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/
Wrestled With Your Angels
Anika Moa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You like shooting me in the heart
I'm more than a child with no worries
I'm underestimated.
What keeps me breathing
Cos I want the world to know
That so many times.
I've wrestled with your angels
And it seems like they're not moving anywhere
I've wrestled with your angels
And I don't believe in angels no more.
See me don't leave me alone
And you say I could sing
You to sleep
We could dance, I could love you evermore
And I know, what is spent
Isn't lost, I believe you'll come around before too long.
What keeps me breathing
Cos I want the world to know
That so many times.
I've wrestled with your angels
And it seems like they're not moving anywhere
I've wrestled with your angels
And I don't believe in angels no more.
The first verse of "Wrestled With Your Angels" focuses on the power of words and how they can deeply affect someone. Anika Moa acknowledges that someone has the power to hurt her ("shooting me in the heart") with their words, but she is more than just a child who has no worries. Despite being underestimated, she still desires to be heard and recognized ("I want the world to know"). Moa then goes on to describe her struggles with a higher power, or "angels." The repetition of "I've wrestled with your angels" reveals the intensity of Moa's ongoing conflict. She once believed in these angels, but now feels disillusioned and as though they are unresponsive to her struggles ("it seems like they're not moving anywhere"), leading to her loss of belief in their existence.
The second verse appears to be addressed to the person who has hurt Moa, as she pleads for them to stay by her side and shares her hope for a better future ("I believe you'll come around before too long"). Moa acknowledges their connection, which includes her singing them to sleep and loving them "evermore." However, she does not want to be alone, as the lyrics "see me, don't leave me alone" suggest. Moa reiterates her desire to be heard and understood, that she is fighting and struggling against something larger than herself. Overall, "Wrestled With Your Angels" explores themes of personal struggle, loss of faith, and the importance of connection with others.
Line by Line Meaning
Your words get me under
Your words affect me deeply and I feel powerless against them.
You like shooting me in the heart
You enjoy hurting me emotionally and causing me pain.
I'm more than a child with no worries
I am a complex individual with my own problems and struggles.
I'm underestimated.
People don't fully appreciate or understand my abilities and strengths.
What keeps me breathing
What motivates and inspires me to keep going.
Cos I want the world to know
Because I am driven to share my experiences and message with others.
That so many times.
That I have faced numerous challenges and obstacles in my life.
I've wrestled with your angels
I have struggled with your personal demons and issues.
And it seems like they're not moving anywhere
And it feels like these struggles are not improving or resolving.
And I don't believe in angels no more.
And I have lost faith in the idea of external forces that can help me.
See me don't leave me alone
Acknowledge my presence and don't abandon me.
And you say I could sing
You recognize my artistic talent and potential.
You to sleep
My singing could bring you comfort and help you relax.
We could dance, I could love you evermore
We could share a deep emotional connection and lasting relationship.
And I know, what is spent
I am aware of the effort and energy I have invested.
Isn't lost, I believe you'll come around before too long.
I have faith that my effort will pay off and you will eventually understand and appreciate me.
Contributed by Caden I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
angelpbj
Anika is awesome and I love ALL her songs, hehe! Became a fan this year and surprise after surprise she's catching on me!!
Hermionek
This is my favourite song of Anikas. She's awesome!
xraychel
Anika Moa is so awesome- one of the things that makes me proud to be a kiwi! YAY shes playing in invercargill tomorrow--i'll be there!
Zazeebee
this is awesome... filmed at Takapuna Tenpin bowling... I was there 2 days ago... great song!!
Bingo Namo
Love this song. Perfect.
Marcio Maia
This song is pure affection-memory, can't help sming and reminding those days..
Jacob Turner
i love anika moa soo much! shes my favourite singer in the entire world! i listen to her all the time to make me settled :) as a gay dude i think she's a huge inspiration too :)
Rachel Kini
I think she is so beautiful. She looks like the kind of person who loves her self. Very rare attribute for people to have these days. Shes a goos rolemodel. Love you anika. Tu Meke sista.
FayeChan01
shes cool
HarryHarrisonMusic
Hi Anika your profile looks like you been party'n big time..phew! Great stuff. (I been gettin a lil countryfied @ times too) Harry