In an interview with www.spinner.com, Sudol shared how she came up with the name "(I) had a bunch of books open on a table, "a fine frenzy" jumped off a page of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' [Shakespeare] and it was just right, though every now and then I wonder if it's a bit ... flowery."
Sudol developed the sound of A Fine Frenzy - hypnotic piano arrangements under classic American melody fused into irresistible, atmospheric songs with the power to reach around the world.
The second album, Bomb in a Birdcage, was released on 8 September 2009. A third album, Pines, was released in 2012.
A Fine Frenzy official site - www.afinefrenzy.com
It's Alive
A Fine Frenzy Lyrics
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Say the sunken ship
For you never know where you’re going to go
When the anchor lifts, oh, lifts
Pry my fingers off
Loosen the deathly grip
You can’t be tethered to a ghost
To a memory
He cast me adrift
Said, don’t forget
And cast me adrift
He said
There is something about you
Whole, it’s something about you
Vivid, something about you
‘Bout you, ‘bout you lives, it’s alive
Ooh it’s alive
Baby ooh, it’s alive
I don’t know anything
Any much of anything about this here
It is uncharted territory
I know it’s the new frontier, it’s clear
I want you near
But you’re not there to run to
Even when you appear
Yet, there is something about you
Whole, it’s something about you
Vivid, something about you
‘Bout you, ‘bout you lives, it’s alive
To know somebody like you
Exists makes it all right to
Forget what I left behind
Because I like you like you like
It’s alive
Ooh it’s alive
Baby ooh, it’s alive
The lyrics of A Fine Frenzy's song, It's Alive, express a sense of readiness for change and letting go of the past. The opening lines advise against giving up hope by stating "never say never," but then shift towards the idea of leaving the past behind with the metaphor of a sunken ship. The anchor lifting is indicative of moving on, and the need to "swim" and not be tied to memories or ghosts. The song then introduces a character who "cast me adrift" and tells the singer not to forget, but it's clear they are no longer present. This person is not the focus of the lyrics, but rather serves to highlight the singer's independent journey towards embracing the new and unknown- "uncharted territory."
The chorus emphasizes the alive quality of this new experience. There is something about the singer(another person or oneself) that is vivid and full of life. This person or desire, in contrast to the past, makes everything feel new and exciting- "I like you like you like, it's alive." The final verse reflects on the uncertainty of this new territory and the longing for someone not there. But ultimately, this is outweighed by the excitement of the new connection- "to know somebody like you exists makes it alright to forget what I left behind."
Line by Line Meaning
Never say never say never
Don't make absolute statements about the future
Say the sunken ship
Acknowledge the failures or losses of the past
For you never know where you’re going to go
The future is uncertain
When the anchor lifts, oh, lifts
Freedom can be sudden and exhilarating
Pry my fingers off
Let go of the past or attachments
Loosen the deathly grip
Holding on too tightly can be suffocating
You can’t be tethered to a ghost
Don't let memories or past experiences hold you back
To a memory
Don't live in the past
You’ve got to swim
Keep moving forward and find your own way
He cast me adrift
The artist was abandoned or left behind
Said, don’t forget
A warning to not lose oneself in the journey
And cast me adrift
The feeling of being lost or alone
There is something about you
The singer is drawn to the unknown qualities of the other person
Whole, it’s something about you
The other person feels complete and unique
Vivid, something about you
The other person is vivid or lively in their presence
‘Bout you, ‘bout you lives, it’s alive
The other person brings the artist to life and gives them hope
I don’t know anything
The artist is unsure and vulnerable
Any much of anything about this here
The situation is unfamiliar and uncertain
It is uncharted territory
The singer is exploring new emotional ground
I know it’s the new frontier, it’s clear
The artist is aware of their emotional journey
I want you near
The artist desires closeness and intimacy
But you’re not there to run to
The other person is distant or unattainable
Even when you appear
The other person may still be emotionally unavailable
To know somebody like you
The artist finds comfort in the unique qualities of the other person
Exists makes it all right to
The other person's presence validates the singer's journey
Forget what I left behind
The singer is willing to move on from the past for the other person
Because I like you like you like
The singer feels a deep attraction and connection to the other person
It’s alive
The artist feels alive and renewed by the other person's presence
Ooh it’s alive
The excitement and energy of the other person's presence
Baby ooh, it’s alive
An expression of affection towards the other person
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALISON SUDOL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind