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.
Citadel
Anna Nalick Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Contemplating life
Making a point to waste my time
I'm walking on clouds of white
What if I fall?
What if I don't?
What if I never make it home?
What if I break?
And I find that I can't take
The city below the Citadel
Holding my own hand?
And I'm breaking on the balcony
Breaking window panes
Killing the pain of broken hearts
I'm walking on clouds
Walking on stars
What if I fall?
What if I don't?
What if I never make it home?
What if I bleed?
What if I break?
And I find that I can't take
The city below the Citadel
Holding my own hand?
I'm holding on to something
It's keeping me from jumping
I'm so afraid to do it alone
And holding up this fortress
With imaginary forces
Longing for a life down below
What if I fall?
What if I don't?
What if I never make it home?
What if I bleed?
What if I break?
And I find that I can't take
The city below the Citadel
Holding my own hand?
Anna Nalick’s song “Citadel” is a poignant contemplation of a life lived in fear and indecision, set against the backdrop of an otherworldly citadel. The singer of the song is perched on this citadel, gazing out at the city below. She muses on the various “what-ifs” that plague her mind, wondering if she will ever make it home or if she will fail in her endeavors.
The emotions conveyed in this song are raw and authentic, with the lyrics revealing an inner turmoil that is all too relatable. The vulnerability on display in the chorus, where the singer asks what will happen if she falls or bleeds, is especially poignant. By the end of the song, it becomes clear that the singer is holding on to something that is keeping her from taking the leap and jumping off the citadel. The need for imaginary forces to hold up this fortress, as she longs for a life down below, is a sentiment that will resonate with many listeners.
Overall, “Citadel” is a powerful exploration of fear and the desire to break free from it. The imagery of the citadel serves as a metaphor for the mental barriers that prevent us from taking risks and pursuing our dreams. The song encourages us to take the first step towards a better life, even if it means jumping off the citadel and facing our fears head-on.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm sitting on a citadel
I am sitting on top of a fortress, a place that is known for its strength and protection.
Contemplating life
Thinking deeply about the meaning of life and its purpose.
Making a point to waste my time
Choosing to spend time for myself and not doing anything significant or productive.
I'm walking on clouds of white
Feeling euphoric and light, as if I am floating on clouds made of the purest white.
What if I fall?
What would happen if I suddenly lose my balance and tumble down from my place of safety?
What if I don't?
What would happen if I do not fall, but continue to stay on top of this citadel?
What if I never make it home?
What if I am never able to return to the life that exists below the fortress?
What if I bleed?
What if I am injured and start to bleed, particularly if no help or assistance is available?
What if I break?
What would happen if my mind or my body gives up, and I cannot function physically or mentally anymore?
And I find that I can't take the city below the Citadel
I feel overwhelmed by the chaos and noise existing below this fortress, where life is busy and fast-paced.
Holding my own hand?
Should I rely upon myself to hold my hand and guide me through this journey, rather than expect help from others?
And I'm breaking on the balcony
I am experiencing intense emotions that are threatening to break me down, even while standing on top of the balcony.
Breaking window panes
Doing something drastic to overcome the pain, possibly breaking things or hurting oneself.
Killing the pain of broken hearts
Attempting to numb the emotional pain arising from a broken heart, or trying to forget someone or something that has caused hurt.
I'm walking on stars
Feeling exuberant and like I am on top of the world.
I'm holding on to something
I am relying upon something to keep me anchored and secure in this world.
It's keeping me from jumping
This something is preventing me from taking a drastic step that will have irreversible consequences.
I'm so afraid to do it alone
I am scared to face the challenges and difficulties of life by myself, and want the support and companionship of others.
And holding up this fortress
In addition to protecting me from external forces, I am also responsible for holding up the citadel.
With imaginary forces
I am relying upon inner strength and power to keep going, even though it may not be visible to the outside world.
Longing for a life down below
Despite the protection and strength of the fortress, I also long for a life filled with the hustle and bustle of the world down below.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: ANNA NALICK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anonymous
on Broken Doll
Helplessly Hoping - Anna Nalick - Lyrics
Helplessly hoping
Her harlequin hovers nearby
Awaiting a word
Gasping at glimpses
Of gentle true spirit
He runs, wishing he could fly
Only to trip at the sound of good-bye
Wordlessly watching
He waits by the window
And wonders at the empty place inside
Heartlessly helping
Himself to her bad dreams
He worries did he hear a good-bye?
Or even hello?
They are one person
They are two alone
They are three together
They are for hold of each other
Stand by the stairway
You'll see something certain
To tell you confusion has its cost
Love isn't lying
It's loose in a lady
Who lingers saying she is lost
And choking on hello
They are one person
They are two alone
They are three together
They are for hold of each other
Music Interlude
They are one person
They are two alone
They are three together
They are for hold of each other