Anika Moa (born 21st May 1980) is a singer-songwriter from Christchurch, Ne… Read Full Bio ↴Anika Moa (born 21st May 1980) is a singer-songwriter from Christchurch, New Zealand.

While still at school in Christchurch, Moa entered the 'Smokefree Rockquest'.
She received a record deal with Warner Music in New Zealand and Atlantic Records in New York. The record company had big commercialized plans for her - which conflicted with her brash down-to-earth personality. Overall Moa did not enjoy her time in America and returned to base herself in New Zealand. Her first album was released in 2001.

She released her second album on August 1, 2005. She has collaborated with many artists including New Zealand's SJD and Bic Runga. She has also joined the band Dimmer, in a backup and touring capacity. She appears on the Greenpeace single "Anchor Me", which commemorates the twentieth anniversary of the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior. She also DJs under the pseudonym DJ Unika.
During September-October 2006 Moa toured New Zealand with just her acoustic guitar, playing at pub venues - almost all of which were sold out.

In October 2007, she released her third studio album, In Swings The Tide. The album was self produced for the first time.

Moa is openly lesbian.

Her website can be found at http://www.anikamoa.com/

Annie Goes to Sleep
Anika Moa Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Whos that smiling over a tale
We need our eyes to loosen our sail
I have dreams that darken your mind
And for a while my heart will never lie
Annie goes to sleep

For all the mornings that sweep in with you
I saviour them and lean on them too

Cos in the morning that's when I'm certain
That I love you

It's a dream to be, becoming sweet
Don't worry your face, I'm singing for you
Never mind the dust won't make you delay
Send it away, I'm singing for you

Keep on talking, give me a moment
Let's make a plan to live on an island
Cos I've been thinking this through and through
It's crazy islands that make up you
Annie goes to sleep with a man on her mind
Rough housing all the sheets that contain her

It's a dream to be, becoming sweet
Don't worry your face, I'm singing for you
Never mind the dust won't make you delay
Send it away, I'm singing for you

I have only confessions
I believe in my heart
And to live on your island
Would be crazy

It's a dream to be, becoming sweet
Don't worry your face, I'm singing for you

Never mind the dust won't make you delay
Send it away, I'm singing for you

Overall Meaning

"Annie Goes to Sleep" is a tender and dreamy song about love and the power of dreams that features Anika Moa's distinctive vocals and guitar work. The song begins with the singer asking who is smiling over a tale, suggesting the presence of a comforting and nurturing figure, perhaps a parent or a lover. The lyrics then shift to the singer's dreams that can darken the mind of their beloved, indicating that their dreams might reveal deep fears or insecurities. However, the singer affirms that their heart will never lie, suggesting that their love is genuine and true. Annie Goes to Sleep is a lullaby that soothes the singer's beloved, allowing her to fall asleep with a man on her mind.

The second verse portrays the singer cherishing the mornings that they spend with their beloved, and expressing their certainty that they love them. The verse also contains the lyrics "Don't worry your face, I'm singing for you," indicating that the singer wants to ease their beloved's worries and anxieties. The chorus repeats the dreamy and uplifting lyrics that express the singer's desire to be sweet and to sing for their beloved. The verse ends with the lyric "I have only confessions, I believe in my heart," which suggests that the singer sees their love as a profound and sacred commitment. The song ends with the singer affirming that living on an island with their beloved would be "crazy," suggesting that their love is intense and all-encompassing.

Line by Line Meaning

Whos that smiling over a tale
Someone is happy about a story they heard or are telling.

We need our eyes to loosen our sail
We need to be able to see clearly in order to navigate through life.

I have dreams that darken your mind
The singer has dreams that may cause anxiety or negative thoughts for the listener.

And for a while my heart will never lie Annie goes to sleep
The artist's heart will be truthful for a period of time while Annie falls asleep.

For all the mornings that sweep in with you I saviour them and lean on them too Cos in the morning that's when I'm certain That I love you
The artist cherishes the mornings they spend with their loved one because it reaffirms their love for them.

It's a dream to be, becoming sweet Don't worry your face, I'm singing for you Never mind the dust won't make you delay Send it away, I'm singing for you
The singer wants to make their loved one happy and promises to sing for them despite any distractions or obstacles.

Keep on talking, give me a moment Let's make a plan to live on an island Cos I've been thinking this through and through It's crazy islands that make up you
The singer wants to have a serious conversation about living together on an island and believes that their significant other embodies the spirit of adventure that such a lifestyle entails.

Annie goes to sleep with a man on her mind Rough housing all the sheets that contain her
Annie goes to sleep thinking about the man she loves and tosses around in bed.

I have only confessions I believe in my heart And to live on your island Would be crazy
The artist admits their feelings to their partner and declares their willingness to live together on an island, even if it seems unconventional.

Contributed by Sydney M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS