At the age of 17 and after eschewing art school in favor of a music degree, Calvi began to learn her trade and started to assemble musical partnerships. In 2006, she met percussionist and harmonium player Mally Harpaz and later recruited drummer Daniel Maiden-Wood. Her initial gigs took place in and around London in late 2008 and 2009. The release of her debut single, "Jezebel," in the fall of 2010 was an electric cover version of the Edith Piaf standard.
The young Calvi soon captured the attention of Domino Records' boss Lawrence Bell after a glowing reference from former Coral guitarist Bill Ryder-Jones, who had witnessed one of Calvi's gigs in Manchester. Bell quickly signed her to his label. Ryder-Jones was not the only celebrity admirer of Calvi's, an acquaintance with the aforementioned Brian Eno similarly urged him to listen to this emerging talent. After hearing Calvi's raw and unplugged performances on The Attic Sessions (the early demos that she recorded on an 8-track in her parent's attic), the distinguished producer soon became her mentor and unofficial cheerleader.
Calvi entered Black Box Studios in France with the much-lauded producer Rob Ellis to record her self-titled debut album in 2010. Using vintage analog equipment, Calvi created a velvet Wall of Sound that justified the hype in the buildup to its 2011 release.
Her second album "One Breath" was released in October 2013. It was produced by John Congleton across two locations - Box Box Studios in France and Elmwood Recording Studios in Texas. The first single taken from the record was "Eliza".
Eliza
Anna Calvi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Peaceful is gleaming she stood
To see her, to be her, to change
As if like a kiss we're the same
So hold me up, hold me up
If only I could be you
Eliza
Eliza
Eliza
My sister, my pistol below
If you could know all that I know
I'm falling, no warning, no way
Tomorrow, tomorrow's too late
So hold me up, hold me up
I know that I could be you
Eliza
Eliza
Eliza
Eliza
So priceless and godless I wait
To leave this soul behind
Untangle the jangle of bells
They ring my fear through the night
Anna Calvi's song "Eliza" has a deep emotional and personal meaning to the singer as it is a tribute to her late aunt who was a painter and a sculptor. In the first verse of the song, Anna sings about how the loneliness won't hold her forever and how she sees peace in the memory of her aunt. She wants to change in the same way that her aunt would change her creations every day. The line "As if like a kiss we're the same" suggests that Anna wants to be like her aunt and continue her legacy.
In the second verse, Anna describes her aunt as her sister and pistol below which means that she was her rock and support system. She also expresses her fear of falling and not having enough time. It's as if she is trying to live up to the legacy of her aunt but is overwhelmed by the task. The repetition of the name Eliza is a way to keep her aunt's memory alive and present in the song.
The chorus repeats the name Eliza four times and it's Anna's way of calling out to her aunt, like a mantra, hoping that her presence can give her strength and guidance. The last verse shows Anna's struggle as she waits for a sign from a higher power to release her from her fears and doubts. The bells ringing in the distance represent her internal struggles and anxiety.
Line by Line Meaning
The lonely won't hold me for good
Being alone is temporary and will not last forever
Peaceful is gleaming she stood
She appeared calm and composed
To see her, to be her, to change
Wanting to change oneself to be like her
As if like a kiss we're the same
She feels a strong connection with the person, like lovers kissing
So hold me up, hold me up
Asking for support and comfort
If only I could be you
Wishing to become like the person
My sister, my pistol below
The person is her sister and support like a pistol she carries below her waist
If you could know all that I know
Wishing the other person knew what she knows and feels
I'm falling, no warning, no way
Feeling like she's falling apart with no way to stop it
Tomorrow, tomorrow's too late
It's urgent that things change now, not tomorrow
So hold me up, hold me up
Asking again for support and comfort
I know that I could be you
She believes she could become like the other person
So priceless and godless I wait
She's feeling useless and waiting without hope
To leave this soul behind
Wanting to escape from herself
Untangle the jangle of bells
Trying to figure out and fix the source of fear
They ring my fear through the night
Her fear echoes through her nights
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: ANNA MARGARET MICHELLE CALVI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@brankat1000
The lonely won't hold me for good
Peaceful is gleaming she stood
To see her, to be her, to change
As if like a kiss we're the same
So hold me up, hold me up
If only I could be you
My sister, my pistol below
If you could know all that I know
I'm falling, no warning, no way
Tomorrow, tomorrow's too late
So hold me up, hold me up
I know that I could be you
So priceless and godless I wait
To leave this soul behind
Untangle the jangle of bells
They ring my fear through the night
Lalalala...
@alysonrisso9086
I named my daughter Eliza before hearing this song, but now that I’ve found this... safe to say I’m crying
@eledonmtl
She's just incredible. Saw her perform live last night in Berlin. She has it all.....
@Edazon92
At first I thought that I didn't much care for this track, but I feel like I hear progress from the first album to this. After listing to her debut for so long I found myself thinking that I wanted something more upbeat from her and I think she managed to add a pop-like more broad appealing sound in the beginning of this track and then she adds that guitar part in the middle and all the intensity and passion is still there. Listening to it now I think this is one of her best tracks
@23angelful
that voice,that tune,even the guitar solo.
@courtneybeatley3926
probably the best female singer out there now, much respect and love from ireland
@thomaslord3907
I'm right with you there. I saw her two years ago and was blown away. It was the best gig I've been to for twenty years. She just politely said thank you at the end of a song and played the next one, which is exactly what I wanted. If I wanted audience interaction I'd have gone to see a stand up comedian. And from everything I've seen she seems utterly charming, even a little shy. Up her own arse! Bollocks.
@134Roo
Such a powerful voice. Great song. Greater new album.
@gadjo007
Awsome song and great video! Can't wait to hear the album (3
@MsElizaBrownson
I feel so special being an Eliza... It's a privilege to be named the same as her song title <3
@liza_the_lizard6220
Same<3