Starting in 2003, Nalick released her first studio produced album, entitled: “Wreck of the Day” in 2005. It featured the hit single “Breathe (2AM)” under the SonyMusic label. The song propelled to the top of the charts and sent Anna on a nearly four year tour around the world. Featuring her third hit single “Shine,” Nalick and SonyMusic released “The Shine EP.” Both “Wreck of the Day” and “The Shine EP” can still be heard widely on radio and television today, with “Breathe” being featured twice on the hit television drama “Grey’s Anatomy.”
Wanting to pursue a musical style free of label influence, Nalick decided to part ways with SonyMusic in 2010 and in 2011, released her first independently produced album: “Broken Doll & Odds & Ends”. Nalick describes the album as: “mostly acoustic with haunting and unusual instrumentation. I wanted to release the songs I wrote while I was with Sony before I move on to all new material. I liked the songs too much to just leave them all behind. Now I’m ready to explore new territory.”
Utilizing the unique sounds of toy piano, sitar, glockenspiel, oud, mandocello and sweeping string arrangements, “Broken Doll & Odds & Ends” features a wide range of instruments, performed by a very talented collection of musicians. Nalick’s unique storytelling ability and timeless sense of melody has gained even more notoriety with fans, selling over 30,000 copies during the album’s first month.
Presently, Nalick is dedicating the majority of her time to writing for her next project. Unlike the acoustic feel of “Broken Doll & Odds & Ends,” Nalick’s next album is planned to be an electric collection of songs, featuring a full band and a bigger sound than previously produced.
Catalyst
Anna Nalick Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never shine quite as bright as in the movies
Still wanna go?
'Cause something here
In the way, in the way that we're constantly moving
Reminds you of home
So you're taking these pills for to fill up your soul
And I'd be inclined to be yours for the taking
And part of this terrible mess that you're making
But me, I'm the catalyst
When you say love, hmm
Is a simple chemical reaction
Can't say I agree
'Cause my chemical, yeah, yeah
Left me a beautiful disaster
Still love's all I see
So I'm taking these pills for to fill up my soul
And I'm drinking them down with cheap alcohol
And you'd be inclined to be mine for the taking
And part of this terrible mess that I'm making
But you, you're the catalyst
And you'll be the vein, you'll be the pain
You'll be the scar
You'll be the road, rolling below
The wheels of a car
And all of my thoughts on
God, don't know if I'm strong enough now
You'll be the vein, you'll be the pain
You'll be the
Catalyst
These L.A. Lights, no no
They don't shine quite as bright as back in Frisco
Do you wanna go?
Still wanna go
The song "Catalyst" by Anna Nalick speaks about the struggles of two people who are dealing with their personal demons and are finding solace in each other. The first verse talks about the allure of Los Angeles and how, even though it might not be as bright as depicted in movies, there is something in the constant movement of the city that reminds the singer of home. The second verse talks about how the singers are trying to fill the emptiness inside them with pills and alcohol. They acknowledge the mess they are making of their lives, but are still drawn to each other. The chorus talks about how the singer sees love as something beautiful despite the pain and destruction it causes in her life, while her counterpart sees it as a mere chemical reaction.
The bridge of the song indicates that the male protagonist will be the reason for the emotional pain and scars that will follow the relationship's end. The song ends with the singer questioning whether she is strong enough to face the challenges that lie ahead.
The song is a powerful reminder that love is not always perfect, and that it can be both beautiful and destructive.
Line by Line Meaning
L.A. lights
The dazzling lights of Los Angeles
Never shine quite as bright as in the movies
But they don't quite live up to the movie magic
Still wanna go?
Despite the reality, do you still want to experience it?
'Cause something here
Because there's something about being here
In the way, in the way that we're constantly moving
Constantly moving, like the city itself
Reminds you of home
Elicits a nostalgic feeling for home
So you're taking these pills for to fill up your soul
You're searching for something to complete you, so you're taking pills
And you're drinking them down with cheap alcohol
You're numbing the pain with alcohol
And I'd be inclined to be yours for the taking
I'm willing to be with you
And part of this terrible mess that you're making
Even if it means being a part of the chaos in your life
But me, I'm the catalyst
I am the agent for change in your life
When you say love, hmm
When you reduce love to a simple chemical reaction
Is a simple chemical reaction
You claim that love only exists in the brain
Can't say I agree
I don't agree with that
'Cause my chemical, yeah, yeah
Because my own experience of love
Left me a beautiful disaster
Has left me in a state of beauty and chaos
Still love's all I see
But despite the chaos, love remains at the forefront
So I'm taking these pills for to fill up my soul
I am also searching for something to complete me, so I'm taking pills too
And I'm drinking them down with cheap alcohol
I'm also numbing the pain with alcohol
And you'd be inclined to be mine for the taking
You would also be willing to be with me
And part of this terrible mess that I'm making
Even if it means being a part of the chaos in my life
But you, you're the catalyst
But you are the one who will bring about change in my life
And you'll be the vein, you'll be the pain
You will be the source of both pleasure and anguish
You'll be the scar
You will leave a mark on me
You'll be the road, rolling below
You will be the path that I travel on
The wheels of a car
Like the wheels of a car, I will keep moving forward on this path
And all of my thoughts on
All of my thoughts and feelings about this journey
God, don't know if I'm strong enough now
Expressing doubt about being able to handle the challenges ahead
You'll be the vein, you'll be the pain
Once again, reiterating the emotional impact this relationship will have on me
You'll be the
You are the center of this journey
Catalyst
The force that sets things in motion, for better or for worse
These L.A. Lights, no no
Once again, referring to the lights of Los Angeles
They don't shine quite as bright as back in Frisco
And comparing them to the lights of San Francisco
Do you wanna go?
Asking if you still want to go, despite the differences between reality and fantasy
Still wanna go
Reiterating the question of whether or not you still want to go
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: ANNA NALICK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Katelyn Last Name
I honestly love Anna Nalick, her songs always help me, when I tell people about her I don't think they understand..
Killeen Hossbach
I understand. 💛
Kristi Remy
My favorite sulky song
Audra Braun
Katelyn Brief I understand
Katelyn Last Name
Agreed
Trent Stewart
<3 I listen when I'm a little down. It always helps.
Mikayla S.
this girl isn't very famous...but damn does she have a beautiful voice.
Brian Sullivan
Shes famous to he in me do much light she is above to inwardly I awakening one greater inwardly Baptist’s fire inwardly most high she brings life to messiah in words
VoxDissident
"When you say love is a simple chemical reaction, can't say I agree" A catalyst is something that triggers a chemical reaction. It's beautiful in the way it's used here, because a catalyst is something that makes a chemical reaction occur rapidly where it might be otherwise impossible. All the ingredients can be there, but without the catalyst, there is no chemical reaction.
Ada
I listen this song every time I'm sad...and it somehow makes me feel better..