Bailey sang "Listen" in her room audition and "Who's Loving You" in the arena. She sang "Clown" at bootcamp, and "I Have Nothing" and "Without You" at judges' houses.
Following the eliminations of Lorna Simpson in week 1 and Shelley Smith in week 2, Bailey became the last over 25 left in the competition. On 8 December, she made it to the final, becoming the first female over 25s contestant to achieve this feat, along with Nicholas McDonald and Luke Friend. On 14 December, she duetted with X Factor judge Scherzinger and was later announced as the winner singing Skyscraper by Demi Lovato. The following day, she became the first "Over" to win the competition since Steve Brookstein did so in 2004.
Skyscraper
Sam Bailey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Catching tear drops in my hands
Only silence as it's ending
Like we never had a chance
Do you have to make me feel like
There's nothing left of me?
You can take everything I have
Like I'm made of glass
Like I'm made of paper
Go on and try to tear me down
I will be rising from the ground
Like a skyscraper
Like a skyscraper
As the smoke clears, I awaken
And untangle you from me
Would it make you feel better
To watch me while I bleed?
All my windows still are broken
But I'm standing on my feet
You can take everything I have
You can break everything I am
Like I'm made of glass
Like I'm made of paper
Go on and try to tear me down
I will be rising from the ground
Like a skyscraper
Like a skyscraper
Go run, run, run
I'm gonna stay right here
Watch you disappear
Yeah
Go run, run, run
Yeah, it's a long way down
But I am closer to the clouds up here
You can take everything I have
You can break everything I am
Like I'm made of glass
Like I'm made of paper
Oh
Go on and try to tear me down
I will be rising from the ground
Like a skyscraper
Like a skyscraper
(Like a skyscraper)
Like a skyscraper
Like a skyscraper
Oh, oh, like a skyscraper
The song Skyscraper by Sam Bailey explores the themes of perseverance, strength, and resilience during tough times. The opening line sets the tone for the song as the skies are crying, and the singer is watching, catching tear drops in their hands. The use of personification creates an atmosphere of sadness and despair. The writer is hoping against hope that the situation will improve. They say that silence reigns as it's ending, and it seems like they never had a chance. The lyrics are referring to a relationship, and it appears that things didn't go as planned.
The singer feels shattered, and they ask if the other person (who caused the hurt) has to make them feel like there's nothing left of them. They feel like they're like glass or paper, something that can be easily broken. However, they vow to rise from the ground like a skyscraper, a symbol of strength that is not easily toppled. The following verse talks about how the smoke has cleared, and the singer has awoken. They promise that they will stand on their feet, although their windows are still broken.
The bridge is a transition leading to the final chorus. The writer asks the other person to go ahead, run away, and disappear. They will stay right here and watch them go. It's a long way down, but the singer is closer to the clouds up there. They finally affirm that they will rise from the ground again, just like a skyscraper.
Overall, the song's message is about staying strong even when faced with adversity. It's a song of hope that encourages people not to give up but to keep fighting. The use of analogy between the skyscraper and the writer's determination creates a strong visual message that stays with the listener long after the song has ended.
Line by Line Meaning
Skies are crying, I am watching
I'm watching as the sky cries, it's raining heavily, and I feel helpless about it.
Catching tear drops in my hands
I'm catching the tears drops in my hand with the sense of sadness about the ending of a relationship that couldn't last.
Only silence as it's ending
There is no communication between two souls at the end of their relationship.
Like we never had a chance
The relationship was fragile from the beginning and had no chance to survive.
Do you have to make me feel like There's nothing left of me?
After a hard break-up, I'm feeling like I've lost my identity and have nothing left in me.
You can take everything I have
You can have all my possessions and wealth.
You can break everything I am
You have the power to break me emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
Like I'm made of glass
I'm vulnerable and fragile, like a glass that could break easily at any moment.
Like I'm made of paper
I'm weak and easy to tear, like a paper that could be torn apart quickly.
Go on and try to tear me down
Even if you try to hurt me, I will never give up, and it will only make me stronger.
I will be rising from the ground
I will rise again from my pain and difficulties and start living my life again with new hope and strength.
Like a skyscraper
Just like a skyscraper that will stand tall, I will also stand tall and strong against all the challenges in my life.
As the smoke clears, I awaken
When the fog of confusion and pain fades away, I get to see the situation for what it really is, and I can move forward with clarity.
And untangle you from me
I'm trying to release the memories and person of the past so that I can move forward without being held back.
Would it make you feel better to watch me while I bleed?
Do you want me to suffer more and watch me suffer in my pain? How cruel is that?!
All my windows still are broken
My past still haunts me as much as every window that you had broken before.
But I'm standing on my feet
Despite everything that has happened to me, I still stand firm, and I'm not defeated.
Go run, run, run, I'm gonna stay right here
You can leave me, and I will stay where I am with strong determination and motivation to face life.
Watch you disappear, yeah
I'm ready to let you go and watch you vanish from my life.
Yeah, it's a long way down
If you want to go, go, but it's a long way down, and you better be prepared for it.
But I am closer to the clouds up here
The higher I stand, the closer I am to heaven, and your departure can't shake me.
Oh, oh, like a skyscraper
Oh, just like a skyscraper, I'll stand firm and unmoved.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Toby Gad, Kerli Koiv, Lindy Robbins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind