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.
You Knew Me When
Leona Lewis Lyrics
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You'll see someone you don't recognize
You'll see someone who looks like me
But I'm not the me I used to be
Found I could fall, but I could get up
And after all, I could hold my head up
I made it out, I made it through
I'm someone now, I'm someone new
You could say you knew me when
You knew me when I was on the edge
And my confidence was shattered
You knew me when I didn't know my worth
Didn't know how much I mattered
You knew me when you thought you could get me down, no
You knew me when, you knew me then
But you don't know me now
You look surprised to see I've changed
But I've turned the key and I've turned the page
Stepped out the dark into the sun
To a whole new me that I've become
I was scared, had so much fear then
Now I'm free, now I'm fearless
Took too much for too long
I'm someone now, I'm someone strong
And you could say you knew me then
You could say you knew me when
You knew me when I was on the edge
And my confidence was shattered
You knew me when I didn't know my worth
Didn't know how much I mattered
You knew me when you thought you could get me down, no
You knew me when, you knew me then
But you don't know me now
I'm a little wiser, reaching higher
It's a battle but I'm a fighter
This time there'll be no surrender, no
And you could say you knew me when
You could say you knew me when
You knew me when I was on the edge
And my confidence was shattered
You knew me when I didn't know my worth
Didn't know how much I mattered
You knew me when you thought you could get me down, no
You knew me when
You knew me when, you knew me then
But you don't know me now
You knew me then, you knew me when
But you don't know me now
The song "You Knew Me When" by Leona Lewis is all about personal growth and evolution. The lyrics paint a picture of a person who has gone through difficult times, but has finally emerged on the other side stronger and more confident than ever before. The chorus emphasizes this point, with the singer declaring that while others may have known her in the past, they don't truly know her now because she has changed so much.
In the first verse, the singer acknowledges that she may look familiar on the outside, but she is not the same person she used to be. She's proud of the fact that she's been able to overcome her struggles and turn her life around. The second verse highlights some of those struggles, including a lack of confidence and a sense of worthlessness. However, the singer has managed to rise above those feelings and become a stronger person.
The bridge of the song is particularly powerful, as the singer declares that she is now "a little wiser, reaching higher" and ready to face any challenges that come her way. The overall message of the song is one of hope and perseverance, reminding listeners that even though life can be tough, it's possible to come out stronger on the other side.
Line by Line Meaning
Take a look, look into my eyes
Look deeply into my eyes and see the true essence of who I am.
You'll see someone you don't recognize
You will see a person who has changed beyond recognition.
You'll see someone who looks like me
You will see a person who bears a striking resemblance to who I used to be.
But I'm not the me I used to be
I am no longer the same person I was before.
Found I could fall, but I could get up
I discovered that I could overcome challenges and get back up after falling down.
And after all, I could hold my head up
Despite the difficulties I faced, I maintained my dignity and self-respect.
I made it out, I made it through
I successfully navigated the challenges I faced and emerged victorious.
I'm someone now, I'm someone new
I have transformed into a new, improved version of myself.
But you could say you knew me then
You could claim to have known me in my past, less-evolved state.
You could say you knew me when
You could say that you were familiar with the earlier version of myself.
You knew me when I was on the edge
You were acquainted with me when I was teetering on the brink of failing or falling apart.
And my confidence was shattered
My self-confidence was completely destroyed at that point in time.
You knew me when I didn't know my worth
You knew me at a time when I had not yet discovered my own value or importance.
Didn't know how much I mattered
I had not yet realized the significance of my existence or my place in the world.
You knew me when you thought you could get me down, no
You thought that you could bring me down and defeat me at that specific moment in time.
But you don't know me now
You are not acquainted with who I have become since then.
You look surprised to see I've changed
You appear taken aback by the extent of my transformation.
But I've turned the key and I've turned the page
I have made a conscious decision to move on from my past and leave it behind.
Stepped out the dark into the sun
I have emerged from a period of darkness and despair into a period of light and hope.
To a whole new me that I've become
I have transformed into a completely different person than who I used to be.
I was scared, had so much fear then
I was gripped by fear and uncertainty during that period of time.
Now I'm free, now I'm fearless
I have broken free from the shackles of fear and embraced a life of fearlessness and courage.
Took too much for too long
I endured too much for too many years and have decided to change my path.
I'm someone now, I'm someone strong
I am no longer a powerless victim, but a strong and resilient individual.
I'm a little wiser, reaching higher
I have gained wisdom through my experiences and am now striving for greater heights.
It's a battle but I'm a fighter
Even though achieving my goals is a difficult struggle, I am determined to overcome the odds and succeed.
This time there'll be no surrender, no
I will not give up or surrender, no matter what obstacles I may face.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DIANE EVE WARREN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind