Ana Popović's father first introduced her to the blues, through an extensive record collection and sessions hosted at the family home. Popović founded her first serious band at age nineteen. Within a year, she was playing outside of Yugoslavia and opening shows for American blues icons like Junior Wells. Her band Hush released their debut album, Hometown in 1998. The next year, Popović relocated to the Netherlands to study jazz guitar. She quickly became a fixture on the Dutch blues scene and soon ventured into neighboring Germany.
Awards & Nominations:
2002 — Three-way nominee for "Best Singer", "Best Guitarist" and "Best Album" at the French Blues Awards.
2003 — First European nominated for "Best New Artist Debut" at the W.C. Handy Award in Memphis, Tennessee, United States.
2003 — Nominated for "Best Blues Album’’ at the Jammie Awards in New York City.
2004 — Winner of the award Jazz à Juan Revelation in Juan-les-Pins, France.
2006 — Nominated for 'Best Blues DVD (2005)', 'Best Live Performer', 'Best Female Blues Artist' and 'Most Outstanding Musician (Guitar)' at the 'Living Blues Awards'.
2007 — Nominated for 'Blues Artist of the Year' (BluesWax 2007, USA).
2010 — Nominated as 'Best Overseas Artist' at the British Blues Awards.
2011 — Winner 'Best Blues DVD' at the Blues Matters Awards (UK)
2011 — Three-way nominee for "Contemporary Blues Album" (Unconditional), "Contemporary Blues Female Artist" and "Best DVD" (An Evening at Trasimeno Lake) at the 33rd Blues Music Awards in Memphis, Tennessee, United States.
http://www.anapopovic.com/home
Shadow After Dark
Ana Popovic Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Grown up behind the bars
What can history teach us?
When it’s covered with scars
We learn to swim
But we’re swimming with sharks
Time is hard, you better
Trust no shadow after dark
They’ll imprison your soul
Imprison your mind
Cause today you learn to kill
Tomorrow to be kind
They sure know how to bite
Without leaving a mark
Time is hard, you better
Trust no shadow after dark
Small hopes to resist my friend
We've already marked
Do what you got to do just to try
Small hopes to resist
The only left reason to live
is a reason to survive
Small hopes to resist, my friend
We’re already marked
You watch them burn it all in flames
Once just a spark
You watch them build a graveyard
Out of a park
Time is hard, you better
Trust no shadow after dark
Ana Popovic's Shadow After Dark is a powerful and thought-provoking song that addresses the struggles of a generation that has grown up behind bars. The lyrics convey the message of how difficult it is to trust anyone, especially when living in a world filled with scars and where we swim with sharks. The song explores the concept of not being able to trust anyone, even the ones who appear to be our allies and loved ones. The artist emphasizes the importance of being watchful and not taking anything for granted, even a shadow.
The second stanza of Shadow After Dark highlights the harsh reality that many face, as it speaks about how society can imprison our souls and minds. The artist emphasizes the fact that we must be careful because today we are taught to kill, and tomorrow we are taught to be kind, hence the term "trust no shadow after dark." The line "They sure know how to bite, without leaving a mark" is a metaphorical representation of how there are oppressed groups everywhere, which one might not see at first glance. It could be a reminder to be vigilant and discerning in all aspects of life.
Ana's Shadow After Dark is a powerful message intended to encourage individuals to stay hopeful and convinced regardless of adversities. It's an inspiring call to resist our oppressors, always watching out for dangers and the hardships of living a life of fear. It is neither easy nor comfortable to navigate the treacherous path of life, but hope and small chances make all the difference.
Line by Line Meaning
What hope for a generation?
What kind of future can the next generation expect?
Grown up behind the bars
They have grown up in a society where they are imprisoned by limitations, rules, or expectations.
What can history teach us?
Despite the fact that history is full of lessons, can the future generation learn from it?
When it’s covered with scars
Even though history can be scarred with painful moments and events.
We learn to swim
We learn to survive despite our difficult circumstances.
But we’re swimming with sharks
Describing the challenge of surviving in a dangerous and hostile environment.
Time is hard, you better
Life is tough and you should be cautious.
Trust no shadow after dark
Don't rely on things that seem too good to be true because they might not be all that they appear.
They’ll imprison your soul
The world can be stifling, taking away your freedom to think and act as you so choose.
Imprison your mind
It could also take away your ability to be curious or critical.
Cause today you learn to kill
A violent society can normalize taking and inflicting harm on others.
Tomorrow to be kind
This violence can also create a culture that values kindness and compassion just as much.
They sure know how to bite
The dangers of the world can take many forms, some of which are difficult to detect.
Without leaving a mark
These dangers are often subtle and might not be immediately noticeable.
Small hopes to resist my friend
Although it seems difficult, it's important to have hope and stand up for what's right.
We've already marked
We are aware of the challenges and dangers that we might encounter.
Do what you got to do just to try
Do your best to overcome the obstacles that come your way.
The only left reason to live
The only reason worth living is to keep fighting for what you believe in.
is a reason to survive
To keep going, even when the odds are against you.
You watch them burn it all in flames
The people in power are capable of destroying everything you've ever known or believed in.
Once just a spark
It can all start from a small or insignificant incident.
You watch them build a graveyard
The same people who destroy your world can also build a new one that is just as, if not more, oppressive.
Out of a park
They are capable of taking something beautiful and turning it into something bleak and depressing.
Time is hard, you better
Life is tough and you should be cautious.
Trust no shadow after dark
Don't rely on things that seem too good to be true because they might not be all that they appear.
Contributed by Julian N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.