After graduation, Alvarez visited a friend in Texas, where she discovered the Deep Ellum music scene in Dallas. She became active in the local club scene and signed a record deal with Brando Records. She recorded her debut album Ruleta in Spanish with producer Javier Willis. She wrote and performed all the songs on the album. A few months later, Kevin Lawrie at Sony Norte heard the tracks and signed her to the Miami-based label. Alvarez continued to work in the Latin music scene, getting airplay for her debut single "Hoy" on stations throughout Puerto Rico and the US. Picky Talarico directed the video for "Hoy", which was shot on location in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The program director for Entravision Communications "Super Estrella" network happened upon her while she was performing at the Grove in Los Angeles. The following week "Hoy" was added to the playlist for all of the "Super Estrella" network across the US. This led Sony Norte to release a second single "Cada Momento". The video was directed by Nory Niven.
While touring and performing in Texas, Alvarez became close friends with her Brando Records label mates Blue October, who invited her to sing on two songs: "Come in Closer" off of their album History for Sale and "Into the Ocean" from their platinum-selling album Foiled.
Alvarez also starred in the independent film "Lycanthrope". The movie features one of her original songs, "This Is Love", which can be found on the re-release of her album "Ruleta".
Alvarez landed a spot on the CBS TV show Rockstar: Supernova in 2006. Her outrageous costumes and creative spin on the songs she performed were both praised and derided by the media. Los Angeles Times pop music critic Ann Powers stated that "Rockstar's most intriguing contestant, the Puerto Rican punk chanteuse Zayra Alvarez"while her hometown paper, the Dallas Observer, referred to her "serious, possibly fatal, pitch deficiency".] During her tenure, she covered many well-known songs, including "Call Me", "867-5309/Jenny", and "Everybody Hurts". On week 7, Alvarez took a huge risk by singing her own original song, ""Lluvia de Mar,"" in Spanish on Prime Time TV, and while Supernova (Tommy Lee, Gilby Clarke and Jason Newstead) could not help but like it they still wanted her to sing a more traditional rock song. She was eliminated from the show on August 16. Shortly after her departure from Rockstar:Supernova, the Los Angeles Times ran a feature article on her. In it, the writer Josh Kun stated, "Zayra Alvarez, an aspiring arena goddess born and raised in Puerto Rico, makes it deep into the prime-time CBS-TV competition of "Rock Star: Supernova." She prances around ... in peekaboo cosmic blue cat suits like she's Ziggy Stardust's long lost Caribbean cousin."
After the show Alvarez returned to Texas and moved to Austin. She decided it was time for her to record her songs in English in a style that took her far beyond traditional Latin music. She also dropped her last name and became known simply as Zayra. Her latest album, Baby Likes To Bang, was released on September 14, 2010 by Brando Records. This album represents Zayra's transition into dance music, featuring remixes by top DJs from around the world. Two singles have been released from the album, "V.I.P." and "Baby Likes To Bang."
"V.I.P.", the first single from the album and a Top 5 Billboard Dance Club Hit, was remixed by Dave Audé, Mike Rizzo, DJ Paulo & Alain Jackinsky, Steph Seroussi, and Adrian Benavides. After the release of the single, the blogger Arjan wrote "every summer needs a dance queen and Zayra is turning out to be this season's club royalty."
The second single "Baby Likes To Bang" was released November 8, 2010. It was declared the #1 Dance Breakout by Billboard and was the #3 most added song by DJ's behind Katy Perry and Rihanna. The single features remixes from DJ Escape & Tony Coluccio, Razor N Guido, Mixin Marc & Tony Svejda and Steph Seroussi & Nam. The music videos for "Baby Likes to Bang" and "V.I.P." were composed by Merritt Fields of Rainmaker Artists.
Zayra has been performing around the country in support of the record, including Austin Fashion Week, Atlanta Pride 2010, TigerHeat, and multiple performances in Los Angeles and New York.
Everybody hurts
Zayra Álvarez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you think you had enough of this life, hang on...
Everybody hurts.
Take comfort in your friends.
Everybody hurts.
Don't throw your hand.
If you feel like you're alone,
Zayra Álvarez's song, "Everybody hurts", is a beautiful ballad of hope and encouragement. The lyrics address the struggles that we all face in life - feelings of loneliness, despair, and hopelessness. The song begins with the singer acknowledging the pain and difficulty of daily life. The night can be especially lonely, and it's easy to feel like we're the only ones in the world struggling.
However, the refrain of the song provides a glimmer of light in the darkness. Everybody hurts, the song reminds us. We are not alone in our pain. We have friends who support and care for us. We must hold on - "don't throw your hand" - and remember that the difficult moments will pass. If we can't see a way out of our struggles, we should turn to the people around us, because we are not alone.
Overall, "Everybody hurts" is a powerful reminder that we are all human and that life is hard. However, we don't have to face our struggles alone. There are people who care for us and love us. Whenever we feel overwhelmed or hopeless, we should remember that we are not alone and we can get through anything with the support of our friends and loved ones.
Line by Line Meaning
When the day is long and the night, the night is yours alone,
During those long and lonely days, where the darkness reminds you of your solitude,
When you think you had enough of this life, hang on...
When life seems unbearable, and you are ready to give up, hold on, and don't let go
Everybody hurts.
Everyone has their own struggles and pain, and it's okay to feel overwhelmed sometimes
Take comfort in your friends.
Your friends are there for you when you need them, and their support can bring you solace
Everybody hurts.
In those moments of deep hurt, remember that you are not alone, and others have felt the same pain
Don't throw your hand.
Don't give up or walk away from life, even when it seems too hard to bear
If you feel like you're alone,
Sometimes it can feel like you are the only one going through hard times, and no one understands your pain
No, no, no, you are not alone
But remember, there are others who care and understand, and you never have to face your pain alone
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tyler
I still remember this performance like it was yesterday even though it was 9 years ago. Wow time fly's. This was such a great vocal from her
Ebony Qualls
love her singing this
alwaystough
You're simply the best for this song
lpholbrooks
she just gives me goose bumps i love her voice so beautiful,thank you for sharing love this piece,your sound equipment is awesome :-)
blues2oo
DANM! @ 2:07 you can see the pain in those pretty dark eyes of hers. How appropriate song choice, everybody hated her, I’m sure she felt horrible. I’m surprised she didn’t break down, on the contrary, she stood her ground and walk out with her head held high. Truly, a strong and awesome woman.
theraf2u
You must be on some bad drugs, because this performance was spectacular. It gives me chills.
Julie Marie Broxterman
This is my favorite rendition of this song, so I have come back to this clip several times over the years to hear it
hylianna
She reminds me of Bjork in this song.
chubiisio
demasiado bueno
Aaron Lanier
Her voice reminds me so much of Bjork. I never liked her on the show, but this is one fuck of a great performance.