eventually leading to popular music, citing Minnie Riperton, Eva Cassidy and Stevie Wonder as her main influences. After leaving the BRIT School at 17, she took a number of jobs to fund studio time, recording a demo album called Twilight. The album, almost exclusively comprising her own compositions, was recorded under Spiral Music, a production company based in Fulham. "I tried to secure a record deal by doing things my own way. I worked very hard but I never managed to land a contract", said Lewis. Other demos were recorded under licence from UEG Entertainment, later included on an album called Best Kept Secret. However, none of Lewis's demos were released and she considered taking a hiatus from her music career to attend university until her boyfriend persuaded her to enter The X Factor which subsequently severed her connections with UEG.
Songfacts says that Collide, the first single from Leona Lewis's third album finds her taking a more dance pop route than on her previous material. She said, "I'm excited for people to see a different side to my music. I'm a fan of so many different genres and styles. For me this song has all the great ingredients of a summer anthem." The song got its first play on Scott Mills' Radio One show on July 15, 2011 and will be released on September 4, 2011.
Lewis' third studio album, Glassheart, is due for release in 2012.
Ladders
Leona Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down here in the trenches
I know what I'm fighting for
Come back to my senses
I'm ready for something more
I can face all of my mistakes
It's okay, finally
I'm awake, I'm away
I fall back down but I'm looking up
Each heart breaks end up the ladder
You're there to lift me up, lift me up
Higher
Higher
Oh oh
No glory in silence
I'm trying to live out loud
Rise up though I'm crying, hmm
I'm free, let the fear run out
I can face all of my mistakes
I'll be brave, oh
It's okay, finally I'm awake
I'm away
I fall back down but I'm looking up
Each heart breaks end up the ladder
You're there to lift me up, lift me up
Higher
I fall back down but I'm looking up
Each heart breaks end up the ladder
You're there to lift me up, lift me up
Higher
Higher
Higher oh oh
Wherever you take me
You will not beat me
Finally I'm where I belong
Wherever you take me
You elevate me
Finally I am not alone
Mmm hmm hmm
You're there to lift me up, lift me up
Higher
I fall back down but I'm looking up
Each heart breaks end up the ladder
You're there to lift me up, lift me up
Higher
Higher
Higher
Oh
You're lifting me up
Higher
So high, so high
In Leona Lewis's song Ladders, the lyrics describe the journey of a person who has faced their mistakes, overcome their fears, and risen above them. The imagery of being in the trenches suggests that the singer has been struggling, but they have found the strength to fight for something more meaningful. They have become aware of their own faults, and are ready to be brave and face the challenges that come their way. Through their struggles and heartbreaks, they have learned that every obstacle they face is a step on the ladder that leads them to a higher place.
The repeated refrain "I fall back down but I'm looking up, each heartbreak ends up the ladder" emphasizes the idea that even when we fall, we can continue to rise above our struggles. It suggests that our setbacks are not the end of the road, but rather a stepping stone towards our goals. The support of those around us is also highlighted in the lyrics, as the singer acknowledges that there are people who are always there to lift them up and help them climb higher.
Overall, Ladders is a song with a positive message of perseverance and resilience, encouraging listeners to keep climbing towards their goals despite the obstacles that may come their way.
Line by Line Meaning
Down here in the trenches
Despite the struggles I'm facing in life, I know what I'm fighting for.
I know what I'm fighting for
I have a clear purpose and direction in life.
Come back to my senses
I'm regaining my clarity on what's truly important.
I'm ready for something more
I'm open to growth and change.
I can face all of my mistakes
I'm confronting my past errors instead of running away from them.
It's okay, finally
I'm finding peace and resolution with my struggles.
I'm awake, I'm away
I'm fully present and taking action to move forward.
Each heart breaks end up the ladder
Every struggle I go through is an opportunity to grow and climb higher.
You're there to lift me up, lift me up
With the help and support of others, I'm able to overcome my obstacles and rise up.
No glory in silence
It's important for me to speak up and express my truth.
I'm trying to live out loud
I'm embracing who I am and expressing it to the world.
Rise up though I'm crying
Even when it's hard, I'm finding the strength to keep moving and growing.
I'm free, let the fear run out
I'm no longer held back by my fears or doubts, and I'm able to fully embrace my growth.
Wherever you take me
I trust in the process of life and where it's leading me.
You will not beat me
I won't let my struggles or challenges defeat me.
Finally I'm where I belong
I'm finding my place and purpose in the world.
You elevate me
Through the support of others, I'm able to reach new heights.
Finally I am not alone
I'm finding connection and belonging with others.
You're lifting me up
With help and support, I'm able to rise above my struggles and reach new heights.
So high, so high
I'm experiencing a sense of fulfillment and purpose in my life.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANNE PREVEN, KEVIN ANYAEJI, LEONA LEWIS, WAYNE WILKINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind