Ana Laura describes herself as a walking contradiction: at one moment self-assured then skittish, quiet then projecting volume, grounded in reality then expressing whimsical ideas.
"Where I grew up, you have the Americanized view and the Mexicanized view. I love America, but I also love my Mexican culture. Pop culture has become slang. I'd like to see it have a little more class, a little more cultured. It's become weird to be good and sweet and nice and proper, and I'd like to see that brought back."
The richness of culture and beauty Ana Laura wishes for in everyone's life manifests itself from the very first track of her Reunion debut, a song titled "If You Ever Fall" that opens with lush string arrangements not often heard within the realm of today's pop music, framing Ana Laura's powerful, expressive voice elegantly.
The opener gently rolls out one of the album's primary themes, the everyday falling we experience as human beings and the ultimate hope of being lifted into God's comforting embrace. It's one of a number of themes Ana Laura says appear throughout the record, drawn from her experiences growing up and captured through the work of songwriters such as Sam Mizell ( "Who Am I," Point of Grace; "Next Thing You Know" and "The End," Matthew West) and Cindy Morgan ("Breathing In," Salvador; "Dive In," Christy Carlson Romano; "Blessed," Rachael Lampa). Ana Laura played an active role in the songs on her album conversing with songwriters to draw from her own experiences and choosing songs that articulated messages already on her heart.
"I went through my share of problems growing up, thinking I wasn't pretty enough or thin enough or smart enough or kind enough. I have a younger sister and I don't want those things to be passed along to her," Ana Laura says. "There are so many girls out there that think they have problems with their bodies or their looks or their personalities, just a lot of different things to think they're not perfect. And even though we can't be perfect, Christ gives us a kind of perfection we can look to, but we have to give it all to Him."
The comfort of the opening song gives way to the in-your-face thankfulness presented in "Water," an upbeat, groove-laded track destined to be blared from teenagers' car stereos across the country, much like other up tempo songs such as "Sometimes I Fall" and "No More," which features Ana Laura's first credit as a songwriter.
Through the process of developing Ana Laura's 10 tracks, the young Texan found her own horizons changing and shifting, a growth reflected both musically and lyrically. "My tastes have changed a lot. I've been opened up to so many different kinds of music. I don't have to stick to just ballads or up tempo songs, I can do a wide variety of music, which is fun when you're doing a concert and you don't want to be rocking them to death or singing them to sleep," she says. "My classical training plays into it a lot as well. I love classical music, I love opera, but I still like the hard rockin' stuff as well. I like Latin music and its various genres, and I love American music. It was really exciting to bring all of these musical loves into one album."
But it's the broader, deeper context of her impending entrance into the world of music that has Ana Laura contemplating her role the most. She embraces the idea of being a role model, not only for young adults her age but also of classic pop music that many generations enjoy.
Ana Laura knows the opportunities for leadership that are there, and she relishes that chance. "I don't want to be a shallow leader," she says. "Not only do I want to back my words up with my actions, but I also want to be well versed in them. I definitely think you need to be engaged in the word constantly, and not just the Bible, but also commentaries and other analysis, even children's educational things like Adventures In Odyssey. I love it when Whit teaches me a lesson!
"I definitely think it's not just being versed in God, but also knowing what's going on in the world today and how God interacts with that," Ana Laura continues. "We should all know about our country, our culture, our language; it's just a constant growth. I'm never going to know everything about my religion or my country or sports, but I know I need to learn constantly. I don't want to be the kind of leader that just encourages people to wear Prada. I want to be the best I possibly can be at what I do, and I know that I have a responsibility there."
Music is her method, the everlasting love of Christ in an ever-changing world is her message, and if her debut album is any indication, Ana Laura's more than good enough to impact the world for a good, long time.
WATER
Ana Laura Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just to see a little bit
Cause the sun is blazing in the sky
I'm thirsty but the world is dry
I run to You
I come to You
You got what i need to be renewed
I run to you
Cause there's no other place i can get that taste of
Water, water
Pour on me
And pour on me
Water, water
To my soul
Don't let me go
Don't let me go
Without water
(Don't ever let me go)
Without water
Like a desert is my life
All this tears from my eyes
I cry but it's just never enough
Cause nothing cleanses like your love
No reason to clean my face in the sand
Then i look and i reach for your hand
Is it just my imagination
Seeing you is so amazing
I reach for you
I reach for you
You're holding the cup that can fill me up
Water, water
Pour on me
And wash me clean
Wash me clean
Water, water
To my soul
Don't let me go
Don't let me go
Without water
Water, water
Pour on me
And wash me clean
Wash me clean
Water, water
To my soul
Don't let me go
Don't let me go
Without water
Pour it out
Pour it down on me
Open up you're sky on me
Pour it out
Pour it down on me
Open up you're sky on me
Let you're living water aim all around me
Wash over me
Wash over me
Water, water
Pour on me
And wash me clean
Wash me clean
Water, water
To my soul
Don't let me go
Don't let me go
Without water
Let it pour on me
And wash me clean
Wash me clean
Water, water
To my soul
Don't let me go
Don't let me go
Without water
Pour it out
Pour it down on me
Open up you're sky on me
The song "Water" by Ana Laura explores the idea of spiritual thirst and the desire to be filled up by God's love. The metaphor of water is used throughout the song to represent the cleansing and rejuvenating power of God's grace. The first verse describes the harshness of the world and the thirst it brings to the singer. But with the chorus, the singer runs to God, seeking to be renewed by His love. The second verse paints a picture of a desert, where nothing can cleanse like God's love. The chorus is repeated again, with the same imagery of water as a life-giving force. The bridge invites God's love to wash over the singer like living water, cleansing and refreshing them. The song concludes with a plea to not be let go without water, without God's love filling them up.
Overall, "Water" is a powerful song about the importance of seeking God's love and grace in order to find renewal and cleansing in a harsh and difficult world. Through the metaphor of water, the song brings to life the idea of spiritual thirst and the need to be filled up by something greater than ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Like a drop that falls on to my lips
I am thirsty for a sip of something that can quench my thirst, like the way a single drop of water can satisfy me.
Just to see a little bit
I am eager and desperate to have a glimpse of water, even if it is just a small amount.
Cause the sun is blazing in the sky
The heat of the sun is making me feel even more thirsty and exhausted.
I'm thirsty but the world is dry
I am dehydrated and craving for water, but there is no source of water in sight.
I run to You
I am running towards you, seeking your help and guidance to find water.
I come to You
I am seeking refuge in you, hoping that you can quench my thirst.
You got what i need to be renewed
I believe that you have the ability to give me what I need to feel refreshed and revitalized again.
Cause there's no other place i can get that taste of
I know that the only place where I can get the satisfaction of quenching my thirst is with you.
Water, water
I am chanting the word 'water', as it's the only thing that can solve my current problem.
Pour on me
I am asking for water to be poured on me to provide instant relief to my thirst.
To my soul
I am not just thirsty for water, but also for spiritual relief that can soothe my soul.
Don't let me go
I am asking for your support and guidance to not let me suffer alone and without your help.
Without water
I know that without water, I won't be able to survive for long, so I am urging you to not abandon me.
Like a desert is my life
My life feels like a dry and barren desert, with no source of water or hope in sight.
All this tears from my eyes
I have cried so much that my tears have become the only source of liquid in my life, which is not enough to quench my thirst.
I cry but it's just never enough
No matter how much I cry, it's not enough to bring me the relief and satisfaction that water can provide.
Cause nothing cleanses like your love
I believe that your love has the power to cleanse my soul in a way that nothing else can.
No reason to clean my face in the sand
I have no reason to hide my face in the sand, as I know that you are there to help me and provide me with what I need.
Then i look and i reach for your hand
I am searching for you, and when I find you, I am reaching for your hand to seek your help and guidance.
Is it just my imagination
I am overwhelmed with emotions and the thought of finally finding water, that I am questioning if it's actually real or just a figment of my imagination.
Seeing you is so amazing
When I finally see you, I feel a sense of awe and amazement at how you have rescued me from my thirst and despair.
I reach for you
I am reaching out to you, grasping for your help and support to get me through this difficult time.
You're holding the cup that can fill me up
I know that you have the capacity to fill my cup with water, which can quench my thirst and bring me comfort and relief.
And wash me clean
I am asking for the water to wash me clean and purify me of my troubles and worries.
Let it pour on me
I am pleading for the water to be poured on me, bringing relief and cleansing to my tired and dehydrated body.
Open up you're sky on me
I am asking for the skies to open up and provide the water I need to survive and thrive.
Let you're living water aim all around me
I am calling for your help to shower me with your blessings and abundance, allowing me to be surrounded by your living water.
Wash over me
I am asking for your love and grace to wash over me and provide relief and healing to my soul.
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: CINDY MORGAN, JEREMY CEDRIC BOSE, ROBERT DOUGLAS GRAVES, SHELLEE COLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind