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/
Papercuts
Anika Moa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kicking up dust, keeping smiles
Filling in forms
I compared you . to my favourite piece of cake
But I don't have one of those to put in my jewellery case
I imagined holding ground
It wasn't the first sound
No more gain to write
I don't want to be extreme
To talk you senseless
Being worried, theres no casual, if theres no flame
I allowed you to move a stone, to be my simple
But I don't have, a silent greed, to put it all on the front page
I imagined holding ground
It wasn't the first sound
I imagined papercuts
No more gain to write
The lyrics of Anika Moa's song "Papercuts" convey a sense of longing and loss, with the singer admitting she no longer has any more "pretty faces" to show the world. She seems to be reflecting on her own inadequacies, comparing herself to a simple piece of cake she does not possess to put in her jewellery case. Moa's poignant lyricism speaks of her desire to hold her ground and create something meaningful, but she fears it will only result in "papercuts" and no more gain to write. She acknowledges her own limitations and does not want to push the boundaries, giving in to the casual and comfortable in order to avoid losing the flame altogether.
The repeated lines about imagining papercuts reinforce the theme of creativity's potential to be both painful and cathartic. Moa's lyrics speak to the same raw emotion that she is known for, a sense of vulnerability and honesty that is rare in popular music. The song's melody complements the lyrics, creating a sort of wistful, pensive atmosphere that echoes the words. Overall, "Papercuts" is a striking example of Moa's melancholic lyricism.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't have anymore pretty faces
I don't have any more superficial personalities to put on display.
Kicking up dust, keeping smiles
Putting on a happy front while ignoring the dust that's being stirred up underneath.
Filling in forms
Going through the motions, filling out paperwork without any real purpose or passion.
I compared you to my favourite piece of cake
I held you to a high standard, like a piece of cake that's worth savoring.
But I don't have one of those to put in my jewellery case
But I don't have anything tangible or permanent to show for it.
I imagined holding ground
I envisioned standing my ground and being firm in my convictions.
It wasn't the first sound
It wasn't the first time I've had this thought or feeling.
I imagined papercuts
I pictured the small, painful cuts that come from handling paper, as a metaphor for my emotional pain.
No more gain to write
There's no more benefit or value to be gained from continuing this relationship or experience.
I don't want to be extreme
I don't want to be overly dramatic or go to extremes.
To talk you senseless
To talk endlessly and pointlessly, without making any progress or rational sense.
Being worried, theres no casual, if theres no flame
I can't be casual or relaxed if there's no spark or passion in the relationship or situation.
I allowed you to move a stone, to be my simple
I let you make a small gesture of kindness or support, hoping it would be enough to show your caring and commitment to me.
But I don't have a silent greed, to put it all on the front page
But I'm not secretly hoping for more grand gestures or public displays of affection, I just wanted something genuine and heartfelt.
Contributed by Oliver R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Laurence
on In the Morning
What a load of rubbish. The song is about having an abortion and the lyrics are Bleed, bleed, bleed, that's all I ever do. Stupid pc morons