Her stage name is a play on the term Anno Domini, and an American sugar brand.
After a series of enjoyable singles and EPs, Anna Domino's first proper album as such was a sharp, fun treat. Working with Marc Moulin of Telex and Alan Rankine, formerly of the Associates, Domino kicked up her heels in a series of songs both of the '80s and beyond it. The arrangements place songs like "Drunk" and "Not Right Now" at a certain time -- then state-of-the-art drum machines and synth bass, for instance -- but Domino's ear for singing and pop fascinations of other times did the trick. Her voice is low and moody without being smoky as such -- it's not rough but neither does she coo -- and she keeps an easy feel going in her music, with plenty of finger-snapping, hip-swinging grooves. When she goes "modern," as on the sparkling "Caught," it's just as intriguing, an argument against seeing her simply as a revival act. If an inexact parallel could be drawn, Anna Domino almost suggests a companion album to early Sade -- there's the same calm coolness that's not dull, one where silence and space rather than a wall of sound is crucial. Everything but the Girl is another obvious reference point -- perhaps unsurprising considering Ben Watt was due to do some remix work for Domino a couple of years beforehand. "Rythm," the intentionally misspelled single that had surfaced a year before, kicked things off with a jazzy feel that found an unexpected midpoint between Tracey Thorn and Laurie Anderson, swinging pop with a sly, wry cast. The left-field inclusion is an inspired remake of Smokey Robinson's "The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game," given a slight lovers rock undertow to mix with Domino's general approach. The LTM reissue of the album in 2004, as always in keeping with the rest of the label's work, contains various B-sides and an Arthur Baker remix of the jaunty "Summer" as bonus cuts.
Caught
Anna Domino Lyrics
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Caught up in a network of wrecks and ruin
Paid for by the people that brought you hope
So well conceived you'd think that what you're doing
Has never gone too far to have a stop
Don't take your eyes off the complications
All the twists and ties of a happy home
To move fast at last once the time has really come
Caught up -
Caught up in the wake of a sudden moment
Waiting on banks of reflecting pools
We face each other in a trust and torment
Dive - drink to drown - sink or swim along in schools
Knocked down to earth and then resurrected
Glowing with heat & breathing dust
Shook-off for the moment or circumvented
Only long enough to remember what we must
Caught up -
In Anna Domino's song, "Caught," the lyrics suggest being locked into a world of chaos, destruction, and confusion caused by the very people who promised hope. The song implies a feeling of being trapped in a society that's designed to benefit those in power, and the masses are left to suffer. The lyrics strongly advise the listeners not to overlook the complexities that are present in their universe, as it's these challenges that will help them grow and be prepared for the future.
The first verse suggests that people who were responsible for bringing hope had let down the masses, causing chaos and destruction. The second verse speaks about being caught up in the turmoil of the moment and being overwhelmed by life's complexities. The lyrics indicate that individuals have to face each other amidst this chaos and decide to either sink or swim together.
The chorus "Caught up" is repeated twice in each verse, signifying how people can once again find themselves stuck in the same cycle if they're not mindful of their actions. The lyrics suggest that people might be knocked down by circumstances, but it's essential to rise, learn from their lessons, and keep moving forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Caught up in a network of wrecks and ruin
Trapped in a chaotic world plagued by disaster and ruin
Paid for by the people that brought you hope
Those who once promised hope are now responsible for the price that must be paid
So well conceived you'd think that what you're doing
The situation was planned so skillfully that it may seem as though it was always meant to be
Has never gone too far to have a stop
Despite how far things have gone, there is always a chance to stop the chaos
Don't take your eyes off the complications
Pay attention to the complications and difficulties that may arise
All the twists and ties of a happy home
Even within a seemingly happy home there can be complex relationships and unexpected problems
All chaos keeps us in fine condition
Unpredictable situations keep us alert and ready to react
To move fast at last once the time has really come
When the time is right, we must act quickly to resolve the conflict
Caught up in the wake of a sudden moment
Swept away by an unforeseen turn of events
Waiting on banks of reflecting pools
Reflecting on and waiting for a moment of clarity or resolution
We face each other in a trust and torment
We confront one another, struggling between trust and suffering
Dive - drink to drown - sink or swim along in schools
We must make a choice to either dive in and be consumed, or struggle to stay afloat alongside others
Knocked down to earth and then resurrected
We are brought down to earth by our struggles but can be reborn from defeat
Glowing with heat & breathing dust
Scarred and battered, but still burning with a fierce determination
Shook-off for the moment or circumvented
For a moment we may break free, but cannot escape the challenges forever
Only long enough to remember what we must
During these brief moments we must remember why we continue to fight and strive through the chaos
Contributed by Anna Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.