Before the age of nineteen thi… Read Full Bio ↴A singer-songwriter from New Zealand.
Before the age of nineteen this Southland girl had already been mentored by many of New Zealand's top producers, opened for Kelly Clarkson and The Script before eighteen, at seventeen honed her songwriting skills on a U.S. scholarship that took her to Nashville and the South By South West festival in Texas, and won the Smokefree Rockquest Female Musician Award and Play It Strange competition at sixteen and fifteen respectively.
Born and raised on a sheep farm in Tokanui - 60 kilometres south east of Invercargill, Annah has fond memories of singing with her two younger sisters at local jam-nights supported by the tight-knit township. Annah's childhood was also filled with countless family jams on road-trips and Australasian-wide adventures, including annual visits to the Tamworth Country Music Festival in New South Wales. By nine she had already won her first of three Gore Gold Guitar Awards.
Annah says that her songs are a mix of personal experiences and stories told from the perspectives of close friends - a sentiment that is clearly reflected in the lyrics of her debut album, 'Little Stranger'. Annah recorded the majority of the album at Roundhead studios with internationally renowned American producer Brady Blade, working with Josh Fountain from Kidz In Space at Woodcut Studios, and Wayne Bell and Ben King at The Lab to finish other tracks.
Focus
Annah Mac Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But the day's so fine
Just chilling at the beach
Take-aways cheap white wine
Killing time whistling
At every boy who walks by
Time for the gym
Not one looks down or acts up shy
I can hear the old man in my head
And I haven't even spoken with him for a month
Riding shotgun in a shirt deep red
Driving us out to the wharf in Bluff
Girl, focus
Where'd this attitude come from?
You're my oldest
Focus
If I put in the time
I know I'd do good
Make him proud, whatever else
I swear I would
But there's just other things
And I don't try
There's nothing wrong with minimum
And I get by
And I can hear the old man in my head
And I haven't even spoken with him for a month
Riding shotgun in a shirt deep red
Driving us out to the wharf in Bluff
Girl, focus
Where'd this attitude come from?
You're my oldest, you're my oldest
No more, no more early nights to re-negotiate
No more arriving home loaded with boys and beer
Freedom comes and then it's too late, it's too late
Oh, oh, oh ooh
Oh, oh, oh ooh
Oh, oh, oh ooh x2
Oh, focus
Where'd this attitude come from?
You're my oldest
And girl I need you to show me
Some focus
Focus
Focus
Focus
The song "Focus" by Annah Mac revolves around the idea of a young woman struggling to balance her desires to enjoy life and fulfill her responsibilities. The first verse sets the scene of a beautiful day at the beach, which the singer is enjoying instead of studying. She acknowledges that she should be studying but is instead wasting time and checking out boys. The second verse reveals that she hears an "old man" in her head, likely her father, who she hasn't spoken to in a month. The memory of her father provides a contrast to her current behavior, as he represents a voice of reason, discipline, and guidance.
The chorus delivers a plea for the singer to focus and overcome her distracted attitude. The repetition of the phrase "you're my oldest" suggests that the singer has a sense of responsibility as the oldest child in the family. Despite acknowledging that she could do better, she is content with making minimum efforts and getting by, until her father's voice reminds her of her potential.
The final verse sees the singer realizing that she needs to change her attitude and focus on her responsibilities before it is too late. She must prioritize her commitments and show her father that she can do better.
Line by Line Meaning
Really should be studying
I have responsibilities to tend to, but I'm not doing it
But the day's so fine
It's a good day to be outside
Just chilling at the beach
I'm relaxing at the beach
Take-aways cheap white wine
I'm having a good time without spending too much money
Killing time whistling
I'm trying to pass the time by enjoying myself
At every boy who walks by
I'm being flirtatious with guys passing by
Time for the gym
I need to start taking better care of myself
Not one looks down or acts up shy
The guys I'm checking out seem confident and uninterested
I can hear the old man in my head
I remember what my father would advise me
And I haven't even spoken with him for a month
It's been a while since I talked to him
Riding shotgun in a shirt deep red
I reminisce being on a road trip with him
Driving us out to the wharf in Bluff
We went to a place where we can spend some time together
Girl, focus
I need to concentrate on what's important
Where'd this attitude come from?
I don't usually act like this
You're my oldest
I have a responsibility to set a good example for you
If I put in the time
If I really try my best
I know I'd do good
I'm capable of achieving great things
Make him proud, whatever else
I want to make my father proud of me
I swear I would
I promise that I will
But there's just other things
But there are other things that I'd rather do
And I don't try
And I don't really put effort into being productive
There's nothing wrong with minimum
I'm content with doing the bare minimum
And I get by
I manage to get things done, but not exceptionally so
No more, no more early nights to re-negotiate
No more making deals to stay out later than what's responsible
No more arriving home loaded with boys and beer
No more engaging in reckless behavior and drinking too much
Freedom comes and then it's too late, it's too late
I'm aware that my youth is finite and want to make the most of it before it's too late
Oh, oh, oh ooh
Vocalization intended to elicit an emotional response
And girl I need you to show me
I need you to help me stay on track
Some focus
I need to concentrate and work hard
Focus
I need to focus on my goals and priorities
Focus
I need to concentrate and work hard
Focus
I need to focus on my goals and priorities
Contributed by Isaiah W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Major Kitty
I've loved this great song for 10 Years.. It still gives me goosebumps. I can hear my old man in my head and he died 20 Years Ago ❤
Monique Gemmell
I love this song, and Annah is even better live i have seen her live 2 times she is a natural singer , i look up to her and her tallent, lovin this song
owensy54321
I remember when this song came out when i first came to NZ. Great memories. Still here in 2022 and listening to her. Haven’t heard any of her stuff in years, a real shame. Real talent.
Darío Diál
No se porque pero me encanta este tema.!!!!
La Música
X2
Mel Ell
Annah is extremely talented, I was lucky enough to see her in Christchurch the other night - she was flawless. So proud that she's from New Zealand :)
ajr97
She came to my college to perform - free! It was amazing! First of heard of her and she was exceptional!
aaronimpactgaming
The chorus is so catchy
loooseunit
Love it
Rachel McClintock
It's a crime this song doesn't have more views, uh love this song